and the Arizona Memorial
Outside of immersing yourself in our country’s history in Washington, DC, Pearl Harbor is an emotional American experiences.
With 2016 being the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, if you want to participate, make reservations now. The anniversary events are will draw a lot of people to the island and particularly to the museum area.
You cannot take any bag, purse, or backpack on the grounds. Either leave it at your hotel or at their check station for a small fee. The parking lot is not secure, and it is not recommended to leave anything in the vehicle—even the trunk.
This Museum takes at least two hours to go through—three if you want to be very thorough and read everything. Renting headsets that have additional information about specific displays is a good idea for your first visit. The, “If you had been on O’ahu, these faces may have been familiar,” exhibit makes you think of the people on that day.
Tickets
Because the museum isn’t a timed entry, you can go whenever you want. However, to go to The Arizona, you have to get online reservations (best plan) or wait in line for tickets. Like the Museum, The Arizona is free. The movie and roundtrip take just over an hour.
Visit the Bowfin Submarine if you want to glimpse submarine life beyond, Run Silent, Run Deep. Keep in mind there are tight staircases that you have to go down facing outward. There is also a new Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. (Fee for entry.)
Guided tours of the Mighty Missouri Battleship range from $25 for the General Tour and an additional $25 for the Heart of the Missouri Tour. Stationary or not, make sure you’re prepared to be in the bowels of the ship before signing up for that part. You can purchase tickets at the Museum and they generally have open times. A bus takes you to/from the Museum area to the dock, which is at Ford Island. The guides, such as Zach, are knowledgeable. He did a great job with the standard 45-minute talk and in answering questions.
The Missouri is famous for a number of reasons, but you might know it as the place where the formal surrender by Japan took place. If you think quarters are tight on the Bowfin, there isn’t much more space in the corridors, or quarters, here.
Reaching the Arizona Memorial
The Arizona is a five minute or less boat ride across the channel to the Memorial, which sits perpendicular atop the USS Arizona.
This link is a great aerial view of it.
The vintage photo is from what was in place when my dad was stationed in Hawaii in 1952-54. Construction began on the existing Memorial in 1958. As a small child, we would watch Dad’s Hawaiian slides. Each time he told us about the Memorial, he would get emotional. Seeing it, I understand.
There is still oil leaking from the wreckage. Someone volunteered that it continues to be allowed because it is symbolic of the life that leaked away. Whether or not that’s the official position, it’s a touching idea. Approximately 2-9 quarts leak each day and is monitored for environmental impacts.
Our history
The Museum, the Bowfin, the Missouri, The Arizona … these are highly impactful things for patriotic citizens to experience … for history buffs to see. But for me, nothing compared to meeting Delton E. Walling, CSM, USN. He was quietly sitting outside the Museum, a small display by his side and handouts on the table, having his picture taken with anyone who wished. I wanted to thank him for his service, an effort I make when seeing any Veteran wearing a hat telling us where he or she served. My husband snapped this shot and I’m glad that he did.
Mr. Walling: “We’ll all be gone in five years,” were the only sobering words he said. His sheer graciousness was enough to bring me to tears.
Maybe when you go, you’ll be fortunate enough to meet someone who encapsulates the experience for you as he did for me.
More Pictures:
There were 37 sets of brothers assigned to the USS Arizona on the day of the attack. USS Arizona Memorial-Remember, you are visiting a cemetery. Be respectful. 
Flag flies from original mast of Arizona Missouri Battleship from The Arizona
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Read: Memorial of Flight 93
Hello Rose. Happy New Year! My visit to Hawaii wouldn’t have been complete without the visit to Pearl Harbor. I am so glad to hear you found it as memorable and moving as I did. I too especially liked hearing the last survivors speak afterward. Very touching.
Happy New Year back to you, Susan! I can’t imagine going to Oahu and not going to Pearl Harbor! I’m glad you got to hear the survivors speak–we missed that. 🙁
I think all our veterans are amazing–no doubt. There is something unique about our WWII heroes. Maybe if I talk with enough of them, I’ll figure it out.
Sounds really interesting despite the potential claustrophobia. I’ve only been on military ships a couple times but tight quarters seems to be a universal feature. Wonder if the newer ones are any different.
I’ve wondered that, too, Ken, given that we are generally taller than seventy years ago. As an aside, watch “Run Silent, Run Deep” and then watch “Das Boot.” Same era, but Hollywood really cleaned up submarine life.
I saw Das Boot. And it was indeed claustrophobic. The book Dead Wake is another German sub story.
I can imagine that a visit to Pearl Harbor Museum would be quite moving and somewhat sad too.
Those are two good words to describe it, Donna. I have come away each time feeling thoroughly exhausted, but also proud of our Veterans.
I would love to see all of this. Husband would love it too.
I remember as a young girl watching “Run Silent, Run Deep” with Dad. I think we may have watched it together more than once. That needs a redo since I am now older!
I’m glad you’ve gotten to experience this, Seester.
Yes, I know you and hubby would both like to see the Pearl Harbor area and the Arizona. It’s a very patriotic experience and highly emotional. Of course the crazy-busyness of the rest of Oahu would be a bit too much! “Run Silent, Run Deep” is such a classic!
I’ve never been there but sounds like a great trip for my son who loves history. It seems like it would be sad. My husband and I went to war exhibits in DC about 5 years ago and after going through war after war displays, we both turned to each other and said, “well, that was depressing. Let’s go do something fun”. It’s so important that we remember where we came from but that was too much. A trip like this where i can do this and then other things would be more of my kind of trip. Thanks for sharing.
You’re right about the sadness factor, Sabrina, when visiting any of these museums. But then there are those moments…like meeting Mr. Walling or when I went to the WWII museum in New Orleans and got to talk with a WWII fellow there. I mean, it’s so awe-inspiring. And yep, there we are again right back at the: Okay, glad I did that, please give me some humor.
I hope your son gets to experience the Pearl Harbor area one of these days.
I think the Pearl Harbor Tour is among my favorite memories. It is so very moving. I hope this anniversary year does draw masses of young people… history is so important. If I ever get back to Hawaii, I will go again. I am sure they have added so much since I was there.
It was two years between Pearl Harbor visits for us–a relatively short time in the life of a museum, yet I felt there were additions. The Pacific Aviation is also new, but we didn’t make it there this time. Another trip.
Not IF you get back, dear Jacquie, but WHEN. 🙂