Ask and you shall receive. That is how our group found itself with the keys to the kingdom today, so to speak.

Nanakuli

We all met at one of two landfills on the island, this one is slated to close in 2028. Good luck with that. We all signed in and got a quick introduction to the bunker we were about to visit courtesy of Tina and the book titled “Defense of Pearl Harbor and Oahu 1907-50.”

Nanakuli

The short ride to the bunker was a pleasant surprise as I thought we were going to have to do a short hike to gain access. The day was turning out better than I thought.

Battery Arizona

I guess masks can do more than protect one from COVID-19.

Battery Arizona

These Master Locks can be a tad tricky, glad we had the bunker survey crew with us today.

Battery Arizona

And the dark was split asunder by light as we walked down the Western Entrance.

Battery Arizona

Walking through the Projectile Room.

Battery Arizona

Looking around the Black Powder Room.

Battery Arizona

Peering up the hoist that shuttled the shells and powder to the guns above us.

Battery Arizona

No urine leakage transpired during the making of this photograph.

Battery Arizona

Looking into the Power Room that was burned and charred in an obvious fire. Perhaps somebody forgot to turn off the lights?

Battery Arizona

Scotty trying to find a way out through the Eastern Entrance. No luck.

Battery Arizona

Flashbacks to days in the Army.

Battery Arizona

Somebody brought this out of the place door into the bunker. Perhaps they were going to remodel the place?

Battery Arizona

Entering the plotting room which served as the control center for the battery’s fire control system, it was here that targets were located, firing solutions were figured out and the firing orders were given.

Battery Arizona

Now the only thing being plotted are the names of past visitors. Where was the chalk when you needed it?

Battery Arizona

Peering up the 70′ shaft that leads to the battery commander’s station on the topside.

Battery Arizona

Climbing our way through one of the blast doors that leads to the barbette, which is the circular armour support for the gun battery.

Battery Arizona

Making our way up the circular stairway to the upper level.

Battery Arizona

Walking around the upper level, mindful of the exposed holes partially covered, there seems to be some dispute as to whether the turret with the three 14″ naval guns were ever mounted on the topside. One report states that it was indeed installed in August of 1945, but was scrapped after the war ended the following month. Our guide believes it was never actually mounted.

Battery Arizona

Looking inside the cavernous boiler on our way out.

Battery Arizona

Walking out to the natural illumination and leaving the artificial illumination behind us.

Battery Arizona

Two non-compliant girls outside the Battery Commander’s Station which has now been sealed shut to the outside world.

Battery Arizona

Group photo in front of the coastal gun battery that was constructed in 1943 and never saw action as the war ended before it could be pressed into service.

All pau

Thanks to Tina for her hospitality and allowing us access to Battery Arizona.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta1JXdfl7CU

Video by Edgar Gamiao of our bunker exploration.

Photos taken by Allison Banks, Chico Cantu, Edgar Gamiao, Jeremy Cannone, Kenny Lui, Scott Dea, Susan Katz, and yours truly. Not necessarily in order.

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. One should also always let somebody know of your hiking plans in case something doesn’t go as planned, better safe than sorry.

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.