About The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii
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.