The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor signaled the United States’
entry to World War II. After almost 67 years (December 7, 2008 marks
its 67th anniversary) oil still leaks out of the USS Arizona, the
battleship that was sunk by Japanese kamikaze bombers. 1,177 crew
members perished in this cataclysmic and dramatic sinking.
Today, Pearl Harbor and the Memorial atop the USS Arizona continue
to be the top tourist destinations in Hawaii with more than 1.5
million visitors per year. A visit of the Pearl Harbor and the
Arizona Memorial is a solemn and a learning experience. At the
Arizona Memorial, (where USS Arizona is visible six feet below), you
will be literally on top of the grave of 1,177 men who perished
during that fateful attack.
You can choose from several bus Pearl Harbor tours that include a
visit to Pearl Harbor in the island of Oahu, and the best time to be
there is early in the morning. The Arizona Memorial starts to open
for public at 7:30am until 5:00pm daily. Tours usually start with
interpretive programs and an a 23-minute documentary film showing
(with actual war video footages) of the attack. By the time you are
on your way to the USS Arizona, you will already be filled with
emotion as you approach the strangest of all graveyards below the
surface of the water.
When going, it would be a good idea to bring just whatever you need,
like a camera, a hanky, your purse, and bottled water-no handbags,
backpacks, camera bags, purses, diaper bags, or any other things
that may conceal some dangerous things are allowed to be carried
into the Memorial tour. This is a new regulation for Pearl Harbor
tours following the September 11, 2001 Twin Towers attacks.
Unlike the Iolani Palace tour that provides lockers for guest’s
belongings, the Arizona Memorial tour does not have this provision.
What makes this worse is that theft of items left inside parked
rental vehicles is not unusual in Hawaii, so be careful.
Pearl Harbor in Bullet Points
Pearl Harbor on Oahu is the site of the Japanese attack, which
occurred on December 7, 1941
Visit the museum and the USS Arizona Memorial and learn all
about the attack and the beginning of WWII for the United States
Driving
Directions to Pearl Harbor / Location
Pearl Harbor is located to the west of Honolulu, about a 30-minute
drive.
Address: 11 Arizona Memorial Drive Honolulu, HI 96818
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