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PEARL HARBOR
PACIFIC AVIATION MUSEUM
In the center of Pearl Harbor’s historic sites, the Pacific Aviation Museum occupies World War II-era hangars that still bear the scars of our nation’s first aviation battlefield. Dedicated to showing the patriotism, valor and sacrifices made by our American aviators in the Pacific, the museum presents rare American and Japanese airplanes such as a 1942 Japanese Zero and many other exhibits. Purchase tickets at the USS Bowfin ticket office then ride the Bowfin Trolley to the museum on Ford Island. For more information, call (808) 441-1000. |
The date:
December 7, 1941. The place: Pearl Harbor. The two will
remain linked forever in our collective memory as a symbol
of tragedy, international aggression, and how not to run
the world. Thousands of lives were lost, America’s Pacific
fleet was shredded, and we were at war in the Pacific.
 You
can learn more about this compelling wartime saga by visiting
the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center and the USS Arizona Memorial (call (808) 422-0561 or (808) 422-2771). Tickets
are FREE but each person must
collect his/her own ticket from the park ranger. While waiting,
you can browse through the visitor center that displays
materials on World War II naval history and wartime Hawai‘i.
Often a Pearl Harbor Survivor or volunteer is on hand to
answer questions.
The visitor
center is FREE and open from
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving,
Christmas and New Year’s Day. A Navy shuttle operates
between the visitor center and the memorial from 8:00 a.m.
(7:30 during the summer) to 3:00 p.m. daily. A seat on the
right side of the ferry gives the best photo opportunity
approaching the memorial. You have about 15 minutes on the
Arizona Memorial–enough time to visit the chapel
where the names are engraved, read the plaques and take
some photos.
UPDATE
ON SECURITY MEASURES
The USS Arizona Memorial Park, USS Bowfin
Memorial Park and Battleship USS Missouri Memorial have implemented a NO BAG POLICY because of security
concerns at Pearl Harbor, a U.S. Navy base. Purses,
handbags, fanny packs, backpacks, camera bags, diaper
bags, etc., are no longer allowed. A private vendor
in the parking lot operates a storage locker service
for a small fee. Large luggage will not be accepted.
For park information and security updates, call the
automated information line at (808) 422-0561. |
Hawai‘i is honored
to be the new home of the Battleship Missouri
Memorial. The “Mighty Mo,” which served America in three
wars, is berthed on Battleship Row and opened to fanfare
on Jan. 29, 1999–60 years, to the day, after it was
launched. The USS Arizona, which marks the beginning of
World War II, is just 300 yards from the “Mighty Mo,” the
ship on which the Japanese signed documents to end the war.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial ticketing facility and
bus pick-up area is located next to the USS Bowfin Memorial. Take H-1 Freeway west to the Arizona Memorial
off-ramp to Kamehameha Highway and proceed one mile to the
entry. For information, call (808) 973-2494.
At the USS
Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park next to the Arizona
Memorial Visitor Center, go below the deck of the USS Bowfin,
an actual World War II submarine nicknamed the “Pearl Harbor
Avenger.” Wind your way through the narrow compartments
where the Bowfin’s crew worked, ate and slept while on WWII
and Korean War patrols. Open 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily, closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New
Year’s Day. (808) 423-1341.
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