Honouliuli National Historic Site
Park Historic internment and POW site from WWII era
On Oʻahu’s leeward plains, Honouliuli National Historic Site preserves World War II-era internment and incarceration landscapes; visitors attend guided history programs and interpretive exhibits.
Honouliuli National Historic Site preserves the location of a World War II-era internment and detainee complex on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaii. It commemorates the incarceration of Japanese Americans, Okinawans and other detainees and prisoners during the war.
On site visitors and researchers find preserved landscape features and interpretive materials that document the camp’s layout and use; public access is managed to protect fragile remains and archaeological resources. The site emphasizes education about wartime civil liberties and the experiences of internees.
The site was established by the U.S. Army in 1943 and was used during World War II as an internment and POW facility; detainees were held there through the end of the war era. The location and surviving features were later identified and protected for their historic significance.
Honouliuli sits on the western side of central Oʻahu near the communities of Waipahu and Ewa, roughly 25-35 kilometres west of downtown Honolulu depending on route.
- Historic designation: Recognized by the U.S. government as a National Historic Site for its role as an internment and detention location during World War II.
- Remains and interpretation: Physical remains include earthworks and landscape footprints of incarceration facilities; interpretive material is provided to explain the site's wartime use.
What to See #
- Site core: Remnant camp landscape and interpretive areas preserved on site with limited public access and guided interpretation provided by the National Park Service and local partners.
How to Get to Honouliuli National Historic Site #
Honouliuli is on the leeward side of Oʻahu (Ewa Plain). Access and visitor facilities are managed through National Park Service resources; visitors should consult the NPS site for directions, guided tour schedules and parking information.
Tips for Visiting Honouliuli National Historic Site #
- Visit with the park's visitor information resources to learn about the site's history - much of the interpretive material is recent and carefully constructed.
- Respect the sensitivity of the site - it was an incarceration center and is treated as a place of remembrance.
- Combine a visit with other Oʻahu historical sites to build context about wartime America and Japanese American history.
Best Time to Visit Honouliuli National Historic Site #
Any time of year is feasible; interpretive programs may be seasonal - check the National Park Service calendar.
Weather & Climate near Honouliuli National Historic Site #
Honouliuli National Historic Site's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 17°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1267 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (216 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
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March
March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm).
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April
April is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (133 mm).
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May
May is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).
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June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).
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July
July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).
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September
September is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).
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October
October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm).
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November
November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (168 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (151 mm).