Pearl Harbor National Memorial – I Love National Parks

Pearl Harbor National Memorial was established March 12th, 2019 from the former World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, Hawaii. It’s one of the newer National Park units, though its most famous memorial, the USS Arizona, has been protected as a National Memorial for decades and seen millions of visitors. The larger monument was established to preserve a series of sites which tell the story of the attack that prompted the United States to enter World War II. The monument protects Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Oklahoma Memorial, the USS Utah Memorial and six Chief Petty Officer bungalows on Ford Island.

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The anchor of the USS Arizona is one of hundreds of items on display at the monument. The USS Missouri and USS Arizona Memorial can be seen in the background (January)

Our Visit. I visited Pearl Harbor National Memorial on a January day when it was still WWII Valor in the Pacific NM.

Our Weather. Mostly sunny and warm (upper 70s).

Overall Impression. This monument is a fitting place to honor the sacrifices and hardships endured by many in the Pacific theater of WWII. While the USS Arizona Memorial is still the centerpiece of the Monument, the numerous exhibits, films and other memorials put the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor into a larger perspective. The National Park Service, in cooperation with the US Navy, has done an excellent job of making this a memorable learning experience and time of reflection and remembrance for millions of visitors each year.

Visiting. Plan on spending at least 2-3 hours to see the exhibits at the visitors center and museum and to visit the USS Arizona. If you have not been since December 2010, then you have not seen the greatly expanded museum and visitors center campus at the monument. The boat to the Arizona, operated by the Navy, is free, but you must get tickets at the visitors center first. Depending on the number of visitors, your wait may be anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Because your tickets will have your tour time printed on them, get them first, then tour the exhibits. If you have more time and don’t mind spending a bit of money, consider taking a tour of the USS Missouri (WWII battleship where the Japanese surrendered in 1945), USS Bowfin (WWII submarine) or the Pacific Aviation Museum. While these exhibits are not technically part of the monument, they share the campus with the monument and compliment it well. Tickets for all three can be purchased on the National Memorial campus. Five hours is recommended to see all three tours and the monument.

A large scale model of the Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi as it appeared the moment before launching her aircraft to strike Pearl Harbor

Visitors Center and Museum

Plan on spending at least 30-60 minutes at the visitors center and museum adjacent to Pearl Harbor. This is where you get tickets and board the boat to the USS Arizona. Within the campus are a pair of exhibit halls with displays, artifacts, models and films featuring interviews and historic photos. Other than the USS Arizona, everything is self-paced. Outside, there are numerous displays of equipment and historic photographs and areas for walking and reflection. The monument’s bookstore is worth a visit, and the USS Bowfin Museum located on the campus is home to more exhibits (some free), a snack bar and a gift shop and is where you can buy tickets to the USS Missouri, USS Bowfin and Pacific Aviation Museum. Parking at the visitors center is very limited, so if you can arrange alternate transportation (e.g. tour bus), it is recommended.

WWII Valor in the Pacific NM USS Arizona

View of the USS Arizona Memorial from the boat used to take visitors to the memorial. While the National Park Service operates the memorial, the ship underneath is still property of the US Navy (January)

USS Arizona Memorial

The USS Arizona Memorial commemorates the 1,177 sailors and marines who died on the ship on December 7th, 1941 after a Japanese bomb struck the forward ammunition magazine. This was largest loss of life of any ship hit during the attack. Most of the dead are still entombed in the ship which is still partially visible from the memorial.

Visiting the memorial is free and takes about 75 minutes. Step 1 is to pick up free tickets at the visitors center. Step 2 is to go to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater adjacent to the visitors center at the time shown on the ticket. This video introduces visitors to the circumstances surrounding the attack and the events of December 7th, 1941. Step 3 is to board the boat to the memorial for the brief trip across Pearl Harbor. If you would like to take photos on the way out to the memorial, I recommending sitting on the right side of the boat next to the rail (you are not allowed to stand while the boat is moving). Step 4 is visiting the memorial. The boat waits about 20 minutes to give visitors the chance to explore the three areas of the memorial and gaze down at the ship’s remains. This is a somber place, so please be respectful and keep an eye on your children. Step 5 is to take the boat back to the visitors center.

WWII Valor in the Pacific NM USS Oklahoma

Each of the 429 sailors and marines who died on board the USS Oklahoma is represented by a marble post.

USS Oklahoma Memorial

The 429 sailors and marines who died on the USS Oklahoma represent the second largest loss of life in the Pearl Harbor attack. The memorial was dedicated on December 7th, 2007. Along with the USS Arizona and USS Utah, the Oklahoma was one of only three ships not put back into service by the Navy. While the Arizona and Utah still lie in Pearl Harbor where they sank, the Oklahoma rests in the deep Pacific hundreds of miles from Hawaii. Its hull was salvaged and bought for scrap, but on its way to the scrap dealer in California, the Oklahoma began listing and sank in deep water–a fitting burial for a great ship.

The memorial is made up of black granite slabs and slender white marble columns representing the 429 sailors and soldiers who died. The lines of white were designed to resemble the crew “manning the rails” in their dress whites. The memorial is on Ford Island, an active military installation. To visit the memorial, you can purchase tickets on a shuttle bus from the USS Bowfin museum adjacent to the WWII Valor in the Pacific National Memorial visitors center. The memorial is adjacent to the USS Missouri.

The rusting remains of the USS Utah as seen from the memorial

USS Utah Memorial

The Utah, a long-time training battleship for the US Navy, was capsized with the loss of 58 sailors on December 7th, 1941. While the Navy eventually righted the ship, attempts to salvage it were abandoned in 1944. The memorial was built alongside the ship’s still visible wreckage and dedicated on May 27th, 1972. The memorial is simple with plaques, a viewing area and a flagpole. Because it is located on the active military installation of Ford Island, only military and guests of military members may visit the memorial day-to-day.

Battleship Row

Battleship Row is one of the five historic sites in Hawaii protected by the WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument. Battleship Row consists of a series of white moorings in Pearl Harbor. These moorings, located in the positions of the ships in Battlefield Row during the Japanese attack, are emblazoned with the name and US Navy designation of each of the ships (e.g. USS Arizona BB 39).

A couple of tips: This is Hawaii, and the weather can get rainy at any time. Because most of the visitors center area and memorials are outdoors, be prepared to get rained on. The NPS currently restricts the items allowed into the monument. Any bags (including most purses and camera cases) have to be checked into the bag storage for a small fee. Consider leaving your bags at the hotel or locking them in your vehicle’s trunk. Be aware, though, that Hawaii has a lot of petty theft including vehicle break-ins.

Nearby Towns Pearl City, Honolulu, Hawaii

Other Nearby Attractions USS Missouri, USS Bowfin, Pacific Aviation Museum

Official NPS Website Pearl Harbor National Memorial

: A view of the visitors center campus adjacent to Pearl Harbor. The displays and buildings in the background are part of the USS Bowfin Museum.

: The anchor of the USS Arizona is one of hundreds of items on display at the monument. The USS Missouri and USS Arizona Memorial can be seen in the background (January)

: The USS Bowfin, a WWII submarine, sits adjacent to the monument and can be toured for a fee.

: There are two museum buildings with exhibits free to the public. Here, a couple studies a map of Japanese and American forces in the pacific theater.

: A large scale model of the Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi as it appeared the moment before launching her aircraft to strike Pearl Harbor

: One of the exhibits is a scale model of the Arizona and memorial as they currently sit in Pearl Harbor.

: Pearl Harbor as seen from the rail of the boat taking visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial. The USS Missouri, Arizona Memorial, Battleship Row and another boat returning visitors can be seen in the background.

: View of the USS Arizona Memorial from the boat used to take visitors to the memorial. While the National Park Service operates the memorial, the ship underneath is still property of the US Navy (January)

: View from inside the Arizona Memorial. The memorial consists of three rooms. The first room contains the state flags of the battleships struck in the attack. The middle room is open and provides views of the ship. The last room (seen in the background) contains the names of the 1,177 sailors and marines lost during the attack on the ship.

: A closer look at the wall of names within the Arizona Memorial.

: The mooring of the Arizona as seen from the memorial.

: Mooring for the USS Vestal on Battleship Row as seen from the USS Arizona

: Each of the 429 sailors and marines who died on board the USS Oklahoma is represented by a marble post.

: Another view of the USS Oklahoma Memorial showing the black granite and white marble. The USS Missouri is in the background.

: The USS Utah Memorial consists of a few placques, a viewing area and a flag. The wreckage of the ship can be seen to the left of the platform.

: The rusting remains of the USS Utah as seen from the memorial

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