Honolulu is rich in military sites and history, and although at time it can be painful to think about, these sites should be on every visitors list of things to see and do.  The islands and the country were shaped by the events of Pearl Harbor, and whether you choose to go on your own or as part of a tour, I think any trip to the islands should include a stop at one of these locations.

Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor:  This site is administered by the National Park System, and in my book is the must-see historical site on the island.  It’s about 45 minutes from Waikiki, and is an easy drive.  It’s also served by several public transportation, and is a stop on many tours.  Like most visitors to the site, I was profoundly touched and moved by the experience.  There is no charge for admission, and the tour includes a brief video followed by a ride to the memorial.  You can read about my experience at the Arizona Memorial in a previous post.

Punchbowl:  Officially the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, this reverent site is the final resting place for veterans of both World Wars as well as Korean and Vietnam.  Courts of the Missing are especially somber, as these marble slabs list the name of military personnel who were lost or buried at sea or who were missing in action.  There is no charge for admission, and the site is reachable by car or on one of many tours.  You can read about why I prefer to experience Punchbowl in solitude in a previous post.

Pacific Aviation Museum:  This museum chronicle the history of the attack on Pearl Harbor with original film and photos, and a tour of Hangars 37 and 49.  Aviation buffs will love the collection of US and Japanese aircraft.  Tickets for the museum require jumping through a bunch of hoops as this is an active military base.  You can read what I thought about the Pacific Aviation Museum in a previous post.

Battleship Missouri Monument:  The “Mighty Mo” has a history filled with lots of stories starting with World War II, and continuing through right up to Operation Desert Storm.  The site now offers multi-media tours, combining footage and narration from some of the men who served onboard this ship, in an attempt to portray a realistic feel for what life onboard was really like.  This is the only one of the sites that I’ve not yet visited, and it’s on my list for the next trip. 

Photo credit:  wikimedia

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

On my recent trip to Honolulu, I had the opportunity to enjoy both aspects of island life, and today’s post touches on a more serious side of island life.

Overlooking the city of Honolulu, is the extinct volcano Punchbowl Crater, home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, frequently referred to as Punchbowl Cemetery, or simply the Punchbowl.

In addition to its tremendous views of the city, Waikiki, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor, the Punchbowl is the final resting place for veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.  During holidays, the individual graves are decorated with small flags, making a sobering view. 

Marble slabs called the Courts of the Missing list the names of military personnel who are missing in action or who were lost or buried at sea (in photo above). At the base of the staircase leading up to the Courts of the Missing reads the following inscription:

In these gardens are recorded

the names of Americans

who gave their lives

in the service of their country

and whose earthly resting place

is known only to God

The Punchbowl was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The Punchbowl is located at 2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu (map it), and is open daily.  Visiting hours are 8 am – 5:30 pm, September 30th – March 1st, and until 6:30 pm, March 2nd – September 29th.  On Memorial Day, visiting hours are 7 am – 7 pm.  There is no charge to visit.

There is no charge to visit.

The Punchbowl is accessible by car, and a number of tour companies make it a scheduled stop on their itineraries.  I much prefer the solitude of a personal visit, rather than visiting with a gaggle of others, who are sometimes unappreciative of the reverence that should be demonstrated while visiting.  There is an e-tour available for those unable to visit in person.

Photo credit

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe