Camp Ka`ena

 Second World War 1939-1945, closed / former military, historic ruins

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After the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and the commencement of World War II, military personnel were almost immediately stationed at Ka`ena Point to man gun and searchlight positions. Defending the beaches from invasion and anti-aircraft defense became a priority in addition to supporting artillery fire aimed at off-shore vessels. In 1942, the initial military encampments became a more formalized cantonment (i.e., temporary or semi-permanent military quarters) with the construction of wooden structures and a water tank. Called Camp Ka`ena, the cantonment was located on the northeast side of the point in a relatively flat area inland of the railway. At least four sets of concrete slab foundations from these buildings are still intact as is the foundation of a cylindrical, wooden water tank located upslope on the ridge. Water was piped into the tank from the east along the OR&L easement. The cantonment supported not only detachments assigned to searchlight and gunnery positions, but housed infantrymen patrolling the beaches.

dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/files/2013/09/Kaena_Draft_EA...