The Arizona Memorial

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is a striking, solemn memorial to the 1,777 lives lost aboard the battleship in the attack on Pearl Harbor in Dec. 7, 1941. Admission is free, and the visiting experience is priceless. But a slowly sinking building and a planned $52 million renovation means you'll want to take special care in planning yo

Beginning in December 2007, a portion of the visitors center on the banks of Pearl Harbor will be demolished and replaced by a larger, open-air center. Construction is expected to last two years, with an aim to finish by Dec. 7, 2009 - the 68th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. During that time, dust, noise, and construction work will become part of the experience.

As a result, you may wish to schedule your trip before the end of the year, or expect some construction activity on the grounds during your visit.

Renovation work aside, the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial remains one of the must-see destinations of any Hawaii trip. Pearl Harbor's history is entwined with that of the islands, as well as of the United States. Visiting a war memorial won't qualify as fun, to be sure, but it'll leave a more lasting, enlightening impression than most anything else you'll see during your trip.

What To Expect:

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial is the most popular attraction in the state, seeing over 4,000 visitors a day. Expect crowds and lines, and arrive as early as possible (the center opens at 7:30 a.m). Note that new security rules prohibit bringing bags and containers into the facility. Since thefts from rental cars is common in Hawaii, you should bring as little as possible with you to the memorial.

Admission is free, and tickets are assigned upon arrival for scheduled tours. The later you arrive, the longer you may wait for your tour to begin. There is a small museum and a small gift shop, and you can wander the grounds while you wait. You can also rent an audio headset to guide you around.

Tours begin with a 23-minute documentary film. Then you are taken on a short boat trip to the memorial itself, which spans the sunken hull of the battleship. Guides will provide some commentary and answer questions, but you may find it best to explore appreciate the memorial on your own - or, at least, as best you can in a crowd of people! When you're ready, you can catch the next boat back to the visitor center.

Tips:

  • Plan ahead. The memorial is open every day except Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1, from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The memorial is adjacent to two other attractions, the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, so you may want to include them in your plans. They are operated separately and admission is charged, however.
  • Arrive as early as possible. Honolulu, like any city, has traffic, and the crowds and lines at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial grow quickly. If you can be there when it opens, beating the tour buses and other large groups, you'll have the best experience. If you're spending the day exploring O'ahu, start with the memorial.
  • Travel light. Bring as little as possible with you to the memorial, and leave everything but your camera in your car. Security rules limit what you can bring in, and thieves make short work of rental cars, despite heavy parking lot patrols.
  • Be patient. There may be crowds, there may be lines, there may be loud tour groups or noisy children. During 2008 and 2009, major construction will be taking place. Don't let these distractions take you out of the moment or keep you from absorbing the incredible history and stories surrounding Pearl Harbor.
  • Ask questions. The guides at the memorial are a treasure trove of information. In fact, some of them are Pearl Harbor survivors, and meeting and speaking with them are priceless experiences.

How to Get There:

From Waikiki, East Honolulu, and the Windward side via Pali or Likelike highways, take H-1 West. Take Exit #15A, Stadium/U.S.S. Arizona (not Naval Base exits), to Kamehameha Highway (Rte. 99 West). Turn left down Arizona Memorial Place.

From Ewa, Central O'ahu or the North Shore, take H-1 East. Take Exit #13A onto Moanalua Road; and keep right to continue onto the Stadium/Aiea exit. Turn left at first light onto Kamehameha Highway (Rte. 99 East). Turn right onto Arizona Memorial Place.

NOTE: The National Park Service is installing special, brown and white highway signs to direct visitors directly to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial visitor center.

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