Hawaii’s Sand Island Was Once Used To Quarantine Ships Thought To Contain Contagious Passengers

In addition to eight main islands, Hawaii is home to countless small islets and atolls extending approximately 1,500 miles across the Pacific Ocean. While the majority of these islands are uninhabited and unnamed, others have quite fascinating histories. And one of the most fascinating islands in all of Hawaii is the small — and uninterestingly named — Sand Island.

Nestled off the coast of Oahu between Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and downtown Honolulu and easily accessible via car, Sand Island might just be one of the most overlooked spots in all of Hawaii.

Formerly known as Quarantine Island during the nineteenth century, Sand Island lies at the entrance to Honolulu Harbor and was used to quarantine ships believed to carry contagious passengers.

The island was also used as an Army internment camp during World War II to house Japanese Americans as well as expatriates from Germany, Italy, and other Axis countries living in Hawaii. The camp opened soon after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, in December 1941, and served as the main transfer and holding site for Hawaii’s civilian detainees for fifteen months.

While the camp was closed by 1943, remnants of this time are still found on the island today, with deserted lookout towers and bunkers found in stark contrast to the white sand beach and vast Pacific.

Today, Sand Island is home to an assortment of industrial facilities, a U.S. Coast Guard Base, a wastewater treatment facility, and the Sand Island State Recreation Area.

Sand Island’s long, sandy beach is rarely crowded and is the perfect place for a picnic. Camping is allowed along the shore Friday through Monday with a permit, and while swimming is limited to certain areas due to the harbor’s close proximity, fishing and surfing are popular.

While the views of Honolulu Harbor and the Pacific Ocean from Sand Island sure are stunning, that’s not all you’ll see here.

In addition to low-flying airplanes, you will also see many incoming freight and passenger ships, and if you’re lucky, large cruise ships that anchor right here in the harbor. Don’t forget your camera — this historic gem is truly unique.

Address: 1499 Sand Island Parkway, Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96819

The Sand Island State Recreation Area is open from 7 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. from April 1 through Labor Day, and from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. after Labor Day through March 31. For more information, head on over to the Hawaii State Parks' website.