Hawaii Vacation Beach tourists don’t know about

Bellows  Air Force Station, named after WW1 American Hero Lt. Franklin Barney Bellow, was an important air field  during World War II. Bellows Field was made a permanent    military post in July 1941, and  it was one of the  airfields attacked during Pearl  Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Fast  forward 75  years and what you find  today is a 1500 acre military reservation which   serves mostly as a resort  for US military  personal. Sure they have training exercises a few times  a year,  mostly simulated amphibious  landings and small unit    tactics, but for the most part it’s a military recreational area. If you’re in the  military you can camp on the grounds, rent cabins, enjoy activities or the beach.  Several US presidents have stayed on base to enjoy a relaxing Hawaii vacation.

What a lot people don’t  know, especially tourists, is that the beach and recreation areas are completely open to the public on the weekends. To get there you take Highway 72 (Kalnaianaole Highway), just passed a town called  Waimanalo. Each    week locals  (and a few lucky tourists like yourself)  turn out in numbers to enjoy this beautiful beach  area which curves around Waimanalo Bay.  There are places to barbecue, camp out or just enjoy a long walk on this vast white sandy beach.

If you never had an opportunity to go boogie boarding this is the place  to get started, the protected bay makes  it perfect for beginners. The matter what your skill level you can have  fun at Bellows because the wave   action is almost always on the mild side. It’s also great for building sand castles and playing in the shallow waters which are perfect for swimming.

If you are going to be on Oahu and it takes you over a weekend, consider checking out the beach over at  Bellows Air Force Station. The scenic ride out there is magnificent along the southeast side of the island. This experience will be memorable and one that a lot of tourists never get to enjoy.

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Jim Winpenny Archive,Oahu

September 7th, 2008