The History of Pearl Harbor: From Ancient Origins to Modern Legacy

By Wayne J. Gombar

Pearl Harbor-known to Native Hawaiians as Puʻuloa and Wai Momi-has been many things across the ages: a sacred estuary guarded by shark deities, a contested diplomatic prize, the site of America's most devastating military surprise, the anvil of Pacific victory in World War II, a Cold War nuclear stronghold, and today a symbol of reconciliation and enduring strategic power.
This definitive history traces the harbor's remarkable evolution across three millennia: Its geological birth through volcanic fire and rising seasIndigenous Hawaiian legends and sustainable aquacultureWestern exploration and 19th-century American acquisitionThe fateful reciprocity treaties that delivered exclusive rights to the United StatesThe 1941 Japanese attack that propelled America into global warSalvage, recovery, and Pearl Harbor's decisive role in defeating JapanPost-war demilitarization, Cold War nuclear adaptations, and joint basingEnvironmental challenges, memorials, and the power of U.S.-Japan reconciliationModern security concerns and its vital place in 21st-century Indo-Pacific strategyDrawing on primary sources, archaeological evidence, declassified documents, and contemporary scholarship, this book offers a balanced, chronological narrative that honors Native Hawaiian perspectives, military history, and the human stories at its heart.
From the "date which will live in infamy" to a beacon of hope and alliance, Pearl Harbor's story is America's story-and the world's.

About the Author
Wayne Gombar is a historian and telecommunications executive with a lifelong passion for military history, strategic studies, and the intersection of technology and national security. Raised in the Washington, D.C. area, he developed an early fascination with the pivotal events that shaped the 20th century, particularly the technological and human dimensions of warfare.
With decades of experience in the private sector, Gombar has held senior leadership roles in telecommunications and information technology, providing him unique insight into the evolution of defense systems, intelligence, and global communications. His writing draws on extensive research in declassified archives, oral histories, and primary sources to illuminate complex historical narratives with clarity and balance.
In The History of Pearl Harbor: From Ancient Origins to Modern Legacy, Gombar offers a comprehensive and nuanced account that honors Native Hawaiian perspectives, military realities, and the enduring themes of sacrifice, resilience, and reconciliation. He approaches the subject with deep respect for all those whose lives have been touched by this sacred and strategic place.
Gombar currently resides in South Carolina with his family. This is his second book, following Shadows in the Sky: The History of Missile Defense from 1917 to 2025.
"History is not just about the past-it is the foundation for understanding the present and preparing for the future." - Wayne Gombar

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0G6YGNMB3
• ISBN13: 9798278603399
• Release Date: December 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 412 Pages
• Weight: 1.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.0" x 10.0"