On December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy struck the naval base at Pearl Harbor, a strategic location on the island of Oahu. Consequently, when people think of Pearl Harbor, they tend to only focus on Oahu itself and the direct assault. But the other Hawaiian islands also had their own connections to this infamous day. If you’re interested in the roles played by Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe, let’s turn back time and look closer at the connection of each Hawaiian island and December 7.
Oahu was the primary target. The attack on Pearl Harbor, located on the island’s southern coast, was the main event that thrust the United States into World War II. The island was also home to other military installations that came under fire, including Wheeler Army Airfield, Hickam Field, and Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay.
The surprise assault began just before 8:00 AM. It resulted in immense loss, with over 2,400 American casualties and severe damage to the US Pacific Fleet. The USS Arizona, which sank with 1,177 crewmen aboard, became a lasting symbol of the attack and now serves as a memorial. Oahu’s experience was direct and catastrophic, forever cementing its place in history.
Maui didn’t experience combat on December 7, but its role became immediately apparent in the aftermath. The island transformed into a major staging, training, and recuperation center for the US military. As the war progressed, Maui’s strategic location made it an hub for operations across the Pacific.
More than 100,000 soldiers would eventually pass through Maui. The island hosted the 4th Marine Division, and its landscape was dotted with military camps, airfields, and command posts. The quiet island became a beehive of activity, which directly supported the war effort that began for America on that December morning.
The Big Island of Hawaii served as a defensive outpost. Its vast size and position made it a logical place to station troops to defend against a potential ground invasion. In the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack, fears of a full-scale Japanese invasion of the Hawaiian Islands were very real.
The Kilauea Military Camp, located near the active volcano, became a central training area. Troops practiced jungle warfare and prepared for the Pacific theater’s unique challenges. The island’s deep-water port in Hilo also saw increased military traffic, which made it a key logistical point for the Navy throughout the war.
Kauai’s connection to December 7 is a quieter but fascinating one. The island wasn’t attacked directly, but it played a small role in the immediate aftermath. Following the raid on Pearl Harbor, a lone Japanese pilot, Airman First Class Shigenori Nishikaichi, crash-landed his damaged Zero fighter on the nearby island of Niihau.
This event, known as the Niihau Incident, directly involved Kauai. Once news of the stranded pilot and the ensuing conflict with Niihau’s residents reached officials, a military detachment was sent from Kauai to resolve the situation. It was a strange and tense side story to the main attack, which connected the Garden Isle to the day’s chaos.
Molokai, like its neighbors, was on high alert. The island’s small population lived in a state of uncertainty, listening to radio reports and watching the skies. The island had a small airstrip that could have been used by either US or enemy forces, so it was closely monitored.
Molokai’s residents contributed to the war effort through civil defense programs and by providing resources. The island was also home to a settlement for patients with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) at Kalaupapa. These residents, despite their isolation, were deeply patriotic and participated in war bond drives and other support activities.
Lanai was almost entirely a pineapple plantation owned by Dole. On December 7, this quiet agricultural island was thrust into a new reality. The island’s strategic location meant it became a site for coastal lookouts and patrols. Residents kept a watchful eye on the surrounding waters for any signs of enemy ships or submarines.
Lanai’s small airport was also commandeered for military use. The island’s role illustrates how every corner of Hawaii, no matter how small or specialized, was pulled into the national defense effort. Life on the pineapple island wouldn’t be the same for the duration of the war.
Niihau holds one of the most unusual stories connected to December 7. As mentioned, a Japanese pilot crash-landed his Zero on this privately-owned island after participating in the Pearl Harbor attack. The residents, who had no telephones or radios, were initially unaware of the attack.
The week-long “Niihau Incident” followed. It involved the pilot, the island’s residents, and a tense conflict that resulted in one death before the pilot was killed. This event highlighted the isolation of Niihau and brought the war to its shores in a very personal and direct way. The incident also contributed to the difficult decision to intern Japanese Americans on the mainland.
The uninhabited island of Kahoolawe had its destiny sealed by the events of December 7. After the attack, the US military took control of the island and transformed it into a bombing range. For the next 50 years, Kahoolawe would be used for live-fire training by the US Navy and other branches of the armed forces.
This had a profound and lasting impact on the island, which is culturally precious to Native Hawaiians. It wasn’t until 1994 that control of Kahoolawe was returned to the state of Hawaii, and efforts to clean up unexploded ordnance and restore the island’s ecosystem continue today. Its story is a somber reminder of the long-term consequences of that day.
The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7 directly hit Oahu, but it wasn’t the only island to feel the war’s impact. All eight main Hawaiian islands had a part to play in this chapter of WWII history. A full understanding of the connection of each Hawaiian island and December 7 can help you better appreciate the story behind this historic date.
At Pearlharbortour.org, we offer some of the best Pearl Harbor tours from Waikiki. No matter which part of Hawaii you visit, we can take you to some of the best-known Pearl Harbor memorial sites so you can get the full picture of this day and how it impacted all of Hawaii.