Kunia Tunnel Field Station

• Origins in World War II: Kunia Tunnel Field Station was constructed in 1942 during World War II, originally intended as a bomb-proof, underground storage facility for aircraft and ordnance to support the U.S. Army Air Forces at Wheeler Army Airfield. • Massive Underground Structure: The facility consists of three parallel tunnels, each over 1,400 feet long, 60 feet wide, and 30 feet high, buried under 20 feet of concrete and dirt, making it highly resistant to bombs. • “Pineapple Pentagon” Nickname: Due to its size, shape, and strategic importance, Kunia Tunnel earned the nickname "The Pineapple Pentagon" among military personnel stationed in Hawaii. • Cold War Intelligence Hub: After World War II, the tunnel was repurposed as a signals intelligence (SIGINT) facility, and became a crucial site for the National Security Agency (NSA) during the Cold War. • NSA and Cryptologic Operations: The station played a key role in intercepting and analyzing foreign military communications throughout the Pacific and Asia region, supporting U.S. intelligence efforts. • Edward Snowden’s Workplace: In 2013, NSA contractor Edward Snowden worked at Kunia Tunnel Field Station (by then called the Hawaii Cryptologic Center), from where he leaked classified documents revealing global surveillance programs. • Secrecy and Security: The entrance to the tunnel is disguised and heavily guarded, with access only permitted to personnel with high-level security clearances due to the sensitive nature of operations inside. • Joint Operations: Over the years, the facility has hosted personnel from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, and civilian agencies, making it a center for joint intelligence and cyber operations. • Transition to Modern Signals Center: In 2012, the facility was officially designated as the NSA Hawaii Regional Security Operations Center (RSOC), focusing on modern cyber and electronic intelligence missions. • Impact on Local Community: The facility is located near Kunia, Oahu, Hawaii, and has had a significant economic and social impact on the local area by providing jobs and integrating with the local infrastructure, while remaining shrouded in secrecy.