“Hey, did you know that Holmes Hall at the University of Hawaii is more than just an engineering building?” I ask. Holmes Hall is a place where history and innovation meet. It stands as a tribute to a remarkable man.
Holmes Hall is named after Wilfrid “Jasper” Jay Holmes. Holmes came to the University in 1936 after retiring from the Navy. But his story doesn’t end there.
In 1941, duty called him back to the Navy. He became an intelligence officer on Admiral Chester W. Nimitz’s staff. During World War II, Holmes played a crucial role in naval intelligence. He even earned the Distinguished Service Medal for his efforts.
After the war, Holmes returned to the University in 1946. He served as Dean of Engineering. He also served as Dean of Administration and Vice President. He retired from the University in 1965.
Holmes was a man of many talents. Besides his military and academic achievements, he was also a writer. Under the pseudonym “Alec Hudson,” he penned short stories and technical articles. Using his real name, he published “Undersea Victory” and “Double-Edged Secrets.” These books drew on his experiences in WWII submarine warfare and naval intelligence work.
But the story of Holmes and Holmes Hall has another layer. Six months after Pearl Harbor, Americans intercepted Japanese communications. Navy cryptanalysts at Pearl Harbor, at Station HYPO, had broken Japanese communication codes. They learned of a planned attack at a place referred to as “AF”.
Lieutenant Commander Holmes suspected “AF” was Midway Island. To confirm this, he devised a clever plan. The American base at Midway sent a false, unencrypted message. It stated that they were short of fresh water because their desalination plant was malfunctioning. Soon after, the Americans intercepted a Japanese transmission. It said that “AF” was short of fresh water. This confirmed Midway as the target. The Americans prepared their fleet and lay in wait. The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the war.
Holmes also played a role in another critical event. In April 1943, a Naval radio facility intercepted a Japanese broadcast. Code breakers deciphered it. The message detailed Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s plans to inspect airfields in the Solomon Islands. The information was passed on, and Yamamoto’s flight was intercepted. This resulted in his death.
Most details of the code-breaking team at Pearl Harbor remained secret for over 25 years after the war. Holmes’s contribution to the war effort was finally recognized when Holmes Hall was dedicated in 1970.
Today, Holmes Hall is home to the College of Engineering. It houses various departments. These include Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. You will also find Mechanical Engineering, and Ocean and Resources Engineering here. The College of Engineering is well-funded. It receives national grants for research and advancement.
The Civil and Environmental Engineering program is the only one in Hawaii. It focuses on improving living standards. The Electrical and Computer Engineering program is top-ranking. Some students win prestigious awards and scholarships. The Mechanical Engineering program offers hands-on projects and networking opportunities. Ocean and Resources Engineering offers graduate degrees. Students can focus on coastal, offshore, or oceanographic engineering.
So, as you stand here, remember Wilfrid “Jasper” Jay Holmes. He was a war hero, a writer, and an educator. Holmes Hall is a testament to his legacy. It’s a place where future engineers learn, innovate, and shape the world.