The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum occupies a special place on Ford Island, right in the heart of Pearl Harbor and its numerous historic sites. Previously known as the Pacific Aviation Museum- Pearl Harbor, this state-of-the-art museum is comprised predominantly of two massive aircraft hangars that survived the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Each hangar today contains restored military aircraft and powerful artifact-filled exhibits that tell the story of the men, women, and military equipment that served here during World War II and beyond. The historic Ford Island Control Tower can be toured as well.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum History
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum can trace its roots all the way back to the 1980s, when plans were put in motion to open a Pacific Aerospace Museum within the Honolulu airport. For the next two decades, the museum consisted of a few exhibits that were eventually forced to move when the airport underwent an expansion and modernization project. At the dawn of the twenty-first century, as part of an extensive overhaul of Ford Island, the Pacific Aviation Museum-Pearl Harbor was founded. Work began on this museum in the spring of 2006, and it opened its doors to the public on December 7, 2006—the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In the two decades since, the attraction has become a favorite destination of visitors from all over the world.
What’s at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Hangar 37 of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is an authentic aircraft hangar that dates to World War II. Its 25,000-square-feet of exhibition space contain a theater where you can view the award-winning documentary East Wind Rain; the Land, Sea, Air: Maui in Wartime exhibit that covers the remarkable pilot training program which took place in Hawaii throughout WWII; A Piercing Blow: The Aerial Attack on the USS Arizona, the museum’s newest exhibit; and of course, a staggering number of historic aircraft that date to WWII and have been carefully restored over the years.
Hangar 79 proudly tells the story of American aviation’s many accomplishments in the decades after World War II, with a particular emphasis on “American air superiority” during the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf Wars. Hangar 79 also houses a significant number of historic aircraft, as well as the Shealy Restoration Shop, a fascinating facility where skilled experts restore all manner of historic aircraft today in the exact same place aircraft maintenance personnel worked during WWII.
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum has its own gift shop. The Pearl Harbor Museum Store is located in Hangar 37 and open from 10:00am to 5:00pm. It sells a selection of books, games, toys, mugs, glasses, and more pertaining to World War II and Hawaii. You’ll also find here numerous types of model airplanes and other types of commemorative collectibles.
The Hangar Café is the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum’s on-site dining option. This World War II-themed café is air conditioned and open between 11:00am and 4:00pm (the grill shuts down each day at 3:00pm). Its simple menu serves up classic American cuisine like sandwiches, burgers, and hot dogs alongside a couple Hawaiian-influenced plates.
Tips for Visiting the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
*Given its location on Ford Island, you’ll have to take a shuttle bus to visit the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. You can catch this shuttle bus—which is a free service provided to visitors—in front of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, near the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. It runs every 15 minutes or so between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm.
*The free shuttle bus from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum also stops at the Battleship Missouri Memorial. It’s recommended that those visitors wishing to combine a visit to the Battleship Missouri Memorial and a visit to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum disembark at the Battleship stop first.
*Absolutely no bags are permitted at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. In fact, you’ll have to check your bags before boarding the free shuttle bus to the museum. There, at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, you can check your bags securely for a small per-bag fee. Expect to pay a little extra for “large” bags.
*The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum doesn’t have an official dress code, but they do have a “suggested attire” policy. Closed-toe shoes are highly recommended, respectful outfits are requested, and swimsuits are prohibited.
*Visitors with a particular passion for all things pertaining to aviation will want to consider upgrading their museum experience by going on one of the attraction’s state-of-the-art flight simulators. For more information, visit the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum official website.
