I joined David on an impromptu after work hike to a WW2 bunker. This was a first for me. Hiking in work clothes.
Small hill
The most dangerous part was crossing the freeway filled with pau hana drivers going home. Made sure we made eye contact. Road kill didn’t sound appetizing. After that it was a short and rocky climb to the top. Photo by David Concepcion.
Coastal Defense
This site once housed one of the aft main 14″ gun turrets salvaged from the USS Arizona that was sunk at Pearl Harbor. Photo by David Concepcion.
Bunkers
David entering the two tiered bunkers.
Light out. Light on.
It was headlamp time. Pitch black conditions. The military long stopped paying their electric bill.
Climbing down
Going down the rabbit hole. Photo by David Concepcion.
Looking up
We had to descend 6 ladders that took us down about 120′ below the surface.
Briefing Room
Meet up for the Zombie Apocalypse. Photo by David Concepcion.
The Dusty Mile
Going down the long narrow corridor that connected assorted rooms. Kicked up a lot of fine dust as well.
Bathroom humor
Or was that scatological humor? Photo by David Concepcion.
Fill in the blanks
Missing the cake fresheners. Photo by David Concepcion.
Less claustrophobic
The corridor widened along with the increased dust intake. Hack. Cough. Photo by David Concepcion.
Smokey was here
Only you can prevent bunker fires. Photo by David Concepcion.
Storage
This cavernous bunker filled with corridors, levels and assorted size rooms was the largest that we have explored to date. Photo by David Concepcion.
Turret room
Entering the turret room that was directly below the top site that once housed the gun turret. Photo by David Concepcion.
Spiral stairs
The elevator was not in working order. Photo by David Concepcion.
Ladder to the top?
Locked shut. Photo by David Concepcion.
Chute?
Delivery method for the one ton shells to the top?
Another storage room
Possible powder room where they stored the 110 pound silk bags of propellant. Photo by David Concepcion.
Boiler
Every bunker needs heat and power. Photo by David Concepcion.
Daylight
We saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Photo by David Concepcion.
Out
Squeezing through. Photo by David Concepcion.
All pau
The bunker exploration was a brief trip back in time and we took lungfuls of dirt home as souveneirs. Post hike meal at Outback. Wait time – 45 minutes. Scratch that. Tex-Mex food at Chili’s. Photo by David Concepcion.
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
Ahhhh I missed this opportunity to see this hike
Nice pictures Kenji and always keep doing what you doing and thanks for making the blogs!!!
Aloha Jasmin,
Thanks and there’s always next time!
Mahalo
Hi Kenji,
Been reading and really enjoyed your blog being an avid hiker myself. Do you mind telling me how to get to this hike?
thanks!
Aloha Ty,
Thanks for dropping by and glad you enjoyed the blog. I will email you the general directions, but please be discreet about the location as the hiking community in general does not want to advertise this place for many reasons.
Mahalo
And this is not even the biggest bunker. But it is still a very adventurous find. Going down those ladders were kinda dusty for me. haha
Yup, inhaled lots of dust that day. At least I hope that was dust! That other bunker is on my to do list. One day!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaWwJ5BkWvQ
The big bunker…..
Cool. Thanks for the video link. Have you been there?
No Comment….LOL…
Where’s that at I’d love to go there I’ve been all over the island but haven’t seen that before
Aloha Jibby,
It’s across Electric Beach, but I’ve heard it’s all been sealed up.
Mahalo
Thanks for posting another awesome hike. My wife and I are planning to hit this one a few weekends from now. Is there a trail to get up that hill, or did you just a pick a spot and go? Also, anyone bother you trying to get into the bunker? Thanks!
Aloha Brandon,
Thanks. There really is no trail, so if you know the general location, just pick a spot and go. However, I found out later that the thick layer of dust that we were kicking up and inhaling was supposedly asbestos. So just be warned and the bunkers I found out later, sits on private property and there are supposed to be roaming guards.
Mahalo
I was definitely planning on some sort of respirator. I might try to contact the landowner to see if they’re willing to give permission. Thanks again!
Aloha Brandon,
Cool. Please keep the location a secret as most members of the hiking community doesn’t want it to get famous like how Dead Man Cat’s Walk exploded in popularity and resulted in more stringent restrictions.
Mahalo
Totally understand and feel the exact same way.
hey, that hije looks awesome and a friend was just telling me he heard about it. we cant find the location, is there a way u could fill me in on how to get there?
Aloha Jerrie,
The bunkers as I found out later may be sitting on private property and are probably patrolled by guards and the interiors of the bunkers are layered with asbestos dust, so it would be hazardous to ones health to enter. I would not recommend entering these bunkers. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Mahalo
Great photos! Unfortunately, they have locked down all the doors and closed off that little gap in that gate that you guys crawled through. Looks like this adventure is gone
Aloha Elijah,
Yup that’s what I heard. Locked up tighter than Clinton’s email server. What with all that asbestos dust flying around, it was best to be locked up.
Mahalo
How long ago did you do this hike? Was it difficult to find and enter? Would you recomend? What materials would you bring if you were doing this hike for the first time? Also do the police try and stop anyone who does this hike? Just let me know!! Thanks!!
Aloha Emily,
It was over two years ago that we ventured below the surface. It wasn’t that difficult to find if you know the general location. However, with that said, the place is now locked up and not accessible as a result. There is also a thick layer of asbestos dust that coats the floors and is not safe for human inspection.
Mahalo
Hello, I was reading your captions and you said that the Arizona had 16 inch guns. The Pennsylvania class (Pennsylvania and Arizona) were armed with 12 14 inch guns not 16. The Colorado class were the first to have 16 inch guns. The rest of the post is good, really enjoyed it
Aloha Landon,
Thanks for the catch and glad you enjoyed the post. I have corrected the caption.
Mahalo
Hello, thanks for your arwsome post. Any tips on location of this bumker. I know that theee isn’t any access but I’m just curious to go and adventure out there. Is this area in Makakilo/Honokai hale area?
Mahalo!
Aloha Justin,
Thanks. Yes from all accounts the place is now completely locked up. Supposedly cameras and a stepped up security presence all but ensure that your visit would not be successful nor advisable. With access all but eliminated, there is really nothing to see out there. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Mahalo
Thank you for sharing. Passed this video on to my next door neighbor. His dad was US ARMY stationed at Pearl Harbor and was officer in charge of relocating USA ARIZONA rear turrets to this installation. I’m sure Jim will enjoy “seeing what his dad did during the war”.
Aloha Dennis,
You’re welcome and thanks for stopping by. Hope he finds it interesting as there are little nuggets of history all over this island.
Mahalo
Aloha,
Do you by any chance have coordinates for start of secret bunker? Mahalo!
Aloha GI Jane,
I will send you the details through email, but be advised I believe the bunker is sealed up.
Mahalo,
GI Joe
Thank you for posting this! I have always wanted to visit Battery Arizona and see the if it was possible to see the interior. I came to Oahu for the first time in 1994 and have been back twice a year every year ever since. I love exploring this kind of stuff and it began with Diamond Head. I love all of the photos, especially entering the turret and the staircases! I’m getting kind of old for this stuff though.
I live on the mainland in northern California and have been all through the bunkers and batteries on the north and south sides of the Golden Gate Bridge (way back in the day, because now they’re all welded shut except for a few run by the park service)
Aloha Gregory,
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the post. Glad you got to enjoy the bunkers on your side of the pond. I have a friend who is just nuts about bunkers and wants to check all of them out. You guys should get together!
Mahalo
Ah sucks! This bunker’s seald up?
Do you know of any other bunkers that are cool to explore on Oahu?
Aloha Dash,
The bunker is sealed up, but I heard that you can get in from the lower section. Just saying.
As far as other cool bunkers, if you google them, I’m pretty sure you can find a whole bunch. I rarely do bunker exploring, its more often when friends invite me.
Mahalo