Schofield Barracks, HI Image 1
    Schofield Barracks, HI Image 2

    Schofield Barracks, HI Museums

    There are a lot of tourist activities in Hawaii and finding them should be fairly easy. Fun in Hawaii includes beach fun, luaus, exploring Hawaii's interior, and Hawaii's unique local food.

    Schofield Barracks is the setting of From Here to Eternity; the author, James Jones, was stationed here before and during World War II, 25th Infantry Division 25th Regiment. His novel was based on people, situations and locations on and near base. There's nothing to visit, in particular, but lots of local sites are mentioned.

    Pearl Harbor, of course, was the site of the Pearl Harbor Attack, and there are many local historical memorials and markers, including the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and the USS Missouri museum ship. History buffs may be interested in the several World War II era fields. Wheeler Field, now part of the Schofield Barracks post and still in operation, was the first target attacked in the operation, and although many planes were destroyed, twelve pilots did take off and score some of the first dogfight victories of the war. Other airfields include the North Shore's Haleiwa Fighter Strip, then a small Army Air Field answering to Wheeler, which launched five fighters during the Attack, splashing nine enemy fighters, today a small beach park, Haleiwa Army Beach. Hawaii is full of this sort of history, not hard to find with a little research.

    Honolulu has several internationally known museums, including the Bishop Museum, which is dedicated to Hawaiian arts and culture, the Honolulu Museum of Art, which includes the Contemporary Museum of Honolulu, and 'Iolani Palace, the former palace of the royal family of Hawaii.

    Hawaii Plantation Village Museum, in downtown Waipahu, is a living history museum dedicated to old Hawaii of the sugar plantation period. There are preserved and recreated houses with true to period artifacts, and reenactors on site to guide visitors.