A chance meeting at a windy lookout lead me to wrangling an invite from Allison to explore a sprawling abandoned military tunnel complex. Analyn, Glenn and myself met up with her group, where we then consolidated ourselves into one van and drove off to begin our bunker exploration.
Entrance
Some of us were blithely unaware of the hanging arachnid as we squeezed our way inside the pitch black bunker.
Floor envy
Every girl’s dream – tall, dirty and yellowish.
Black and brown
You’re not supposed to look happy when you’re being fried, unless you’re a chicken.
Follow the arrow
Stepping it up into the warren of rooms and tunnels.
Fire Sale
The General Services Administration had this place up for sale back in the late 1980s. No takers. From the looks of it, I guess they had a fire sale instead.
Lever puller
Hmmm, what happens if one turns this lever?
Ground zero
Perhaps it’s best to leave some things untouched.
Bunker
This room had the kitchen sink, but was missing everything else.
Bunker
Is this the way out? So many exits, so many turns and multiple rooms. One could get lost for hours in here.
Shaft
Climbing up to the pipe platform, where Elizabeth was the only one to climb up the 100′ ladder to spot any surface dwellers. Photo by Allison Banks.
Bunker
Husband and wife team.
Bunker
Gives new meaning to the term four eyes.
Shaft
Queing up to go up one of the air shafts. Photo by Allison Banks.
Shaft
Watching out for sliding rocks and Greg’s scolding. Photo by Elizabeth Lytle.
Shaft
Exploring a longer shaft.
Bunker
Drinking and picking. Photo by Elizabeth Lytle.
Bunker
The arm doesn’t quite match the apparition. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.
Bunker
Group photo left to right: Jesse, Allison, Elizabeth, Glenn, Analyn, myself and Greg.
Bunker
Walking through the suspended asbestos, dirt and pesticide particles in the air wasn’t too kind to our clothes, let alone our respiratory systems.
Bunker
Following directions was not one of our strong suits.
Safe
The next time, I’m bringing a locksmith and the networks. Move over Geraldo Riveria.
Urinals
No urine was released into the wild for the making of this picture. Photo by Analyn Baliscao.
Cots
Well if we can’t find our way back out, at least we have a place to stay for the night. Photo by Glenn Toyama.
Bunker
The bunker sitting on Army property was used by the Hawaiian Sea Frontier navy command during the end of WW2 and seemingly abandoned 31 years later.
All pau
Descending down the stairs and leaving the bunker where we then drove back to an empty parking lot and was promptly sandwiched between a LEO and our truck. I guess he just wanted to get up close and personal. Thanks again to Allison and her group for showing us around the innards of a bunker that long ago outlived its original purpose, only to be repurposed as the playground for all sorts of folks.
Note: I have been made aware that some hikers have been using my blog as a hiking guide and getting lost on the trails. Please note that this blog was made to document the hike for the crew(s) that did it. That is why some of my comments will seem to have no relevance or meaning to anybody outside of the crew(s) that hiked that trail. My blog was never meant as a hiking guide, so please do not treat it as such. If you find inspiration and entertainment from these hikes, that is more than enough. If you plan on replicating these hikes, do so in the knowledge that you should do your own research accordingly as trail conditions, access, legalities and so forth are constantly in flux. What was current today is most likely yesterdays news. Please be prepared to accept any risks and responsibilities on your own as you should know your own limitations, experience and abilities before you even set foot on a trail, as even the “simplest” or “easiest” of trails can present potential pitfalls for even the most “experienced” hikers.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been sitting on photos of this place for the longest time, too afraid to post them (like the CIA might come knocking at my door). But now that I see your post, I think it is time…
Well the bunker’s location and true identity are not revealed, so it’s pretty hard to figure out where this cold war relic is, so have at it!
Mahalo
I would definitely not reveal the location. I also got a very “cold war era” vibe from this one. But again, I have not been able to find very much historical info on this one.
What’s really crazy to me though is that if the US government is willing to just “dump” such a huge military asset (this bunker probably cost a billion dollars to make), how big are the bunkers around the island that are still top secret and currently in use???
Yup it definitely boggles the mind as to what other complexes are out there and operating under our very noses.
Mahalo