Palm Circle, historic military complex at Fort Shafter, Hawaiʻi, USA
Palm Circle is a military complex within Fort Shafter in Honolulu featuring an oval-shaped parade ground surrounded by fifteen two-story wooden-framed buildings. Officers' quarters line the northern and eastern sides with traditional design, while the southern side contains original barracks and enlisted men's buildings constructed between 1907 and 1909, plus a historic swimming pool.
Palm Circle was constructed between 1907 and 1909 as a military post serving officers and enlisted personnel. From 1943 to 1945 it became headquarters for the U.S. Army commander overseeing Pacific operations and was instrumental in planning major invasion campaigns in the Gilberts, Marshalls, Marianas, and Okinawa.
Palm Circle takes its name from its distinctive layout of buildings arranged around a parade ground lined with Royal Palm trees. This design reflected how the military organized space to bring people together while maintaining a clear sense of hierarchy and order.
As part of the active military installation Fort Shafter, visitors can walk through the complex and view the historic buildings from outside. Access to certain areas may be restricted, so it is best to check ahead about current visiting conditions before arriving.
The site was also known as the Pineapple Pentagon and now serves as a quiet place to reflect on wartime history. A somber part of this story is that Corporal Arthur Favreau was killed during the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 when an accidental naval shell struck the post, marking the war's impact on this location.
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