Oahu, the most populous of Hawaii's seven main islands, is the home of Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and Headquarters for the United States Army Security Agency, Pacific, located at the Helemano Military Reservation.

Though perhaps not on the current list of Hawaiian tour guides, Helemano possesses its own unique charm. Situated 1,000 feet above sea level, Headquarters, ASAPAC enjoys a magnificent view of mountains in the distance, and rolling hills of golden pineapple and green sugar cane nearby.

The Helemano area offers a wide variety of scenery, ranging from lush tropical and sub-tropical forest to rugged mountains, and from rolling plains to rock-bound coasts and waterfalls. Added to this, Helemano boasts of some of the world's most beautiful beaches.

Activated in November 1945, Headquarters, ASAPAC, was first located at Manila in the Philippine Islands. From 1946 to 1965, the Headquarters site changed locations several times finally settling in Hawaii in June 1965. Today under the command of Colonel Arthur W. Hackwood, USASA, Pacific, stretches from Hawaii in the east to Thailand in the west, and from the Philippines in the south to the northernmost island of Japan.

At the Helemano Military Reservation working conditions are excellent. White floor tiles, acoustical ceilings, continuous FM stereo music and recent displays of award-winning entries of the Combat Artist Program all contribute to a comfortable working atmosphere.

Although not very large, Helemano does have a small Post Exchange annex, a barbershop, a theater, an auto hobby shop, and a woodcraft shop. There is also a small dependent housing area.

Recreational facilities available at Helemano Reservation serve as a supplement to the wide range of other activities offered on the island.

In addition to the several Armed Forces golf courses, there are many public and private courses on the island. With the average temperature in the 70's, it is easy to see why this sport is so popular.

The favorite spot for spending off-duty hours, however, is the beach, as the woven grass beach mat has become a standard piece of equipment for ASA men. Famous Waikiki Beach near downtown Honolulu, is just one of the many beaches on the coast of Oahu of which the men at Helemano can take advantage.

During the winter months, early spring and late fall, surf is "up" on Oahu and 20 foot waves are commonplace. It is an exciting spectacle to watch the surfers challenge these giant breakers.

When the summer months arrive and the sea becomes calm, SCUBA diving, snorkeling and girl-watching capture the fancy of the ASAPACers. Sport fishing off the perimeter reef of Oahu provides an opportunity to tangle with the Pacific's famed marlin and shark, and also gives a magnificent view of the islands. For the less adventurous, there is shell collecting.

Although hunting in Hawaii is somewhat limited, most of the islands, including Oahu, offer wild pig and wild goat. There is also some duck, dove, pheasant, and deer hunting.

With reduced air rates, travel from Helemano to the islands of Maui, Kauai, Hawaii, Lanai, and Molokai has become relatively inexpensive. Untouched natural wonders abound on these islands which are becoming increasingly popular with soldiers on leave.

The seventh Hawaiian island, Niihau, is privately owned and not open to tourist travel. It is on this island that a pure strain of Polynesian race remains in relative seclusion.

Oahu, considered the main island in the Hawaiian chain is a stopping off place for persons traveling to and from the Orient. It also is a favorite vacation spot for tourists, with such fascinating sites as the Polynesian Culture Center, Pearl Harbor, the Diamond Head Crater, and the Punchbowl National Cemetery.

The only problem tourists have is deciding what to eliminate form their usually tight schedule. For those fortunate enough to be stationed here, time is no problem.

With an ideal, year-round climate and an average temperature of 74 degrees, the ASA man enjoys a memorable and interesting tour at Headquarters, USASA, Pacific.