Fort DeRussy

In the Waikiki page I mentioned the Fort DeRussy Park. I happened upon it by chance while travelling back from Waikiki on TheBus.

Fort DeRussy is a United States military reservation and remains under the jurisdiction of the United States Army. It is unfenced and and largely open to the public and consists mainly of landscaped green space with a small number of buildings. One of these is the former Battery Randolph which now houses the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii (web site here).

Battery Randolph was constructed in 1911 to defend Honolulu Harbor on Oahu from attack, and was equipped with two 14-inch guns on disappearing carriages. At the end of World War II, the guns were cut up and sold for scrap, never having fired a shot in anger or defence. The battery was then used as a warehouse, and eventually abandoned. The concrete walls repeatedly defied destruction and it finally was converted into the Museum.


	The building has been altered over the years but inside they have this diorama showing how Battery Randolph would have looked when it was active.


	There is also a model showing how one of the 14-inch guns on its disappearing carriage would have looked.


	The museum has recreated some of the internal workings of the battery, this is the “shell room” that supplied the guns.

On the roof of the battery they have mounted this gun, far smaller than the battery used in its heyday.

You can clearly see how the Waikiki development comes right up to the Army reservation.


	One of the exhibits inside the battery building


	This is a Japanese Type 92 70mm Battalion Gun on display inside the museum.


	Outside the museum building there is a small display of, mainly, Pacific War relics.


	This is a United States M24 Light Tank (known as the Chaffee in UK service).


	This is a Japanese Type 95 Ha Go Light Tank, like many of its era the commander was alone in the turret and had to also be gunner, loader and observer.


	A United States 105 mm Howitzer M3 was a light howitzer designed for use by airborne troops but also used by infantry units.


	A Japanese Type 1 47mm Anti-Tank Gun.


	A Monarchy Cannon, this is one of a battery of twelve guns emplaced at the Punchbowl by the Hawaiian Monarchy starting in 1831 to defend the harbour and fire salutes.


	This is the view from the roof of the battery looking north, you can see how by being an Army Reservation development has been kept at bay.




		This is the detail of the five imposing kii that can be seen in the centre of the above picture. Kamehameha stepped ashore here in his push to conquer Oahu and later presented the land to High Chief Kalanimoku for his aid in the crucial Battle of Nuuanu. Each kii representing a different aspect of the Hawaiian god. The title connects red flower blossoms to the blood of fallen warriors. The effect combines imposing power and sacred reverence.


	Looking south from the battery down to the beach you can see how the Army Reservation provides a break in the relentless development. The yellow beach umbrellas in the second photograph are the ones that can be seen in the first of the Waikiki photographs).

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