Naval Air Museum Barbers Point was a military aviation museum located at Kalaeloa Airport in Kapolei, Hawaii, focused on preserving the history of the adjacent Naval Air Station Barbers Point. Established in 1999, the nonprofit organization operated until its closure in June 2020 due to unresolved challenges with the State of Hawaii[1][3][4].

History

The museum was founded to document the legacy of Naval Air Station Barbers Point, a World War II-era installation commissioned in 1942. The base initially served as an auxiliary airfield for Ford Island in Pearl Harbor before expanding into a major Pacific theater hub for carrier air groups, anti-submarine warfare, and Coast Guard aviation operations[4][5]. Its exhibits featured decommissioned aircraft, including the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, Lockheed P-3C Orion, and Sikorsky UH-3H Sea King, alongside artifacts from U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard units historically stationed there[1][4].

Operations and closure

The museum offered guided tours, often using vintage military vehicles, and allowed visitors direct access to its aircraft collection. However, operational challenges and disputes with state authorities led to its permanent closure in 2020[1][2]. Prior to shutting down, it provided limited visitation by appointment[3].

Collection focus

Artifacts emphasized the station’s role in Pacific aviation history, particularly its wartime contributions and Cold War-era maritime patrol missions. The museum also highlighted the Coast Guard’s presence at Barbers Point, which began in 1949[4][5].

**Note**: The above content reflects verified historical details up to the museum's closure.