Fort DeRussy Park

Fort DeRussy Armed Forces Recreation Center is a 72-acre park located in the center of Waikiki and is maintained by the military. Open to the public, it is also home to the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaii. Fort DeRussy was named after General René Edward De Russy, a United States Army officer who was responsible for setting up many eastern United States coastal fortifications during the American Civil War.

Fort DeRussy in Honolulu was one of a number of shore batterys on the island of Oahu designed to provide coastal defense. However, most of the artillery on this site were retired during the early 1950s. The site is now home to the U. S. Army Museum of Hawaii located within the Battery Randolph, an old coastal artillery battery built in 1911. The museum features exhibits which cover the history of US Army warfare in the Pacific hemisphere including World War II armor pieces, an AH-1 Cobra helicopter, and small arms indoors. Admission is free.

Fort DeRussy is also the location of the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, the Fort DeRussy Chapel, and the Hale Koa Hotel, a morale, welfare and recreation facility for use by U.S. servicemen and their families.

Nearby is the Fort DeRussy Beach, one of the least-crowded beaches in Waikiki. Water is usually calm and excellent for swimming but is also popular among windsurfers, boogie boarders and board surfers during windy and high surf conditions. There are lifeguards, showers and grassy lawn with palm trees perfect for picnics and relaxation. The Fort DeRussy Armed Forces Recreation Area is located at 32 Kalia Road in Honolulu.