Pearl Harbor National Memorial Β· νμμ΄ μ€μν
Location
Overview
The USS Arizona Memorial, the centerpiece of Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Oahu, Hawaii, honors the 1,177 sailors and Marines killed when the battleship USS Arizona was sunk during Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Dedicated in 1962, the stark white structure floats directly above the sunken hull, from which drops of oil still rise to the surface more than 80 years later β a sight many call the "tears of the Arizona." The boat program to the memorial was temporarily paused in mid-to-late 2025 while the U.S. Navy removed WWII-era salvage platforms from the wreck for preservation, but advance reservations and boat access fully resumed on November 1, 2025, and remain in normal operation as of July 2026. Because it is still an active war grave holding the remains of most of the ship's crew, visitors should approach it as a solemn memorial rather than a typical sightseeing stop.
The memorial's architecture: a sagging center roofline symbolizing initial defeat and ultimate victory, with 7 windows on each side referencing December 7
The "tears of the Arizona" β oil still seeping from the sunken hull more than 80 years after the attack
The Wall of Names, listing all 1,177 crew members lost aboard the ship
The visitor center's museum galleries and the roughly 23-minute documentary film shown before boarding the boat
Pairing the visit with nearby USS Missouri, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the USS Bowfin submarine on Ford Island
Good to know
SafetyThe Navy-operated shuttle-boat program to the memorial can be suspended or altered without much notice due to weather, rough water, or Navy operational needs (it was paused for preservation work as recently as mid-to-late 2025) β reconfirm current operating status on the official NPS site right before your visit.
SeasonHawaii has no hard seasonal closure, but November through March is the rainier season with frequent showers, and the 56-day advance booking window often sells out within minutes during summer and the year-end holidays, so book as early as possible.
RulesNo bags, backpacks, or camera bags of any kind are allowed on the boat or at the memorial (only small items like a phone or wallet) β paid bag storage is available at the visitor center, so pack light.
RulesBecause the route passes near an active U.S. Navy installation (Ford Island), all visitors 18 and older must carry valid government-issued photo ID, and international visitors must carry their passport.
MannersThis is still a war grave holding the remains of most of the crew β keep voices low, dress modestly, and avoid casual or playful photos on or near the memorial.
CautionThe NPS boat program itself is free (only a $1 recreation.gov booking fee applies) β be wary of third-party websites or street vendors charging large sums for "official" Arizona Memorial tickets; book only through recreation.gov or nps.gov/perl.
SafetyHawaii's strong UV exposure and humidity can make long outdoor waits with little shade draining β bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.
Practical info
The memorial is roughly a 20-30 minute drive from Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), reachable by rental car, TheBus (routes 20/40/42), or shuttle and trolley services from Waikiki; on-site parking is $7/day via mobile payment. Entry to the visitor center and memorial itself is free, but exact reservation fees, hours, and booking windows change from time to time, so verify the latest details on nps.gov/perl before you go.
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