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Pearl Harbor Historic Trail
Oahu, Hawaii
The goal of the proposed Pearl Harbor Historic Trail project is
to establish an 18.5 mile multi-use recreational
trail that will highlight historic sites from the
USS Arizona Memorial to the west coast Oahu town of Nanakuli.
The project was first proposed by community leaders
in 1999 to revitalize the area and preserve its historic
and cultural sites.
Photo Credit: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Sites on the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail
Some of the historic sites that will probably
be highlighted on the
trail are the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS
Missouri Battleship, Rainbow Bay Park, the Water
Town Japanese Fishing Village, Ford Island,
Pearl Harbor itself, the Hawaiian Railway Society
Museum, and Central Oahu towns from Aiea to
Nanakuli.
Where the Trail Begins
The Pearl Harbor Historic Trail is still only
an idea, but there is already a multi-use trail
in that area that will be improved as part of the historic
trail project. The existing trail begins at the USS
Arizona Memorial Visitors Center and it continues
along the shore of Pearl Harbor.
Map of the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail
This map of the proposed Pearl harbor Historic Trail
shows the entire planned route, including
the portion that will be built in the railroad bed of
the Oahu Railway and Land Company.
The trail will begin at the Arizona Memorial and proceed
north past the East Loch, Middle Loch,
Waipio Peninsula, and West Lock of Pearl Harbor.
When it leaves Pearl Harbor it will continue
past the Ewa Villages, the Hawaiian Railway
Society Museum, and the town of Kapolei. The
trail will hit the west coast of Oahu near
the Ko Olina boat harbor and resort area and
it will continue up the coast past Tracks Beach
Park and the HECO Kahe Power Plant. The trail will
end at the coastal town of Nanakuli.
An alternate version of the trail would only run from Halawa Landing
to the town of Waipahu. Halawa Landing is area where the
USS Arizona Museum and the Bowfin Submarine Museum
are located.
"Pearl Harbor Historic Sites" Freeway Sign
The exit signs from the H1 Freeway to the USS
Arizona Memorial were confusing at one time
but in 2006 that problem was remedied.
In the past, visitors staying in Waikiki would
often take the exit marked "Pearl Harbor" instead of
the following exit which was marked "Arizona Memorial".
The first exit goes to one of the gatehouses of the Pearl
Harbor Naval Base. The first time I drove to the USS
Arizona I took the wrong turnoff myself and ended up
at that gate. In 2006 The "Pearl Harbor" freeway
signs were replaced with signs that read "Naval Base". The
"USS Arizona" freeway signs were replaced with signs that
said "Pearl Harbor Historic Sites".
SB-1378: Recognizing the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail
Hawaii State Senate Bill 1378 declared in 2005 that the
name of the path to be created from Halawa Landing
to Waipahu was to be the "Pearl Harbor Historic Trail".
The bill officially recognized the project, opening
the way for supporters to begin raising funds.
SCR-189: Pearl Harbor Area Improvements
State of Hawaii Senate Concurrent Resolution 189
was introduced in 2005. It asked the City and
County of Honolulu to convene
a task force to develop a plan for the Aiea Bay
State Recreation Area, the Aiea-Pearl City
Community Plan, and the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 103
In 2004 the Hawaii State Legislature adopted Senate
Concurrent Resolution 103, which supported the
construction of the Leeward Bike Path and Pearl Harbor
Historic Trail. The plan was to create a bike path
and historic multi-use trail that would run 18.6 miles
from Halawa Landing to Waipahu. The goals of that trail
were to create an outdoor recreation and transportation
network, to use the old right-of-way for the old Oahu
Railway and Land Company to educate and preserve history,
to create opportunities for local businesses in that
area, and to enhance environmental preservation and
education.
City Proposes Pearl Harbor Historic Trail
In June of 2001 Honolulu city officials proposed
creating a 18.6 mile historic district called the
Pearl Harbor Historic Trail that would include the
Pearl Harbor shoreline from the USS Arizona Memorial in
Aiea to the Lualualei Access Road in Nanakuli. The project
was expected to take more then twenty years a millions of
dollars to implement. It would include creating a 40 foot
wide jogging and cycling trail in a former railroad track
bed. The trail would pass by city parks, golf courses,
bus stations, and cultural facilities. It would also include
activities operated by the Hawaiian Railway Society, a group
that is currently operating a train ride along part of the
Oahu Railway and Land Company route. to raise money
and coordinate the project. One of the first goals of the plan
was to create a Friends of the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail.
Belt Collins Prepared Historic Trail Plan in 2001
In 2001 Architectural firm Belt Collins of Hawaii
prepared a master plan for the City and County
of Honolulu's Pearl Harbor Historic Trail. The
new rail-trail was expected to be more then 18
miles long and it was to include historic sites
such as the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri
Battleship, the USS Bowfin Submarine. It was
also expected to highlight the stories about Hawaii's
immigrant population and Pearl Harbor's role during
World War II.
Pearl Harbor Trail First Proposed in 1999
The idea for a Pearl Harbor Historic Trail was first
mentioned during a 1999 meeting attended by
Aiea and Pearl City community leaders.
See also:
An Introduction to Pearl Parbor
Other Attractions in Central Oahu
Guide to the Waikiki Historic Trail
Downtown Honolulu Historic Sites
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Related Links
Oahu Island - Main Menu
The Islands of Hawaii
Forum for Hawaii Visitors
Hawaii Travel Newsletter
Elsewhere on the Web
Friends of the Pearl Harbor Historic Trail
2005: Pearl Harbor Trail on Firmer Footing
2001: Belt Collins Plans Pearl Harbor Trail
2001: Efforts Underway To Revitalize Waipahu
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