Hi,
We only have 2 nights in Waikiki in Aug. and definitely want to do Pearl Harbor. A few questions:
1.) How long is the drive from Waikiki (staying at Outrigger on the Beach) to Pearl Harbor? How long is the drive from Pearl Harbor to the airport?

2.) How long does it take just to see the film, and take the ride out to the Arizona?

3.)Are there any other "essential" attractions nearby to Pearl Harbor (Punch Bowl, Hanauma Bay, Lanikai Beach) that we could couple with the visit to Pearl Harbor before our flight to the Big Island if we rent a car for that one day?

There are two interesting places at Pearl Harbor. One is the USS Bowfin Museum. It is across the parking lot from the vistor's center. The other is the USS Missouri. You buy tickets by the Bowfin museum then are transported to the Missouri. Both complement the Arizona nicely. The other places you mentioned are not really near Pearl Harbor.

But if you rent a car you can certainly visit Punch Bowl and Hanauma Bay easily enough. If you want to snorkle at the bay - and who wouldn't - you need to set aside a few hours. I'd try to fit it in if possible. Punch Bowl is something to see also.

Do a search on forum for Pearl Harbor, lots of info. Keep in mind you cannot pre-purchase/reserve tickets, they only give out same-day, free tickets, so the earlier you get there the better. When there is a wait, go to the Bowfin of Missouri. The film is 15 - 20 minutes, extremely educational & moving, the Navy launch ride to the Arizona is 5 minutes. You can stay as long as you like at the site, feels like hallow grounds, and take the returning boats back.

Driving time all depends, if you are stuck in rush-hour traffic, it's as bad as any city, Oahu has a million population & tourists! Oh, Hanauma is closed on Tuesdays, get there early too, you also watch a film before you go down to the bay.

We just spent two days in Honolulu. We arrived at Pearl Harbor at 9 (thirty minute drive from Waikiki), we received tickets for the 10:45 movie. You must see the movie before they take you out to the Ariznia memorial. You need a couple hours at least to see everything- besides the movie and memorial.

After Pearl Harbor, we went to Diamond Head and hiked to the top. You must do this if you have time. You can complete the hike in a couple hours. It is gorgeous. We were able to do it in the afternoon because it was a cloudy day. I WOULD NOT recommend hiking to the top in the afternoon on a sunny day.