Finally going to Pearl

[dbrown]

I will be heading to Pearl Harbor in a few weeks and wanted to see if any of you have tips/must do/must see advice.

I plan on going to the Arizona memorial and the Pacific museum, but any tips on how/when/best to do that? I did get some advice that we should plan on getting there when the place opens (7:00 am) as the tourist busses that collect from the hotels get there around 10 and the main exhibits get pretty crowded after that.

On my bucket list for a long time, this is almost a "destiny" trip for me given my long standing interest in aviation history and collecting WWII Japanese airplane parts.

Thanks in advance for any tips or recommendations.

Derek

[sandiego89]

Enjoy!

If you have a rental car and are a real enthusiast, some other places really drip with history of the attack- especially if you have base access as active duty or as a retiree. I especially liked getting off the beaten path: The revetments at Ewa just east of Barbers point- drive down Corregidor St. and you with suddenly stumble out near the revetments, the ramp at Wheeler (need base access), and the main base at Pearl (need base access) where I sat quietly across from Battleship war and could almost imagine the attack going on. Very moving. I prefer to get away from the crowds and these places almost seem like getting in on a secret. Getting a rental car for even a day or two can really allow you to spend the time where you want. Getting near the mountains of the center of the island gives you a good impression of the attack profiles. If your schedule allows, allow a full day to drive up to the North Shore, around the north east side of the island and down the eastern side.

The Memorial and visitor center is worth it for sure- but there will be crowds. A must. Agree early is best.

The Missouri is worth seeing the surrender site, but if you have been on other Battleships you can limit your time.

If you are staying in Waikiki, do the museum at Ft. DeRussy. allow 1 hour

The Punchbowl Cemetery is very moving- allow 1 hour

I have not been to the Pacific Museum so can't comment.

The hike up Diamond head is neat and view breathtaking, but is a hike and not recommended unless you are reasonably fit (lots of stairs). 4 hours.

Re-watch Tora before you go!

-Dave

[seagull61785]

I took my family there in 2009. The 'Home of the Brave' tour is excellent value and well worth booking. I agree with the previous comments - MAKE SURE YOU GO EARLY IN THE DAY.

Fort DeRussy and the Punchbowl Cemetery are a must-visit.

The Arizona Memorial is incredibly moving.

From us in New Zealand - thank you America.

[jdvoss]

I've attached Paul Freeman's Abandoned airfields links for both the Northern and Southern portions of Oahu. These links will provide you with a good guide for the wartime USAAF and USN airfields on the island.


http://airfields-freeman.com/HI/Airfields_HI_Oahu_N.htm

http://airfields-freeman.com/HI/Airfields_HI_Oahu_S.htm

Have a good trip (!)...and have your camera at the ready when you land at HNL as the runways are shared with Hickam AFB and you might get some good shots of current military A/C there (US & foreign alike). On my trips thru HNL I have spotted RNZAF and RAAF Orions near my A/C.

JDV
www.fuselagecodes.com

[jdvoss]

Derek,

Here is still another information source for you on Hawaii military aviation. By the time you get back you should be an expert!!

http://hiavps.com/

JDV
www.fuselagecodes.com

[ALOHADAVE]

The Naval Air Museum Barbers Point is dedicated to preserving the memory of the former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, to celebrating and sharing Hawaii’s rich history of Navy and Marine Corps aviation, and to engaging with our community to excite people of all ages about aviation, history, and STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Our docent-guided flightline tours allow visitors to sit in the cockpits and experience history at their fingertips, to walk in the footsteps of heroes across the tarmac, and to see the very view aviators saw as they prepared to fly their missions.
Building 1792, Midway Road
Kalaeloa Airport
Kapolei, Hawaii 96707
Telephone: 1 (808) 682-3982
http://nambp.org/
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Please call (808) 682-3982 to schedule

Tue-Fri 0800-1530
Sat-Sun 1000-1530

[Chris Brame]

And if you can get to the Big Island and get a helicopter tour, the last unrecovered B-18 awaits:
http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-18/36-446.html

(Photo by Lori Hahn)
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/1/31 ... in-Hawai-i

[Pathfinder]

Agree with all of the above especially early arrival. Been there twice and it is truly an emotional experience. NOVA on PBS just ran a program about the NPS sending ROVs into the ARIZONA. Remarkable!

The first time I went to Pearl I flew over from Maui...On approach to "Hickam" looking out the window the hair on my neck stood up as I realized "I've seen this picture before!"

Take your time at the memorial...you don't have to catch the next boat back to shore.

[marine air]

I wonder if a Marine CH-53 helicopter could lift that B-18 out of there? It looks pretty stripped down. It would be great as is, next to "Swamp Ghost" at the museum and is representative of a type at Pearl Harbor.

[ALOHADAVE]

The issue was costs and what to do with it afterwards. PAM just has other higher priorities.

[tow-3]

if you do not already have tickets yet, try to get them ASAP. you will have a very hard time getting them day of visit. last time I was there day of tickets were gone 5 minutes after the ticket window opened. you may have luck getting some from people leaving early. ask a park ranger, sometimes people decide to leave and give there tickets to the rangers to give away. I got lucky the last time I was there and got 4 that way.

bob burns

[PeterA]

I called in last month, my second visit.

Star of the show for me...'The Swamp Ghost'.

PeterA

[dbrown]

One more question about cameras.

For those that have taken DSLR cameras, what did you find easiest to do regarding lenses. I have seen different advice on leaving the larger lenses at the hotel and only taking a 24-85mm or perhaps a wide angle 12-24mm. Some people have said they were asked to leave larger lenses in the car. Not sure if that was because of being on an active base or just to avoid the hassle of navigating around people/exhibits with a longer lens on the camera.

Any issues with taking more than one camera (one for each lens?)...... Longer battery life with two cameras.

Or best to stick with one camera and carry the second lens in my pocket.

Thanks!

[PeterA]

I took over 250 shots and just used my 24-105mm and it covered everything to my satisfaction....Arizona and the Museum aircraft.

PeterA

[PeterA]

...if however you intend to photograph in detail inside the submarine USS Bowfin you will need that wide-angle.

PeterA