HAWAII - Punchbowl Crater

Punchbowl Crater is located in central Honolulu and like Diamond Head Crater, this extinct volcanic tuff cone was created by eruptions from Koolau Volcano. Younger that Diamond Head, Punchbowl Crater was formed some 75,000 to 100,000 years ago, through a single massive eruption.


Hawaii is indeed a land of rainbow. You can see a rainbow practically everyday.


After spending more than an hour hiking up the hill, my beau finally found the gate to Punchbowl Crater. The highest point of the crater is only about 150 metres, much shorter than Diamond Head, but why did he spent so much time walking? Did he not ask for directions?

Unlike Diamond Head, Punchbowl is not really a main attraction to go while in Hawaii. Even the locals are not sure where the entrance to the crater is. I mean you can see the crater from far, but very few people seems to know the access road.


Punchbowl Crater is actually the location for the National Memorial Cemetery Of The Pacific. No wonder people seldom comes here.


The road leading towards the crater. So much easier if you have a car.


The trees planted by the roadside are adopted by people such as the Disabled American Veterans Department of Hawaii and……….


……China Burma – India Assoc. 14th Air Force Assoc.


While walking up the crater you can enjoy the view of Honolulu City.


The view of Diamond Head from Punchbowl crater is just great.


Panoramic view of Downtown Honolulu.


Houses located nearby.


The Hawaiian name for Punchbowl Crater is Puowaina, meaning ‘Hill of Sacrifice’. This is where human sacrifices are offered to pagan gods and violators of the many taboos ceremoniously burned during Hawaii’s ancient times.


Punchbowl Crater is now used as the Cemetery of the Pacific.


In the early 1800’s Oahu’s natives used the crater as a key stronghold, trying in vain to defend their island from Kamehameha’s invading army.


During World War II, this place served as an observation and fire control point in the harbor defence system.


The Cemetery was constructed inside Punchbowl Crater in 1948 and the first remains were buried here in 1949.


Some of the first remain to be buried at the cemetery were 776 military personnel who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor 


Eventually, over 13,000 soldiers who died in World War II were laid to rest here. The cemetery has more than 30,000 graves of military personnel who served in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War.


The 112 acre serves as the final resting place for US war veterans and family members.


The Courts of Missing. These marble walls engraved the names of 18,096 American servicemen of World War II, 8,196 from the Korean War and 2,504 from the Vietnam War whose remain cannot be found.

 
‘In these gardens are recorded the names of Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and whose earthly resting place is known only to God’.


You can always get help here at the information center.


A meaningful address by President Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of The Gettysburg National Cemetery can be seen here at the Punchbowl Cemetery.


The Honolulu Memorial. The American Battle Monument Commission dedicated this memorial on 1st May 1966 as a tribute to the Armed Forces who were recorded as missing, lost or buried at sea.


‘This memorial has been erected by the United States of America in proud and grateful memory of her soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who laid down their lives in all quarters of the earth that other peoples might be freed from oppression’.


The statue of Lady Columbia, also known as Lady Liberty or Lady Justice at the top of the staircase at the Court of Honor. 


A 30 foot Lady Columbia standing on the bow of a ship holding a laurel branch.


‘The solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom’. An extract from President Abraham Lincoln’s letter adorns the statue.


There is row of building at the back of the statue.


They are actually galleries containing maps and description of the achievements of the American soldiers in the Pacific region and Korea


It serves as a tribute to the various battles fought in the Pacific.


Victory in the Pacific.


Liberation of the Philippines.


The Battle of Iwo Jima. This battle was made famous by the movies Flags of Our Fathers (filmed from the American perspective) and Letters from Iwo Jima (filmed from the Japanese perspective), both directed by Clint Eastwood.

This historic film was well noted for its portrayal of good and evil on both sides of the battle. I have watched both the movie and it was really good. Just to let you know, the film won numerous awards.   


Battle of Okinawa.


Let me just enlarge the description for those who is interested to read about the Battle of Okinawa.


Operation against North Koreans.


The war against Japan.


Mind you, this a memorial for the US soldiers, so the descriptions of the war might be a bit subjective. If you are offended, don’t read it.
 

A small memorial chapel at the Honolulu Memorial.


National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific here at the Punchbowl Crater is considered to be the most beautiful among America’s national cemetery.


You can read more about the Honolulu Memorial at the information board.


The sides of the monumental staircase are bordered by 10 Courts of Missing. 28,788 names, etched at the walls, of those who were never recovered from battle.


The crater is shaped like a punchbowl (that’s how the crater got its name) and with a diameter over about 670m, the crater is big.


Time to make a move. Visiting two craters in a day really got my beau all exhausted. So where did I go with my sis during my beau’s crater escapade? Stay tune!


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