arizona memorial tours suspended

Dock issue suspends USS Arizona Memorial tours again

HONOLULU — The USS Arizona Memorial has problems again with its shoreside dock, which means that tours to the popular Pearl Harbor site are suspended.

The National Park Service said staff members at Pearl Harbor were alerted to an issue with the shoreside dock on Sunday. A spokesperson didn't immediately return messages from The Associated Press on Monday asking for details about the dock's problem.

The park service suspended tours via Navy boats to the memorial built in the harbor.

The site is among the most visited in Hawaiʻi, and pays homage to the 1,177 lives lost on the USS Arizona in the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The memorial was closed for 15 months after cracks were found on the dock in 2018. Exceptionally high tides in 2017 are believed to have dislodged concrete blocks sunk into Pearl Harbor’s sediment and connected by chains to the dock. The repair project cost more than $2.1 million.

It was closed again in September for two weeks for emergency safety repairs.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial visitor center, museums and other services remain open.

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Dock troubles extend pause in USS Arizona tours through end of year

By Kevin Knodell

Dec. 22, 2021

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The National Park Service announced today that USS Arizona Memorial tours will remain suspended until at least the end of the year as the Navy continues repairs to the shoreside dock.

“Navy Facilities (NAVFAC) is reassessing and making necessary shoreside loading dock repairs. Until this work is completed, USS Arizona Memorial tours cannot be safely conducted. We are looking forward to repairs and program resumption in the new year,” the NPS said in a news release.

The dock was previously closed for 17 days in September when officials learned the steel collar that connects the dock to the ramp bridge leading visitors up to the memorial had been severed as a result of wake and tidal movement. The Park Service suspended visits again Dec. 12 when officials learned of another connection problem, though at the time they estimated repairs would take less than 17 days.

NPS officials are now tempering expectations.

“We don’t have a current timeline for repairs at the moment, other than it will most likely be in the new year,” said Emily Pruett, a spokeswoman for NPS at Pearl Harbor.

Closures of both the shoreside and memorial-side floating docks have led to periodic disruptions of visits and tours. The memorial-side floating docks closed for 15 months from May 2018 to August 2019 when its anchoring system failed.

Though it’s unclear when they’ll be fixed, the Department of the Interior has plans for a longer-term solution and recently signed a contract with Hawk Contracting Group out of Colorado for $5.8 million to replace the concrete floating dock system that was installed in 1999.

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Shoreside dock issues shut down tours to USS Arizona Memorial again

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Tours to Pearl Harbor’s USS Arizona Memorial have been suspended temporarily after new issues with the shoreside dock.

On Sunday, the National Park Service said they were made aware of the issues with the dock and canceled public programs to the historic site in the interest of public safety.

The exact issue wasn’t immediately known, and it is unclear when repairs will be completed.

The shoreside dock has a recent history of problems leading to lengthy cancellations of tours and operations.

Back in September, the memorial was closed for two weeks for emergency safety repairs. And in 2018, it was closed for more than a year following similar structural issues and delays to repairs.

In the meantime, NPS says the visitor center, museums and other park services are still open and accessible. For more, click here.

Copyright 2021 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

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Dock issue suspends USS Arizona Memorial tours again

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HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s USS Arizona Memorial has problems again with its shoreside dock, which means that boat tours to the popular Pearl Harbor site are suspended.

The National Park Service said staff members at Pearl Harbor were alerted to an issue with the shoreside dock on Sunday.

The park service suspended tours via Navy boats to the memorial built in the harbor.

The site is among the most visited in Hawaii, and pays homage to the 1,177 lives lost on the USS Arizona in the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The dock is past its life expectancy and repetitive stressors such as tidal movements contributed to the recent failure, the park service said Monday.

The memorial was closed for 15 months after cracks were found on the dock in 2018. Exceptionally high tides in 2017 are believed to have dislodged concrete blocks sunk into Pearl Harbor’s sediment and connected by chains to the dock. The repair project cost more than $2.1 million.

It was closed again in September for two weeks for emergency safety repairs, Hawaii News Now reported.

A new dock is being built off-site, the park service said.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial visitor center, museums and other services remain open.

Dock issue suspends USS Arizona Memorial tours again

Share this story

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s USS Arizona Memorial has problems again with its shoreside dock, which means that boat tours to the popular Pearl Harbor site are suspended.

The National Park Service said staff members at Pearl Harbor were alerted to an issue with the shoreside dock on Sunday.

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The park service suspended tours via Navy boats to the memorial built in the harbor.

The site is among the most visited in Hawaii, and pays homage to the 1,177 lives lost on the USS Arizona in the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The dock is past its life expectancy and repetitive stressors such as tidal movements contributed to the recent failure, the park service said Monday.

The memorial was closed for 15 months after cracks were found on the dock in 2018. Exceptionally high tides in 2017 are believed to have dislodged concrete blocks sunk into Pearl Harbor’s sediment and connected by chains to the dock. The repair project cost more than $2.1 million.

It was closed again in September for two weeks for emergency safety repairs, Hawaii News Now reported. A new dock is being built off-site, the park service said.

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Pearl Harbor | USS Arizona Memorial Tours

Recurring problems have once again closed the beloved USS Arizona Memorial at Park Harbor. More details will be forthcoming and what we know so far is reported below. However, it is clear that the problematic shoreside dock has failed again. The National Park Service became aware of an undescribed issue this past weekend that caused the Navy boat tours to be suspended. Now that the USS Missouri and USS Bowfin Submarine have reopened, there’s still much to see.

The USS Arizona is the single most popular and in-demand destination in Hawaii year after year and receives nearly two million annual visitors. Those 1,177 soldiers who died on the ship during a Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, will never be forgotten. It resulted in the US entering World War II.

It is being reported that the $2 million in repairs done recently were not adequate to remediate critical issues. During that prior repair, the Arizona Memorial was closed for more than a year due to cracks in the dock. That was in 2018 and it is believed the problems may have resulted from damage caused by high tides the prior year. Then this past September the memorial was closed again for further unspecified emergency repairs.

The National Park Service is in the process of constructing a new dock off-site.

Details about the new dock’s installation have not been made available. The NPS said, “USS Arizona Memorial Programs have been temporarily suspended as the shoreside dock awaits additional repairs. Operations will resume when the National Park Service deems conditions safe enough to do so. Visitors (are) welcome to enjoy other sites throughout the visitor center complex. There is still so much to do at Pearl Harbor! No reservations (are) required, but you do have to wear a mask and leave your bags at home.”

All other aspects of the monument including the Pearl Harbor National Memorial visitor center, its museums, and other services are open.

See the 2020 ceremony live stream.

The 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack took place on December 7, 2021. You can watch it below.

More than 2,400 Americans died at Pearl Harbor, and more than 1,000 were injured during the bombing. Over 300 aircraft and 19 naval ships were damaged or destroyed. It marked the entrance of the US into World War II, and FDR said the attack was “A date which will live in infamy.”

The NPS said of the 2020 event, “the goal of the commemoration and supplemental events is to ensure that future generations will understand the valor and legacy of those who perished and those who fought throughout the war. The commemoration also highlights the importance of the peace that brought a reconciliation that continues to create a better future for all.”

Pearl Harbor is open for visitors.

COVID-19 Protocols are in effect at Pearl Harbor and masks are required at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

The USS Arizona Memorial will hopefully reopen soon. The iconic tour is a favorite of ours and yours based on comments and is the most popular activity in Hawaii. The visit consists of a 30-minute introductory film followed by a boat ride to the memorial.

When Arizona tours resume, visitors will reserve tickets online in advance and check within 30 minutes of their tour (not earlier). Reservations are typically accepted starting at 3 pm the prior day. Limited same-day tickets may also be offered.

Pearl Harbor is open daily from 7 am to 5 pm (closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). There is abundant free parking. For current updates, check the NPS website .

The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park has reopened.

The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is now open from 7 am – 5 pm daily. Reservations are not required and tickets may be purchased online in advance.

The Battleship Missouri Memorial has also reopened.

The USS Missouri Memorial Association is dedicated to preserving the Battleship Missouri and sharing her story and place in history.

Watch the Pearl Harbor attack video.

Construction reopenings have been short-lived since closure in 2018. 

The USS Arizona Memorial was closed in May 2018, for a frustrating, long, dock repair project. The memorial is the most iconic part of Pearl Harbor, which is to this day the number one visitor destination in Hawaii. What happened at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulted in America’s entry into World War II on the following day.

Beat of Hawaii Visits Pearl Harbor.

Your editors attended Pearl Harbor’s 75th anniversary. In a word, we were very moved. We had heard about how this day had impacted our families so many years ago. And how emotional they were when they subsequently were able to visit Pearl Harbor themselves. Jeff’s aunt remembered when time stood still on that day as the news struck across the country.

December 7, 1941, was the infamous day that led to the US entry into World War II. The attack started at 7:48 in the morning as 353 Japanese planes launched from 6 aircraft carriers and struck in two waves.

The USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor, was only one of two ships that remained sunk, with the others all raised and six returned to wartime service. The Arizona, which had been hit with a nearly 1-ton bomb, exploded and sank with 1,000 sailors aboard. Oil continues to be exuded from the remains and clearly visible below the blue Pacific.

The memorial was dedicated in 1962, and soon thereafter the National Park Service took over the operations of the historic landmark. Millions of annual visitors are still drawn to this top Hawaii attraction.

For us, the highlight of Pearl Harbor is by far the just reopened USS Arizona memorial. We also enjoyed the half-hour documentary film followed by the brief but haunting boat ride out to the eerie memorial itself.

On our last pre-COVID visit, we also liked the new visitor center and the fascinating Pacific Aviation Museum (currently closed). The museum includes two original hangars replete with not repaired bullet holes and the original control tower. Planes and helicopters on display with their stories provide fascinating insights into a time gone by.

The work continues.

Did you know that a single casket had unidentified remains for more than half a century? Subsequently, anthropological and DNA research indicated that commingled remains represented at least 95 individuals. Then in 2015, all of the unknown remains from the USS Oklahoma were part of a comprehensive ID process.

As of this year, 338 individuals have been identified, marking the successful completion of a unique project of such a large scope,  complexity, and age. So far 86% of the unknown soldiers have been individually identified and that is soon expected to reach 90%.

Updated 12/14/21.

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81 thoughts on “pearl harbor | uss arizona memorial tours”.

When we visit Pearl Harbor will the Arizona be open to walk on in March 2022? Thanks Elizabeth U

Hi Elizabeth.

As far as we know, it will be.

Just a correction for your article – The men who died on the USS Arizona during the attack were sailors, not soldiers.

Wait… you aren’t going to book a trip to Honolulu to visit a memorial because a page that you follow had an advertisement that you disagree with? Seems the issue isn’t the page that you follow. The Island AND the Memorial have no responsibility toward the said advertisement. YOU are the only one missing out because of your opposition.

On December 7, 2021, I was lucky enough to be the last tour of the day to the Arizona. While there, preparations were being made for the interment of most likely the last sailor to survive the bombing of the Arizona…Lt. Harvey Milhorn. As our ferry came to retrieve us, it brought his remains on board. A VERY somber affair. As we were leaving we witnessed the divers already in the water.

The people who died on the USS Arizona were sailors, not soldiers.

And yeah, there is a difference.

Thanks Jeffery F for the attempted clarification. What the heck? On 7 December 1941″ A day that will live in infamy” There were Soldiers AND Sailors on board and elsewhere. I lost two uncles that day. One was Army, one a Marine They were Americans you knucklehead. Thanks for your invaluable comment. Have a spectacular day. Mahalo Jeff and Rob for the very moving article on a most somber occasion. You’re incredible. Aloha 🌺

Thanks! We so appreciate you. And we had no idea about your loss at Pearl Harbor. 😔

The USS Missouri Memorial is open DAILY, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.

All employees and visitors to the Battleship Missouri Memorial must show proof of full vaccination or a lab generated negative COVID-19 test result taken within the previous 48 hours, as well as valid id to enter. Children under 12 years old are exempt.

For further information, visit oneoahu.org/safe-access-oahu/#patrons, prior to purchasing tickets.

My Dad & his next younger brother were both at Pearl Harbor. They both spent 20 years in the Navy, and passed away within 6 months of each other in 2007. In 2018, one of my Dad’s younger shipmates passed away. He was someone my Dad always talked about. Thanks to the NPS, I was able to contact his daughter and tell her a story about her Dad on that day. She invited us to her Dad’s ash scattering in January, 2019. We keep in touch now, as our bond goes back 80 years, to December 7th, through Dads.

I’d love to be there but it’d be easier landing at Iwo in Feb ’45 than getting into and enjoying that once truly great vacation site.

For the 80th Anniversary, this year the theme is “Valor Sacrifice and Peace” and not “Above and Beyond the Call”…(that was last year’s).

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USS Arizona Memorial tours suspended after vessel damages dock

File photo - A view of the USS Arizona Memorial during the 50th anniversary ceremony at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Honolulu, Hawaii May 27, 2012. (REUTERS/Hugh Gentry)

Tours of the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor have been suspended after a vessel damaged its floating dock Wednesday.

The dock was damaged while the Navy Hospital Ship USNS Mercy was underway, according to the National Park Service, in a statement on its website. “It is not safe for visitors to disembark at the USS Arizona Memorial,” it added,

Divers have reported no damage to the wreckage of the USS Arizona, located beneath the memorial. The Navy hopes to have the dock repaired by June 4.

The accident moved the dock about 10 feet toward the memorial, according to a statement released on Navy Region Hawaii’s Facebook page. A small area of concrete was also damaged where the dock’s ramp joined the Memorial, with the dock’s ramps and railings also damaged.

It is unclear whether the damage was caused by the USNS Mercy, a tugboat guiding the ship, or a wake of water caused by maneuvering. “That’s still being investigated, as to exactly what happened - our plan is to put out more information.” Bill Doughty, a spokesman for Navy Region Hawaii told FoxNews.com. “Our concern is to get the floating dock repaired as quickly as possible - people come from thousands of miles away to see the USS Arizona.”

Citing an unnamed woman whose husband witnessed the incident, Military.com reported Wednesday that USNS Mercy struck the dock.

National Park Service Spokeswoman Abby Wines told FoxNews.com that modified tours are available while the memorial’s dock is being repaired. Visitors, she explained, can still take a boat to view the memorial from another part of Battleship row.

Opened in 1962, the Memorial straddles the sunken hull of the USS Arizona. The battleship sank during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7 1941 with the loss of 1,102 lives.

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Dock issue suspends USS Arizona Memorial tours again

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HONOLULU — The USS Arizona Memorial has problems again with its shoreside dock, which means that boat tours to the popular Pearl Harbor site are suspended.

The National Park Service said staff members at Pearl Harbor were alerted to an issue with the shoreside dock on Sunday.

The park service suspended tours via Navy boats to the memorial built in the harbor.

The site is among the most visited in Hawaii, and pays homage to the 1,177 lives lost on the USS Arizona in the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The dock is past its life expectancy and repetitive stressors such as tidal movements contributed to the recent failure, the park service said Monday.

The memorial was closed for 15 months after cracks were found on the dock in 2018. Exceptionally high tides in 2017 are believed to have dislodged concrete blocks sunk into Pearl Harbor’s sediment and connected by chains to the dock. The repair project cost more than $2.1 million.

It was closed again in September for two weeks for emergency safety repairs, Hawaii News Now reported.

A new dock is being built off-site, the park service said.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial visitor center, museums and other services remain open.

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Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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Tours on USS Arizona Memorial Suspended After Ship Hits Dock

By audrey mcavoy • published may 27, 2015 • updated on may 27, 2015 at 4:47 pm.

The National Park Service says tours on the USS Arizona Memorial are suspended after a vessel struck and damaged the memorial's dock.

Spokeswoman Abby Wines said Wednesday that boats are taking visitors to a spot near the memorial where they may view it from a distance, but visitors are not being taken on it.

Wines says the ramp and handrails connecting the dock to the memorial are mangled. Park service and Navy divers are expected to assess the damage from underwater Wednesday.

The incident occurred when the hospital ship USNS Mercy and a civilian tugboat contracted by the Navy were maneuvering in Pearl Harbor. Wines says either the tugboat or the Mercy hit the dock.

Wines says it's unclear how long tours on the memorial will be suspended.

USS Arizona Memorial

This national memorial is dedicated to preserving the memories of the sacrifices made by servicemen and civilians in the Pacific theater throughout World War II, from engagement to peace. The December 7, 1941 Japanese attack resulted in the death of 2,390 Americans, and it thrust the United States into World War II.

General Admission

General Admission - Free 

Reservations for the USS Arizona Memorial are strongly encouraged. Please visit the National Park Service website at recreation.gov to reserve tickets.

Allow at lea st 2 hours 

Open daily - 7:00am - 5:00pm

Multimedia Tour / VR Experience

Audio tour rental fee. This 29-stop program cover sites in the visitor center area and three-stops en route to and on the USS Arizona Memorial. Available in multiple languages.

This amazing VR experience allows you to travel back in time and walk the deck and inspect the Battleship USS Arizona before it was attacked in Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. This tour brings to life what it would have been like to serve as a young sailor or officer on the regal ship of the line.

Everything to see at the National Park

All included for free to guests of National Park Service

Visitor Center Waterfront Park 

Stroll around the beautiful waterfront park with a view over the water to the USS Arizona Memorial. Throughout the facility are interpretive wayside exhibits that invite visitors to imagine the experience of that tragic day. 

USS Oklahoma Memorial

Free shuttle to Ford Island allows access to the memorial from the Battleship Missouri Shuttle stop. The memorial honors the 429 crewmen killed on the battleship Oklahoma

Exhibit Galleries

These two exhibit galleries bring visitors closer to the sights and sounds of the events leading up to the attack on Oahu and its aftermath. These galleries display personal memorabilia, dramatic photographs, artifacts of the battle, and other exhibits.

Pearl Harbor Bookstore

The bookstore is filled with over 120 book titles relating to the Pacific War effort. There are over 50 videos, posters, audio recordings and other mementos relating to the USS Arizona, the attack on Oahu, and War in the Pacific that visitors can purchase as a reminder of their visit.   

Proceeds from sales of books, maps, music, videos, and educational material directly benefit research, educational, and environmental programs at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

Snacks & Refreshments

Visitors can grab a refreshment or quick grab and go snack from the snack shop located within the visitor center. Proceeds from sales within the snack shop directly research, educational, and environmental programs at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

PASSPORTS DO NOT INCLUDE RESERVATIONS TO THE USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL. Please visit the National Park Service website at recreation.gov   to reserve tickets.

Passport to Pearl Harbor 

See everything Pearl Harbor has to offer with the Passport to Pearl Harbor. One historic location, four very distinct destinations, each as compelling as the next and none that you'd want to miss.

Visitor Center Self-Guided Multimedia Tour 

Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center  ​Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum General Admission  Battleship Missouri Memorial General Admission Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum General Admission 

• Inter-Island Tours
• Compare Tours
• Private Tours
• Visiting Pearl Harbor

USS Arizona Memorial

• Battleship Missouri Memorial
• The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum
• USS Oklahoma Memorial
• Aviation Museum
• Transportation
• Attack Timeline
• Heroes & Survivors

With over 2 million visitors per year, Pearl Harbor is the most visited site in all of the Hawaiian Islands. The USS Arizona Memorial is one of the most popular memorials at Pearl Harbor, attracting curious visitors who wish the see the sunken ship. The memorial is built on top of the sunken Battleship USS Arizona located on Battleship Row at Ford Island. The 75-minute tour includes a 25-minute film, a Navy boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, and time to walk through the Memorial and time to give your respects.

What You'll See

Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial starts with a shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial where you will board the memorial followed by an introduction by a National Park Ranger, and an impressive 23-minute documentary film. The only way to access the Arizona Memorial is by this Navy Shuttle boat on this tour.  

The first room of the memorial holds flags of the states from which the eight battleships of Battleship Row were named and a state flag from Utah from which the USS Utah was named. The USS Utah was not on battleship row, but still rests in Pearl Harbor and is memorialized on the far side of Ford Island.

The second room of the memorial is the large open area where you can reflect quietly and view the remains of the sunken USS Arizona below.  Ceremonies are held in the Assembly Room.

In the back of the memorial is a marble wall with the names of the 1,177 Sailors and Marines who died on the USS Arizona during the attack on Pearl Harbor. This room is called The Shrine Room and it also honors the men who served on the USS Arizona and survived, but have chosen to be interred along with their shipmates.

Manning the Rail - If your visit is when a ship is entering Pearl Harbor, you may witness sailors “manning the rail”.  This is a beautiful tradition to honor all who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor. Sailors stand along the rails of their ship and salute the memorial.

The History of the USS Arizona Memorial

Builders first began working on the USS Arizona back in 1914. Many believed the ship would be named the North Carolina after the home state of Josephus Daniels – Secretary of the Navy at that time – but upon its completion, it was called the Arizona instead.

On June 19, 1915, the USS Arizona officially launched, but its first few years saw a number of mechanical problems. In 1917, the ship finally joined the Atlantic fleet, though she was mainly used as a training ship during World War I. Though a proud ship, she relied on oil, which was more scarce than coal at the time. The other ships fighting in the British Grand Fleet used coal, and the USS Arizona stayed out of heavy combat. After the war ended, the USS Arizona served as one of the escort ships bringing President Woodrow Wilson to Paris for the Paris Peace Conference.

Over the next few decades, the ship mainly carried cargo and passengers, and it was completely modernized. President Hoover used it to travel down to the Caribbean for a vacation. When an earthquake struck San Pedro while the USS Arizona was docked there, the ship provided shelter, first aid, and communications for the people impacted by the earthquake. The ship even starred in a movie titled,  Here Comes the Navy .

In October 1941, the USS Oklahoma struck the USS Arizona with a torpedo while out doing a routine exercise. No one was seriously injured, but the ship had to be dry-docked in Pearl Harbor while it was repaired.

USS Arizona’s Magazines Explode

When the Japanese began their attack on Pearl Harbor just after 8 a.m. on December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona was hit almost immediately. At 8:10 a.m., an 800-kilogram bomb dropped right on the starboard side, and moments later, the forward magazine powder lit up, exploding and destroying that part of the ship. Two turrets fell 20 feet, and the forward superstructure and foremast came falling into the void left by the previous explosion. Fires broke out across the ship.

Many brave men and women fought to defend the ship and rescue those who were trapped as the ship went down, but in the end, most of the crew members – 1,177 total – died on the ship.

In the months that followed Pearl Harbor and for the duration of the war, the USS Arizona became a symbol to the soldiers and citizens. It symbolized what was being fought for – freedom and the lives of the crew members who tragically lost their lives at Pearl Harbor. Efforts were made to recover the bodies of those trapped on board, but over 900 of them were never found. Parts of the ship were also scrapped, but until the 1950s, the USS Arizona stayed at the bottom of the harbor.

The Memorial

It wasn’t until 1958 that legislation came through the Hawaiian government to create a memorial in honor of the great ship. The Navy would not only be allowed to build the memorial, but they would also be able to accept donations. Perhaps the most famous donation came from rock ‘n’ roll legend Elvis Presley. His 1961 concert helped raise a great deal of funds to go to the project.

The memorial was designed by Honolulu architect Alfred Preis, whose design was chosen in a contest.This brilliant designer of the USS Arizona Memorial fled Austria to avoid persecution from the Nazis. The memorial was designed to look similar to a milk carton with open walls on both sides. Preis intended the structure to sag in the middle and stand strong and vigorous on both ends, expressing initial defeat and ultimate victory. The memorial does not touch the sunken ship, but visitors can easily see the ship below them.

In 1960, construction on the memorial finally began, and on Memorial Day 1962, the USS Arizona memorial officially opened. Nearly two decades later, a visitor’s center was built on the shore next to the wreck, and the National Park Service took over the management of the memorial from the Navy.

The USS Arizona Memorial was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1989. The memorial gives a feeling of serenity and pride. 

Helpful Tips

Important note.

Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, the Navy may suspend boat operations due to maintenance or weather issues to the USS Arizona Memorial at any time,  or impose a capacity restriction on the boat.  As a result, you may be placed in the standby line.

Reserve your spot with booking a tour

With only a 150 person capacity at a time, programs often sell out months in advance. It is highly suggested that you book your tour in advance to avoid the disappointment of missing this important historical site.

Accessibility

As a national park site, the program is designed to accommodate those needing additional accessibility. The restrooms, theater, exhibits, bookstore, information desks, Navy shuttle boats, and Arizona Memorial are all fully-accessible to visitors in wheelchairs.

Non-English language tours

An audio tour is available in seven languages: English, French, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, German, and Spanish. This audio tour is developed with a fascinating narration of the museum, visitors center, and waterfront exhibits, as well as on the shuttle boats and on the Memorial.

Pick up your audio tour headset

You can pick up your headset for the audio tour near the Information Desk at the Visitors Center.

For visitors with hearing impairments

The documentary shown in the theater is fully captioned (in English). There is an induction loop for use with hearing aids. Visually-impaired visitors will find signage in braille in addition to tactile models of various interpretive resources throughout the site.

Pay your respects

The USS Arizona isn’t just a sunken ship. It’s also the final resting place for the crew who lost their lives. Be sure to pay your respects in the Shrine Room, where the names of all the crew are listed.

Find a Tour

Remember Pearl Harbor Tour from Waikiki

Guided Tour

The Complete Pearl Harbor Tour Experience With Lunch

Pearl Harbor & Honolulu City Tour from Waikiki

Official Passport to Pearl Harbor

Plan your visit.

• Skip to global NPS navigation
• Skip to the main content
• Skip to the footer section

Exiting nps.gov

Thing to Do

Visit the USS Arizona Memorial

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

The USS Arizona Memorial program is free, but tickets are required.  The walk-in first-come first-served ticket distribution program is no longer available. Recreation.gov is the only official reservation website for Pearl Harbor National Memorial’s USS  Arizona  Memorial Program. If you used any other website to reserve a tour, please read the fine print. Please know that the USS  Arizona  Memorial Program is free, recreation.gov charges and keeps the $1 non-refundable program reservation fee. Step-by-step guidance on booking through  recreation.gov : Beginning on Monday, May 3, recreation.gov’s primary booking window for USS  Arizona  Memorial tickets will increase from 1-week in advance to 8-weeks in advance. This means that on May 3 at 3pm HST, tickets will release for up to 8-weeks (56 days) in the future through June 28. Going forward, new tickets will release on this long-range rolling schedule, one day at a time. The secondary booking window,1-day in advance will remain the same. Click  Sign In  or  Sign Up  to log in to your account or create a new one Visit the  page  for USS Arizona Memorial Program reservations Click the  Calendar Icon  button under the Date field. Update the number of tickets you are reserving under the  Quantity  field The current limit is 5 tickets per reservation per day. Everyone needs a ticket, including infants and small children. You may have to make multiple reservations to reach the desired number of tickets. Select your program time from the available  Tour Times .

• If specific dates and times are gray, those dates and program times have either been fully reserved or we are not within the window to preview availability.
• If dates are gray & yellow, tickets for those dates have not been released yet, but are within the window to preview availability, an alert will pop up on the bottom of the website informing you when the next release will be.
• Blue dates and program times are available.

Click  Add to Cart  and check out as directed. There is a $1 per ticket non-refundable program management fee. This fee is not collected by the National Park Service, it is collected by Recreation.gov. Check your e-mail and print your QR Code for check in at the Ticket Validation Desk at the Pearl Harbor Theater. It is strongly recommended that you arrive on site at least 1-hour prior to your scheduled program time. Your program time is when your US Navy provided vessel is scheduled to depart the shore side dock. If you do not arrive and check in early for your program on time, your seats may be given to those waiting in line for standby availability. Park Rangers cannot create, modify, rebook, refund, or cancel any reservations. Need assistance? Pearl Harbor National Memorial Park Rangers do not have access to program inventory, nor can they create, modify, or cancel reservations made via recreation.gov or by third party booking sites and vendors. You can  contact recreation.gov for additional help via any of the options listed on their website , or your third party sale site directly.

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Last updated: May 3, 2021