Destinations
Oʻahu
Honouliuli National Historic Site
Hidden in a gulch in central Oʻahu, Honouliuli was the largest and longest-used World War II incarceration camp in Hawaiʻi. From 1943 to 1946, it held Japanese American civilians and others the government considered a threat, as well as thousands of prisoners of war. Those held here called it Jigoku-dani, “Hell Valley.” In 2026, eighty years after it closed, it opened to the public for the first time.
How to Visit
There are no public roads into the site, so you can only visit on a guided tour. Tours begin at Hawaiʻi’s Plantation Village in Waipahu, where you check in, and then ride a free shuttle into the gulch. On site, rangers and volunteers lead you along historic trails and past the remains of the camp.
2026 is a pilot year, with a limited number of tour dates and small groups. Reservations are first come, first served, and they fill quickly. Check the park’s website for current dates.
Know Before You Go
- There are no facilities on site: no visitor center, no shade, and no places to sit.
- Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, and closed-toe shoes.
- Minors must be with an adult at all times.
Other Ways to Learn
Honouliuli asks a hard question: what happens to freedom when fear takes over?
