At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Ford Island’s coastline was home to nine of the Navy’s battleships. Seaplanes were based here as well. Access to the island is a controlled entry point on the bridge. Before the bridge was built, the only way to get off and on was by ferry. It is open to military and DoD personnel and those who are a part of a tour group. On the island are several naval facilities, the Navy Inn, military housing, Nob Hill, Luke Field, and Hospital Point. It also has four main groups of military housing: Nob Hill, Luke Field, and Battleship Cove. Ancient Hawaiians used this place for a fertility ritual. The Hawaiians called it Moku’ume’ume and could be thought of one of the first incidents of mate swapping. However, the ancient Hawaiians believed this practice to be a means to increase the birth rate.