Although I wouldn't consider Pearl Harbor a fun and exciting part of our vacation, it is an important part of the Hawaiian experience. Every year over 1,500,000 visitors experience Pearl Harbor.

The Arizona Memorial is open daily from 7:30am to 5pm. First they show you a 20-minute documentary film about the attack, then there is a boat trip to the USS Arizona Memorial, which took about 45 minutes. Then you can visit the USS Missouri Memorial, which is the ship where Japan signed the the papers to surrender with the allied nations.

Pearl Harbor is very quiet and honorable. Think about it as a grave site where 1177 men lost their lives. Beware of taking really small children, but it is a learning experience for older children (and adults too). It gives a little perspective on the sacrifices other people have made for our freedom.

The best time to visit is in the morning before the tour buses arrive. Their are also some pretty major security regulations in place. Purses, bags, backpacks, camera cases, and diaper bags are not allowed in the visitor center or on the Memorial tour.

Entrance to Pearl Harbor is free, and expect to spend at least half a day here. Get there early, as the lines to enter get really long, and only so many people are allowed to enter at a time. Also, when we went, you couldn't bring any backpacks or purses of any kind. Cameras were allowed. You can either drive here yourself by taking the H-1 freeway or a shuttle service from Waikiki. At the memorial, you can take a ferry out to the sunken Arizona, where oil still leaks from the battleship and can be seen on the surface of the water. This memorial is personal and emotional with pictures, films and documents on display. Most people are quiet and respectful, but I was annoyed at the behavior of some people as they joked around and took pictures in front of the "shrine," a stone wall that has all the names of those who passed away. The ferries run on schedules and you are issued a number and time, and it is up to you to make sure you get on the right ferry.

The best advice I could possibly give for seeing the Pearl Harbor memorial is to get there EARLY! The complex opens its doors at 7:30am and the first boat leaves for the memorial at 8am (and every 15 minutes after that) The bus tours start dropping people off at around 7:30am, so the lines snake pretty far. The good thing is that it moves fast. We got in line by 7:30am and were in the door by 8am, and on the boat at 8:30am.

Here’s what surprised me. It’s not a site to see at your leisure. You’re assigned a tour time when you’re given your free ticket. (The tour is free, there’s an audio tour option which costs $5, and proceeds go to the museum upkeep. Also note the back of your ticket, each one memorializes someone who gave their life that day.) You’re supposed to get in line 5 minutes before your tour time at the movie theater (there are two lines. Get in the shortest one, and get in line right after the group before you goes in.) You’re then presented with a 10-minute film depicting the events of December 7, 1941 (with a surprisingly un-harsh look at the Japanese actions, a bit propaganda-like to me, but educational at any rate). If you’re sentimental, you’re going to want to bring in a tissue. After the film, you’re ushered onto a navy boat which takes you to the memorial itself. (Note for picture freaks like me, sit in the front right of the movie theater, as the exit doors to the boat are located there. Position yourself on the right side of the boat for a few of some warships, instead of a view of a bridge.)

When you arrive at the memorial, you’re given 15 minutes to look around before the next boat comes to take you back. I suggest that you skip the hoards of people crowding the entrance and move from back to front instead of front to back. The wall of names is in the back, and you may bring and leave leis here as a tribute. In addition, the park ranger can help you de-string your leis (the string hurts marine life) and set the flowers afloat over the sunken U.S.S. Arizona as a tribute. If you’d like good pictures of the memorial itself, I suggest getting in line for the return boat early, and sitting on the back left side to get some parting photos of the memorial in the water.

It was a very organized, if not overly structured tour. It’s also quite moving to be standing on the hull of a ship where over 1100 people died in an attack on our freedom. The oil still colors the water in places even after 60-some years. Most everyone remains reverent and quiet

The Imperial Japanese Navy made its attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, was aimed at the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Corps and Marine defensive squadrons. The U.S. public was greatly offended by the treachery of the attack and rallied in support of the Armed Forces and the US Government's decision to enter World War II, initially against Imperial Japan. The attack damaged or destroyed twelve American warships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and killed 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians. However, the Pacific Fleet's three aircraft carriers were not in port and so were undamaged, as were the base's vital oil tank farms, submarine pens, and machine shops. Using these resources, the United States was able to rebound within a year. This attack has also been called the Bombing of Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Pearl Harbor but, most commonly, the Attack on Pearl Harbor or simply Pearl Harbor.

This part of the tour will make you realize what they went thru. It will make you stop and take notice of the amount of destruction and costs of lives from one day. When you see the movie of the footage recorded that day and then go aboard the Arizona Memorial, and look down and see the ship, and walk on top and read the names of all who gave their lives for your freedom that day, you'll be in awe. This is one stop that you need to make and if you have children, please be sure you tell them about this tragic day in history, so that they remember those many that gave the ultimate their lives.

Pearl Harbor is such a unique experience for ages all alike. We decided to go early on a week day. You do have to pay to park and it can be hard to find parking so the earlier you can go the better. Once you enter the facility, make sure you get a boarding ticket immediately as they are given on a first come first serve basis. Once you get your boarding pass, take time to view all of the memorabilia and artifacts throughout the museum. I even came upon and elderly man that was actually there the day it all occurred. He was very generous and allowed me to take a picture with him. Once your boarding time is called, you will enter to watch a short 20 minute documentary of Pearl Harbor's history and the USS Arizona story. Once the movie is over, you board a small ferry and ride out to the USS Arizona memorial. This was such a touching moment after watching the video and seeing all of the museum information. They only allow 1 group on the memorial at one time so if you want to take photos do it quickly because once they ask you to leave you are finished at the memorial. Although they do have food here it is very expensive so it's best to take a snack or something with you. Also keep in mind security is very tight so you are not allowed to take back packs or large bags of any kind and will be asked to return the items to your car. Next door they have a facility where you can board an actual submarine but it does cost some money. The Pearl Harbor tour other than parking is free. They do rent some inexpensive headphones you can tour around the museum and instead of reading the highlights they will be on audio for you.