During World War II, the US military trained in landing craft and assault vehicles along Maui’s southern coast.

Amphibious operations and naval aviation proved to be two critical innovations of World War II that ultimately helped the United States secure victory in the Pacific. Developing these new tactics, however, proved hazardous, as numerous planes and landing craft, and occasionally the lives of young servicemen, were lost around the islands.

This year the sites of six historic World War II wrecks have been uncovered and recorded for posterity by a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and students from UH Manoa.

The survey team produced scaled drawings and took photographs of six wreck sites, including a carrier-based dive bomber (SB2C-1C Helldiver); a carrier-based fighter plane (F6F Hellcat); and three amphibious assault vehicles (LVT-4 and LVTA-4s), two with mounted with 75mm howitzers.

For now, details surrounding the sinking of the assault vehicles near Makena, Maui, and the specific identity of the F6F Hellcat, remain mysteries pending further historical research.

A project web site will be posted soon on the NOAA Maritime Heritage Program webpage

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Divers inspect an LVT-4 (Landing Vehicle Tracked) amphibious vehicle. (Credit: NOAA) -