US Army Museum of Hawaii
US Army Museum of Hawaii
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
Closed
About
The U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii is open Tues - Sat from 10 AM - 5 PM. We are closed on Federal Holidays (if Holiday falls on a Monday then we are closed that Tuesday). The Museum is FREE to all with exhibits located on the first and second floor of the facility. Parking is available directly across the street from the museum in the Saratoga parking lot. Validation is available at the welcome desk. Constructed from 1909-11, the Coast Artillery Battery (known as Battery Randolph) protected Oahu with its two 14-inch disappearing guns. In the early 70’s, attempts were made to tear down Battery Randolph to make way for the Hale Koa Hotel, however, those attempts proved to be unsuccessful. In 1976, the structure was repurposed into a museum focusing on depicting early Hawaiian warfare and the military’s presence in the Pacific highlighting every major military encounter throughout the 20th Century.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Neighborhood: Waikiki
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,131 reviews
Excellent
1,269
Very good
702
Average
142
Poor
17
Terrible
1
pchnmain
LA/OC961 contributions
Jul 2024 • Solo
Fort Derussy Beach Park is a major piece of green space at one end of the Waikiki tourist zone. The "U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii" is part of this complex.
The structure that houses this museum was originally a shore battery. And if I read between the lines, the only reason this museum exits is because it would have been too difficult to demolish.
Inside, on the ground level: There's life-sized diorama showing what an artillery position looked like. There are uniforms, arms and artifacts from different wars. There's information and displays to tell the story of the U.S. Army presence on the Hawaiian Islands through history. These are the kinds of displays you expect. But then you can go to the second floor.
One of the rooms on the second level is the "Gallery of Heroes". In this room, there are plaques memorializing military members, who had ties to Hawaii, and were awarded significant military honors (in most cases posthumously). When you see the images of those faces (mostly young), and you read why they received their decoration--it gets to you.
Go to the museum's webpage to check the schedule. General rule of thumb: it is open 10a-5p Tuesday through Saturday. (hiarmymuseumsoc*org)
Admission is free; donations are appreciated; there is a gift shop for souvenirs.
The structure that houses this museum was originally a shore battery. And if I read between the lines, the only reason this museum exits is because it would have been too difficult to demolish.
Inside, on the ground level: There's life-sized diorama showing what an artillery position looked like. There are uniforms, arms and artifacts from different wars. There's information and displays to tell the story of the U.S. Army presence on the Hawaiian Islands through history. These are the kinds of displays you expect. But then you can go to the second floor.
One of the rooms on the second level is the "Gallery of Heroes". In this room, there are plaques memorializing military members, who had ties to Hawaii, and were awarded significant military honors (in most cases posthumously). When you see the images of those faces (mostly young), and you read why they received their decoration--it gets to you.
Go to the museum's webpage to check the schedule. General rule of thumb: it is open 10a-5p Tuesday through Saturday. (hiarmymuseumsoc*org)
Admission is free; donations are appreciated; there is a gift shop for souvenirs.
Written August 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M&JR
Fort Worth, TX1,218 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
Army Museum with artifacts, displays, and narratives describing the fort and islands from a military perspective. You can spend and hour, two or more reading the displays. The Museum does an excellent job considering admission is free with donations accepted. Wearing my Air Force Veterans cap, I was stopped and held several conversations with other veterans. Well worth the walk to the museum and literally right on the beach.
Written January 28, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CdnTravellerYYC
Calgary, Canada184 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
I have been to Waikiki many, many times...and walked by this building. But, we have never ventured inside until this trip. Such a great find!
It is free--but, donations are accepted.
The museum was exceptionally interesting. The exhibits were thoughtfully and thoroughly curated. The tour was 'self-guided'.
While the museum was not too busy, it was easy to navigate and have time to reflect quietly upon the information.
Two levels.
It was airconditioned. Super clean bathroom!
Cute gift shop.
Informative and pleasant staff.
My 12 year old really enjoyed it, too.
We visited this property for approx 1 hr. A nice way to spend a hot afternoon!
All in all, I am sorry that we did not visit sooner. Just go!
It is free--but, donations are accepted.
The museum was exceptionally interesting. The exhibits were thoughtfully and thoroughly curated. The tour was 'self-guided'.
While the museum was not too busy, it was easy to navigate and have time to reflect quietly upon the information.
Two levels.
It was airconditioned. Super clean bathroom!
Cute gift shop.
Informative and pleasant staff.
My 12 year old really enjoyed it, too.
We visited this property for approx 1 hr. A nice way to spend a hot afternoon!
All in all, I am sorry that we did not visit sooner. Just go!
Written August 31, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben Bate
Manchester, UK124 contributions
Aug 2024 • Family
We really enjoyed our visit here, we found it to be a great layout with great information points at the correct areas which enabled us to be knowledgeable to what we were looking at etc. On top of this we were impressed with the artefacts and historical pieces they had there from the tanks and chopper outside to the cannons and old weapons they had inside. Overall great experience and would recommend when in or around Waikiki.
Written November 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OZS_ATW
Budapest, Hungary4,381 contributions
Nov 2024 • Solo
This museum was located in a beautiful park, called Fort Derussy, just 100 meters from the beach. Entrance fee was free.
I visited while my family was on the beach.
The museum was very informative. I have never visited a museum with such a superb beach location!
I visited while my family was on the beach.
The museum was very informative. I have never visited a museum with such a superb beach location!
Written December 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nkem O
Calgary, Canada128 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
A very nice way to spend a couple of hours. My husband and I visited here and were surprised to find that the entrance was free.
There does seem to be an audio guide, but we didn’t use this. The museum was very informative, and I learned a lot of things that I never knew before.
There does seem to be an audio guide, but we didn’t use this. The museum was very informative, and I learned a lot of things that I never knew before.
Written October 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff R
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
This is a very special place, a restored WW1/WW2 era bunker gun emplacement turned into a museum covering early native Hawaiian tribal warfare, how the US military first came to Oahu, the beginning of WW2 through the Vietnam war. Focuses on veterans from Hawaii and how these gun emplacements were designed to be used. Many of the batteries still exist but in an unrestored state. This museum is very well run and a must see for those interested in Pearl Harbor. Covers broader military history of Hawaii that Pearl Harbor museums do not.
Written April 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra M
20 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Interesting museum with immersive exhibits and artifacts. Recommend popping in and walking through Fort Derussy and it's very well maintained. Fairly accessible with seating areas and volunteers are friendly and welcoming. Self-guided and free admission. The gift shop was very well stocked.
Parking validation available, parking lot very close to museum across the street. We were recommended this museum after visiting the Tropic Lighting Museum on Schofield Barracks.
Parking validation available, parking lot very close to museum across the street. We were recommended this museum after visiting the Tropic Lighting Museum on Schofield Barracks.
Written April 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theresa B
1 contribution
Jun 2024 • Family
This museum was unexpectedly fantastic. I did not hear recommendations for it but my boys wanted to go. It did seem too big from the outside but inside was an impressive collection of artifacts and displays. The design, layout, and exhibits were outstanding. It’s also free.
Written June 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dominik V
Calgary, Canada4 contributions
Jan 2025 • Friends
I was really amazed by this museum .. Did not expect this.
Really nice museum full of interesting items and historical facts..
Spent there about 1,5 hours I would say.
No rush at all.
Recommend if you want to kill some excess time
Really nice museum full of interesting items and historical facts..
Spent there about 1,5 hours I would say.
No rush at all.
Recommend if you want to kill some excess time
Written February 28, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes you may carry a backpack into the museum, however, we require that any food or beverage in the backpack remain in the backpack. Food and beverage is not allowed in the museum. Look forward to seeing you!!
Written January 17, 2020
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