Marine Corps Base Hawaii > Offices & Staff > Installations, Environment & Logistics > Environmental > Cultural Resources

Marine Corps Base Hawaii - The superior Installation for Warfighters

Produce Readiness, Promote Resiliency and Project Power

Natural Resources
Fish, Wildlife & Plants

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Natural Resources Fish, Wildlife & Plants

Natural Resources Fish, Wildlife & Plants

Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up for inspection at Bellows Field (now Marine Corps Training Area Bellows) during World War II. The P-47 was the largest fighter aircraft powered by a single-piston engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns and up to 2,500 lbs of Bombs.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up for inspection at Bellows Field (now Marine Corps Training Area Bellows) during World War II. The P-47 was the largest fighter aircraft powered by a single-piston engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns and up to 2,500 lbs of Bombs.

Republic P-47 Thunderbolts lined up for inspection at Bellows Field (now Marine Corps Training Area Bellows) during World War II. The P-47 was the largest fighter aircraft powered by a single-piston engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns and up to 2,500 lbs of Bombs.

Ulupa’u Crater WMA is home to one of two breeding colonies of Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula rubripes) in the main Hawaiian islands – the other is located on Kauai’s Kilauea Wildlife Refuge managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Refuge division. The WMA supports approximately 2500 – 3000 Boobies.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Ulupa’u Crater WMA is home to one of two breeding colonies of Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula rubripes) in the main Hawaiian islands – the other is located on Kauai’s Kilauea Wildlife Refuge managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Refuge division. The WMA supports approximately 2500 – 3000 Boobies.

Ulupa’u Crater WMA is home to one of two breeding colonies of Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula rubripes) in the main Hawaiian islands – the other is located on Kauai’s Kilauea Wildlife Refuge managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Refuge division. The WMA supports approximately 2500 – 3000 Boobies.

Hangar 101 under attack on 7 December 1941 by Japanese of the Imperial Navy. Hangar 101, the five seaplane ramps, and the parking apron are now part of the National Historic Landmark (NHL). NHLs are the nation’s most significant historic places that possess exceptional value in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Hangar 101 under attack on 7 December 1941 by Japanese of the Imperial Navy. Hangar 101, the five seaplane ramps, and the parking apron are now part of the National Historic Landmark (NHL). NHLs are the nation’s most significant historic places that possess exceptional value in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.

Hangar 101 under attack on 7 December 1941 by Japanese of the Imperial Navy. Hangar 101, the five seaplane ramps, and the parking apron are now part of the National Historic Landmark (NHL). NHLs are the nation’s most significant historic places that possess exceptional value in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.

Each year the Environmental Dept engages 3rd Marines’ Combat Assault Company (CAC) to perform the annual site preparation for the endangered Hawaiian Stilt breeding season (Mar-Sep). The CAC’s Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) are used to break-up the non-native invasive pickleweed or akulikuki kai (Batis maritimas) covering the mud flats used for nesting. This annual 3-day operation known as “Mud Ops” has been a yearly event since 1982, and is usually conducted mid-February. Besides supporting the Environmental Dept’s management objectives for the Nu’upia Ponds, the Marines operating the AAVs are provided a unique and valuable training opportunity.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Each year the Environmental Dept engages 3rd Marines’ Combat Assault Company (CAC) to perform the annual site preparation for the endangered Hawaiian Stilt breeding season (Mar-Sep). The CAC’s Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) are used to break-up the non-native invasive pickleweed or akulikuki kai (Batis maritimas) covering the mud flats used for nesting. This annual 3-day operation known as “Mud Ops” has been a yearly event since 1982, and is usually conducted mid-February. Besides supporting the Environmental Dept’s management objectives for the Nu’upia Ponds, the Marines operating the AAVs are provided a unique and valuable training opportunity.

Each year the Environmental Dept engages 3rd Marines’ Combat Assault Company (CAC) to perform the annual site preparation for the endangered Hawaiian Stilt breeding season (Mar-Sep). The CAC’s Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs) are used to break-up the non-native invasive pickleweed or akulikuki kai (Batis maritimas) covering the mud flats used for nesting. This annual 3-day operation known as “Mud Ops” has been a yearly event since 1982, and is usually conducted mid-February. Besides supporting the Environmental Dept’s management objectives for the Nu’upia Ponds, the Marines operating the AAVs are provided a unique and valuable training opportunity.

Fort Hase archaeological site is located along the eastern edge of Mokapu Peninsula. Evidence of an ancient Hawaiian fishing camp is buried below the grassy surface. It is likely that the abundant resources on the peninsula drew the inhabitants to the site. Radiocarbon dating of an old fire pit indicates that the site was inhabited about 600 years ago.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Fort Hase archaeological site is located along the eastern edge of Mokapu Peninsula. Evidence of an ancient Hawaiian fishing camp is buried below the grassy surface. It is likely that the abundant resources on the peninsula drew the inhabitants to the site. Radiocarbon dating of an old fire pit indicates that the site was inhabited about 600 years ago.

Fort Hase archaeological site is located along the eastern edge of Mokapu Peninsula. Evidence of an ancient Hawaiian fishing camp is buried below the grassy surface. It is likely that the abundant resources on the peninsula drew the inhabitants to the site. Radiocarbon dating of an old fire pit indicates that the site was inhabited about 600 years ago.

Archaeologists in the field carefully record the rock features that are the former house sites and agricultural fields of Hawaiians that once lived on Mokapu Peninsula.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Archaeologists in the field carefully record the rock features that are the former house sites and agricultural fields of Hawaiians that once lived on Mokapu Peninsula.

Archaeologists in the field carefully record the rock features that are the former house sites and agricultural fields of Hawaiians that once lived on Mokapu Peninsula.

On July 16, 2009, only the 3rd documented Olive Ridley turtle nesting in Hawaii occurred aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Pyramid Rock Beach. The MCB Hawaii egg hatching was the most successful of the three events – over 50% of the eggs hatched. With the exception of nesting in Hawaii noted above, there is no nesting by this species anywhere in the United States or the territories under U.S. political jurisdiction.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

On July 16, 2009, only the 3rd documented Olive Ridley turtle nesting in Hawaii occurred aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Pyramid Rock Beach. The MCB Hawaii egg hatching was the most successful of the three events – over 50% of the eggs hatched. With the exception of nesting in Hawaii noted above, there is no nesting by this species anywhere in the United States or the territories under U.S. political jurisdiction.

On July 16, 2009, only the 3rd documented Olive Ridley turtle nesting in Hawaii occurred aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Pyramid Rock Beach. The MCB Hawaii egg hatching was the most successful of the three events – over 50% of the eggs hatched. With the exception of nesting in Hawaii noted above, there is no nesting by this species anywhere in the United States or the territories under U.S. political jurisdiction.

Archaeologist coring in Nuupia Fishponds to extract sediment samples. These samples provide evidence of pond formation and pollen from the different plants that once lived along the ponds. The sediment from the core indicates that the fishpond was likely constructed by ancient Hawaiians about 700 years ago.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Archaeologist coring in Nuupia Fishponds to extract sediment samples. These samples provide evidence of pond formation and pollen from the different plants that once lived along the ponds. The sediment from the core indicates that the fishpond was likely constructed by ancient Hawaiians about 700 years ago.

Archaeologist coring in Nuupia Fishponds to extract sediment samples. These samples provide evidence of pond formation and pollen from the different plants that once lived along the ponds. The sediment from the core indicates that the fishpond was likely constructed by ancient Hawaiians about 700 years ago.

Base Cultural Resources Manager observing the stratigraphy (different layers of soil) in an excavation. The soil layers can help explain the events that have occurred in the past, showing ancient living surfaces and may include evidence of types of food people ate, the tools they made, and the types of houses they lived in.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Base Cultural Resources Manager observing the stratigraphy (different layers of soil) in an excavation. The soil layers can help explain the events that have occurred in the past, showing ancient living surfaces and may include evidence of types of food people ate, the tools they made, and the types of houses they lived in.

Base Cultural Resources Manager observing the stratigraphy (different layers of soil) in an excavation. The soil layers can help explain the events that have occurred in the past, showing ancient living surfaces and may include evidence of types of food people ate, the tools they made, and the types of houses they lived in.

Natural Resources
Fish, Wildlife & Plants

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Natural Resources Fish, Wildlife & Plants

Natural Resources Fish, Wildlife & Plants

Marines from the Fleet Assistance (FAP) and Wounded Warrior Programs have been provided an introduction to archaeology, including field techniques and laboratory analysis. The laboratory analysis looks at the midden (sea shells and food refuse) left behind to determine what was eaten.

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

Marines from the Fleet Assistance (FAP) and Wounded Warrior Programs have been provided an introduction to archaeology, including field techniques and laboratory analysis. The laboratory analysis looks at the midden (sea shells and food refuse) left behind to determine what was eaten.

Marines from the Fleet Assistance (FAP) and Wounded Warrior Programs have been provided an introduction to archaeology, including field techniques and laboratory analysis. The laboratory analysis looks at the midden (sea shells and food refuse) left behind to determine what was eaten.

The Cultural Resources Management program, within the MCB Hawaii Environmental Department includes management of cultural resources to support the military mission, while preserving, protecting and enhancing these resources. Cultural resources include historic properties such as archaeological sites and historic buildings within our jurisdiction at MCB Hawaii Kaneohe Bay, Camp Smith, Pu‘uloa, Marine Corps Training Area Bellows (MCTAB), Camp Smith, Pearl City Annex, Manana Neighborhood Housing, and Waikane Valley.

Cultural resources are managed by the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) as assets that can support agency missions while contributing to the cultural vitality and economic well-being of local communities. MCB Hawaii takes their stewardship of Cultural Resources and Historic Properties very seriously. These resources are non-renewable and once destroyed are gone forever.

Cultural Resources Manager
(808) 257-7126

Cultural Resources
History

Cultural Resources Ethnology

Cultural Resources Featured Video