Popular Oahu Attractions for Military History Buffs

In this article, you will find some of Oahu’s attractions that have historical military significance and have become well-established over the years all found on the south shore of the island in and around Honolulu. 

Arizona Memorial

Monument to the Navy ship Arizona (Ronen Zilberman photo HonoluluVibes.com)

The Arizona Memorial is the last resting place for many of the 1177 crew members who suffered a direct hit and drowned on December 7, 1941. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was part of a plan to conquer the Western Pacific. Prior to the bombing the US was divided on the question of their involvement in World War II.  After the Pearl Harbor bombing the country united in the decision to join the war to win over Japan and its allies, which in effect decided the fate of World War II, the fate of Europe and perhaps the entire world.

Honolulu VibesPhoto Ronen Zilberman

The monument, 56 meters long, is built on the central part of the ship, which was not recovered from the sea and was not returned to service, unlike most of the other naval vessels that were injured in this attack.  The monument is a memorial to all the military men killed in the attack on Pearl Harbor and was inaugurated in 1961. From the monument you can see the ship sunk in water below.

The Arizona Visitor Center and Navy are located at the Pearl Harbor Navy Base and are operated by the National Parks Authority and are open every day (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year) until 17:00, but the last tour begins at 15:00. Tours are scheduled in advance, but are conducted on a “first come first first” basis, preferably in the early morning as afternoon tours book up fast. Entrance to the visitors’ center and the tours are free. Many thousands of visitors arrive every day but the order is exemplary and everything runs like a clock.

Honolulu VibesPhoto Ronen Zilberman

The proposed program for visitors includes explanatory notes and a half-hour documentary about the attack on Pearl Harbor. After the film, they sail by boat to the monument, which is located in the water of the port and after the visit they are returned by boat back to the visitors’ center. The visitors’ center has a museum with ship models and other interesting objects, a bookstore and a large observation deck on the monument and the Avenue of Battle Ships. Along the coast, there are other displays describing the historical and geographic details of this attack, which was the most severe blow to the American nation until the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Due to heavy security arrangements since September 11, no backpacks or video cameras are allowed.

Phone: 808-422-2771 or: 808-422-0561
Website: www.nps.gov/usar

The Missouri Fleet

At the dock near the Arizona Naval Naval Visitors Center, lies the Missouri warship, known as Mighty Moe. Mighty Moe took part in the famous battle in which the Japanese surrendered, a move that actually marked the end of World War II.  On board the ship are guided tours of several routes lasting between one and two hours and include a tour of officers’ rooms, decks and a bridge from which you can learn about the life of the sailors and the historical moments of the surrender of the Japanese.

The entrance is free of charge and the special tours are provided at an extra charge. Open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and January 1. Due to heavy security arrangements since 9/11, it is forbidden to bring in backpacks, hand bags, purses and video cameras.

Honolulu VibesPhoto Ronen Zilberman

Telephone: 888-877-6477 or: 808-973-2494
Website: www.ussmissouri.org
The submarine and the US Army Museum in bowfin

The 1,500-ton USS BOWFIN submarine, which was launched exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor, is anchored near the Arizona Navy Ship Visitor Center. This submarine sank 44 enemy ships during its service and was nicknamed Pearl Harbor Revenge. You can take an independent tour of the submarine and see the machine rooms, the command, the dining room, the narrow beds, the cannons and the ammunition of the submarine. It is highly recommended to take a small cassette recorder with earphones (during the tour) to hear the submarine commander tell about the battles during World War II, the role of the various devices and the agenda of the submarine. In the park next to the submarine there is a display of weapons and war from the time of its service, as well as an interesting museum that describes the development of submarines from the first submarines to the first modern nuclear submarine.

Phone: 808-423-1341
Website: www.bowfin.org

Diamond Head Crater

Bird’s eye view of Diamond Head Crater and Oahu’s south-eastern shore. (Ronen Zilberman photo HonoluluVibes.com)

Located in the south of Honolulu, Diamond Head Crater is a cone of tuff near the ocean that was formed about 300,000 years ago in a single volcanic eruption that occurred long after most of the volcanic activity on the island was over. The area of the crater is about 350 acres, and its width is greater than its height. The height of the summit is about 230 meters. From the top of the cone there is a beautiful 360 degree view of the southern and western part of the island, including the Ko’olau and Waianae Mountains. Which explains its strategic importance in the past. Diamond Head is now known as one of the island’s most famous landmarks and backdrop for Waikiki. Since 1968 Diamond Head was declared a state park and entry is subject to a modest fee. A path leads from the bottom of the cone to his head. The trail, which was first paved in 1908 by the US Army for mules and soldiers, is not suitable for handicapped or handicapped people, as it has a number of staircases, as well as two dark tunnels. It’s important to remember that the weather in the area is warm all year round and the length of the trail is about 1.3 km. It’s recommended to plan for a one-and-a-half hour walk from top to bottom. Along the trail there are a number of interesting points of view, but nothing compares to the magnificent scene from the top: clear turquoise water, lighthouses, cliffs, Honolulu cityscapes and the quieter suburbs stretching out to the southeastern tip of the island.

Park phone number:808-587-0300

Punchbowl Cemetery

In the crater of an ancient volcano that sits above the business district of Honolulu rests some of our nation’s fallen soldiers of wars past. More than 30,000 soldiers are buried in the National Cemetery of the Pacific. The ancient Hawaiians called this place “the Hill of the Victims” because violators of the kapu laws were put to death there as sacrifices to the gods.

Phone: 808-532-3720

by Honolulu Vibes