HAWAII - Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor used to be called Wai Nomi meaning ‘pearl water’ and is now the headquarters of the United States Pacific fleet. The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese during the World War II is what made this place a significant historic site today.

Millions of people from all over the world come to this place to see where World War II began for the United States. A trip to Hawaii isn't complete without visiting Pearl Harbor.


Before taking off for Pearl Harbor, I had some steak for my brunch.


Delicious!


Basically, there are four main historic sites in Pearl Harbor. The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, Battleship Missouri Memorial and Pacific Aviation Museum.


The most famous site to visit is the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument.


If you have the time, you might want to consider visiting the other three sites.





Such a beautiful sunny day.


The World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument consists of 9 historic locations of United States monument honouring American engagement in World War II. 3 in Alaska, 1 in California and 5 of them are located here in Pearl Harbor which consist of USS Arizona Memorial, USS Oklahoma Memorial, USS Utah Memorial, parts of Ford Island and Battleship Row.


A list of Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.



The Visitor Center is open daily from 7am to 5pm.


I’m off to get my tickets.


It advisable to get your tickets early in the morning. Tickets to the USS Arizona Memorial is free but limited. The tickets are time-stamped and you might have to wait for hours before the start of the tour. If all tickets are given out (approximately 4,500 tickets per day), you have to come another day.


The best way to ensure your entry to the USS Arizona Memorial is by booking online at their official website at www.reacreation.gov.


No long queue and I can choose what time I want my tour to start. For this privileges, you are charged USD 1.50 per ticket.  


For other historic sites, there is a fee. The price for the tickets to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites can be viewed at the tickets and information counter. I chose the Battleship Missouri and USS Bowfin combination package which cost me USD 30.


Pearl Harbor is located in Oahu, approximately 3,000 miles from the West Coast of mainland America and 4,000 miles from Japan.


Walked around the Visitor Center while waiting for my turn for the tour.




A briefing by the National Park Ranger before proceeding to the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater.


As part of the 75 minute USS Arizona Memorial programme, visitors will enter the Memorial Theater.



The 23 minute documentary film is about the Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, with actual footage of the attack.



The USS Arizona Memoral is a place of honor, respect and contemplation. There are wordings in Chinese, Japanese and Korean for those who doesn’t understand English.


We’re off to USS Arizona Memorial.


View of Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the USS Bowfin submarine as the boat leaves. 


On board the USS Arizona Memorial Ferry Boat.


The shuttle boat is operated by the Navy.


A large docking facilities of USS Nevada BB 36 can be seen on the Battleship Row. These docking facilities mark where the battleship were tied on the day the Japanese attacked. Launched in 1914 the ship survived the Japanese attack, was badly damaged but repaired and carried on with many battles including Normandy Landings. The ship was decommissioned in 1946.


Finally arrived at the USS Arizona Memorial.


The USS Arizona Memorial is built on top of the United States Ship Arizona Battleship 39 (USS Arizona BB 39), where it sunk after being attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy.


The remnants of USS Arizona serves as a graveyard to many who died on board the battleship.





The memorial is designed like a bridge whereby it straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it.


You can still see the sunken ship’s deck beneath the surface of the water.


Parts of the ship protruding from the sea.





The memorial marks the resting place of 1,177 sailors and Marines killed on the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese imperial forces.


Till today, upon death, some of the survivors of the attack who served aboard the USS Arizona have their ashes placed within the ship, among their fallen comrade.


Entering the shrine room.


Names of the Navy and Marines who lost their lives during the attack.


‘To the memory of the gallant men here entombed and their shipmates who gave their lives in action on December 7, 1941 on the U.S.S Arizona.’ The men who died on the USS Arizona represents nearly half of the 2,390 Americans who died as a result of the attack.


Most of the bodies were never recovered and some were left in the ship.


Military personnel paying their respects to the heroes who fell on that fateful day.


Arizona Memorial is divided into three sections which is the entry, assembly room and shrine.


View of the assembly area.


The flag of America flying proudly at the Arizona Memorial.


Photographing time.





‘……in honor and in commemoration of the members of the armed forces of the United States who gave their lives to their country during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941.” 


This 56m long structure was formally dedicated on 30th May 1962, Memorial Day.


A National Park Ranger giving us a brief explanation of the Arizona Memorial.


Glad to be one of those who has visited the USS Arizona Memorial.


Final picture with my sis of the USS Arizona Memorial before departing.


The design of Arizona Memorial represents
1st peak - the height of American pride before the war,
Sag in the middle – Initial Defeat, sudden depression of a nation after the attack,
2nd peak – Ultimate Victory, rise of American power to new height after the war.


Next stop is the Battleship just located beside the USS Arizona Memorial.


Ford Island is located in the middle of Pearl Harbor, has several naval facilities and houses several military personnel and families. Before 1998, only military personnel are allowed on the island, but now, visitors are able to visit the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor and USS Missouri located there. 


Battleship Cove, Forest City Military Communities Hawaii, is actually a neighbourhood located in Ford Island. These houses are exclusively for the Senior Enlisted Navy.

No civilians are allowed to wonder around Ford Island except for some designated area.


USS Oklahoma Memorial dedicated to the 429 men who lost their lives aboard the battleship which sunk during the Pearl Harbor attacks.


 I have arrived at the famed battleship.


The USS Missouri BB 63 Battleship.


Welcome to the USS Missouri. All excited as I proceeded to the entrance as it will be my first time on a battleship.


Battleship Missouri became the first non-active ship to be honoured with the Golden Anchor on 11th June 2005. The Golden Anchor is the Navy’s Retention Excellence Award and is awarded to Naval vessels for meeting or exceeding crew retention goals.


USS Missouri also called Mighty Mo or Big Mo was the last battleship built by the United States.


First launched in June 1944 and decommissioned on 31st March 1992, this battleship has been in action during the World War II, Korean War and Gulf War.


Docked here since 7th January 2010 at the Battleship Row, this battleship has been converted to a museum and has been receiving visitors since 30th January 2010.    


A Mark-6 mine on display. The USS Missouri Explosive Ordinance Detachment (EOD) destroyed 10 Iraqi mines during the Gulf War.


Bofors Gun, an anti-aircraft gun of WWII.




This large armoured warship was the most powerful type of warship during the late 19th century and early 20th century. But during World War II, aircraft carriers overtook battleship in power.


Battleships are big and complex to build rendering it expensive to build and to maintain.


With the rise of air power, destroyers and submarines, no battleships remain in service or in reserve with any navy worldwide.


When I first arrived here, I was amazed at the size of the battleship.


It is really huge.


Measuring 270.4m length x 33m width, this ship is bigger than SuperStar Virgo, the largest cruise ship in Star Cruises.


The USS Arizona Memorial can be seen from here.


Let’s board the ship.


Really proud to be on board the USS Missouri BB-63 Battleship. 


So what so special about this battleship? It is neither the biggest nor the most powerful. If you must know, please read on.


Some of the Navy veteran giving us a brief description of the ship.




The Missouri facing the Memorial, watching over the remains of the Arizona so that those buried within the Arizona’s hull may rest in peace.


The Mark 7 guns is the main armament of this battleship.


Measuring 20m long and weighing 100 tonne per gun, it is really big.


Each turrets have three guns which could be elevated and fired independently.


Nice photo opportunity.


Here on the deck is what makes USS Missouri to be of such historical significance.


Over this spot on 2nd September 1945, the Empire of Japan surrendered, thus ending Worlds War II.


There are pictures on the day of the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender beside the ‘Spot’. General Douglas MacArthur started the ceremony with a short speech, "…….It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past — a world founded upon faith and understanding — a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish — for freedom, tolerance, and justice….”


 I didn't even know the formal surrender took place on board the Missouri in Tokyo Bay.


The first person to sign was the Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu on behalf of the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese government followed by chief of the General Staff, General Yoshijiro Umezuon on behalf of the Japanese Imperial General HQ.


The first to sign on behalf of the Allied Powers is General Douglas MacArthur as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers.


Followed by Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz on behalf of the United States of America.


Then, General Hsu Yung-Chang for the Republic of China.


Then, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser for the United Kingdom, followed by few more other signatories from other countries.


The instrument of surrender.


Surrendered by the Japanese and accepted be the Allied Powers.


A plaque indicating that the instrument of surrender terminating the second world war was signed on this ship on 2nd September 1945, while she lay at anchor in Tokyo Bay.


A replica of the reverse side, 31 star American flag in the same location as the original flag.




One of the many machine guns.


There are 20 numbers of Mark 12 guns on the ship..


Tomahawk Missile system was added during the ship’s 1980’s modernization.


The Mark 7 guns looks big and intimidating, but can only travel a distance of 39km. Tomahawk Missile can travel more than 1,700 km and is more accurate.   


Time to go inside the ship.





The officer’s dining room also known as the Ward Room.


A place to relax after having their meal.




Are we on the right course?











Attack!


Girl power!


Had a fun time exploring the inside of the battleship.













A Navy recruitment poster.


Missouri was named in honor of the US state of Missouri.





A scaled down replica of the USS Missouri.





‘The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic’.


Wow! 69 million people died in World War II. Come on, make peace, not war!


Any enemy ships approaching?


My beau getting the best shot.


The movie Battleship actually features the USS Missouri in their plot. This battleship was actually taken in and out of port for a day of shooting.


Trying my hand at one of the anti-aircraft gun.


One of the personnel teaching me how to use the gun.


Shoot the enemy plane down!


Happy to be actually on a battleship especially on the USS Missouri. Time for me to leave.


Shoeshine for 5 cents. The ‘shoeshine booth’ is built just to reflect the atmosphere during WWII era.


The famous V-J (Victory over Japan) Day in Times Square kiss. 


Don’t forget to buy some souvenirs at the Victory Store before leaving. I bought a replica ship of the Missouri and a copy of the Honolulu Star paper of 7th December 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked. 


Boarded the shuttle bus and I’m on my way to another stop.


The pairing of the USS Arizona and USS Missouri became a symbol of the beginning and end of the United States participation in the war.


Passed by the Pacific Aviation Museum.


Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor is located in the historic hangars that survived the December 7, 1941 attack.


The historic Control Tower.


A submarine can be seen docking here.


It’s the USS Bowfin (SS 287) submarine.


Measuring at 95m long, this submarines has fought in the World War II and completed 9 successful patrols.


The USS Bowfin dubbed as the ‘Pearl Harbor Avenger’ was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986.


The submarine was launched on 7th December 1942, exactly one year after the attack.


America lost 52 submarines and more than 3,600 officers and crew during World War II. Many of the submarines are still at their final resting place on the ocean’s floor.


Let’s go on board the submarine. It’s my first time on a war submarine.


The First Navy Jack. ‘Don’t tread on me’.


Visitor’s are able to experience how is was like to live and work aboard a World War II-era submarine.


Torpedo tubes at the torpedo launcher room.


With a crew of 80 people, some has to sleep on top of the torpedoes.





Hmmm….what room is that?


An old LC Smith typewriter.


The door to the different compartment is really small.


 I think it’s no more than 3ft high.


Something must be pretty interesting up there.


'Maintain steady speed of 7 knots'.


Food is prepared here at the submarine’s kitchen.


Where’s my food?





The crew’s bedroom.


Dive! Dive! Dive!


We are doomed, there’s a mad crew on board!


As an attack submarine, the USS Bowfin has ten torpedo tubes.



The USS Bowfin is credited with sinking of 23 Japanese ships during World War II.


Time to explore the deck.


The rear of the submarine.


Visitors taking pictures with the Anti Aircraft Gun.


My turn.


Enemy planes spotted! Fire!


Good job.












Some of the weapon systems of the Bowfin Submarine.











On deck of the submarine.


USS Bowfin was decommissioned for the final time on 1st December 1971.


Since 1st April 1981, USS Bowfin (SS-287) has been opened to public tours at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park. 



My beau still busy exploring the U-boat. Come on it’s time to leave!


The USS Bowfin might not be as grand or has as much historical significance as the USS Missouri, but it is worth a visit if you have not been to a war submarine before.





The Waterfront Memorial stands in silent tribute to the 52 submarines and submariners lost in the line of duty. 


The Polaris A-1 and A-3 submarine launched ballistic missile  











The map of Pearl Harbor.


Pearl Harbor and Ford Island.


One of the three USS Arizona’s anchor on display.


 I am glad to have visited Pearl Harbor for a time of reflection and remembrance of World War II. The lives lost on the tragic day of 7th December 1941 are things that we want to remember and honor. Make peace, not war!


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