The Arizona Memorial on the waters of Pearl Harbor; Photo Credit: bwll on Flickr
December 7, 1941, was a day that the history of the Hawaiian Islands would be forever changed. At 7:48 am—on a morning which was just like any other in the U.S. territory of Hawaii—353 Japanese bombers laid siege on the fleet at Pearl Harbor. 2,400 Americans would be killed, four American battleships would be sunk, and the United States would be drawn into a war which would re-shape the borders of the planet.
Today, visiting Pearl Harbor is a somber activity which pays tribute to our fallen heroes, and it’s a destination that every Oahu visitor should visit at least one time. Since it’s such a popular destination, however, it’s good to have a plan for visiting so you know what to see when you get there. To help make sense of the many sights and to help you sift through the crowds, the following list is a brief rundown of what to see at Pearl Harbor.
Arizona Memorial
More so than any other site, the Arizona Memorial captures the horror of the Japenese bombing of Pearl Harbor. It only took nine minutes for this hulking battleship to sink to the ocean floor, and the bodies of 1,177 service members rest in this watery grave. The memorial itself is constructed directly over the wreckage, and since visiting the memorial is such a popular activity (tours take about 75 minutes), it’s recommended to buy tickets ahead of your visit or take part in a Pearl Harbor tour.
USS Missouri
The presence of the Missouri in the Pearl Harbor basin is as symbolic as it is impressive; the official surrender of the Japanese took place aboard the ship, and it brings the U.S. involvement in the war a full, grisly circle. Not only can see you the place where the surrender agreement was signed, but you can lean over the railing of the 60,000-ton ship and make out areas where kamikaze aircraft came hurtling into the ship. With her hulking gun turrets, historic significance, and view looking out over the harbor, a tour aboard the “Mighty Mo” should be a part of every itinerary.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park
Perhaps more so than in any other war, submarines played a role in World War II which was vital to military strategy. At the USS Bowfin Submarine Park and Museum, you have the chance to walk aboard a submarine which completed nine successful missions. Crawl inside the metallic interior of this stealthy and silent sub, and learn this history of submarine warfare and how it is used today. Above deck, take a moment to stop at the memorial which is dedicated to the 3,500 submariners who lost their lives in the war.
Pacific Aviation Museum
When the Japanese bombers invaded Pearl Harbor, U.S. pilots took to the skies to confront the bombers in the air. Today, the Pacific Aviation Museum not only shows videos of the morning Pearl Harbor was bombed, but explores the fascinating role of aviation in the war across the Pacific. Located on Ford Island in an historic hangar, access to the museum is conveniently provided by regularly scheduled shuttle buses.
Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
Finally, of course, there is the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, which teems with the energy of hundreds of visitors and has overwhelming amounts of information. There are two museums within the visitor center that recount the day of the bombing, as well as informative displays outside of the museums which face out towards the water. If you only have a couple of hours to devote to visiting Pearl Harbor, the visitor center is the best place to start for an overview of the memorials and memory. Most visitors devote about half a day to seeing the memorials and sights, although with so much to see in so little time, having a plan of what you want to see helps save precious moments in deciding.
