Pearl Harbor National Memorial
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The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is in Hawaii on Oahu Island. Pearl Harbor is where the Japanese attacked the U.S. Pacific Fleet by air on December 7, 1941, killing 2,341 service members. The attack led to the United States entering World War II. Today's memorial honors the service members who died that tragic day and celebrates the peace and reconciliation that prevails.
How to Get There
Getting to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial from the mainland requires flying to Honolulu, home of Hawaii's international airport (HNL). If you rent a car, you can drive to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center in approximately 15 minutes by taking H1-West or HI-92 West to merge onto Kamehameha HI-99. Another option is to hire an authorized transportation company to take you to and from the park from wherever you are staying. The National Park Service maintains a list of authorized companies on its website.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial consists of several sites. The USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah Memorial sites commemorate Americans lost at sea. You can also explore the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and three mooring quays.
The best time to visit is summer if you have children and want to go swimming and winter if you want cooler temperatures. Making reservations for early morning is a good idea because the various sites get more crowded as the day goes on.
Ticket Information
There is no entry fee for the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, and you can visit the Road to War Museum and the Attack Museum while there. The USS Arizona Memorial program is also free, and reservations are recommended. There is a first-come, first-served standby line system with no guarantee you will gain entrance. The USS Arizona Memorial Program includes a US Navy-provided boat shuttle to and from the Visitor Center.
The USS Oklahoma and USS Utah Memorials are on Ford Island in Pearl Harbor. You must sign up for a Ford Island Bus Tour to visit Ford Island because it is an active military site. You can make the required reservation for this site at recreation.gov for $1.
Family-Friendly Options
One of the popular family-friend options is the Pearl Harbor Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. There are more than 50 airplanes inside two WWII hangars. The Ford Island Control Tower is now open, too. For an extra fee, you can ride an elevator 15 stories up and get a 360-degree view of Pearl Harbor.
On Ford Island, you can also follow a marked path to tour the USS Battleship Missouri. Children who do not mind walking on a metal walkway and in confined spaces will enjoy the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. It is an interactive museum.
Make reservations if you are visiting with a large group, even for the sites that don't require one, to make sure everyone can participate.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
The best place to start is by visiting the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to view exhibits. Your reservation to visit the USS Arizona Memorial will begin with the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater presentation. Afterward, you board a boat to the USS Arizona Memorial. During the boat ride, you will get a chance to see the USS Utah and USS Oklahoma battleship memorials. You can then tour the USS Bowfin Museum and submarine, which takes about 30 minutes.
To plan a visit to Ford Island, you must build it into your itinerary. A 90-minute round-trip tour is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You could visit the USS Arizona Memorial in the morning and Ford Island in the afternoon.
You should bring a camera to remember your visit. Photographers advise being mindful of the light. Hawaii is a land of bright sun that can wash out pictures unless you use the right angles.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Sand Island State Recreation Area is operated by the State of Hawaii. Unlike most Oahu campgrounds, it is only a mile or so away from Honolulu, and it is a popular fishing spot. Sand Island State Recreation Area is also a great place to bring an ATV or dirt bike.
Ho’omaluhia Botanical Gardens are about 10 miles inland from Honolulu. Among the exotic plants from India and Sri Lanka, you’ll find a cluster of drive-up campsites. A permit from the City and County of Honolulu is required to camp at this campground.
Swanzy Beach Park is located on the northeast side of Oahu. This campground is situated directly off Kamehameha Highway, and it offers a few places where you can park an RV or pitch a tent. A local eatery called Uncle Bobo’s is across the street from Swanzy Beach Park.
Activities Near Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Things to Do
Beaches
There are numerous beaches near the Memorial. Only 12 miles from Pearl Harbor is Waikiki Beach, where you can swim, surf, and snorkel. Ala Moana Beach Park has the same activities, plus volleyball and a bike path.
Fishing
If you love to fish, you will appreciate that Pearl Harbor has unrestricted shoreline fishing. You can fish from the Hickam Beach fishing pier or rent a boat and fish at the Pearl Harbor entrance or a larger area around Ewa Beach. While visiting, you may catch mahi-mahi, marlin, tuna, swordfish, and bluefin.
Wildlife viewing
You can explore the National Wildlife Refuge in Pearl Harbor at the Betty Bliss Memorial Overlook for wildlife viewing. Here, you can spot endangered waterbirds in the wetland habitat, like the long-legged Ae'o and the Hawaiian stilt.
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
The temperature in Hawaii seldom goes above 89 degrees and no lower than 63 degrees. To pack for a visit to Oahu, you should bring clothes for a summer-like climate but include a light jacket. The constant breeze may cause a chill. Also, bring comfortable walking shoes.
The Pearl Harbor Memorial asks that visitors keep in mind that they are visiting a site that is a final resting place for hundreds and a space for remembrance and reflection by millions more. As such, pack appropriate clothing to wear when visiting the Memorial.
Safety & Accessibility
The Pearl Harbor Memorial is a safe place for you and your family. However, it is always a good idea to make sure a group member has a cellphone to dial 911 in case of a medical emergency.
Accessible parking is available in the nearest lot to the visitor center. People in wheelchairs can fully access the movie theater, exhibits, Navy Shuttle boats, and USS Arizona Memorial. Deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors can watch the theater film with closed-captioning. People who need American Sign Language services can request an ASL interpreter when they make a recreation.gov reservation. The signage includes Braille for the visually impaired and tactile models of various interpretive resources.
Conclusion
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a moving tribute to those who died on December 7, 1941. This historical attraction often brings people to tears as they visit the various sites because experiencing them is much more powerful than what they may have learned from a book or history class. The Memorial also has many educational opportunities for adults and children alike. After visiting the Memorial, remember that there are other fascinating places to explore in Hawaii and the rest of the United States.
FAQ
There are camping facilities near the Memorial. For example, you can RV camp at places like Sun Farm Hawaii at KoKo Head, 12 miles from Honolulu.
It is easy to reach the Memorial from any direction on the island via highways, and the parking lot accommodates RVs. There is a $7 parking fee.
Bags larger than 1.5" X 2.25" X 5.5" are prohibited at the Memorial. However, you can bring water bottles, nonalcoholic beverages, and snacks.
Children of all ages, including infants, are welcome to visit the Memorial. You can use strollers but not take them on any of the Navy vessels, and you must carry any baby supplies in a clear bag.
Pets are not permitted at the Memorial. However, ADA-certified service animals are welcome.