Camp Tarawa
Encyclopedia
Camp Tarawa was a training camp located on the big island of Hawaii
constructed and used by the 2nd Marine Division during World War II
. The grounds of the camp were situated between the volcanic peaks of Mauna Kea
and Mauna Loa
. Marines were sent straight from the bloodly Battle of Tarawa
to the campsite, which they had to build themselves. It was well known for its harsh and dusty conditions by Marines
who trained there.
The base was chosen by Marine commanders because the colder climate was beneficial to Marines still suffering with malaria
symptoms from the Guadalcanal Campaign
, the nearby Parker Ranges were excellent training areas, the leadership knew that the Marines' next fight would be in mountainous terrain and the relative isolation of the camp gave the Marines time to adjust to the people of Hawaii after their brutal fight at Tarawa.
A small memorial can be viewed by the side of the Māmalahoa Highway at coordinates 20°0′51"N 155°40′30"W.
It was located on the grounds of Parker Ranch
, just outside the town of Waimea.
In the 1950s the training center was moved inland and became the Pohakuloa Training Area
.
Hawaii (island)
The Island of Hawaii, also called the Big Island or Hawaii Island , is a volcanic island in the North Pacific Ocean...
constructed and used by the 2nd Marine Division during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The grounds of the camp were situated between the volcanic peaks of Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea
Mauna Kea is a volcano on the island of Hawaii. Standing above sea level, its peak is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. However, much of the mountain is under water; when measured from its oceanic base, Mauna Kea is over tall—significantly taller than Mount Everest...
and Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa
Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that form the Island of Hawaii in the U.S. state of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean, and the largest on Earth in terms of volume and area covered. It is an active shield volcano, with a volume estimated at approximately , although its peak is about lower than that...
. Marines were sent straight from the bloodly Battle of Tarawa
Battle of Tarawa
The Battle of Tarawa, code named Operation Galvanic, was a battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, largely fought from November 20 to November 23, 1943. It was the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region....
to the campsite, which they had to build themselves. It was well known for its harsh and dusty conditions by Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
who trained there.
The base was chosen by Marine commanders because the colder climate was beneficial to Marines still suffering with malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
symptoms from the Guadalcanal Campaign
Guadalcanal campaign
The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal and codenamed Operation Watchtower by Allied forces, was a military campaign fought between August 7, 1942 and February 9, 1943 on and around the island of Guadalcanal in the Pacific theatre of World War II...
, the nearby Parker Ranges were excellent training areas, the leadership knew that the Marines' next fight would be in mountainous terrain and the relative isolation of the camp gave the Marines time to adjust to the people of Hawaii after their brutal fight at Tarawa.
A small memorial can be viewed by the side of the Māmalahoa Highway at coordinates 20°0′51"N 155°40′30"W.
It was located on the grounds of Parker Ranch
Parker Ranch
Parker Ranch is a working cattle ranch on the Island of Hawaii in the state of Hawaii, now run by a charitable trust.-History:The ranch was founded in 1847 and is one of the oldest ranches in the United States, pre-dating many mainland ranches in Texas and other southwestern states by more than 30...
, just outside the town of Waimea.
In the 1950s the training center was moved inland and became the Pohakuloa Training Area
Pohakuloa Training Area
Pōhakuloa Training Area is located on the island of Hawaii in the high plateau between Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Hualālai volcanic mountains...
.