Punchbowl National Cemetery

Punchbowl National Cemetery, officially National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, is a solemn Honolulu memorial site inside Puowaina Crater.

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Punchbowl National Cemetery, Oahu

The Punchbowl National Cemetery of the Pacific, located on Oahu, Hawaii, was built in 1948 to serve as a resting place for soldiers of the American Armed Forces who lost their lives during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

The 116-acre cemetery is situated in an extinct volcano, named Pouwaina, which means “consecrated hill” or “hill of sacrifice” in the Hawaiian language. In the past, Punchbowl was the site of “alii” (royal) burials.

Key Features

Official name: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Punchbowl setting: Located inside Puowaina Crater above Honolulu
Established after World War II: NPS notes the cemetery was established in 1948
Military memorial site: Honors U.S. Armed Forces service members and eligible family members
Major burial place: GoHawaii notes almost 53,000 veterans and eligible family members
Honolulu Memorial: Honors missing service members from major 20th-century wars
Pacific history: Strong connection with World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Pearl Harbor history
Scenic city views: Views toward Honolulu, Diamond Head and the south shore
Quiet grounds: Landscaped walkways, memorial courts and peaceful crater setting
Daily visitor hours: VA lists cemetery visitation from 8:00am to 6:00pm
Respectful behavior: Visitors should walk quietly and avoid stepping on graves
No casual recreation: Best experienced as a memorial and history site, not a park outing

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official name of Punchbowl National Cemetery?

The official name is National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. It is commonly called Punchbowl because it sits inside Puowaina, or Punchbowl Crater.

Where is Punchbowl National Cemetery located?

The cemetery is located at 2177 Puowaina Drive in Honolulu, inside Puowaina Crater above the city.

What are the current visitor hours?

The official VA page currently lists the cemetery as open daily from 8:00am to 6:00pm. Visitors should confirm current hours before going.

What can visitors see at Punchbowl?

Visitors can see memorial courts, landscaped cemetery grounds, the Honolulu Memorial, military history displays and views over Honolulu.

How should visitors behave at Punchbowl?

Visitors should treat the cemetery as a solemn memorial site, walk quietly, respect graves and families, follow posted rules and avoid casual recreation behavior.