This is because a place like the Pearl Harbor, an island on Oahu, Hawaii is not a historic site; it is a region that changed the future of the whole world. As the place of the most dreadful attack of the 7th of December, 1941 that brought the United States to the World War II, the Pearl Harbor nowadays presents an amazing memorial and a must-visit spot by all the people keen on history or patriotism or just those who want to remember that we have to value the efforts done at the time when we have to struggle.
Visiting there, you should be ready including logistically and emotionally. Are you a novice tourist in Hawaii, or a multiple traveler and intend to send your tributes to the Pearl Harbor? And this is everything that you need to know before going to Pearl Harbor.
1. Learn About the History of It
So before even getting into the territory of Pearl Harbor one needs to know why then has this place became a place of such significance. The attack on the U.S. navality facility in Pearl Harbor, by the Imperial Japanese Navy, took place unexpectedly on the morning of December 7, 1941. This attack, which has claimed over 2400 American lives, sinking and damaging thousands of vessels and aircrafts, took two or so hours to cover.
This event shocked the nation and the president Franklin D. Roosevelt made his famous speech called the Day of Infamy speech which led to the formal US involvement into the World War II. Pearl Harbor trip is not a tour of the ships or museums, it is tour of one of the great turning points in the world.
2. What You Can See at Pearl Harbor
The Pearl Harbor has a number of historic places and each of these locations has different perception of events that occurred on 7th December 1941 and the pacific war. It has its key locations as:
U.S.S Arizona Memorial
This is the most interesting attraction to Pearl Harbor and a very emotional trip. The monument lies on a raft which is placed at the top of the sunken USS Arizona where the bodies of more 1100 sailors and Marines are contained. The people visiting the memorial arrive and travel on a short boat ride where they are able to view the wreckage on the water base, and pay tribute.
Battleship Missouri Memorial later known as Mighty Mo
It is berthed next to USS Missouri, a battleship on which Japan officially surrendered and World War II was finally over. The visitors will be free to walk below the deck, get to the inside of the ship and can get to realize how life is in a battleship.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum Park
This sub, however, that was named the Pearl Harbor Avenger, was commissioned one year following the attack and was deployed off the coast of the Pacific during WW II. They can take a tour of the real submarine and also view exhibits of submarine warfare.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
The collection held by this museum is the World War II Airplanes and it is a narrative about aviation in the Pacific war which is in the Ford Island. The aviation audiences and history lovers must watch it.
3. How To Find the Way There
Pearl Harbor is about 10 miles in western part of Honolulu and Waikiki. Some possibilities of transportation are the following:
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Car: In case of a car on rent, it may take about 30–45 minutes depending on the traffic.
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Public Transit: Honolulu (public transportation system) TheBus offers a number of other bus routes that pass the Pearl Harbor. It is not as fast as it is expensive.
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Tours and Shuttles: Available are various companies whose tours include a hotel pick up and drop off. This is a convenient substitute, especially when there are multiple sites you would like to visit on a day.
4. Security, Arrivals and Departure – What You Can Bring
There is no need to bring bags in Pearl Harbor historic sites as there is usually some baggage prohibited due to the significance of the site and the safety reasons. This includes purses, backpacks, diaper bags and camera bags. You can carry an item like wallet, water bottle, camera (without having the bag), and medical requirements.
They also provide safe luggage storage facility in the compound at a fee, but it is best to travel light. When you have a tour, make sure you checked on storage availability
5. Admission/Tickets Information
Pearl Harbor Visitor Center does not impose any fees on entrance and gives an opportunity to visitors to discover exposition, and visit the land, and two museums. However, the USS Arizona Memorial visit (and the boat passage) can be only scheduled at a particular time. The tickets are also free of charge, although the cost also varies due to high demand; it would be advisable to make reservations on the official National Park Service site.
This is a summary of costs:
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USS Arizona Memorial: Nil (opportunity to pay a fee through the Internet only)
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Battleship Missouri: Paid admission
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USS Bowfin Submarine: There is an admission fee chargeable
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Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum: The cost is paid
There might be combo tickets that will save you money on going to the different places in case you have a goal of passing by the lot.
6. When to Visit Pearl Harbor
This works better when you are there early. Mornings are more likely to be cooler, not busy as well as sometime calmer in water when a person rides in a boat to the USS Arizona. Most sites begin working at 7 A.M. and finish at 5 P.M.
They should be avoided during the weekends and holidays, as they would be the busiest. Stay also aware of weather – Hawaii can be hot, humid, bring sunscreen, wear lightly, and remember to keep yourself hydrated.
7. Make Plenty of Time Available to You
Do not overestimate anything regarding the time you will spend here. Others may think that you can come and come at a few hours but to experience the best of it, you need about 4–6 hours or to be in one whole day depending on the scenario where all the four major sites will be toured.
A Breakdown:
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USS Arizona Memorial: 1.5–2 hrs (combination of the theater, cycling and the visit to the memorial)
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Battleship Missouri: 1hr 30 to 2 hours
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USS Bowfin: 1–1.5 hours
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Aviation Museum: 1.5–2 hours
Most visitors cannot afford to see everything in one day but you do not have to.
8. Dress Respectfully
Pearl Harbor is a memory location. Even though there is no rigid dress code, the visitors are supposed to dress respectfully. Avoid wearing clothes that display pictures that are rude and avoid wearing swimsuits when visiting the Arizona Memorial.
It is also necessary to wear comfortable shoes. A lot of walking is involved and some areas will have stairs or even uneven surfaces (areas of the battleship and submarine).
9. The Accessibility and Family
Wheelchairs at Pearl Harbor are very accommodating and wheelchairs are even borrowed at the Visitor Center. Access is also offered to the boat ride to the USS Arizona.
Families with children are encouraged and much of what the museums have on display is interactive or attention getting to larger numbers of younger visitors. It is rather a serious kind of place, though, so there is nothing wrong with pre-warn the children of the significance of the location.
10. Be Ready Emotionally
A visit to the Pearl Harbor can be quite emotional. You are at the death scene where something unexpected occurred and thousands of people lost their lives. Crying is not unusual among witnesses especially at the USS Arizona Memorial.
Take a break and just think, read names written on the marble wall, read and know the stories behind the photos, letters and videos. Human beings have labeled the place as holy and should be taken with much esteem.
11. Photography and Shooting
It is allowed and highly suggested that cameras and photography can be done at open air events and on Missouri or Bowfin. There are some indoor places where flash photography can be avoided and also, drone flying is prohibited entirely.
Japanese Americans came forward and helped post the names of the individuals on the USS Arizona Memorial; hence, we will be taking pictures at the museum in a respectful way. No loud discussions and no selfies that can interrupt the quiet environment of memory.
12. The Location to Dine
There is not an on-site full-service restaurant in Pearl Harbor but there are snack bars and little cafes surrounding some of the attractions. The best is the idea to eat some breakfast behind you, or a small snack (remember about no bags, so make preparations). In case you would like to spend several hours there, you may visit some of the main attractions and have your lunch.
Dozens of alternatives are available around you to have a meal when you have visited the locality in Aiea and Honolulu.
13. Pearl Harbor and Other Attractions
But when time is not much, you can make an exception and visit Pearl Harbor as you did seeing some other places near Pearl Harbor. Among possibilities, there can be:
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Punchbowl Crater (National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific): The second memorial of the U.S military personnel.
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Iolani Palace: It is the only royal palace in U.S, and it is located in downtown Honolulu.
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Waikīkī Beach: Spend some time and think after being immersed in history.
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North Shore or Dole Plantation: If you are going out to the country assume it is the start of the day and visit Pearl Harbor in the morning.
Final Thoughts
Visiting Pearl Harbor, it is not the issue of making another check mark in your travel list – it is a moment to pause, reflect and remember. It has been the chance to be at the site where the events have taken place, it has been a recognition of the people who died and to get to know more about the dynamics of the war and peace.
A history enthusiast, a college student, or any other person willing to have an important experience in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor will provide you with an emotional lesson of how war can be very costly, and what a powerful and independent country can be.
Go slowly, take an open heart and mind and may the tales of courage, loss and hope tint your visit.
Planning to visit the Pearl Harbor? However, do not forget to tour USS Arizona, purchase your tickets early enough, wear comfortable footwear, and above all, do not forget the heroes of that fateful day.
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