National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites 

Special Resource Study 

FINAL REPORT SUMMARY

Summer 2015
2 Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study

DEAR FRIENDS,

We’re happy to announce that President Barack Obama designated Honouliuli National Monument by presidential 

proclamation on February 24, 2015. On March 31, 2015, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, together with leaders 

in Hawai‘i, dedicated the site as Hawai‘i’s newest unit of the national park system. 

In addition, the National Park Service is pleased to announce the completion of the Honouliuli Gulch and 

Associated Sites Special Resource Study. The Secretary transmitted the final study to Congress in 2015. This 

newsletter summarizes the final study report, which includes the NPS determinations about the eligibility of 

the study area as a unit of the national park system (pp. 7–8), as well as the selected alternative recommended to 

Congress (pp. 10–13). Comments received on the draft study report during public review in 2014 are reflected in 

the final study findings and the selected alternative. 

This newsletter also contains information about the new national monument (p. 15).

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE SELECTED ALTERNATIVE

The alternative recommended to Congress is the National Park Service Director’s most effective and efficient 

alternative for the long-term protection and public enjoyment of nationally significant resources in Honouliuli 

Gulch. The selected alternative is alternative B (Honouliuli National Historic Site or National Monument). Some 

additional refinements have been made to reflect public concerns, to address public access and boundary issues, 

and to provide for efficient management.

The selected alternative would establish Honouliuli National Historic Site as a new unit of the national park 

system. Alternatively, a national monument managed by the National Park Service could be established. The 

national historic site or national monument would include the historic site of the Honouliuli Internment Camp and 

adjacent lands that provide opportunities for visitor facilities. The National Park Service would preserve the site 

and interpret the internment of Japanese Americans and European Americans in Hawaiʻi during World War II in 

collaboration with partners. The national historic site or monument would be supported by operational capacity at 

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, Pearl Harbor. The National Park Service could respond to 

requests for technical assistance for the preservation and interpretation of other sites, features, and stories related 

to internment in Hawaiʻi during World War II.

Thank you for your involvement in the Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study.

MAHALO,

NPS STUDY TEAM

Front cover: Barracks and tents at Honouliuli, with the women’s internee compound in the background. A portion of the rock wall that is visible 

behind still stands on the site today. Photo: R. H. Lodge, c. 1945, courtesy Hawai‘i’s Plantation Village. Above: Dedication of Honouliuli National 

Monument, with Secretary Sally Jewell, March 31, 2015. Photo: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i.
Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study 3

The Department of the Interior, Environment, and 

Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, Title 

1, Section 125 (123 Stat. 2932), October 30, 2009) 

authorized the National Park Service (NPS) to “conduct 

a special resource study of the national significance, 

suitability, and feasibility of including the Honouliuli 

Gulch and associated sites within the State of Hawai‘i in 

the National Park System.” 

The purpose of this special resource study is to 

determine whether the Honouliuli Gulch and associated 

sites in Hawai‘i are eligible to be designated as a unit of 

the national park system. Through the study process, the 

NPS identified alternative strategies to manage, protect, 

or interpret the sites’ resources. The study conveys 

information to the U.S. Department of the Interior and 

Congress to aid in determining whether designation 

of a unit of the national park system is desirable and 

appropriate. 

The study evaluated 17 sites associated with the history of 

internment in Hawai‘i. In this study, the NPS ascertained 

the public’s level of interest in nationally recognizing 

this part of United States history and evaluated whether 

one or more of the sites would be appropriate for 

designation as a national park system unit. Cost estimates 

for operations, acquisition, and development are also 

included.

Through this study, the National Park Service finds that 

the Honouliuli Internment Camp property, located in 

Honouliuli Gulch, is nationally significant, suitable, 

feasible, and appropriate for NPS management. This 

document identifies the selection of the most effective 

and efficient alternative (“the selected alternative”) and 

the basis for a determination that completion of the study 

results in no associated significant impacts on the human 

environment.

Study Sites

The list of 17 sites evaluated in the study was developed 

based on information obtained through personal 

interviews, declassified documents from the Federal 

Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice, 

military files, newspapers, photographs, and numerous 

books and essays. The University of Hawaiʻi, Japanese 

Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi, and Trans-Sierran 

Archaeological Research provided information about 

internment sites in Hawaiʻi. Site visits by the study team 

were conducted where possible to determine current 

conditions and integrity of the sites.

The sites evaluated include the Honouliuli Internment 

Camp, Sand Island, the U.S. Immigration Station, 

Honolulu Police Department, and Honolulu Military 

Police Station on O‘ahu; the Kilauea Military Camp, 

Waiākea Prison, and the Hilo Independent Japanese 

Language School on the island of Hawaiʻi; Ha‘ikū Camp 

and Maui County Jail on Maui; the Kaunakakai Jail on 

Molokaʻi; the Lāna‘i City Jail on Lāna‘i; and the Kalāheo 

Stockade, Waimea Jail, Wailua Jail, Līhu‘e Plantation 

Gymnasium, and Kaua‘i County Courthouse on Kaua‘i.

Study Process and Public Involvement

PUBLIC SCOPING

The NPS initiated public scoping for this study in 

February 2011. The scoping process included meetings 

with agencies, elected officials and organizations, public 

meetings and workshops, newsletters, a web page, and 

written public comments. These sources were used 

to identify the issues, significant resources, ideas for 

alternatives, and impact topics to be considered for 

environmental analysis.

In February and March 2011, the study team held a series 

of public scoping meetings on the six main islands in 

Hawaiʻi. The meetings were held in Waipahu, KailuaKona, Hilo, Kaunakakai, Lāna‘i City, Kahului, Līhuʻe, 

and Honolulu. The meetings were attended by more 

than 100 people who provided comments on the scope 

of the study and information about the internment 

sites. Additional input was gathered through meetings 

and conversations with various individuals, agencies, 

organizations, cities, and local, state and federal elected 

officials. The NPS received comments via written letters 

and through e-mail. 

The comment period extended to June 1, 2011, 30 days 

after publication of the notice of scoping in the Federal 

Register.

DRAFT REPORT

The National Park Service (NPS) released the Honouliuli 

Gulch and Associated Sites Draft Special Resource Study 

and Environmental Assessment (draft study report/EA) on 

May 8, 2014. The public comment period was open from 

May 8 to July 15, 2014.

The NPS announced the release of the draft study 

report, public comment period, and public meetings 

through press releases. The NPS sent study reports to 

agencies, organizations, government representatives, 

and stakeholders. Paper and e-newsletters were sent to 

approximately 800 contacts. The project was launched on 

the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment 

(PEPC) website and project website (www.nps.gov/pwro/

honouliuli). These websites provided downloadable 

versions of the draft study report/EA, background 

information about the study, and an online form to 

receive public comments. The public was invited to 

submit comments by mail, e-mail, fax, online, at public 

workshops, and during an online public meeting.

INTRODUCTION
4 Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study

Internment sites in Hawai‘i during World War II.
Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study 5

In May and June 2014, the study team held a series of 

public meetings to present the draft study report and 

receive comments. The meetings were held in Kapolei, 

Honolulu, Līhuʻe , Kaunakakai, Kahului, Lāna‘i City, and 

Hilo. The public meetings in the Hawaiian Islands and 

the online public meeting were attended by 256 people. 

PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY

The NPS received comments from over 3,100 

individuals, agencies, elected officials, and organizations. 

Approximately 95% of the comments were submitted as a 

result of an organized campaign initiated by the National 

Parks Conservation Association in support of alternative 

B, which proposes the designation of Honouliuli 

Internment Camp as a unit of the national park system. 

Sixty-four individual comments were submitted via 

written letters, comment forms, e-mail, and through the 

PEPC online comment system.

The vast majority of the individual public comments also 

supported alternative B, the designation of Honouliuli 

Internment Camp as a unit of the national park system. 

Commenters overwhelmingly cited the need to preserve 

the story of Hawaiʻi’s World War II internment history 

and ensure protection of the site in perpetuity. Most 

wanted partners to be involved in the long-term care, 

interpretation, and public outreach for Honouliuli and 

the internment history in Hawai‘i. There were also 

comments about ensuring resource protection, additional 

historical information about the associated sites, concern 

about public access to Honouliuli, and ideas for visitor 

use if Honouliuli Internment Camp is to become a unit of 

the NPS.

A public comment and response report summarizing 

comments received by the National Park Service during 

the public comment period is available on the study 

website at www.nps.gov/pwro/honouliuli.

Above: Honouliuli Day of Remembrance, 2011, organized by the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. Below: Public meeting following the release of the 

draft study report, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i, May 2014. Photos: NPS.
6 Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study

Above: Honouliuli mess hall exterior, sketch 

by Dan T. Nishikawa, June 1943. Courtesy 

Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i. 

Below: The foundation of the mess hall in 

2013. Photo: NPS Opposite: Entry, former 

administration building, U.S. Immigration 

Station, 2013. Photo: NPS.
Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study 7

1

 2

 3 

4 

FINDINGS

Four Criteria for Evaluating Potential Additions to the National Park System

The National Park System New Area Studies Act and NPS Management Policies establish the basic process for evaluating 

potential new additions to the national park system. According to NPS Management Policies, a proposed addition to the 

national park system will receive a favorable recommendation from the NPS only if it meets all of the following criteria for 

inclusion:

It possesses nationally significant natural or cultural resources. 

It is a suitable addition to the system.

It is a feasible addition to the system.

There is a need for direct NPS management, instead of alternative protection by other public agencies or the 

private sector.

National Park Service management alternatives are developed for study areas that meet all four of the criteria for inclusion, 

as listed above. The following section explains how the NPS, in consultation with scientists, scholars, and other experts, 

found that all four criteria were satisfied in the Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study.

EVALUATION OF NATIONALLY 

SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES

The NPS has determined that the internment and 

incarceration of Japanese Americans and others during 

World War II on the mainland and in Hawai‘i are 

nationally significant events that shape our understanding 

and commitment to civil liberties and the fair treatment 

of all citizens, regardless of race. By identifying the 

commonalities and distinctions between mainland and 

Hawai‘i stories, this study concludes that the internment 

in Hawai‘i is of national significance, distinct from the 

mainland incarceration. Through it, we are able to more 

fully understand the abrogation of civil liberties that 

occurred in the U.S. and its territories. 

The NPS has determined that two sites are nationally 

significant under the National Park Service New Area 

Studies Act criteria: the Honouliuli Internment Camp 

and the U.S. Immigration Station. 

The Honouliuli Internment Camp was located in 

Honouliuli Gulch, west of Waipahu, on the island of 

O‘ahu. Opened in 1943, the Honouliuli Internment 

Camp was the last, largest, and longest-used World War 

II confinement site in Hawai‘i. The camp was built to 

intern Japanese and European Americans, Japanese and 

European resident aliens, and POWs captured in military 

operations during World War II. The internment camp 

held 320 internees, mostly second-generation Japanese 

Americans, but also Japanese, German, and Italian 

nationals. It was also the largest prisoner of war camp in 

Hawai‘i, incarcerating nearly 4,000 individuals. Recent 

archeological surveys have resulted in the identification 

of over 130 archeological features. Protected by its 

isolated location amidst agricultural lands and nearly 

hidden by dense vegetation for 60 years, Honouliuli 

Internment Camp appears to offer the greatest potential 

to preserve resources and interpret the history of the 

WWII internment. 

The U.S. Immigration Station, located on Ala Moana 

Boulevard in Honolulu, is nationally significant as the 

location where all Hawai‘i internees were processed 

or temporarily incarcerated after the attack on Pearl 

Harbor on December 7, 1941. Unlike most of the other 

internment sites in Hawai‘i that only served local, shortterm needs, the U.S. Immigration Station had a broad, 

statewide role over an extended period. It served as a 

temporary internment location, but also as a center of 

legal administration.

1
8 Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study

3

4

2 EVALUATION OF SUITABILITY

This study concludes that the Honouliuli Internment 

Camp and the U.S. Immigration Station, as described in 

the draft study report, are suitable for inclusion in the 

national park system, based upon an evaluation of the 

sites’ resources and their relative quality, character, and 

rarity. The Honouliuli Internment Camp and the U.S. 

Immigration Station contain themes and resources not 

found in any national park unit or comparably managed 

area.

EVALUATION OF FEASIBILITY

The study concludes that Honouliuli Internment Camp 

is feasible as an addition to the national park system if 

public access to the site can be secured. Current land 

use, ownership patterns, and zoning associated with 

Honouliuli Internment Camp would not conflict with 

management of a national park unit. Primary resources 

associated with the camp are located on property owned 

by the Monsanto Company, which has expressed interest 

in donating the property to the NPS for establishment 

of a national park unit. Surrounding lands are currently 

in agricultural use, which is compatible with the camp’s 

historic setting. However, feasibility is conditional on 

securing public access to the site. As current access is 

primarily over unpaved agricultural roads, improvements 

would be needed to accommodate access by the general 

public. An appropriate boundary configuration would 

include the historic site and would allow for access and 

visitor facilities.

The study concludes that the U.S. Immigration Station 

is not feasible as an addition to the national park system 

because of existing uses by the U.S. Department of 

Homeland Security and the State of Hawai‘i, Department 

of Public Health. If the facilities were no longer needed 

by federal or state agencies, additional analysis would 

be needed to determine the feasibility of management 

options and associated costs. 

NEED FOR NPS MANAGEMENT

The study concludes that there is a need for NPS 

management of the Honouliuli Internment Camp in 

partnership with others to fully protect resources and to 

enhance visitor appreciation of the nationally significant 

resources and important stories associated with the site. 

The incorporation of Honouliuli Internment Camp into 

the national park system would offer a visitor experience 

that allows the broadest understanding of the resources 

and stories relating to the internment of Japanese 

Americans and European Americans in Hawai‘i during 

World War II.
Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study 9

Opposite top: Loose ground shells made at Honouliuli by Dan T. 

Nishikawa. Opposite middle: Monkeypod tray carved at Honouliuli 

by Kiyoshi Ito. Opposite bottom: Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i 

volunteer Jane Kurahara speaks with a reporter during a visit to the new 

Honouliuli National Monument. Below: Honouliuli mess hall interior, 

sketch by Dan T. Nishikawa, April 1943. All photos: Japanese Cultural 

Center of Hawai‘i.

ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED

Two alternatives were analyzed in the Honouliuli Gulch 

and Associated Sites Draft Special Resource Study and 

Environmental Assessment. The alternatives are based on 

the purpose and need for the project and are consistent 

with existing laws and NPS policy.

Alternative A: Continuation of 

Current Management (No Action 

Alternative)

Sites, organizations, and programs significant to the 

internment history in Hawaiʻi would continue to 

be operated independently by existing landowners, 

agencies, or organizations without additional NPS 

management or assistance other than what is currently 

available through existing authorities and grant 

programs.

Alternative B: Honouliuli 

National Historic Site or National 

Monument—A New Unit of the 

National Park System

Congress would establish Honouliuli National 

Historic Site as a new unit of the national park system. 

Alternatively, a national monument managed by the 

National Park Service could be established. The national 

historic site or national monument would include the 

historic site of the Honouliuli Internment Camp and 

would allow for access and visitor facilities. The National 

Park Service would preserve the site and interpret 

the internment of Japanese Americans and European 

Americans in Hawaiʻi during World War II. The national 

historic site or monument would be supported by 

operational capacity at World War II Valor in the Pacific 

National Monument, Pearl Harbor. The National Park 

Service could respond to requests to provide technical 

assistance for the preservation and interpretation of 

other sites, features, and stories related to internment in 

Hawaiʻi during World War II.
10 Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study

THE SELECTED ALTERNATIVE

National Historic Site or National 

Monument—A New Unit of the 

National Park System

The recommendations encompassed in the selected 

alternative are the same as those identified and analyzed 

in alternative B in the environmental assessment, with 

the exception of modifications made as a result of 

information and comments derived from public review 

of the draft study and environmental assessment, as 

follows:

•	 The proposed national historic site or 

monument boundary has been reduced at the 

request of the University of Hawaiʻi—West 

O‘ahu. Discussions between the NPS and the 

University of Hawaiʻi have identified approaches 

to public access that do not require inclusion of 

University of Hawaiʻi land in an NPS boundary 

at this time. The University of Hawaiʻi is 

committed to working with the NPS on granting 

access to the site over university lands should a 

national park unit be established. Future road 

access could be added to the national historic 

site or monument boundary once a more 

permanent road alignment has been determined. 

•	 Minor modifications have also been made to 

address concerns regarding universal access to 

the site, potential partnerships, and technical 

assistance opportunities. 

The above modifications would not constitute a change 

in environmental impacts beyond what was analyzed in 

the environmental assessment. 

The selected alternative would establish Honouliuli 

National Historic Site as a new unit of the national park 

system. Alternatively, a national monument managed 

by the National Park Service could be established. The 

national historic site or national monument would 

include the historic site of the Honouliuli Internment 

Camp and adjacent lands that would allow for access 

and visitor facilities. In collaboration with partners, 

the National Park Service would preserve the site and 

interpret the internment of Japanese Americans and 

European Americans in Hawaiʻi during World War 

II. The national historic site or monument would be 

supported by operational capacity at World War II 

Valor in the Pacific National Monument, Pearl Harbor. 

The National Park Service could respond to requests 

to provide technical assistance for the preservation and 

interpretation of other sites, features, and stories related 

to internment in Hawaiʻi during World War II.

PROPOSED AREA

The Honouliuli National Historic Site or National 

Monument would total approximately 155 acres. The 

historic Honouliuli Internment Camp and the adjacent 

overlook parcel (totaling approximately 123 acres) 

would be acquired by the NPS through a donation by the 

Monsanto Company. Additional Monsanto-owned lands 

(31.5 acres) with related resources could be protected 

through conservation easements, land transfer, or other 

measures at Monsanto’s discretion. All private property 

rights would be respected. 

The University of Hawai‘i has committed to providing 

NPS with public access to Honouliuli, initially through 

granting the NPS a right of entry over existing roads 

from the west. The University of Hawai‘i is currently 

undergoing planning efforts for its lands adjacent to 

Honouliuli. This process, and subsequent planning by 

the NPS should a national park unit be established, may 

identify a new road alignment for public access. Once 

a desired road alignment for public access has been 

determined, this road alignment could be included in 

the national historic site or national monument through 

a boundary adjustment. This would allow the National 

Park Service to expend funds on the development and 

maintenance of the access road.

Three parcels owned by the City and County of 

Honolulu Board of Water Supply (totaling 0.6 acres) 

would be inholdings within the proposed area and would 

remain under current ownership and management. The 

communications facilities (non-contributing features 

within the historic site) would not be included in the 

proposed boundary.

MANAGEMENT 

The NPS would have direct management responsibility 

for the Honouliuli National Historic Site or National 

Monument including: 1) interpretation and education 

associated with the Honouliuli Internment Camp and 

its resources, including the development of interpretive 

media and programs; 2) preservation and resource 

management for the historic site; and 3) operational 

facilities and infrastructure such as roads, restrooms, and 

trails.

RESOURCE PROTECTION

NPS staff would protect and preserve resources related 

to Honouliuli Internment Camp. Management plans 

would guide appropriate historic preservation 
Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study 11
12 Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study

documentation and treatments. As described below, 

there are opportunities to partner with local institutions 

and organizations in the protection of resources. 

VISITOR EXPERIENCE

Visitors would have the opportunity to learn about 

Honouliuli Internment Camp, World War II internment 

in Hawaiʻi, martial law, civil liberties, and peace and 

reconciliation through a wide variety of interpretive and 

educational programs onsite and at offsite locations. 

Interpretation would be accessible and relevant to 

diverse audiences and multiple generations. Virtual 

visitor experiences would be explored so that people 

could learn about and experience Honouliuli and related 

sites without actually visiting the sites. Programs could 

be provided by NPS rangers, partners, and volunteers. 

Information could be presented in multiple languages.

PARTNERSHIPS

Other entities, specifically the University of Hawaiʻi—

West O‘ahu and the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi, 

have completed significant work to document, preserve, 

and interpret the Honouliuli Internment Camp and the 

larger history of internment in Hawai‘i during World War 

II. The NPS would seek to maintain these partnerships 

for future management of the Honouliuli National 

Historic Site or Monument. In addition, the NPS would 

explore, develop, and maintain new partnerships for the 

preservation and interpretation of Honouliuli Internment 

Camp and related sites, features, and stories in Hawaiʻi. 

There are substantial opportunities for partnerships 

related to Honouliuli National Historic Site or 

Monument with public agencies, educational institutions, 

nonprofit entities, and individuals. Potential partnership 

projects could include the development of educational 

programs, development of facilities, resource stewardship 

activities such as preservation of historic features and 

vegetation clearing, and research projects. Partnerships 

could also include shared facilities for interpretation, 

curatorial storage, operations, and maintenance. 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

World War II-era internment and incarceration sites in 

Hawai‘i other than Honouliuli Internment Camp would 

continue to be owned and managed by their respective 

public and private owners. The associated sites illustrate 

the broad-reaching effects of internment on the six 

major islands in Hawai‘i and are valuable in accurately 

interpreting this history. 

Upon request, the NPS could work cooperatively 

with associated site owners and managers to explore 

opportunities for interpretation and/or preservation of 

the associated sites. Any request for technical assistance 

related to the associated sites would be voluntary on the 

part of the landowner.

Where appropriate, the NPS could also conduct research 

and respond to requests for assistance to related sites that 

have yet to be identified.

OPERATIONS

Staffing

Honouliuli National Historic Site or Monument would 

be managed through World War II Valor in the Pacific 

National Monument at Pearl Harbor, given its close 

proximity and related history. Some staff positions at 

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument 

would be shared. However, management of the site 

would require additional staff as funding became 

available. A management plan would identify priorities, 

management emphases, and required staffing for a 15 to 

20 year timeframe. 

Based on comparisons of staffing levels for existing 

national historic sites of similar scale and management 

models, the following types of staff would be 

recommended:

•	 Site manager

•	 Cultural resource specialist 

•	 Interpretive specialist 

•	 Interpretive ranger (2)

•	 Law enforcement ranger

•	 Maintenance (2)

•	 Exotic plant management technician

Positions could be permanent, temporary, or seasonal. 

In addition, partner organizations could provide staff or 

volunteers, with types and numbers dependent upon the 

functions proved.

OPERATIONAL AND VISITOR FACILITIES

Comprehensive management planning would guide the 

development of facilities for Honouliuli National Historic 

Site or National Monument. Facilities would be needed 

to support public access, circulation, orientation, and 

learning about the history of internment in Hawaiʻi. The 

7-acre overlook site could serve as a visitor staging area 

with ample space to provide for parking, visitor drop-off, 

interpretive features, and restrooms. The site is located 

just outside of the historic camp and offers views to Pearl 

Harbor, downtown Honolulu, and Diamond Head. 

Within the gulch, visitor facilities would be minimal 

to preserve the site’s historic integrity. Facilities might 

include trails, interpretive waysides, primitive roads, 

and vault toilets. Implementation planning would also 

explore opportunities for persons of all abilities to access 

and experience Honouliuli Internment Camp.

Currently there is no public access to Honouliuli 

Internment Camp. Rights of access would be required 

to provide public access to the 7-acre overlook parcel 

and the historic site. Existing roads would require 

considerable improvement to accommodate visitor 
Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study 13

Aerial view of Honouliuli Gulch looking south, showing both Monsanto lands (left) and University of Hawai‘i—West O‘ahu lands (right). Board of Water 

Supply facilities are visible in the foreground: Photo: Monsanto Company.

access. As noted above, the University of Hawai‘i has 

indicated its commitment to working with the National 

Park Service with regard to providing public access on 

existing and future roads through its lands.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) estimated 

construction costs for public and administrative access 

using existing road alignments would range from $3 to 20 

million. This dollar amount would also include parking 

and turnaround areas for buses. The higher end of the 

range would be incurred if additional reconstruction 

or realignment is necessary for road improvements. 

Costs would need to be reevaluated after a formal site 

survey and through completion of a comprehensive 

management plan. 

Shuttle or bus service from either World War II Valor 

in the Pacific National Monument or UHWO was also 

evaluated by the FHA. Costs to operate a bus connection 

from World War II Valor in the Pacific National 

Monument three times per week were estimated at 

$25,000 to 30,000 annually. Costs to operate a bus or 

shuttle from University of Hawaiʻi—West O‘ahu twice 

daily were estimated at $91,000 to 112,000 annually.

NPS management of a national historic site at Honouliuli 

Gulch would be funded through federal appropriations 

as part of the annual NPS budget and through potential 

partners and grants. The national historic site or 

monument could share administrative, visitor, and 

operational facilities with World War II Valor in the 

Pacific National Monument or partner entities. Nonfederal entities would continue to be eligible for the 

grants through the Japanese American Confinement 

Sites Grant Program for preservation, interpretation, 

and documentation projects associated with Honouliuli 

Internment Camp.

Based on the size and scope of this site, and the types of 

services and assistance proposed, the annual cost of NPS 

operations for the national historic site could be expected 

to be $400,000 to $750,000. The estimated operational 

budget would primarily fund NPS staff, programs, 

projects, and outreach. 

Specific costs would be reevaluated in subsequent, more 

detailed planning for the unit. Planning would consider 

facility and site design, detailed identification of resource 

protection needs, and changing visitor expectations. 

Actual costs to the NPS would vary depending on timing 

and implementation and contributions by partners and 

volunteers. It is assumed that the long-range financial 

needs of Honouliuli National Historic Site or Monument 

would not just rely upon federally appropriated funds. A 

variety of other public and private funding sources could 

be sought by the NPS to assist in implementation efforts. 

Other NPS units have successfully found partners to 

help with funding major projects, and some of the costs 

associated with actions in the alternatives may prove to 

be less expensive if donated materials, labor, and other 

support can be secured.
14 Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Before taking an action, the National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to identify 

a range of alternatives for that action and to analyze the 

potential environmental impacts of that action, including 

any potential adverse environmental effects that cannot 

be avoided if the proposed action is implemented. The 

NPS prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the 

Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource 

Study to identify and analyze the potential environmental 

and socioeconomic consequences of each of the 

alternatives considered in the study.

The NPS evaluated the environmental consequences 

of alternatives A and B on the following topics: cultural 

resources, biological resources, recreation use and 

visitor experience, socioeconomics, land use, and water 

resources.

Environmentally Preferred Alternative

The “environmentally preferred” alternative is the 

course of action that would best protect, preserve and 

enhance historic, cultural and natural resources, and 

that would cause the least damage to the biological and 

physical environment. The environmentally preferred 

alternative is not the same as an agency’s “preferred” 

or “most effective and efficient” alternative. The NPS 

has determined that the selected alternative, Alternative 

B: Honouliuli National Historic Site or Monument—A 

Unit of the National Park System, would be the 

environmentally preferable alternative because it would 

protect the nationally significant cultural resources and 

natural resources and provide opportunities for visitors 

to learn about the history and experience of Japanese 

American and European American incarceration during 

World War II.

A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was 

completed for this document. The FONSI also contains 

a summary of public comments on the draft study 

report and can be found at http://www.nps.gov/pwro/

honouliuli.

Above: The remains of a trash incinerator in the POW camp. Middle: 

Volunteers excavating a laundry building slab in the guard camp. 

Below: Mapping a guard tower foundation discovered by the UHWO 

archeological field school. Photos: Jeffery Burton. Opposite: Senator 

Mazie Hirono, NPS Deputy Director Peggy O’Dell, Secretary Sally Jewell, 

and Governor David Ige at the Honouliuli Dedication, March 2015. Photo: 

Stanley Chun, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i.
Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites Special Resource Study 15

NEXT STEPS

Transmittal of the final study report to Congress 

officially completes the special resource study process. 

Implementation of the selected alternative would require 

Congressional legislation. 

Honouliuli National Monument

Honouliuli National Monument is the fifth site in the 

national park system associated with the incarceration of 

Japanese Americans, joining Manzanar National Historic 

Site in California, Minidoka National Historic Site in 

Idaho, Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion 

Memorial in Washington State, and the Tule Lake Unit of 

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in 

California.

Honouliuli National Monument is a new national park 

unit without formal services and programs at this time. In 

the coming months and years, you will see more visitor 

opportunities, interpretive and educational programs, 

and notices regarding the new monument. Honouliuli 

National Monument is managed by staff of the National 

Park Service Pacific West Region. To contact the new 

national monument or to participate in other planned 

events, please consult the information on the back page 

of this newsletter.

As called for in the proclamation, the National Park 

Service will develop a general management plan to 

provide long-term guidance for the monument. It will 

include the identification of visitor services needed at 

the site, measures to preserve the historic resources, 

and opportunities to interpret the story of internment 

in Hawai‘i during World War II. Through the planning 

process the NPS will explore opportunities to partner 

with other sites and organizations involved in research 

and education efforts related to World War II internment 

in Hawai‘i. The NPS will also engage stakeholders and 

the public in the planning process. 

Access, visitor services, interpretation, education, and 

outreach programs are planned and under development. 

At this time, to learn more about social justice issues 

in Hawai‘i, Honouliuli, and related internment sites 

in Hawai‘i please visit the Japanese Cultural Center 

of Hawai‘i (http://www.jcch.com/) or the King 

Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center (http://www.

jhchawaii.net/) located at the Hawai‘i Supreme Court 

Building in downtown Honolulu.
HOW TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE FINAL STUDY REPORT 

AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This document presents a summary of the final Honouliuli Gulch and Associated 

Sites Special Resource Study. The final study report, including the draft report and 

environmental assessment, errata, and the Finding of No Significant Impact, is 

posted on the project website at: 

http://www.nps.gov/pwro/honouliuli

A public comment summary and NPS responses to comments are also available 

on the website. For a printed copy of the final report and errata, please contact us. 

To obtain a printed copy of the study report, contact:

Mail: National Park Service

 Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites SRS

 Park Planning & Environmental Compliance

 909 First Avenue, 5th Floor

 Seattle, WA 98104

E-mail: pwr_honouliuli@nps.gov 

For information about the national monument, contact:

Mail: National Park Service

 Attn: Honouliuli National Monument

 300 Ala Moana Boulevard

 Room 6226, Box 50165

 Honolulu, HI 96850

Phone: (808) 725-6149

Website: http://www.nps.gov/hono

PWRO 963 / 126243/ Summer 2015 

Printed on post-consumer recycled paper with 

soy-based inks.

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

Honouliuli Gulch and Associated Sites SRS

Park Planning & Environmental Compliance

909 First Avenue, 5th Floor

Seattle, WA 98104

CONTENTS:

Introduction 3 

Findings 7

Alternatives Analyzed 9

The Selected Alternative 10

Environmental Assessment 14

Next Steps 15

Honouliuli Gulch and 

Associated Sites 

SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY