Your journey to one of America’s most significant historical sites begins with a flight from Kona International Airport to Honolulu, where a day of remembrance and discovery awaits. At the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, you’ll explore compelling exhibits that chronicle the events leading up to December 7, 1941, and watch a documentary that brings this pivotal moment in history to life. A U.S. Navy-operated boat carries you across the harbor to the USS Arizona Memorial, a solemn white structure where you’ll stand above the sunken battleship, its outline visible just beneath the surface. Here, oil droplets known as “The Tears of the Arizona” still rise from the wreckage, while a wall of remembrance honors the 1,177 sailors and Marines who lost their lives.
Beyond Pearl Harbor, a scenic tour through historic Honolulu reveals the island’s rich cultural heritage. You’ll pass by the Punchbowl National Cemetery, set within an extinct volcanic crater, and view Iolani Palace, the only royal residence in the United States. The tour continues past the iconic King Kamehameha Statue, where you can stop to admire this tribute to the king who unified the Hawaiian Islands, along with nearby Ali’iolani Hale, home to the Hawaii State Supreme Court. You’ll also see Kawaiaha’o Church, known as the “Westminster Abbey of the Pacific,” its walls built from coral blocks and steeped in Hawaii’s religious and royal history. Throughout the Honolulu portion, a local guide shares stories and insights that connect you to the islands’ past.
