Located smack in the middle of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Ford Island connects by the Ford Island Bridge (Named the Admiral Clarey Bridge) and houses many naval facilities and has military housing as well.
The island was called "Moku ‘ume ‘ume" (moe koo oo may oo may) and the translation is ‘isle of attraction'. The island was named after a Boston physician named Dr. Seth Porter Ford (1818 to 1866) who practiced medicine at the Hawaiian Insane Asylum and US Seamen's Hospital (1861-1866).
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When Dr. Ford passed away the island was sold to Honolulu Plantation and then the U.S. Army purchased Ford Island during World War 1 for $236,000. (Wow...you can't even buy a decent lot for that price now...let alone a whole island! )
During World War II Ford Island was in the center of the ‘attack on Pearl Harbor' because of all the battleship moorings that surrounded Ford Island.
In 1962 Ford Island was decommissioned as a separate command and then placed under the Naval Base in Pearl Harbor.
Years before there was only passage to Ford Island by hourly ferry boat for cars and passengers on foot.
The ‘Admiral Clarey Bridge" to Ford Island was completed and opened in 1998.
Up until a few years ago tourists could not visit the island without a military identification card or being invited by a resident.
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Anyone can now go on tours to the Mighty Mo and Battle Stations Tour (which includes the Mighty Mo) but please take heed to the strict Security Policies on the website. Operating Hours are from 8am to 5pm (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day). Access is down the street from the USS Arizona Memorial . {{MAP}}
Be sure this is on your agenda when visiting Oahu.
It's a piece of history you won't forget.
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
You are amazing.. I had no idea about Ford Island and its historical significance. Hope you are doing well.
Sally,
thank you for the history lesson. Two years ago when my wife and I were there we went out to the Arizona but missd the Ford Island tour. I will put it on the list for our next trip for sure.
You're one smart cookie. Even I learned something in this blog.
Hi Sally, thanks for the history behind Ford Island, did not know all of that until reading your post, I love history and love Hawai'i, we honeymooned there. My wife is in the U.S. Air Force and we visited Might MO and Pearl Harbor while we were there.....will share some pics later on with you. Happy 4th to you.
Sally, Thank you for the information. We visited Pearl Harbor but do not remember any one mentioning the history of Ford Island.
Sally, what a great share on some unknown history of Hawaii...blogging helps learning for sure...have a wonderful holiday!
Sally - thank you for sharing some of the local history of your beautiful state!
Sally, I was not aware of the history behind Ford Island. Nice localism post!
Thanks for sharing a bit of history with me!
Woo Hoo, I always love your history and tourism posts with all your great photography. I have said it before but you do the best local posts and could easily work for the Department of Tourism there.
You are my support system for localism William MWA!
Sally
THis is a wonderful historic localism post. I love reading your stories of the islands.
Jeff