hawaii
 

can anyone give me some tips on visiting teh uss arizona. my husband is a veteran and very excited about this tour

We were privileged to tour last year. We used E Noa Tours. They picked us up at our Waikiki hotel early AM. The tour group was small, the guide a former Marine who was well versed. The visitor center at Pearl Harbor was under construction, so not picturesque, but still interesting looking at maps, photos, etc. There was a touching film, all original, made on the day of the attack.

You are tendered over to the Arizona. It is a very somber and thoughtful view. You look directly down onto the sunken ship where hundreds are still entombed.

Our tour also included a tour of the USS Missouri (Mighty Mo) where the surrender documents were signed. As I understand, this ship is now in dry dock for renovation/repairs. We then drove thru the Punchbowl of the Pacific cemetary.

I think every American who has the chance should visit this sight. There are VERY strict rules about what you can carry with you, photo restrictions, etc. Check the website to avoid problems.

Aloha!

Go really early in the morning.

HTTY

Aloha!

Visit the Arizona early in the day before the lines get long. At the Arizona, you will pick up tickets for a specific time to take the boat across to visit the monument. This is great because instead of standing in line the whole time, once you have tickets you can visit the Bowfin or the gift shop while you wait. Trips to the Arizona only run until 3 pm each day (the gift shop, etc. is open until 5 pm). They often run out of tickets by noon so, again, get there early in the morning to make sure you get in and to avoid the longer lines. The visitor center opens at 7 am, the first trips to the Arizona are at 8 am.

You must wear enclosed shoes (not open sandals) and, for security reasons, you will not be allowed to take any bags, including purses and camera bags. I suggest wearing clothes with lots of pockets to take your important belongings.

If you are renting a car, the route there is fairly well marked. Just be aware there have been some problems with break-ins so don't leave valuables in your car. There are also "tours" buses that will take you to the site if you don't want to drive there. My understanding is the buses will drop you off at the site and then you'll stand in line to get tickets just like everyone else.

They have been renovating and expanding the visitor center (including more bathrooms, yay!) which has caused a few days of delays or restrictions of services at the site during the last 6 months. I don't know of any more interruptions planned but you might want to check the websites, just to make sure. These websites also contain great information on the Arizona and other sites in Pearl Harbor.

http://www.nps.gov/valr/
http://pacifichistoricparks.org/phh.php

I hope that helps and that you and your husband have a wonderful trip! Thanks to your husband for his service to our country.

Aloha!

Karen

I've answered on your other thread.

Cheers.

You will love it. Your Husband will REALLY LOVE IT.

I love the submarine in the museum with a jetty on its "Kills Flag" Tonnage is Tonnage!

Talk to your hotel concierge about a tour. You get transportation and a guide and most important, you are assured of tickets. The tour will cost more than doing it on your own, but it's not a back breaker.

What Barron said:

http://www.enoa.com/pearl-harbor-tours/default.asp

Can be booked over the internet before you leave home.

You do not need to take a paid tour to be assured of tickets.

If you get there the same time, 6:30am-7am, as the tour companies, you will get on the same tour.

We did a Roberts tour in 2003 that included the Arizona memorial, museum. It also included a drive by of Punchbowl cemetery, the Iolani Palace and Chinatown, among other sites. The price was nominal, and, it was great not to mess with driving ourselves in Honolulu traffic, which is a nightmare during rush hours, which seem to last way longer than tootsie rolls. If you do intend to drive up to Pearl Harbor at 6:30 a.m. traffic should be light.

Enjoy your trip.

The Missouri is out of drydock. www.ussmissouri.com We were not able to tour it last December but you should be. We went on our own to Pearl Harbor, drove there in our rented car and did not get there at the crack of dawn. Might depend on the time of year but we had no trouble getting tickets to the Arizona and toured the Bowfin. Also went by bus to the air museum on Ford Island--well worth it.

I like the idea of combining it with a brief Honolulu downtown tour (like mentioned by hmmm using Robert's). I've not done it myself but would really like to have an overview even if it was just a 'drive by' of Chinatown, Iolani Palace, etc.