Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial Reviews (Honolulu, Oahu)

Must see while in Oahu

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania

June 3, 2013

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The Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial is a must see for all visitors to Oahu island. It was so moving and emotional to not only see the video of what happened that day, and the museums there showing what both sides of the war went through. To ...Read more

Pearl Harbor Tour

by cbelamaric

Seattle, Washington

May 31, 2013

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Although 7:05am may seem early to venture out while on vacation in paradise, I highly suggest doing so to see the historical Pearl Harbor. This somber memorial will without a doubt impress with its two informative history museums. The first ...Read more

Worth It

by Barbara Carlisle

Gig Harbor, Washington

May 27, 2013

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A slice of American History brought to life with the experience of standing on the spot of such devastation. The visitors center described in detail events leading up to the attack and several memorials to all those who were incolved that day . ...Read more

A lot of history ..

by LoveTraveling

San Antonio, Texas

May 24, 2013

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I personally enjoyed it very much. There is a lot of history in that place. They have different areas with pictures and movies before and after the attack. It was very interesting. They also have a submarine that you can tour and the little ...Read more

Best Explanation of the Pearl Harbor Attack

by MikeInTown

Leesburg, Virginia

August 24, 2012

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Best of IgoUgo There is no charge for the USS Arizona Memorial. We picked up our tickets around 8 AM but because of the popularity of the memorial, the entry time slot we were given was 11:30 AM. I recommend reserving your time slot online before you arrive. Since ...Read more

From journal The Hunt for Pineapple Syrup

Visiting Pearl Harbor

by LAFRAGIA

WINSTON SALEM, North Carolina

February 28, 2009

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Best of IgoUgo Pearl Harbor For anyone who gets the opportunity to go to Oahu, I would be sure to add Pearl Harbor as a top priority. I am 29years old and have knowledge of what occurred on December 7, 1941, but would surely say that you don’t get the surreal ...Read more Pearl Harbor

For anyone who gets the opportunity to go to Oahu, I would be sure to add Pearl Harbor as a top priority. I am 29years old and have knowledge of what occurred on December 7, 1941, but would surely say that you don’t get the surreal effect of it until you are actually there. I honestly felt the same emotions as I did when I visited the September 11 site a few years ago.
Events occurred decades apart but the feeling is much the same. We do not get the chance to journey to Hawaii that often therefore our children accompanied us on this trip. They are ages 7 & 9. There were no problems at all with them sitting through the documentary footage, watching ever so closely without as much as hardly blinking. There is one part of the footage where they have recorded the USS Arizona being attacked by bombs. With the surround sound in the theater you literally jump in your seats. My 7year old looked at me and asked, "Did that really happen?" I nod to him yes. Then at the end after the lights come on he ask, "So did we win?" I nod to him yes. You could see amazement in their eyes that they were in a real battle area. They were quiet on the boat ride over to the memorial and I was very impressed on how much they were really interested in the remains of the USS Arizona protruding from the water. My husband and I were very satisfied in deciding to share this experience with them.
We were debating on the options of taking the tours at $12.00 per child and $25.00 per adult or taking the bus for $2.00 per adult and $1.00 per child. When inquiring with our hotel guest services, he gave us a bus map and said from Waikiki Hotels you take bus number 20 or 42 and it’s a strait shot. We decided what the heck … you can’t really get lost on an island. We waited 10minutes for the bus and then with all the stops, it roughly took maybe 1.5hrs to get there and 45 minutes to get back. We started our journey right after check-out (noon-ish) and were back in Waikiki by 4:00pm
Pearl Harbor itself from beginning to end is about 1.5hours. There is a "no bag" policy and I would suggest not bringing any thing larger than a 35mm camera bag. If so you will be forced to walk across the parking lot to store it in lockers then walk back to enter the site.
Because it is a memorial site, it is free enter but donations are accepted. You will take a number and then walk around until yours numbers called to enter the theater. We didn’t even wait 5minutes and they called our number. I would also suggest getting as close as possible to the exit doors on the bottom right corner because after the movie you will exit those doors to the boat. We got great boat seats on the right hand side of the vessel which made our pictures approaching the memorial fantastic (especially for the out of date camera I was using.) When you are getting off the boat, they will not allow you to take pictures so if you want a picture of the huge battleship behind you; either snap them before you get off the boat or right before you board to leave the memorial. They allow you more than enough time to view what ever it is you need to see, then your back on your way.
If you do decide to take the bus back to Waikiki, it does not pick you up from the location is dropped you off from. You will need to walk across the street and up the hill. There is a bus station to the left. Bus number 8 is the bus back to Waikiki. I attached some photos and hope the review will help you enjoy Pearl Harbor to the fullest!
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Pearl Harbor/USS Bowfin

by Phil P

Bronx, New York

August 13, 2007

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This was an intense thing to see. Being on Oahu, we couldn't miss this. We get to Pearl Harbour and had to get a number since the memorial can only handle one tour at a time. Our tour was in about 45 minutes so we sat on some benches by the Harbour ...Read more

From journal Hawaii in Style

USS Arizona Memorial

by AgedToPerfection

Irvine, California

May 29, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo On a Sunday morning, we trekked out to Pearl Harbor to visit the USS Arizona National Memorial. As both my husband and I studied World War II history, this memorial offered much to satisfy our intellectual cravings. We arrived and immediately got in ...Read more On a Sunday morning, we trekked out to Pearl Harbor to visit the USS Arizona National Memorial. As both my husband and I studied World War II history, this memorial offered much to satisfy our intellectual cravings.

We arrived and immediately got in line at 7:30am for an 8am opening. The line had already formed all the way down to the end of the front lawn and began to wrap around the parking lot. We stood in line in order to get free tickets (one per person) to see the Pearl Harbor film and catch the ferry to the memorial, which floats off of Ford Island. Unfortunately, we could not obtain tickets for friends of ours, who arrived later. Visitors may only get tickets for themselves.

We could not bring any backpacks or bags with us. As parents of a toddler, we stuffed our pockets with clean diapers and wipes. The memorial also prohibits huge, professional camera lenses. Our standard 25-135mm camera lens posed no threat.

We obtained tickets for the second showing of the film, and ferry to the memorial. Each showing holds approximately 80 people. The film depicted how Pearl Harbor came under attack by Japanese bombers, and managed to tell a somewhat more objective story. After we emerged from the theatre, we gazed upon Battleship Row, still occupied with ships. Time seemed to stand still.

As we boarded the ferry, the memorial staff asked that we keep our voices down in reverence to the crew of the USS Arizona. We departed the dock and as the visitor center grew smaller behind us, the long, white, floating structure appeared in front of the ferry. The ferry pulled up to the dock and we disembarked. We filed into the memorial and peered out its sides down into the water. Below us lay the USS Arizona, which had entombed 1,177 when it sank on December 7, 1941. Now covered in barnacles and algae, the Arizona, barely distinguishable, extended from one side of the memorial, beneath the center of the observation deck, and past the other side.

At one end of the memorial, a marble wall engraved with the names of each of the fallen reminded us who sacrificed their life that day. A US flag flew above the memorial. Maps of the ship explained the layout. Two commemorative plaques on the wall near the exit of the memorial honored the dead.

From the memorial, we could also see the USS Missouri, docked nearby on Ford Island. We also saw the mooring block for the USS Nevada.

When we returned from the memorial site, we explored the museum at the visitor center. The center also featured a shop, snack shop, restrooms, and the outdoor Remembrance Memorial. From the garden, we could see visitors at the nearby USS Bowfin Submarine Memorial, which is a separate paid admission.

We thoroughly enjoyed visiting this memorial, which reminded us of how special Oahu is, for relaxation and for remembrance. Close

From journal A Haole Hanging in Oahu...With Locals

USS Arizona Memorial

by britalo

Salt Lake City, Utah

May 15, 2007

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Best of IgoUgo The morning that we went to Pearl Harbor was really somber. It was raining lightly which really added to the serious nature of the Memorial. We arrived early and were in the second group to go out the the USS Arizona.I was most surprised by how ...Read more

From journal Oahu for Two

Pearl Harbor - USS Arizona Memorial

by megankayd

Hope, Kansas

May 7, 2007

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As with most things in Honolulu, go early. The memorial opens at 7:30am. At 6:45am when we got there there were already 200 or so people in line. Not much of a gift shop, but there is one there.

From journal 10 Days in Oahu

IgoUgo

Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial

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Must see while in Oahu

Pearl Harbor Tour

Worth It

A lot of history ..

Best Explanation of the Pearl Harbor Attack

Visiting Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor/USS Bowfin

USS Arizona Memorial

USS Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor - USS Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial

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Avg. User Rating:

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Must see while in Oahu

Pearl Harbor Tour

Worth It

A lot of history ..

Best Explanation of the Pearl Harbor Attack

Visiting Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor/USS Bowfin

USS Arizona Memorial

USS Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor - USS Arizona Memorial