Pearl Harbor History & Latest News
Pearl Harbor Tours from Ko Olina
When you start comparing the various official Pearl Harbor tours, you’re going to find that most of them originate in Waikiki. This makes sense, since the majority of hotels are concentrated there. But what if you're among the growing number of visitors who look west...
The USS Arizona Memorial Program
One of the first things you hear about in any discussion of a visit to Pearl Harbor is the USS Arizona Memorial program. But what exactly is it? You probably already know that the USS Arizona Memorial is a structure anchored directly above the sunken wreckage of a US...
Pearl Harbor Tour Pick-up Options
If you rent a car, then Pearl Harbor is easily accessible no matter where you’re staying on Oahu. On-site parking makes it convenient to just pull up, find a spot, and make your way into the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. The downside? You miss out on all of the...
The US Navy Pearl Harbor Shuttle Boats
Standing on the shoreline at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, you see that you’re separated from the USS Arizona Memorial by a stretch of water. Though you know that the memorial is included in your Pearl Harbor tour, you might be wondering how you’re going to get to...
The USS Arizona Memorial Documentary
Before embarking on the US Navy shuttle boat across the waters of Pearl Harbor to the USS Arizona Memorial, visitors to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial are ushered into a small theater across from the main exhibit galleries. In the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater a...
Cassin Young – Pearl Harbor Hero
Cassin Young was already an American hero when his life was tragically cut short during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Just under a year earlier, on the morning of December 7, 1941, the 47-year-old captain was stationed at Pearl Harbor when the Imperial Japanese...
Booking Your Pearl Harbor Tour: Easy as 1, 2, 3!
Your Hawaiian vacation is already booked. Now it’s time to get into the details, such as how you’re going to spend your days. There's no doubt that a tour of Pearl Harbor is among the many things you want to do, but just how complicated is the process of booking your...
Popular Pearl Harbor Tours for 2019
Knowing which Pearl Harbor tours are the most popular isn’t about following the herd. There's a reason some tours attract more guests than others. There are many great tours of Pearl Harbor, and knowing which ones people tend to flock to can help you decide which is...
What Time Should I Arrive at Pearl Harbor?
There are a number reasons why you may not want to embark on an official Pearl Harbor tour. Maybe you don’t want to be tied to a schedule, or you want the freedom to go somewhere besides back to your hotel after your time at Pearl Harbor. You might just want to...
Can I Cancel My Pearl Harbor Tour?
We get it. Life likes to throw curveballs at us every so often, making it impossible to follow through on plans we made for the one thing we were really looking forward to. When you booked your Pearl Harbor tour, every element of your Hawaiian vacation was expected to...
The Civilian Pearl Harbor Hero
When George Walters reported for work on the morning of December 7, 1941, there was no way he could have been prepared for the dramatic turn his day would soon take. Walters wasn’t a trained member of the military like many of those with whom he worked. He was a...
Ships of Pearl Harbor: USS Blue
Just over six years before the Imperial Japanese Navy launched its devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, USS Blue (DD-387), a Bagley-class destroyer, was laid down at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. She was launched in May of 1937 and was commissioned into service on August...
What To Read and Watch Before Visiting Pearl Harbor
Though the attack on Pearl Harbor only lasted about two hours, the number of books and other writings, TV shows, and movies about the events of December 7, 1941 is extensive and varied. The experiences of a sailor who just barely survived the sinking of USS Oklahoma...
Book Your Summer Pearl Harbor Tour ASAP
Everyone has different times of the year when they’re able to get away for a trip to the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. One of the best things about the islands is that there really isn’t a bad time to go. That's not to say, however, that there isn’t a busy season, because...
Pearl Harbor Tours for Late Risers
Not everyone relishes the idea of getting up at the crack of dawn, no matter how good the reason may be. Even if it’s an opportunity to explore an important piece of American history, the notion of waking up—while on vacation, no less—to catch a 6:00 AM tour is just...
The USS Arizona Memorial Is Closed. Now What?
In a perfect world, we would never have to worry about site closures and inclement weather. Unfortunately, these are things that we occasionally do have to deal with. It can feel especially disappointing to arrive at a place like Pearl Harbor and find the USS Arizona...
Wounded Veterans Dive In at Pearl Harbor
Formed through a partnership of the Pacific Historic Parks and the National Park Service, the Wounded Veterans in Parks program is all about the heroic individuals for whom it provides a unique opportunity. Wounded Veterans in Parks is an innovative means of giving...
Do I Need To Tip My Pearl Harbor Guide?
The topic of tipping can be a minefield, especially when you’re on vacation. It can be difficult to know when you're expected to tip, not to mention how much. We’re not talking about when you go out to eat, but rather you go on tours. What about tipping at Pearl...
Ships of Pearl Harbor: USS Tern
Launched in March 1919 and commissioned into service on May 17 of the same year, the Lapwing-class minesweeper USS Tern (AM-31) was first assigned to Train Squadron 2 of the Fleet Base Force, at the US Navy installation at Pearl Harbor. After several years operating...
Can I Visit Punchbowl Cemetery?
During a visit to Pearl Harbor, there's no shortage of opportunities to memorialize and honor the over 2400 Americans who died on December 7, 1941. From the USS Arizona Memorial program, which is included in all Pearl Harbor tours, to the USS Oklahoma Memorial, you...
The Most Worry-Free Pearl Harbor Tour
When you book a tour or other adventure in Hawaii, it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed by details. What about food? How are you going to get to your destination? Will you get to see and do everything you want? These questions can be especially important when you're...
The Brothers of USS Oklahoma
During the 1930s and early '40s, with jobs scarce and tensions rising in Europe and the Pacific, many Americans turned to military service. At the time, it wasn't uncommon for family members who had enlisted together to wind up serving in the same unit, and sometimes...
Ships of Pearl Harbor: USS USS Macdonough
The keel of the destroyer that would become known as USS Macdonough (DD-351) was laid down at the Boston Navy Yard in May of 1933, eight years before the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific. Construction on the new Farragut-class destroyer was completed in August...
What Does it Mean When a Ship is Listing?
Understanding the events of December 7, 1941 doesn’t require you to be an expert in naval or technical terminology. The memorials, museums, and other attractions provide a historical overview of the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the things you need to know, such as the...
Wreckage of USS Wasp Located
In the month of February, 2019 alone, the expedition organized by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen found the wreckage of three World War II warships at the bottom of the Pacific ocean. In 2018, they had found more than half-a-dozen, while 2017 proved fruitful...
