Discovering Oahu history with a visit to Pearl Harbor

Honolulu, capital and principal port of Hawaii, U.S., seat of Honolulu county. A modern city, it extends about 10 miles (16 km) along the southeastern shore of Oahu Island and 4 miles (6 km) inland across a plain into the foothills of the Koolau Range. It is the crossroads of trans-Pacific shipping and air routes, the focus of interisland services, and the commercial and industrial centre of the state. It is administered as a single entity and has about 80 percent of the state’s population. The port serves numerous manufacturing plants in the city-county, including pineapple canneries, sugar refineries, clothing factories, and steel, aluminum, oil, cement, and dairying enterprises. The international airport is one of the busiest in the United States, with nearby Waikiki—which has a beach lined with luxury hotels and contains an aquarium, zoo, and the lively International Market Place for Pacific basin crafts—as the primary destination of tourists.

Iolani Palace is one of Oahu's most revered National Historic Landmarks, and must see things to do in Oahu. This historic Honolulu Attraction is located in the civic center downtown Honolulu, and is actually the second palace that was commission ed to be the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchy. The beautifully restored Iolani Palace was opened to the public in 1978 as a museum, housing many of the monarchy's precious memorabilia, after its intensive restoration. Fun Fact: The Iolani Palace is the only palace found within US borders!

A great warrior, diplomat and leader, King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 after years of conflict. Kamehameha’s unification of Hawaii was significant not only because it was an incredible feat, but also because under separate rule, the islands may have been torn apart by competing western interests. Today, four commissioned statues stand to honor King Kamehameha I, Hawaii’s first king. Sculpted by Thomas Gould in Florence, this 18-foot bronze statue of Kamehameha is one of Oahu’s most photographed landmarks. On the Friday closest to June 11 (Kamehameha Day), this statue is ceremoniously draped with wreaths of flower lei to celebrate Hawaii’s greatest king.

The Museum is home to two WWII era hangars, which survived the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, and the Ford Island Control Tower. The hangars and surrounding tarmac still bear the scars of the attack in the form of bullet holes, strafe marks and bomb craters. As you step into the hangars, you cross the threshold of time and walk into the pages of history. With 48 aircraft on display, including the instantly recognizable Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and its nemesis, the Mitsubishi Zero, the 1942 Stearman Biplane flown by President George H.W. Bush and the remnants of the “Ni‘ihau Zero,” which crash landed on Ni‘ihau Island after the Pearl Harbor attack. Among the other aircraft on exhibit are some of aviation’s most iconic military aircraft, like the B-17 “Swamp Ghost” Flying Fortress, F-15 Eagle and AH-1 Cobra. From propeller planes to the jets of the Korean War and the Vietnam War, the Museum offers a compelling visual timeline of aviation history as advancements led to ever faster and deadlier aircraft.

Pearl Harbor, on the island of Oahu, is a lagoon harbor situated about 10 miles west of Honolulu. It is the site of the infamous air assault by Japan in 1941, which heralded the beginning of the United States’ involvement in World War II. The Hawaiian name for Pearl Harbor was Puuloa (Iong hill). Later named Pearl Harbor for the pearl oysters that were once harvested from the waters, the natural harbor is the largest in Hawaii. Ulu (breadfruit) was said to be brought here from Samoa. After the WWII attacks, Pearl Harbor remained an active base. Today, it is still a Naval Harbor as well as the final resting place of the USS Arizona. The USS Arizona is a memorial to the 1,177 young sailors who died during the attack, serving as a reminder to their commitment and sacrifice. It is a place where visitors can come and pay their respects.

The USS Bowfin (SS-287) is a fleet attack submarine that fought in the Pacific during WWII and helped to make famous the term, “Silent Service.” It’s fitting that the USS Bowfin, which launched exactly one year after the attack on Oahu, now calls Pearl Harbor her permanent home. Today, the USS Bowfin Submarine is moored proudly near the USS Arizona Memorial, ready to welcome visitors to the fabled era of WWII submarines and their crews. This is a place filled with tales of men who served under extreme conditions with strength, bravery and honor. Whether inspired by the sheer adventure of the journey or the amazing heroism of the crew, visitors come away from the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park enriched and inspired by the impressive role the US submariners played in the War in the Pacific.

Weighing over 58,000 tons and measuring just under 900 feet from bow to stern, the USS Missouri is a hulking, awe-inspiring behemoth of a ship. A true force to be reckoned with in her prime, today, the now peaceful giant stands silent guard over Pearl Harbor. The "Mighty Mo" was the last American battleship ever built and the last to be decommissioned. Climb aboard the Missouri and follow in the footsteps of General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers. Stride across the deck of the Mighty Mo and get a close-up view of the Missouri's massive, 16-inch, 50-caliber guns. Pop down below for a surprise inspection of the crew's quarters and mess. Finally, take your place on the bridge of the Missouri and check out the view from the Captain's Chair.