Pearl Harbor means many different things to many different people, but above all else it’s one of Oahu’s most popular destinations. In addition to being the naval headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet, it’s where you’ll find Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Operated by the National Park Service, Pearl Harbor National Memorial consists of the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Utah Memorial, the USS Oklahoma Memorial, and a Visitor Center. Other popular attractions located nearby include the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
Pearl Harbor History
Pearl Harbor is a lagoon harbor located on the southern coast of Oahu’s central region. For centuries this lagoon was known to the Hawaiian people as either Pu‘uloa or Wai Momi—which translates into English roughly as “water of pearls.” The United States had long sought access to this remarkable deepwater harbor; they would finally get it when the Kingdom of Hawaii agreed to the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875. This treaty gave sugar planters in Hawaii free access to American markets in exchange for American control of the area that would become known as Pearl Harbor. In the decades to come, the United States would establish a strong military presence at Pearl Harbor, eventually making it the site of Hickam Air Force Base and Naval Station Pearl Harbor (since 2010 known as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam).
The United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, of course, was infamously attacked on December 7, 1941, by Japanese military forces. This terrible attack saw thousands of people killed, hundreds of planes destroyed, and many ships lost. Today, the National Park Service’s Pearl Harbor National Memorial commemorates these tragic events across several distinctive memorials and museums, which are visited by millions of people every single year.
What’s at Pearl Harbor
Visitors to Pearl Harbor National Memorial will begin their experience at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, where you’ll be able to access any last-minute logistical information you need to make your visit a success. While you’re here, you’ll also want to make time enjoy the site’s numerous educational features, including two museum exhibits: Road to War, a gallery that tells the story of the buildup to World War II and the eventual Japanese attack on the base; and Attack, which contains a moving array of artifacts, memorabilia, photographs, and more pertaining to the fateful day of December 7, 1941.
Situated just across the way from these two galleries you’ll find the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater, where you can view an award-winning documentary about the attack. This powerful film runs twice an hour, beginning at :15 and :45. Nearby is the Pearl Harbor National Memorial bookstore, which carries hundreds of books, posters, prints, DVDs, and mementos related to Pearl Harbor, Oahu, and the events of December 7, 1941.
Perhaps the most famous single component of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is the USS Arizona Memorial. This powerful memorial can only be accessed via a Navy-helmed boat shuttle; once there, visitors will find an approximately 200-foot-long, window-filled memorial that practically floats above the still-submerged wreckage of the sunken battleship where some 1,177 crewmembers were killed during the surprise attack.
Thematically related but independently operated attractions—meaning they are not run by the National Park Service—located nearby include the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, and the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. Many visitors to Pearl Harbor National Memorial make one or all of these destinations a part of their Pearl Harbor itinerary.
Tips for Visiting Pearl Harbor
*Most bags are not allowed anywhere inside Pearl Harbor National Memorial. This includes even conventional purses, handbags, and backpacks. You’ll need to check your bags before touring any of the attractions affiliated with Pearl Harbor National Memorial. This can be done for a small fee at a storage facility situated near the entrance to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum.
*Pearl Harbor National Memorial is also home to the USS Oklahoma Memorial and the USS Utah Memorial, which are located on Ford Island, an active-duty military base. As a result, visitors wishing to experience these memorials will need to make special arrangements to partake in the National Park Service’s Ford Island Bus Tour. This 90-minute guided tour requires advance reservations, which can be made through the Pearl Harbor National Memorial official website.
*Times are subject to change, but at present the Ford Island Bus Tour is only available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3:15pm. Visitors wanting to partake in this unique experience will want to put this tour on their itinerary first, and build the rest of their day at Pearl Harbor National Memorial around it.
*The majority of events and programs offered at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial are free to the public; however, it’s still a very good idea to make advance reservations for any tours you’ve got your set on doing. Time slots here fill up quickly, especially during busier times of the year, so when in doubt, plan ahead.
*As you move through Pearl Harbor National Memorial, there’s going to be a tremendous number of things to see and do. A small but worthwhile part of the experience here that often gets overlooked are the interpretive wayside exhibits spread throughout the attraction. These educational panels are great places to stop and reflect for a moment on the history of your surroundings.
