Standing as a symbol for many years, the USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most solemn places that you are able to visit in Hawaii. As soon as you arrive at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, the memorial comes into view, standing over the wreckage of the battleship that has come to stand as a symbol of the tragic attacks of December 7, 1941. Each year, thousands of visitors board the memorial to pay respects to the valiant sailors that fought off the surprise attacks, and ultimately perished with the ship.
Unfortunately, Pearl Harbor and the US Navy have made the decision to shut down visitation to the memorial indefinitely, due to a structural issue that was discovered recently. The iconic white structure has long been at the top of the places to visit while visiting Hawaii, and there are efforts underway to fix the issue so that boarding of the memorial can resume.
While this is certainly bad news, it doesn’t have to ruin your trip, as the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center will continue to operate, and the remaining Pearl Harbor Museums will be open each and every day. Though the USS Arizona Memorial is a strong symbol of the attacks and World War II, there is a vast history of the war at Pearl Harbor, and visiting the memorials and museums throughout the harbor helps to relive the events and learn many interesting facts about the world at that time.
Throughout the Visitor Center, you will find a variety of relics, artifacts, monuments, and memorabilia from World War II, including authentic uniforms worn by sailors, weaponry, and videos that depict the events of the day and the ensuing entry into the war by the United States. Additionally, visiting the museums shows off the power and technology of the time, with guided tours available at the USS Missouri Battleship, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and a thrilling self-guided tour at the USS Bowfin Submarine. Each of these played an integral role in the war and helped in the defeat of the Axis.
The USS Arizona Memorial stands to represent so much, and boarding is a powerful experience. Emotions run high and its importance cannot be understated. And while its closure is disappointing and takes a big piece of the Pearl Harbor experience, there is still much to see and do throughout the harbor. Enjoy the time at the harbor and learn as much as you can about the attacks and World War II. It will deepen your appreciation for world history and give you just one more thing to love about Hawaii.
Due to the high volume of visitors traveling to Hawaii year round, our Hawaii tours and activities sell out quickly. In many cases, tours sell out weeks or months in advance. To ensure your spots on tour, we recommend reserving your tours today. Call our office or book online to take advantage of our low price guarantee today.
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