Early on a Sunday Morning, Dec. 7, 1941, (henceforth always to be remembered as a Day Of Infamy) the Japanese military launched a fearsome two-hour raid at Pearl Harbor that would throw the United States into World War II. The surprise raid left 2,433 Americans dead and 1,178 wounded.

Pearl Harbor, then and still today, is the primary naval base for the American Pacific Fleet. All put three of the 18 warships seriously damaged in the raid - the Arizona, Utah and Oklahoma - were repaired and returned to duty. The sprawling military bases were able to quickly recover from their loss and make a significant contribution to the eventual defeat of Japan.

The US Navy first identified the importance of Pearl Harbor in 1840. In 1873, the United States secured harbor rights and in 1898 began work to dredge the reef entrance.

Today the base covers more than 10,000 acres and include many Pacific Fleet headquarters units, a naval shipyard, supply center and submarine base.

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and Visitor Center
U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, Honolulu, HW 96818; 808-422-0561;
Open Daily (except holidays) 7:30AM - 5PM; Free Tour.
[Maritime Museums]

The Arizona was one of several mighty battleships anchored next to Ford Island. Early in the surprise raid, one Japanese 1,760-lb. bomb penetrated to the heart of the ship and detonated next to its forward ammunition magazine. The resulting explosion ripped the ship apart and took the lives of 1,177 crewman onboard at the moment, most of whom are still entombed inside.

The ship lies today at the very spot and is readily visible from the large white memorial building built overhead. Shuttle boats run every 15 minutes (8AM-3PM) from the visitors center to the offshore memorial (operated by National Park Service) above the sunken remains of the Arizona. Special commemorative ceremonies are held today by the U.S. Navy on Memorial Day and Dec. 7th.

Please note: This tour is very popular and admission is limited. Tickets are issued at the start of the day at 7:30AM on a first-come, first-served basis and easily runs out of space during the summer months.

U.S.S. Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park
Open: Daily 8AM-5PM; Admission: $8 Adult / Child (4-12) $3; (808) 423-1341;

Located next to the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, is this museum dedicated to the "Silent Service". The centerpiece is the 1,500-ton USS Bowfin, an authentic World War II submarine. Other exhibits include a Japanese one-man "suicide submarine" from World War II and a memorial to the 52 U.S. Submarines and 3,500 crewmen lost during the war.

U.S.S. Utah

Another casualty of the Pearl Harbor Raid, the Utah was a decommissioned target ship that happened to be bearthed at the spot normally reserved for the carrier Saratoga. Thus it received a lot of attention of the enemy raiders and was hit by two torpedoes.

It is located along the west shore of Ford Island. Civilian visitors must have a military sponsor to visit.

Please mark your calendar for special whale watching expeditions available Dec-Apr with most of the following tour operators:

Voyager Submarines Hawaii
1085 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI; (808) 539-9440;
Daily: 9AM-3PM; Fare: $89 Adult / Child (1-13) $29 / No infants;
A 90-foot catamaran takes you from Kewalo Basin out to the submarine. Fantastic vies of Diamond Head and Waikiki. Na submarine tours with viewports takes you to coral reefs and local marine life. Parking is limited, take advantage of your hotel shuttle here.

Atlantis Submarines
2005 Kalia Rd., Honolulu HI 96815; (808) 973-9811;
Submarine dives depart daily (weather permitting);
One-hour na submarine voyage to see exotic fish, coral reef formations, sea gardens. Departs daily from Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. Whale-watching tours run Jan-Mar.

Dearm Cruises
Whale-watching tours Dec-Apr; (808) 592-5200;

Navatek / Pier 6
Lunch, dinner and sightseeing cruises of Pearl Harbor. (808) 848-6360;

The Star of Honolulu
Daily sightseeing cruises of Pearl Harbor and the Oahu coastline.
Sunset dinner cruises and whale watching cruises; (808) 983-7827;

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Westin Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki
100 HOLOMOANA STREET Honolulu HI 96815
Overlooking Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, The Luxurious Westin Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki Is The Gateway To The City, A Short Walk From Ala Moana Beach Park, Ala Moana Shopping Center And The Hawaii Convention Center. Each Newly Renovated Guest Room Boasts Breathtaking, Floor-To-Ceiling Ocean Views. A Comprehensive Business Center Provides Everything From Translations To Teleconferencing. Enjoy Authentic Japanese Cuisine And Hawaiian Regional Specialties, Or Test Your Skills On The Hotel's Own 27-Hole, Arnold Palmer-Designed Golf Course, Just A Short Drive Away.

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