Complete Guide to Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, including history, nearby lodging, things to do, attractions, tours, and so much more!
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Pearl Harbor National Memorial honors the lives affected in the surprise attack by the Empire of Japan on the U.S. Fleet and Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.
This attack resulted in 2,403 Americans being killed and another 1,178 Americans being wounded.
President Franklin D Roosevelt called December 7, 1941, a "date which will live in infamy," and the next day the U.S. declared war on Japan and officially entered World War 2.
About Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Pearl Harbor National Memorial includes the USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah Memorials, six officer bungalows, three mooring quays, and the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.
History of Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor National Memorial is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The site memorializes an attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The memorial is located in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu.
The cause and effect leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor began years before the horrible day. The island nation of Japan had become rather fueled and inspired by its aggressive nature over the previous 50 years, while at war with China, and its participation and success in World War I.
Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, tensions between the U.S. and Japan had been rising for close to a decade. During the 1930s, the economy was in despair in Japan, as it was in the United States.
Japan believed it could bolster growth by moving towards conquering China. In 1931, Japan invaded the Chinese region of Manchuria.
The League of Nations condemned this action, leading Japan to withdraw from the organization. In 1931, Japan committed mass killings in Nanjing, China.
The United States, along with many other countries, was concerned about domination by Japan. The United States began passing numerous sanctions against Japan, including the sale of oil and scrap metal.
Denying their access to oil struck a blow as nearly 80% of Japan’s supply came from the United States.
Japan and the United States tried to negotiate for a period of time, but to no avail, and this fueled the fire between the U.S. and Japan.
It was clear to Japan that the path to world domination had to include attacking the United States. They figured that destroying the United States’ base at Pearl Harbor would mean control of the Pacific.
Japan assumed that the United States would not be able to provide aid across the Pacific, and Japan would be better able to attack other targets across the South Pacific.
Pearl Harbor was home to the main supply of the United States Fleet in the Pacific. Hawaii was nearly 4,000 miles away from Japan, so it was not assumed Japan would attack this location. For this reason, Pearl Harbor was not as heavily defended as other locations.
Early morning on December 7, 1941, the first Japanese aircraft took off for Oahu. Less than an hour later, the USS Ward shot at a Japanese submarine.
This would technically be considered the United States' first shots fired in World War II. Shortly after, an Oahu radio station confirmed that unidentified aircraft were headed towards Hawaii.
At 7:55 AM, the attack on Pearl Harbor began. Minutes later, the USS Arizona exploded. Consequently, the Destroyer USS Helm sinks the Japanese submarine near the entrance to Pearl Harbor. This is when the second wave of the attack happened, and the USS Shaw exploded.
By 10:00 AM, Japanese aircraft began flying back to Japan. The aerial attack involved 359 Japanese aircraft, 29 of which were lost in the attack.
The Japanese fighter planes had succeeded in destroying or damaging nearly 20 naval vessels, including 8 battleships and 300 airplanes. More than 2,403 Americans were killed.
This included 2,008 sailors, 218 soldiers, 109 Marines, and 68 civilians. Of the aircraft destroyed, 97 were Navy and 77 were Army Air Corps. Two battleships were completely destroyed, and six were damaged but able to eventually be restored.
The day after the attack, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan. He was quoted as saying:
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval air forces of the Empire of Japan…No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.”
As Japan assumed they had accomplished complete domination at Pearl Harbor, America’s resilient spirit shone through.
The navy was able to bounce back fairly quickly, even though their submarines and planes were damaged, their entire Pacific Fleet’s carriers were away from the base on the day of the attack.
The Japanese had also left the United States’ oil storage sites and submarine docks untouched. The American people were undoubtedly in agreement to go to war.
Following the attack, many of those who were killed were not able to be recovered from the ships they were aboard. Others were not able to be identified. These remains were laid to rest in Hawaii.
By 2021, forensic science was sophisticated enough to identify remains using DNA and archeological analysis.
On December 2, 2021, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced that 33 sailors from the USS Oklahoma were finally accounted for after the unknown remains had been exhumed and studied.
The group remains were buried at the Punch Bowl in Honolulu on the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The large expanse of a volcanic crater, which contains no trees or memorial shrines, the Punch Bowl’s first remains interned were the 33 unidentified Pearl Harbor remains.
The National Memorial was constructed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickman. It includes 9 historic sites.
Learn More about all of the World War 2 National Park Sites
Things to know before visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Entrance fee
$0.00 - There is no entrance fee to visit the park; however, there is $7.00/day fee for parking.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Time Zone
HST - Hawaii Standard Time
There are no Daylight Saving Time clock changes in Hawaii
Pets
Pets are not permitted inside the visitor center.
Cell Service
We have great cell service on the island of Oahu.
Park Hours
Open 362 days a year from 7 AM to 5 PM. The park is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day (12/25), and New Year's Day (01/01)
Wi-Fi
There is no Wi-Fi available at the park.
Insect Repellent
Insect repellent is always a great idea when outdoors, especially if you are around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.
Parking
There are multiple parking lots near the entrance to the park.
Food/Restaurants
There is a small snack shop on-site that carries various snacks and cold beverages.
Drones
Drones are not permitted within National Park Sites.
No Bag Policy
Bags that offer concealment, such as purses, handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, camera bags, diaper bags, luggage, etc. that exceed the measurements of 1.5" X 2.25" X 5.5," are not allowed at the monument.
There are fee storage lockers available.
Dress Code
Military visitors are welcome to wear civilian attire when visiting.
Military visitors to the memorial are within the bounds of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and military regulations relating to military dress are enforced by Navy personnel.
Per COMNAVREG Hawaii Instruction 1020.2N, military visitors in uniform are required to dress in Class B or better in order to gain access to the USS Arizona Memorial. Battle dress uniform is not allowed on the memorial, though it is allowed throughout the visitor center and at sites on Ford Island.
National Park Passport Stamps
National Park Passport stamps can be found in the visitor center.
We use the Explorer Edition Passport Book that can be expanded and updated. This is a great way to track all of the parks you have visited over time.
Make sure to bring your National Park Passport Book with you or we like to pack these circle stickers so we don't have to bring our entire book with us.
Details about Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Size - 21.3 acres
Check out how the park compares to other National Parks by Size.
Date Established
1958- by President Eisenhower.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial Address
1 Arizona Memorial Place
Honolulu, HI 96818
Pearl Harbor National Memorial Map
Where is Pearl Harbor National Memorial?
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is located adjacent to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on the Island of Oahu in Hawaii.
Estimated distance from major cities nearby
- Honolulu, HI - 9 miles
- North Shore, HI - 20 miles
- Waipahu, HI- 7 miles
- Kaneohe, HI- 12 miles
- Kailua, HI- 17 miles
- Makakilo City, HI- 14 miles
- Wahiawa, HI- 14 miles
Estimated Distance from nearby National Parks
Haleakala National Park - located on the island of Maui
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Located on the Big Island of Hawaii
Where is the National Park Visitor Center?
The visitor center is located past the security gates. There are also roving rangers available to ask questions.
Getting to Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Closest Airports
- Honolulu International Airport (HNL)- 13 miles
The best time to visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
The best time to visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial is early in the morning when the crowds are still light. To avoid long lines and wait times, consider arriving at the memorial before it opens.
Weekdays and non-peak season weekdays (mid-December to early January, and mid-June to mid-August) are also less crowded than weekends and peak season. Remember that the weather in Hawaii is relatively consistent year-round.
Weather and Seasons
The warmest weather at Pearl Harbor National Memorial typically occurs between the months of June and September. During this time, temperatures can reach highs of around 85 degrees with high humidity.
The coolest weather at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial typically occurs from December through February, with average temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees. However, temperatures can still vary, and it is always a good idea to check the forecast before your visit and dress accordingly.
Best Things to do in Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial offers various attractions for visitors. The most popular is the USS Arizona Memorial, which pays tribute to sailors who lost their lives in the 1941 surprise attack.
Additionally, visitors can explore the Pacific Aviation Museum, which features pivotal WWII planes and heroic pilots.
The Battleship Missouri is a living testament to the end of WWII and visitors can tour it to see the ship's guns, control rooms, and mess halls. The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is home to one of the most successful submarines of WWII.
Orientation in Aloha Court
Upon entering the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, visitors can obtain information about planning their day at Pearl Harbor. Aloha Court has information available.
USS Arizona Memorial
The 45-minute program for the USS Arizona Memorial begins with a check-in at the theater validation desk. It includes a shuttle boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, time to explore the memorial, and a boat ride back to the visitor center.
Junior Ranger Program
Pearl Harbor NM has a great Junior Ranger program that is available onsite and online.
Exhibit Galleries: "Road to War" and "Attack"
These two exhibit galleries bring visitors closer to the sights and sounds of the events leading up to and following the Oahu attack. Personal mementos, dramatic photographs, battle artifacts, and other exhibits are displayed in these galleries. Kiosks are available to hear history from those who lived it.
Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater
The Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater is located across from the two exhibit galleries. The USS Arizona Memorial program is separate from the 23-minute documentary. Visitors can enter Theater 2 to watch a 23-minute documentary film about the December 7, 1941 attack, which starts every 15 and 45 minutes past the hour.
Bookstore
Over 120 book titles about the Pacific War effort are available in the bookstore. Visitors can purchase over 50 videos, posters, audio recordings, and other mementos relating to the USS Arizona, the attack on Oahu, and the War in the Pacific as a souvenir of their visit and to further educate themselves on the subject
Interpretive Wayside Exhibits
There are interpretive wayside exhibits throughout the facility that invite visitors to imagine their experience on that tragic day. The wayside exhibits connect the past with the present by superimposing descriptive images of Pearl Harbor as it was in 1941 over a panorama of the busy port as it appears today.
Remembrance Circle
This exhibit pays tribute to the men, women, and children, both military and civilian, who were killed in the December 7, 1941, attack. Medal of Honor recipients are recognized with their names in gold lettering, and a bronze 3-D map of Oahu depicts the day's attack targets.
Ford Island Bus Tour (Reservation Required)
Reserve seats on the Ford Island Bus Tour to visit the USS Oklahoma and USS Utah Memorials without an Active-Duty Military ID.
This fully guided tour, led by National Park Service Rangers and the US Navy, allows visitors to see these less-frequently visited sites up close.
The 90-minute round-trip tour begins and ends at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and includes stops at six historic officer bungalows as well as the memorials. These sites tell the story of the battleships and neighborhood life prior to, during, and after the Pearl Harbor attack.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial
The USS Missouri Memorial Association is dedicated to preserving the memorial and is not managed by the National Park Service.
Make sure to click this link for more information on the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum & USS Bowfin
This museum is devoted to the history of the U.S. submarine force, and the memorial honoring the American submarines and their crews lost while serving in World War 2.
Make sure to click this link for more information on the Pacific Fellt Museum & USS Bowfin Submarine.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum will give you the real battlefield experience as you stand on the actual battlefield and inside authentic World War 2 hangars that withstood the attack on Pearl Harbor. These hangars are filled with aircraft, exhibits, and artifacts, with 50+ aircraft on display for visitors to explore.
Make sure to click this link for more information on the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
Pearl Harbor Tours
Salute to Pearl Harbor, Including USS Arizona
⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars from 6900+ reviews! | ⏳ Tour Length: 5 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Get picked up in Honolulu and take a half-day tour to Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Here you will learn:
- The history of World War 2 in Hawaii
- See exhibits at the World War 2 Valor in the Pacific National Monument
- View the 23-minute documentary about December 7, 1941
- Take the ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial (May be cancelled for inclement weather/safety concerns)
Pearl Harbor Complete Experience Passport
⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars from 425+ reviews! | ⏳ Tour Length: 8-9 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
Get ready for the complete Experience of Pearl Harbor National Memorial. This tour includes:
- Hassle-free pickup from your Waikiki Hotel
- Ferry ride to the USS Arizona National Memorial
- Admission to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
- Admission to the Battleship Missouri Memorial
- Admission to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
- pass by the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific
Pearl Harbor, Dole Plantation, and Polynesian Center from Waikiki
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars from 700+ reviews! | ⏳ Tour Length: 9-10 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
See three of Oahu's most important cultural attractions in one day. This tour includes:
- Round-trip transportation from Waikiki area hotels
- All admission costs
- Tour the Pearl Harbor National Memorial
- Watch the 23-minute documentary about the attack
- Ferry to the USS Arizona Memorial (May be cancelled for inclement weather/safety concerns)
- Tour the Dole Plantation Store (Don't forget to try the famous Dole Whip)
- Pass by North Shore, known for its iconic surf spots and big waves
- Polynesian Cultural Center, a place that celebrates the music, dance, and way of life on six Pacific Island nations, including Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and New Zealand.
- Stop in at Kualoa Regional Park and enjoy panoramic views!
There are many more tours in the Waikiki Area and Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Make sure to click here for a full list of tours available.
How to beat the crowds in Pearl Harbor National Memorial
You can avoid the crowds at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial by following these tips:
Purchase your boat tour tickets in advance: You can purchase your tickets in advance online to avoid waiting in line at the ticket counter. This will ensure that you have seats for the tour.
Arrive early: The memorial opens at 7:00 a.m., so if you arrive early, you can be among the first visitors to enter and avoid the crowds.
Avoid visiting Pearl Harbor during peak tourist season (June-August) if possible. Consider visiting at other times of the year when there are fewer tourists.
Take a tour: Taking a guided tour may allow you to skip the lines at the memorial and get up close and personal with various memorials.
Where to stay when visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial
There are no National Park Lodges within Pearl Harbor National Memorial.
There are no hotels next to the park, and the closest hotels are at the airport. Let's be honest for a second, if you travel all the way to Honolulu, Hawaii, why stay in an airport hotel when there are so many not that much further along Waikiki Beach? It reminds me of the saying, While in Rome, do as the Romans! Nearby Lodging options include:
Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is located on the waterfront and on the beach. I stayed here in 2023 and loved it! Great restaurants, clean rooms, two outdoor pools, evening entertainment, spa, and more! There was plenty to do, and our entertainment included a live band one evening and a fire dancer another evening!
The Royal Hawaiian, A luxury Collection Resort in Waikiki, commonly known as the iconic pink hotel in Honolulu, is filled with beautiful historic architecture and lush grounds. Here you will enjoy oceanfront views, can dine at two restaurants on-site, and enjoy morning yoga. There are two outdoor pools and two hot tubs, a vegetarian breakfast is available, and valet parking is available.
Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort is located on the waterfront and on the beach. Here, you can take advantage of beach loungers, beach umbrellas, and beach towels on the beautiful white-sand beach! The hotel offers dining, two beach bars, buffet breakfast, an outdoor pool, and allows pets.
Camping
There are no National Park Campgrounds within the park.
Additional Resources
I Was Just a Radioman: The Memoirs of a Pearl Harbor Survivor
Pearl Harbor: From Infamy to Greatness
Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack
Avenging Pearl Harbor: The Saga of America's Battleships in the Pacific War
Parks Near Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site - This park is located on the northwest coast of the Big Island of Hawaii and preserves an important cultural and historical site.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park - Located on the island of Molokai, this park was once a leprosy colony and preserves the history of those who lived there.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park - Located on the west coast of the island of Hawaii, this park preserves ancient Hawaiian cultural sites and natural habitats.
Check out all of the Hawaii National Parks along with Alaska National Parks, National Parks in Washington, Oregon National Parks, and National Parks in California
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