Pohakuloa Training Area history

Historical Overview and Origins

The territory known today as the Pohakuloa Training Area is located in a unique geographical zone on the Big Island of Hawaii, USA. The history of this place is rooted in deep antiquity, long before the appearance of modern infrastructure.

Founding and First Mentions

Although the facility took its modern form in the mid-20th century, the area itself was used by the indigenous population for centuries. The name "Pohakuloa" translates from the Hawaiian language as "Long Stone," referring to the geological features of the region. The first mentions of this zone are found in the oral traditions of the Hawaiians, who used the high-altitude plateau as a transit route connecting various districts of the island.

Key Factors of Formation

The development of the territory was predetermined by several important factors:

• Geographical Location: The area is situated in the so-called "saddle" between two majestic volcanoes — Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The high-altitude climate and landscape created natural isolation.
• Natural Resources: Volcanic activity formed a unique relief with lava fields, which was unsuitable for traditional agriculture but ideal for quarrying stone and, subsequently, for special training purposes.
• Strategic Importance: Vast uninhabited spaces allowed for the organization of a large center here without detrimental impact on the residential coastal zones.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the pre-colonial period, the region's economy was closely tied to resource extraction. Ancient Hawaiians climbed the plateau to mine basalt, from which they crafted adzes — an important tool for canoe building and wood carving. Additionally, the high-altitude forests served as a habitat for rare birds, whose feathers were highly valued and used to create the cloaks of chiefs, giving the area special cultural and sacred significance.

Development Chronology

The history of the formation of the modern infrastructure possessed by the Pohakuloa Training Area is closely linked to the administrative development of the state and defense initiatives of the USA. Below are the key stages in the establishment of this facility.

• 1930s: A Civilian Conservation Corps camp is established in this area, with employees engaged in building fences and planting trees.
• 1942: The territory begins to be used for field maneuvers, marking the start of repurposing the land for special needs.
• 1955: The facility comes under Army management, receiving official status as a training area.
• 1956: Construction of the Bradshaw Army Airfield is completed, becoming the region's most important high-altitude transport hub.
• 1964: A long-term land lease agreement is signed with the State of Hawaii for a period of 65 years, legally securing the boundaries of the training area.
• 1980s: Launch of comprehensive environmental programs aimed at preserving rare plant species and the Nene bird (Hawaiian goose).
• 2004: Beginning of large-scale infrastructure modernization, including improvements to the road network within the complex.
• 2006: Start of a project to renovate residential zones and build new barracks to improve conditions for personnel.
• 2011: Completion of key reconstruction stages of Saddle Road, which passes through the territory, enhancing traffic safety.
• 2013: Commissioning of a new modern headquarters and operations control center.
• 2010s: Strengthening of the Cultural Resources Division's work on inventorying and protecting archaeological sites found in lava tubes.
• Present Time: The facility continues to function with an emphasis on balancing operations with the preservation of the unique high-altitude ecosystem.

Major Milestones of Development and Transformation

The evolution of the territory occupied by the Pohakuloa Training Area represents a process of gradual transformation from a temporary camp into a modern infrastructure complex. The history of this place in the USA demonstrates how harsh high-altitude conditions were adapted for permanent human habitation, considering economic needs and respect for local culture.

• Construction of Bradshaw Airfield (1956)
  The appearance of its own runway at an altitude of about 1,900 meters became a crucial urban planning decision. This event brought the facility out of isolation, ensuring reliable air connection and the ability to deliver cargo regardless of the condition of mountain roads.
• Legal Formalization of Lands (1964)
  The signing of the long-term lease agreement became the economic foundation for the zone's development. This event allowed for the planning of capital construction and long-term investments in infrastructure, turning temporary stops into a permanent facility.
• Cultural Heritage Preservation Program (1980s)
  An important cultural milestone marking a shift in priorities. Systematic work began on inventorying ancient Hawaiian shrines and petroglyphs. This allowed modern tasks to be integrated with the protection of historical values, creating a unique model of coexistence.
• Technological Modernization (2000s)
  The laying of fiber-optic lines and the creation of digital infrastructure turned the territory into a high-tech hub. This transformation was of key importance for the regional economy, creating new jobs for technical specialists and engineers.
• Renovation of the Residential Sector (2010s)
  The large-scale replacement of old temporary structures (huts) with modern permanent barracks, dining halls, and headquarters radically changed the architectural appearance of the central part. This significantly increased comfort and safety, bringing living conditions closer to urban standards.

Architectural Appearance and Spatial Organization

Since the Pohakuloa Training Area is a specialized military facility rather than a traditional city with centuries of history, its architectural appearance is subject to strict functionality and the harsh climatic conditions of the highlands. Classical styles like Gothic or Baroque are absent here; the development of the territory is a vivid example of the evolution of military engineering and utilitarian planning of the second half of the 20th and early 21st centuries.

Evolution of Construction and Stylistic Eras

The infrastructure development of the facility can be clearly divided into two key stages, each corresponding to its own approach to construction:

• The "Quonset" Era (Mid-20th Century — Late 1990s): This period is characterized by the style of military functionalism. The hallmark of the base became the "Quonset" type hangars (Quonset huts) — prefabricated structures made of corrugated steel with a semi-cylindrical shape. These structures, which became a symbol of the American military presence of that era, were chosen for the ease of transporting materials to the mountains and high speed of assembly.
• Period of Capital Modernization (2000s — Present): Temporary structures were replaced by modern industrial style and sustainable development standards. New barracks, dining halls, and headquarters are built from monolithic concrete, taking into account the seismic activity of the zone. This stage is characterized by geometric rigor, flat roofs, and the implementation of energy-efficient technologies.

Urban Zoning

The layout of the main camp (Cantonment Area) follows a linear-cluster principle, typical for military towns in the USA, ensuring maximum logistical efficiency:

• Residential Cluster: Historically represented by even rows of semi-circular huts forming a street grid. Now the space is transforming into blocks with modern multi-story dormitories.
• Administrative Core: Control centers and headquarters buildings are located compactly in the center of the built-up zone to ensure quick access for personnel.
• Transport-Technical Zone: Moved to the periphery, it includes repair workshops, warehouses, and vehicle parks, separating work processes from rest areas.

Landmark Structures

Despite the purely practical purpose, specific objects stand out on the territory, shaping its unique landscape:

• Bradshaw Army Airfield: The dominant feature of the complex. The engineering structures of the airfield, including the control tower and hangars, are executed in a strict technical style and adapted to the strong winds of the saddle between the volcanoes.
• Historic Quonset Huts: Structures remaining from the 1950s create a recognizable retro silhouette of the camp, contrasting with the new concrete architecture and serving as a reminder of the early stages of developing this territory.

Notable Personalities

The history of this territory unites ancient Hawaiian rulers, American politicians, and nature conservationists. Below are key figures who played an important role in the destiny of the area.

• Umi-a-Liloa (15th–16th Centuries)
  High Chief (Aliʻi Nui) of the Island of Hawaii.
  A legendary ruler who was the first to appreciate the strategic importance of the high-altitude plateau. According to historical traditions, it was here that he gathered and trained his warriors, establishing the tradition of using this terrain for military maneuvers centuries before the appearance of a modern army.
• Richard Smart (1913–1992)
  Owner of Parker Ranch and Broadway actor.
  Being the heir to vast land holdings surrounding the modern base, he played a decisive role in its creation. During World War II, Smart leased his lands to the Marines for training, which was the first step towards forming a permanent military facility.
• Samuel Wilder King (1886–1959)
  Governor of the Territory of Hawaii.
  In 1956, he signed an executive order officially transferring the first plots of land to military management. This administrative decision is considered the moment of the legal founding of the Pohakuloa Training Area base as a permanent installation.
• Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973)
  36th President of the USA.
  In 1964, he issued Executive Order No. 11167, which secured over 80,000 acres of land for the military for a period of 65 years. This document defined the modern boundaries and scale of the training area, turning it into the largest training center in the Pacific region.
• Daniel Inouye (1924–2012)
  US Senator and World War II Veteran.
  One of the most influential politicians in the history of the state. He secured federal funding for the modernization of the training area's infrastructure and the construction of the region's key transport artery — Saddle Road, which now bears his name (Daniel K. Inouye Highway).
• Lani Stemmermann (1952–1995)
  Botanist and Ecologist.
  A scientist whose activities radically changed the operational principles of the base. In the late 1980s, she initiated a legal process that led to the creation of strict programs for the protection of rare plant and animal species on the territory of the training area, compelling the military to combine exercises with care for the unique ecosystem.