Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Oahu: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Pearl Harbor National Memorial occupies the waters of Pearl Harbor on O'ahu's south shore, centered on the USS Arizona Memorial—a white concrete structure spanning the sunken hull of the battleship that sank during the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, killing 1,177 crew members. The ship still leaks roughly 9 liters of oil per day, visible as a rainbow sheen on the surface. A Navy shuttle boat carries visitors from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to the memorial. The center includes two museum galleries and a documentary film. Entry is free but timed tickets are required. is just one of many options in Oahu. Major attractions worth considering include Battleship Missouri Memorial, Diamond Head, and Hanauma Bay.