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.

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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.
Honouliuli National Historic Site
Honouliuli National Historic Site, Ewa Plain area, Oʻahu, Hawaii
21.3882, -158.0575
Site open during daylight hours; visitor center and programs may have specific times
Free (site managed by National Park Service; check for guided program fees)

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.

Year‑round (tropical climate)
Jan-Dec · 70-85°F (21-29°C)
Weather is warm year‑round; avoid the wettest months if seeking dry hiking conditions.

Weather & Climate near Honouliuli National Historic Site #

Climate

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.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
31°
Warmest Month
17°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (216 mm).

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° 26°

Weather

216 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
17° 27°

Weather

118 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm).

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 27°

Weather

143 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (133 mm).

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 28°

Weather

133 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 29°

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
4.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm).

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 30°

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
4.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 30°

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Moderate rainfall (35 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
22° 31°

Weather

35 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (37 mm).

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
21° 31°

Weather

37 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm).

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 30°

Weather

113 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (168 mm).

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°

Weather

168 mm
Rainfall
4.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (151 mm).

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
18° 27°

Weather

151 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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