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USS Arizona Memorial
The Memorial is an incredible testament to the 1,177 crew members that lost their lives on December 7, 1941 during the Attack on Pearl Harbor.
The USS Arizona Memorial site.
Photo
from Flickr.com - boboroshi
Since 1980, the National Park Service has operated the memorial with a cooperative agreement with the US Navy. They are the caretakers of the memorial and the shoreline Visitor Center. They have done a wonderful job preserving the standards, memories and traditions associated with the attack on Pearl Harbor.
When you arrive at the park, after standing in line (it is always busy) you will be given a ticket to view the documentary about the attack on Pearl Harbor. These are given on a first come first serve basis. The first viewing is at 7:45 am. The last viewing is at 3 pm.
The daily viewing averages about 4,500 people. The admission is free. You will first view the 23 minute documentary about the attack, then take the boat shuttle to the memorial..
Your admission includes the access to the museum and the gift store. While waiting for your ticket time to be called, you can take the self tour around the museum, or rent the guided tour headset technology.
Most days there are volunteers at the center, who are Pearl Harbor Survivors. Take a few minutes and learn first hand what it was like to be there during this important day in world history.
See what others thought of the USS Arizona Memorial at TripAdvisor
Things to Know for Visiting
- Arrive early - Lines start forming at 6:30 am for the 7:45 am viewing of the movie
- Rent the self guided tour - it explains more than the plaques do
- Remember that the Memorial is located on an active US Military Base
- Take your time at the USS Arizona Memorial and in the museum
- There are no washrooms at the USS Arizona Memorial - Go before you view the documentary
- The shortcake at the gift shop is actually corn bread (this was a shock to us)
- Remember this is a burial ground, please show respect at all times
- Look for the oil that still sits on the water like ghosts from the explosions on that fateful day
- Take the time to talk to a survivor
- Proper attire is required - swimsuits and inappropriate t-shirts are not allowed.
- No purses, handbags or backpacks are allowed in the visitor center or on the Memorial
- 337 crew members survived that day
- The USS Arizona sank in 9 minutes and burned for 2 days.
Operating Hours, Fees and Tours
The park is open every day of the week from 7:30 am to 5 pm. It is closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.
The first viewing of the documentary is at 7:45 am and the last is at 3 pm.
The admission is free. You can pay $5 for a self guided audio tour.
If you don't want to do the driving, there are many tours to Pearl Harbor from Oah'u. For more tour ideas see Viator tours. They even offer tours from the other islands.
Pearl Harbor, USS Arizona and Circle Island Day Tour
Start with a visit to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Then spend the rest of the day touring the island enjoying the North Shore, the Dole Plantation, the Nu-uanu Pali Lookout on the windward side of Oah'u and a visit to the famous Byodo-In Temple. You can get 1 child's ticket for each adult on this tour.
WW II Pearl Harbor Heroes Adventure Tour
Immerse yourself into the history of World War II with this tour from Oahu to Pearl Harbor. You will tour the site of the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor, the signing of the surrender aboard the USS Missouri. You will even get to walk in General Douglas MacArthur's footsteps!Our Experience at the USS Arizona Memorial
We arrived at about 7 am and were stunned at how many people were there already. I had researched before that we should be there early but we were amazed at how long the line up was!
We waited about 50 min and got the 8:45 (or so) screening of the film. We
decided to rent the self guided tour. It was well worth the $5.00 we paid.
We went to the small snack bar and bought a snack - just so you know the short cake is actually corn bread! Warren got a big surprise when he bit into it!
After the film, we were shuttled out to the ferry that takes you to the memorial. It is operated by the US Navy. We then spent about 15 minutes paying our respects and visiting the memorial.
I was fascinated by how the oil from the explosions that day still sat on the water. Just like ghosts from the past guarding the resting place of those that died that day
I have to admit. I wasn't that interested in seeing Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona. I am not a history buff, however, I do feel that it is my responsibility to remember those that suffered for my freedom.
Even though I am a Canadian, what happened that day still effected my life today. The documentary was very well done (even if it is quite old) and it showed all sides from my perspective. I was surprised at the footage they had from the Japanese. I learned a lot about this part of WWII. Being a Canadian, most of our history about WWII was in Europe.
It was also kind of neat trying to imagine what happened and relating it to the movie Pearl Harbor (yes I am a movie nut).
We finished at the USS Arizona Memorial by about 10 am. It was well worth the visit and I am glad that I got to go and pay my respects.
More Hawaii Vacation Ideas
Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii's Number 1 Tourist Attraction. Located on the Hilo side of the Big Island, it is a must see when visiting Hawaii. If you get lucky you may even get to see the active lava flow into the ocean!
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