Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Things To Do Near Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Start your visit at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where you will get an overview of the day’s activities. Tour the Road to War and Attack exhibit galleries. Watch the documentary at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater to get a better idea of the events that transpired on that fateful day and in the days to follow. Finally, take the Navy shuttle boat so that you can explore the USS Arizona. 

Hiking Trails

• Kuliouou Ridge Trail

  Park along Kalalau Place Road to start this hike that gains over 1,800 feet in elevation. The first part of this trail requires scrambling over rocks and large tree roots. Then, there are stairs and a rope to assist your ascent up the mountain. Once you reach the top, you can enjoy stunning views of Waimanalo, Nā Mokulua Islands, Rabbit Island, and Koko Crater. Turn around and be glad the descent back down the trail is much easier. 

  Location

  End of Kalalau Place Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96821

  Length

  4.8 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Lanipo Trail

  This trail, which is also called the Mauʻumae Trail, starts on Sierra Drive at the top of the Mauna Lani Heights neighborhood. The first part of the trail requires some rock hopping as you drop from the top of Mauma Lani into a saddle. Then, you go back up again as you enjoy stunning views of Palolo and the upper-Manoa valleys. This trail repeats this up and down pattern three times, including through a bamboo forest where you can hear the bamboo clicking together if the wind is blowing. Once you reach the beautiful views on top of Lanipo, you can then follow the trail back down. 

  Location

  Near Sandia Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96821

  Length

  7.5 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Olomana Trail

  This trail starts near the guardhouse at the Royal Hawaiian Golf Course. The trail crosses the top of all three Olomana Mountain peaks. The first peak offers the best views, and it is the steepest. There are some vertical rock scrambles along this hike with unmaintained ropes to help. Once you reach the top, the way back down is to follow the same route. 

  Location

  Guard House, Royal Hawaiian Golf Course, 770 Auloa Road Kailua, Hawaii 96734

  Length

  4.4 miles

  Intensity

  Difficult

Sightseeing

• USS Battleship Missouri

  The USS Battleship Missouri was the last battleship commissioned for use in World War II. It was also the place where Japan signed the peace treaty. Guides conduct tours twice a day, and you can find many informative exhibits. 

  Location

  63 Cowpens Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818

• Diamond Head State Park

  See the volcanic turf volcano at Diamond Head State Park. This volcano stands 560 feet tall when measured from its floor to the top of the rim. It is much bigger at its base than at the rim because it exploded from inside the earth about 2.5 million years ago. 

  Location

  Honolulu, Hawaii 96818

• National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

  The Honolulu Memorial, opposite the entrance to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, is the only American Battle Monuments Commission memorial within a national cemetery. The cemetery sits inside the Punchbowl Crater and holds the remains of many who lost their lives during Operation Glory. This offensive resulted in 10,000 World War II casualties from January 4 through March 25, 1949. Burials are still held regularly at this cemetery. 

  Location

  2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Museums

• USS Bowfin Museum and Park

  Launched on December 7, 1942, the USS Bowfin was nicknamed the Pearl Harbor Avenger. Pay tribute to the 52 submarines and more than 3,600 officers and crew members at the Waterfront Memorial. See the nuclear-armed, turbojet-powered cruise missile that successfully delivered over 3,000 letters written by U.S. Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield to key political figures. After touring the submarine, you can explore Bowfin artifacts in the indoor area of this museum. 

  Location

  11 Arizona Memorial Drive, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818

• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

  See over 50 aircraft used during World War II by visiting the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Try your hand at flying the flight simulator. They also have a gift shop and restaurant. 

  Location

  319 Lexington Boulevard, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Shop Toast

  Find cute souvenirs and things to take home to your friends at Shop Toast. Each product that they sell is designed and made in Hawaii. Check out their tabletop diffusers, kokeshi dolls, and keychains. 

  Location

  3434 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816

• Ukulele Store

  Find a handcrafted selection of ukuleles, including starter kits, at this store. The owner has played the instrument for almost 30 years as he followed in his family’s footsteps. Many of their ukuleles are handmade in Hawaii. 

  Location

  Waikiki Beach Walk 2F 226 Lewers Street, #218 Honolulu, Hawaii 96815

• Mitsu-Ken

  Start your day with eggs and grilled chicken or Portugal sausage at this restaurant. Their bento boxes provide a great way to feed a group headed to the beach. You will love the vibe of this old-time Japanese deli. 

  Location

  2300 North King Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

• Ethel’s Grill

  Try traditional Hawaiian cuisine without getting dressed up at Ethel’s Grill. You may want to consider their seared ahi sashimi topped with soy-marinated garlic chips or their taco rice with its layers of rice, ground beef, lettuce, and shredded cheese topped with a fried taco shell. This restaurant has been serving hungry diners in a truck-stop atmosphere since 1978. 

  Location

  232 Kalihi Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

How To Get To Pearl Harbor National Memorial

It is easy to get to Pearl Harbor National Memorial from Waikiki Beach. Start by going northeast on Kalaimoku Street. Turn left on Ala Wai Boulevard and another left on McCully Street. Turn left on Dole Street and another left on Alexander Street. Get on I-H-1 West, and stay there until you reach Exit 15A. Get off, and follow HI-99 West. Turn left onto Arizona Memorial Place. The memorial will be on your right. 

Everyone needs a free ticket to see the USS Arizona. The park often runs out of these tickets early in the day, especially during Christmas week, spring break, and the summer months. Make your reservations ahead of time or get there early in the day. 

Address

1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818

Fee: Entry fee $0

Learn more about the events of December 7, 1942, when Japanese soldiers attacked American troops and forced the United States into World War II. Explore the USS Arizona and see the museum. There are many fantastic hiking, shopping, and dining options nearby. You will also want to leave time to visit other area attractions and museums. The best way to explore this whole region, including Diamond Head and Waikiki Beach, is in an RV.