However , it is more widely accepted Receiving that the Pacific War itself began Process_start on 7/8 December 1941 , when the Japanese invaded Attack Thailand and attacked Attack the British colonies of Malaya , Singapore , and Hong Kong as well as the United States military and naval bases in Hawaii , Wake Island , Guam , and the Philippines .

Late on the same day , Genevieve reached Arriving peak intensity while it was located west-southwest of Wake Island .

Originating from an area of low pressure near Wake Island on July 9 , the precursor to Ma-on gradually developed Coming_to_be as it moved Motion westward .