Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is one of the most visited historic sites in Hawaii, marking the location of the December 7, 1941 attack that brought the United States into World War II. The site includes the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri, Bowfin Submarine, and Pacific Aviation Museum, offering a powerful and educational experience for all visitors.

Pearl Harbor, Oahu

Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii, is a significant historical location. It was here where the Japanese attacked the U.S. Pacific fleet on December 7, 1941, which led the United States to enter World War II. Today, Pearl Harbor (including the Arizona Memorial) is the most-visited destination on Oahu, with more than 1.5 million visitors per year.

A visit of Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial is a solemn and a learning experience in the same time. At the Arizona Memorial, (a platform that was built atop the sunken battleship USS Arizona), you will be literally on top of the grave of 1,177 soldiers who perished aboard. From the platform you can see the battleship, which lies six feet below the water's surface. After more than 67 years after the attack, oil is still leaking out of the battleship, also called the “Black Tears of the Arizona.” You'll have to board a small Navy shuttle boat to reach the Memorial.

The best time to visit Pearl Harbor is early in the morning, when it's not too crowded yet. You can either drive yourself, take a city bus or do the tour with one of the local Pearl Harbor tour companies (which also includes a guide). Once you arrive, you can stroll through the Pearl Harbor museum, featuring World War II memorabilia and photos of the attack. After that, watch a 23-minute documentary film featuring actual footage of the attack. After the video you'll board the Navy shuttle boat that will take you to the Arizona Memorial.

Back on land, you can visit the battleship USS Missouri, also known as the “Mighty Mo.” This battleship, which is still intact, is the site of Japan's formal surrender, ending World War II for the United States.

There are a few other things to do at Pearl Harbor if you still have time. A complete tour would also include a visit to the Pacific Aviation Museum and the Bowfin submarine. So you can definitely make an entire day out of your visit to Pearl Harbor.

Tip:

There's a strict no-bags policy at Pearl Harbor. No bags of any kind (including hand bags, backpacks, fanny packs, camera bags, purses, diaper bags, luggage, etc.) or other items that offer concealment and that exceed the dimensions of 1.25" x 2.25" x 5.5" are allowed. The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum operates a baggage storage facility near the visitor center entrance, with a fee for all sizes, including luggage. This storage can be used for visits to all Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.

Pearl Harbor Hours

7 am - 5 pm daily , except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Tours to the USS Arizona Memorial run every 15 minutes, from 8 am - 12 pm and 1 pm - 3:30 pm. The entire program takes about one hour and 15 minutes. To ensure fair, equal, and equitable access, the National Park Service has expanded its online reservation system. The first-come, first-served ticket distribution program has been discontinued. Reservations for the USS Arizona Memorial Program are free and can only be made online through https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/233338/ticket/16

Key Features of Pearl Harbor

Historic World War II site: Location of the 1941 attack that launched the U.S. into WWII.
USS Arizona Memorial: Floating platform above the sunken battleship, honoring 1,177 fallen crew members.
Multiple museums and vessels: Visit the USS Missouri, Bowfin Submarine, and Pacific Aviation Museum.
Documentary and exhibits: Educational film, memorabilia, and photographs from the war.
Visitor amenities: Gift shop, snack bar, restrooms, and secure bag storage available on site.

Reviews and Comments:


This is one attraction NOBODY should miss...an incredible experience. However, before you pay for an expensive tour package, note that you can get there from the Honolulu and Waikiki area on The Bus, good old public transit. (While I'm on the subject, let me add I've only rented a car one day, on one trip, out of 8-10 trips to Hawaii over the past 15 years or so. You don't need a car--so save yourself the headache and get 4-day bus passes! The service is frequent, clean, safe, starts early and ends late in the day, and no, I don't work for the Honolulu bus company.) Back to the Arizona Memorial: The only way to get ONTO the memorial is through the National Park Service entrance on Arizona Memorial Drive. (And "The Bus" stops right at the corner.) You will get a numbered ticket when you enter the park service building and then have time to wander around the grounds and a great museum while you wait for your number to be called over the public address system. When called, you will join others with the same entry ticket number and enter a theater near the museum and snack bar for one of the most emotionally charged short documentaries you are ever likely to see and hear. The narrator's voice should make your hair stand on end and your skin tingle if you are alive. The theater holds the same number of people as the US Navy launch that takes visitors out to the actual white memorial sitting astride the sunken USS Arizona. When a launch returns from the memorial and discharges its tourist passengers, another group is ready to emerge from the documentary film in the theater and board the launch for its return trip to the memorial. Take your camera and some tissues...it's a gut-wrenching, haunting experience out there. When the boarding call comes, you'll re-board the US Navy launch and return to the dock outside the theater. Another group will take your place. Be sure to stay long enough to visit the museum and see the big bronze map of Oahu on the grounds out by the water. And remember, tour operators may claim to take you to see the Arizona Memorial, but you'll only see it from a distance if they don't take you to the US National Parks entrance where you receive that numbered token to view the documentary and then go on the motor launch out to the memorial. That is the ONLY way onto the Arizona Memorial. In the same vicinity, if you're a fan of submarines and not claustrophobic, you may want to go on board the one that's nearby. Another not-to-be-missed treat for history buffs is the USS Missouri, the ship on which Japan's surrender was signed in Tokyo Bay, ending World War II in the Pacific. It requires a short bus ride from the Arizona Memorial property. Once on board the USS Missouri, you will get a full tour of the ship and see exactly where the paper was signed. I haven't been to Hawaii for a few years so I'm not sure if there's a charge to go to the Arizona Memorial now, like there is at several of our other national parks here in the "48 states" part of the U.S. However, if there's a charge, it's well worth the price--whatever it is.
Ann, Sept 25, 2010