Your TL;DR Guide to O’ahu
TL;DR: The Peal Harbor National Memorial is a National Park located on the Island of O’ahu. With no entry cost or reservation needed, it’s a great budget-friendly destination to add to your travel itinerary. However, keep in mind that parking does cost some money and no bags are allowed inside the park. While this national memorial is a great educational space for anyone, it is usually best experienced by older children and adults.
- What Makes Pearl Harbor Worth It
- The Logistics
- Things to Do at the Pearl Harbor Memorial
- Final Reflections
- Explore More of O’ahu
On December 7, 1941, World War II reached the front steps of the United States of America. This was felt most strongly on the shores of O’ahu, where the Island was bombed in a surprise attack on the naval fleet stationed in Pearl Harbor, the airfields of Bellows Field, Ford Island, Wheeler Field, Hickman Field, Kaneohe Bay, and the community located at Schofield Barracks.
Dubbed the “Day of Infamy” in President FDR’s speech, the wounds and stories of this day are remembered regularly, especially through the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
Recently, I had the chance to visit the memorial for myself. Under the tropical, blue skies, the memorial itself had a sense of serenity that encouraged reverence and reflection. A deeply impactful destination, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is certainly something to consider visiting at least once.
What Makes Pearl Harbor Worth It
Hawai’i is oftentimes synonymous with fun and relaxation. It tends to bring up images of colorful drinks with little umbrellas, easy-listening music, and stretches of sand-filled beaches.
However, Hawai’i has so much more to offer. It also is filled with deep history, enriching experiences, and opportunities for everyone to learn and reflect. I mentioned some of this sentiment when talking about ‘Iolani Palace.
And the same holds true for the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
A reminder of the horrors of war, the sacrifices made, and the honor of many brave individuals, Pearl Harbor provides an up close and personal look at World War II in America and its lasting impacts today. You can hear the stories of Japanese-American soldiers who were summarily dismissed in fear-driven racial divides, the non-military first responders who arrived to provide aid and were met with the violent scene, and the many young soldiers who were stationed at these places. And more.
The Memorial is also a free destination – only parking has a fee – making it a budget-friendly addition to your travel itinerary.
The Logistics
At a Glance
Address: 1 Arizona Memorial Pl, Honolulu, HI 96818
Hours: 7AM-5PM (daily); closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day
Admission: Free
Reservations: Not Required
Private Parking Lot: Yes
Cost for Parking: $7 (paid online via app)
A Note About Parking
There are several lots located on Arizona Memorial Place. Depending on when you arrive, chances are the lots closest to the park entrance will be full. I had to park a little further away from the entrance. But, there was a nice, paved walkway to guide me on my way.
Is it Appropriate for Kids
This national monument will be best enjoyed by older kids. The USS Arizona memorial and the video in the theater – while not graphic in a “gory” sense – are rather emotionally charged. In fact, all visitors are reminded during the visit to observe a sense of respect and quietness in honor of the fallen soldiers and out of respect for the other guests.
That being said, younger kids can certainly tag along and some may especially be intrigued in the museum portion. I saw a few upper elementary aged kiddos look with starry-eyes at different replicas, uniforms, etc.
Bag Requirement
As a national park and military monument, the Pearl Harbor National Monument observes a pretty strict bag security policy. And by strict, I mean that bags are not allowed (including cross body purses).
Everything we brought needed to fit in our pockets. Because the parking lot is public, there have been a few car break-ins in the past (although I didn’t feel like it was more sketchy than any other parking lot). So I highly recommend packing light for the day and leaving anything valuable (or tempting) back home or at the hotel.
That being said, I did see someone get permission from the security guard to bring their purse inside with them for personal, medical reasons. The guard was extremely accommodating and, after listening, did a manual search on the bag before marking it with a sticker to indicate it was allowed in the park. So, if you are concerned about medications, etc., I recommend simply asking.
Things to Do at the Pearl Harbor Memorial
There are several exhibitions, statues, theaters, and memorials to check out inside the Pearl Harbor Memorial. I’m only covering a few parts of the National Park below, but there are other things to do while there.
Explore the Museum
When you first enter the park, you will find a row of buildings to your left. Each building consists of a different exhibit that showcases a specific facet of World War II, the “Day of Infamy,” or the community of O’ahu.
As you make your way through each museum at your own pace, you’ll also find some restrooms, a gift shop, and a small snack shop nestled in between the various exhibitions.
Visit the USS Arizona Memorial
The USS Arizona Memorial is perhaps the most famous draw for travelers. Either by booking ahead or joining the stand-by queue when you arrive, guests can get a spot on a small boat that takes them out to the memorial, floating a little offshore in the harbor.
Because I rarely plan fully ahead (oops), we did the stand-by lane and the process was pretty quick and easy.
The memorial, pictured next, is architecturally both tragic and beautiful, reminiscent of the ship itself, allowing for sunlight and glimpses of the ship below to show through.
To understand the impact of this particular memorial, it’s important to realize the USS Arizona Memorial is more than just a beautiful structure that reminds us of what happened on December 7, 1942. It is actually the final resting place of those who were on the USS Arizona when it was attacked. Meaning, those who lost their lives on the USS Arizona are entombed in the ship that lays below the waters of the memorial.
At many points during my visit, I found myself in a deeply reflective space, thinking about the United States, its legacy, its people, and its future. And this particular part of the museum held so much emotional depth to process.
USS Bowfin, USS Missouri, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Unlike the rest of the national park, these three excursions all have an additional cost. However, they give guests more access to World War II era artifacts and spaces, including the USS Bowfin (submarine) and hangars on Ford Island.
I personally skipped out on this portion of the trip – but not because I wasn’t interested (my grandfather joined the US Navy from the Philippines and worked on the USS Missouri at one point); I just ran out of time!
Final Reflections
The Memorial definitely led me to a rather contemplative place. It is solemn, filled with stories of loss, pain, and bravery. There are many reasons why it’s important to recall the past and hear the voices of those who were affected by all the various aspects of war. I would definitely consider Pearl Harbor to be a worth-it addition for those visiting the Island.
Have you visited Pearl Harbor? What was your experience like?
TL;DR Travels 
Leave a comment