An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Fence dividing Pearl Harbor, Hickam comes down

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Herrick
  • Joint Base Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii-- --  Work began Nov. 22 to take down a majority of the fence along Porter and South Avenues here, which previously divided Pearl Harbor Naval Air Station and Hickam Air Force Base.

"Fences generally serve the purpose of keeping someone in or keeping someone out of an area," said U.S. Navy Capt. Jeff James, the Joint Base Commander. "While the fence along South Ave. previously served as a perimeter fence between the two former bases, it no longer satisfies a perimeter requirement and is unnecessary from both a safety and security perspective.

"We are one base - the best base in the United States military - proud of the shared values and experiences Sailors and Airmen have developed and endured since the origination of the former Pearl Harbor Naval Station and Hickam Field. Our rich service heritages and cultures stand on their own, and do not require a barrier to protect or segregate them."

We need to be united, not divided, he said.

"[The fence] probably made sense when there were two installations, but as it is now, they're only one installation," said Stephen Quinn, director of property management for Hickam Communities, LLC, which actually owns the fence and the land it's on per the real estate ground lease that was signed years ago.

Taking the fence down was not something Hickam Communities, LLC, had budgeted for - nor is it a cheap process, according to Quinn.

"As such, we didn't want to spend money that we could use making Airmen's homes better on taking down a fence," he said - so they arranged to find a local contract company - K & R Plumbing and Repairs - which was willing to do the labor of taking down the fence at no cost to the Air Force or Hickam Communities, LLC, an in exchange they will keep the chain link.

"The fact that neither the project company nor the installation has to expend any cash to get this done is a huge win for us all," said Quinn.

For safety reasons, they will leave up a small portion of fencing near the main Pearl Harbor gate, he said. Also, a small containment area for Solar City will remain intact.

"We are in the process of creating area development plans for each 'district' across the base," said James. "This allows a more holistic approach to how we allocate, use and manage spaces and historic structures. It also allows us to conserve and enhance the cultural landscape and keep our base green."

His intent is to enhance the landscaping along South Avenue, improve the sidewalk to extend the length of the road, improve the jogging path, and include several walking/bike paths that connect to Porter Avenue.

"I am very proud and honored to be your base commander," James said. "The people of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam - from the families who live aboard the installation, to the Airmen and Sailors who work and deploy from here, to the civilian employees who provide us the continuity and corporate memory - you are what make this vibrant and strategically important base special and stand out as the gem of the Pacific."

Work should be complete around Nov. 30.