History of Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

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.

  

 © 2007-2011 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.

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