USS Arizona Memorial (Pearl Harbor) | Honolulu

The USS Arizona Memorial is a submerged warship located in Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Hawaii. It serves as a memorial to the sailors and Marines who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Visual Characteristics

The memorial structure is a concrete and steel building situated above the sunken hull of the USS Arizona. It measures 184 feet long and 30 feet wide. The exterior is white, and the interior features a central assembly room with a shrine room at the far end. The assembly room contains a large window overlooking the harbor and the sunken battleship.

Location & Access Logistics

The memorial is located within Pearl Harbor, approximately 10 kilometers west of downtown Honolulu. Access is via the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center. Parking is available at the visitor center. Shuttle boats depart from the visitor center to the memorial. Advance reservations are recommended for boat tickets.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The USS Arizona Memorial was constructed in 1962. It is built over the submerged wreckage of the USS Arizona, a Pennsylvania-class battleship that sank during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The original purpose was to commemorate the lives lost during the attack.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can view the memorial structure, which includes an assembly room, a shrine room with the names of the fallen, and an oiler's platform. A documentary film about the attack is shown prior to the boat transfer. Observation of the sunken battleship from the memorial is a primary activity.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Center. Shade is provided within the memorial structure. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available in the vicinity of the visitor center, but may be intermittent at the memorial itself. Food vendors are located at the visitor center.

Best Time to Visit

The best time of day for photography is generally in the morning, between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, when the lighting is favorable. The best months for weather are typically from April to October, with lower rainfall. There are no tide requirements for visiting the memorial.

Facts & Legends

A persistent local belief is that oil still leaks from the sunken USS Arizona, appearing as dark patches on the water's surface. These are referred to as the "Tears of the Arizona."

Nearby Landmarks

• Battleship Missouri Memorial (0.8km West)
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (1.2km West)
• USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park (1.5km West)
• Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor (1.2km West)