When we planned our Hawai’i trip, we knew that we definitely wanted to visit Pearl Harbor National Park. So much history there, so much sadness, and unimaginable sacrifice. As expected, it was very intense and sobering.

This post has been rewritten and expanded on December 2021, 80 years after the attack.

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Pearl Harbor: Infamy!

December 7th, 1941: a Rude Awakening

Imagine waking up on an early morning in December, and discovering that the Japanese had attacked our country. Although World War II was raging all over the planet, it was still far from our beds. Easy to imagine that we weren’t part of it.

The Pearl Harbor attack turned the war personal. The Japanese murdered many of our soldiers, destroyed our battleships, and wiped out a significant part of our Air Force planes.

Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Our visit to Pearl Harbor helped us to imagine and witness this tragic part of our national history. Read on and visit vicariously with us. Our visit was before the Covid-19 pandemic, so make sure to check local and regional travel regulations before planning a trip to this National Park.

Why Did Japan Attack Pearl Harbor?

The sign explains why Japan chose Pearl Harbor. It was all a matter of location, location and location. Since Japan wanted to secure oil reserves and other resources, it was planning to invade vast areas of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. To keep America from interfering, Japan decided to first attack Pearl Harbor and cripple the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Visiting Pearl Harbor

Here is an overview of high lights to hit on your visit to Pearl Harbor.

The Bowfin: A Historic Submarine

First, we visited the submarine Bowfin. We never had boarded a submarine, so it was very interesting to see the daily life of the sailors.

The USS Bowfin is a fleet attack submarine that fought in the Pacific during WWII. The Bowfin’s nickname is “the Pearl Harbor Avenger”, so it is fitting that her permanent home is at Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i. Read all about the Bowfin’s military history.

Before boarding, we got a headset with an audio tour. While inside the submarine we used the corresponding numbers to hear the matching description. It was very well organized.

Climbing through the doors was a very weird experience, imagining all the men who must have climbed through them when she was on active duty. The doors are made in such a way that they can be closed tightly to keep compartments waterproofed.

Bowfin Museum

After the submarine tour, we had time for a quick visit to the small Bowfin museum. Filled with memorabilia and stories, it was a good overview of the history of the Navy.

Although I would have loved to spend more time at the museum, we were scheduled for more exploring on our visit to Pearl Harbor. So it was time to get ready for another experience: learning about the U.S.S. Arizona.

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

Before boarding the boat to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, we got to watch a short movie. The movie summarized the happenings at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. How many lives were lost and how much destruction happened in a short time.

After watching the movie, we boarded a boat which got us to the memorial. Situated on top of the remains of the U.S.S. Arizona, many of the brave sailors still lie at rest.

Because the ship is still leaking oil, even after 80 years, you can see the oil spill on the water. Hard to imagine! It was an incredible experienc, a good remembrance of what never should be forgotten.

More Must-Sees at Pearl Harbor

Now it was time to go to the Pacific Aviation Museum and the USS Missouri.

Visit Pearl Harbor: Conclusion

I am glad we got to visit and assimilate some of the history of our country. Grateful for the sacrifice of so many brave sailors. It is hard to imagine, but visiting in person helped.

Have you been to Pearl Harbor? Please share your impressions and experience in the comments.

Accessibility for Pearl Harbor Visitors

ADA Access for the USS Bowfin and museum

Please be aware that the USS Bowfin is not wheel chair accessible. In addition, there are steep stairs getting in and out, and the doors require some climbing and body twisting, so be aware of that if you have mobility challenges. Children under 4 years old are not allowed to tour the USS Bowfin. The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is wheelchair accessible.

ADA Access for the Arizona Memorial

The Arizona Memorial is wheelchair accessible and there is a ramp from the Navy shuttle boat to the memorial. For details, check out the accessibility page of the Pearl Harbor Visitors Bureau.

Further Info about Pearl Harbor

• Five interesting facts about Ford Island. Do you know why the missionaries renamed it?
• Follow the USS Missouri from the Japanese surrender to a museum ship. Includes original new coverage of the Japanese surrender and many interesting tidbits about the battleship;
• Not all Japanese were our enemy. Some brave ones fought for us! The story of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
• Moments of Infamy – Learn more about the Pearl Harbor history. Short videos by the National Park Service
• Hoku Hawaii Tours : The tour company we used for our visit to Pearl Harbor, we highly recommend them!
• Visit Pearl Harbor for free – Instead of taking an expensive bus tour, you can plan a free visit. This National Park Service site tells you how.

The Best Things to Do on Oahu

• Hiking Diamond Head in Hawai’i: ten tips to help you succeed at this iconic hike; Even if you are out of shape or live with a chronic illness;
• Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail: Whales for the Win; Check out this relatively easy trail with epic views! The trail is fully paved, so wheel chair and stroller accessible;
• Manoa Falls Hike with MS: celebrating failure! A much harder hike, especially after a big rain. Not wheelchair or stroller accessible;
• Snorkeling and Dolphin Watching in Honolulu: for me, swimming is way easier than hiking;
• Surfing at Waikiki Beach Go surf at the Birth Place of Surfing! Great teachers available at Dave’s Big Waves!
• Beginners Birding Guide to Hawai’i. Discover how most of these pretty birds are actually invasive pests!

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