U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii at Fort DeRussy was established in 1976 and is housed inside Battery Randolph, a former coast artillery fortification that mounted two 14-inch disappearing rifled guns. The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii honors, interprets, communicates, and presents the history of the Army in the Pacific centered on Hawaii's contributions to our nation's defense and its Army heritage through exhibits, educational programs, and the preservation of historic material.
History
Established in 1976, the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii is one of approximately 64 museums owned and operated by the U.S. Army. Despite an annual visitor attendance of more than 100,000 per year, a majority being tourists from all over the world, the true mission of Army Museums are to train and educate Army Soldiers about their history and material culture.
The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii is housed inside Battery Randolph, a former coast artillery fortification that mounted two, 14-inch disappearing rifled guns. It was the first line of defense against an enemy naval attack on the south shore of Oahu. When the guns were emplaced here, they were the largest guns in the entire Pacific – from California to the Philippines. The guns were never challenged or fired in anger.
Museum exhibits tell the story of the U.S. Army in Hawaii and the Pacific area, the military history of Hawaii, and the contributions made by Hawaii and Hawaii’s citizens to the nation’s defense. Key exhibits include the military organizations of the Hawaiian monarchy, Coast Artillery in Hawaii, Hawaii’s critical role in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, the Go For Broke Nisei Soldiers, the General Shinseki Gallery, and a Gallery of Heroes to honor all citizens of Hawaii who earned our nation’s two highest awards for valor.
A photo archive of more than 20,000 images is available for reprints. Museum staff is available to assist with historical inquiries and research.
The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii is operated by the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii and serves both the military and civilian community. The museum is authorized and certified by the Commanding General, U.S. Army Center of Military History.
Our mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret artifacts that reflect the history of the U.S. Army in Hawaii and the Pacific area, the military history of Hawaii, and the contributions made by Hawaii and Hawaii’s citizens to the nation’s defense. As an educational institution, the museum supports training and education for the military and civilians.
Exhibits
The museum collects and displays artifacts, photographs, and ephemeral pieces with provenance to the following: pre-European Hawaiian warfare, Hawaii-based coastal artillery defenses, and materials related to Army bases in Hawaii. The museum also collects and displays artifacts relevant to Army engagements in the Pacific theater of operations, Hawaii-based Army units and their missions, and exceptional citizens of Hawaii who have served honorably in the United States Army. While the museum storyline currently covers a broad history of events, dating from pre-European Hawaiian warfare through the Vietnam conflict, the museum collection also includes artifacts dating from the post-Vietnam era through today.