The bus stop is just outside the door of my hotel, but I never saw any bus schedules, so I waited a few minutes for bus no. 42 (at about 7:30am) - you need exact change for the $2 adult fare. After many stops and about an hour (now 8:30am), we arrived at the Arizona Memorial. The line was long, but it moved quickly.

Hint: Take as little as possible with you, or plan to check your bags for $3 each - they are currently allowing nothing that could be concealing inside, and even small purses and camera bags are not allowed in. Cameras and water can go in.

I was in group no. 15 and got my free ticket at about 9am for 11:15am tour. You can spend the time between ticket pick-up and tour time in the museum, outside, or at the Bowfin next door. It’s $5 for an audio tour, but I didn't get it. Lots of food is available for purchase. When your time is called, you watch a short movie. Then you get on a boat to go to the memorial, and after spending time on the memorial, you come back on the boat. You can release flowers/lei at the memorial as long as you do not let the lei string go into the water. This historic location is not only a place of reflection, but also education. Some of my friends were not interested in this site because of the potential for sadness, but I am very glad that I went. I learned a few things and had time for reflection about this event and those who have more recently affected this nation and world. I released the flowers from my lei, and it felt good. I took the return bus to the Iolani Palace, so it was not a straight trip back.

Standing within the memorial one can look out at the ship just below in the water. Oil still seeps out and creates an oil slick. It was inspiring to view the USS Missouri, which was the ship on which Japan surrendered. The USS Bowfin, one of the last submarines from WWII was also interesting--such close quarters to live in for extended periods of time. The frosting on the cake was seeing the USS Nimitz come into port. The sailors stood at parade rest facing out around the deck. It was an all day outing but the best part of the trip.

We also spent a day driving the coast, stopping to watch the surfers and just enjoying the scenery.

We visited the Dole Pineapple plantation. Who knew there were so many varieties of pineapples? I always thought a pineapple was a pineapple. It's not so. And nothing tastes quite as sweet as fresh picked pineapple.

After you begin the tour you see a short film on Pearl Harbor and World War II. After the film you board a boat to ride out to the memorial. The memorial is floating in the harbor above where the Arizona sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor. You can actually see parts of the memorial in the water. On the memorial itself there is a well listing all of those who died on the Arizona. When we visited there was an Arizona survivor there and it was quite interesting and moving speaking to him.

In addition the memorials itself, there are a number of other interesting sites to see in the area. In the waiting area there is a small museum with pictures and items from World War II. Nearby, for a fee, you can tour the USS Missouri a battleship from World War II and a World War II submarine. Both of these are quite interesting and worth visiting while you are in the area. The Missouri is where the Japanese surrendered to officially end World War II. So you can tour memorials to where World War II started for and ended for the United States.

After docking at the memorial, you are on your own. There is a wall with the names of all those lost on the Arizona, and several small information signs around. The memorial is built directly above the sunken ship, so you can look down into the water and see the smoke stacks. Small amounts of oil are still leaking from the ship, leaving a rainbow gleam on the water. Some people drop flowers into the water as a memorial.

The whole visit is a very solemn, moving experience. Although I had no family members that died in Pearl Harbor, I found myself weeping softly. Tears of sadness for those lost, but also tears of gratitude. This visit really seemed to personalize the cost of the freedom that we enjoy in the USA.

It is best to get there early in the morning, as it tends to fill up in the afternoon. Some tour companies offer tours from Waikiki resorts, and will arrange your tickets for you - all you pay for is the bus ride.

Please remember to show respect and keep your conversations to a minimum. If you must talk while on the memorial, please whisper. If your kids can't be quiet, I would advise that you not take them, so as not to disturb the solemnity of the memorial.