Pearl Harbor and Historic Honolulu City Tour Departing Maui

Take an early morning flight from Maui, and soon you’ll be touching down on Oahu, ready to immerse yourself in the dramatic WWII history at Pearl Harbor. Come face-to-face with the tragic events of December 7, 1941, when the Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on Oahu.

The USS Arizona battleship took a direct hit, sank within minutes, and 1,177 seamen went down with their ship. Watch these historic events unfold during the 23-minute documentary, complete with original archival footage. Then, cross the harbor in a Navy vessel to the USS Arizona Memorial suspended over the sunken battleship–the final resting place for these brave seamen. Step into the Memorial and visit the Shrine Room, where the names and ranks of these lost heroes are inscribed in marble. As you look down into the harbor, you’ll notice oil drops – “The Black Tears of the Arizona” – that still rise to the surface from the sunken battleship hull after nearly 80 years.

At Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, tour the museum with the Road to War and Attack galleries featuring photos, memorabilia, and artifacts, and visit the excellent bookstore offering WWII memorabilia, books, and souvenirs.

Leaving Pearl Harbor, we travel through Historic Downtown Honolulu and spotlight famous architectural landmarks that recall Hawaii’s time as a royal kingdom. You’ll see Iolani Palace (built by Hawaii’s last reigning king), Kawaiahao Church, and the statue of King Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands under

his rule in 1810

Tour Highlights

• Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center (2 Hours)

  • Explore exhibits detailing the events leading up to the December 7, 1941, attack
  • Watch a documentary and take a boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial

  USS Arizona Memorial (1 Hour)

  • Visit the open-air memorial above the sunken battleship
  • See the “Tears of the Arizona” oil droplets and the Remembrance Wall listing 1,177 fallen crew members

  Punchbowl National Cemetery (Pass through without stopping)

  • A resting place for U.S. service members in an extinct volcanic crater
  • Offers a serene setting for reflection on the sacrifices of war

  Iolani Palace (Viewed from King Kamehameha Statue or walk to)

  • Former royal residence and symbol of Hawaii’s monarchy
  • Showcases Hawaii’s cultural heritage and western influences

  Kawaiaha’o Church (View from King Kamehameha Statue and drive by)

  • Known as the “Westminster Abbey of the Pacific,” built from coral blocks
  • Played a significant role in Hawaii’s religious and royal history

  King Kamehameha Statue (15 Minutes)

  • Commemorates the king who united the Hawaiian Islands
  • Stands near Ali’iolani Hale, adorned with leis on King Kamehameha Day

  Ali’iolani Hale (View from King Kamehameha Statue or walk to)

  • Houses the Hawaii State Supreme Court
  • Notable for the iconic King Kamehameha statue in front

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