Before you lies East Loch one of three distinct awalu or lochs that make up Pearl Harbor. This tranquil bay a seemingly peaceful expanse of water holds a rich history. It’s a history woven into the fabric of Hawaiian traditions and later profoundly impacted by global events.
In Hawaiian lore Pearl Harbor including East Loch was known as Ke-awa-lau-o-Pu’uloa the many harbors of Pu’uloa. Pu’uloa itself referred to the rounded area jutting into the sea at the harbor’s entrance. The name Pearl Harbor a later addition came from the abundance of pearl oysters once found in its deep waters. East Loch specifically was called Komoawa. This area was vital to the ancient Hawaiians. Its sheltered bays provided ideal locations for constructing fishponds and fish traps. The deep-sea fish were drawn in by the inflow of tidal waters providing a rich source of sustenance for the local population.
The arrival of Westerners marked a turning point. In 1825 Lieutenant Charles Malden aboard the HMS Blonde conducted a comprehensive survey of Pearl Harbor. His detailed charting including soundings throughout the entrance channel and the three main lochs resulted in a map printed in 1841 by the British Hydrographic Office. This survey cemented the use of the term loch for these embayments a Scottish and Irish word for a nearly landlocked lake or bay. Malden’s work inadvertently shaped the nomenclature of this place we call East Loch.
Later the strategic importance of Pearl Harbor became evident. Its sheltered waters offered protection for naval vessels and the proximity to Honolulu made it ideal as a base for the US Pacific Fleet. The infamous attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941 forever altered the landscape and the perception of East Loch. The event transformed this once serene Hawaiian bay into a global symbol of war and remembrance.
The USS Arizona Memorial built in 1962 stands as a poignant tribute to those lost during the attack. Its location on the shoreline of East Loch underscores the enduring impact of this historical event. As you stand here before East Loch you’re not just seeing a body of water but a place where ancient Hawaiian traditions intertwined with modern world history. A testament to the passage of time the resilience of nature and the weight of global events that have left their indelible mark.