There are certain events in history that leave such an impact on mankind, that if they occur during your lifetime, you will never forget where you were when you heard the news. The invasion of Pearl Harbor is one of the those events.
I had been anticipating our visit to Pearl Harbor from the moment I learned I was going to Hawaii. Realizing that this would be an emotional experience, I prepared myself mentally and packed an extra package of tissues as we arrived at the entrance to the Pearl Harbor National Monument.
Pearl Harbor is the most visited memorial on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. We learned that, while the tickets are free, the park recommends that visitors reserve their tickets at least two months in advance or arrive early as there is a limited number distributed in the morning.
We woke up early that day and arrived in plenty of time to pick up our reserved tickets and browse the gift shop. About 20 minutes later, we were boarding the shuttle bound for the USS Arizona.
While the tour provides a historical overview of the Japanese attack that occurred on December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor is first and foremost a memorial…a remembrance of the 1,177 American soldiers that gave their lives defending the United States during World War II.
The monument was built in 1962 and is visited by approximately two million people annually.
There were some rules and suggestions that we learned before visiting the monument. For example, purses and camera bags are not permitted on the boat trip, so we rented a locker to store our personal items. In addition, we opted to pay the minimal fee for the audio tour which provides a thorough overview of the site and details regarding the attack on Pearl Harbor.
As the boat made its way towards the memorial, we could see the modern, rectangular-like structure which was designed by Hawaiian architect Alfred Preis. Straddling the hull of the sunken battleship, the USS Arizona Memorial accommodates approximately 200 visitors at one time.
Our tour included a boat trip out to the memorial as well as a documentary video that took approximately 25 minutes to view. The combined activities took approximately 75 minutes in total. Complimentary brochures, available in over 30 languages are provided at the Pearl Harbor’s Visitor Center.
From the memorial we could look down into the water to see the USS Arizona just below the waterline. It is sad to imagine that over 1,100 crew went down with the battleship and their bodies have never been recovered. For this reason, we were standing over hallowed ground, a burial site, deserving of our respect and honor.
Each day, over nine quarts of oil continues to surface from the tank below which held 1.5 million gallons. A recent study was conducted in the mid-1990s to determine the effects of the ongoing leakage. Scientists are concerned that an eruption could cause “catastrophic” damage, so the site is under continuous surveillance.
Visiting the Pearl Harbor memorial was one of the highlights of my visit to Hawaii, not only to better understand the events of the Japanese attack on the military base, but to respectfully honor the soldiers who gave their lives to protect the United States of America.
Have you had the opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor? I would love to hear your thoughts on your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the Comments Section below. Many thanks for reading about my visit to Pearl Harbor and wishing you many Happy Travels.
What to See and What to Do:
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
National Park Service
WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument
1845 Wasp Blvd. Bldg. 176
Honolulu, HI 96818
Telephone: 808 422 3399
- Admission Fee: USS Arizona Memorial is Free which includes a short documentary about the Invasion of Pearl Harbor and a boat ride over to the memorial. The Deluxe Tour: $12.50 adult and $12.50 for children ages 4 – 12; USS Bowfin Submarine Park: $15 adult and $7 for children ages 4 – 12; Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor: $25 adult and $12 for children ages 4 – 12; USS Battleship Missouri: $29 adult and $13 for children ages 4 – 12. Reservations are available in 15 minute increments by contacting recreation.gov and are highly recommended. In addition there are 1300 tickets available each day on a first come, first served basis.
- Hours: Open daily from 7:30AM to 3PM. The last shuttle returns back to the Visitor’s Center at 5PM. The Pearl Harbor Historic Sites are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
- Amenities: Baggage storage area ($5), Gift Shop and Restrooms
- Length of Visit: 6 hours to explore all four historical sites.
- Tips for Your Visit: Reservations are highly recommended. Please note that the memorial is a sacred location and visitors are asked to be respectful of the site.
Where to Stay:
Hampton Inn & Suites, Oahu/Kapolei
91-5431 Kapolei Parkway #900
Kapolei, HI 96707
Telephone: 808 628 4900
Where to Eat:
Restaurant 604
57 Arizona Memorial Drive, #108
Honolulu, HI 96818
Telephone: 808 888 7616
I was hoping to try some of the local Hawaiian cuisine but I was distracted by the PBLTA sandwich with Pork Belly topped with lettuce, tomato and avocado and it was outstanding.
What to Eat:
- Kalua Pig: Hawaii is famous for its Kalua Pig, similar to American pulled pork.
- Poi: Made from taro root which is similar to a potato, the poi we sampled was “pounded” into a thick starch. This cooking technique results in a sticky pudding-like dessert which is purple in color.
- Poke: Similar to Japanese sashimi, yet the fish is cut into chunky cubes and usually served over a bed of rice.
What to Read:
- Day of Infamy by Walter Lord
- At Dawn We Slept: The Untold Story of Pearl Harbor by Gordan W. Prange
- From Infamy to Greatness by Craig Nelson
- Pearl Harbor Ghosts: The Legacy of December 7, 1941 by Thurston Clarke
Photo Guide for Oahu:
- Diamond Head Crater Hike: 360 degree views of Waikiki Beach and the Pacific Ocean
- Hanauma Bay: underwater photos, photo of the bay from the parking lot
- Kualoa Ranch: Jurassic Park scenery
- Kualoa Regional Park and Mokoli’l Island: Palm trees and the triangle island
- The Pineapple Plantations: Take the inland route from Waikiki to the North Shore and stop at Dole Plantation
- Sunset Beach and Pipeline: the North Shore is the perfect location for surfing, so you will find LOTS of surfers here.
- Turtle Bay: surfers and sunsets
- Waikiki Wall and Beach: palm trees, surfers and highrise buildings, sunrises and sunsets
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