Things to do nearNational Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Nestled within an ancient volcanic crater in Honolulu, Hawaii, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific honors America's fallen with solemn beauty and profound historical significance.
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific occupies Puowaina, a tuff cone crater formed by volcanic activity hundreds of thousands of years ago. Ancient Hawaiians called it Puowaina, meaning hill of sacrifice, and used it for sacred ceremonies long before Western contact. The United States military recognized the site's natural amphitheater shape and consecrated it as a national cemetery in 1949, in the years immediately following World War II. Today it serves as the final resting place for veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other conflicts, as well as a small number of civilians of national prominence. Among the most visited graves is that of Ernie Pyle, the beloved war correspondent who was killed by Japanese fire in 1945.
The centerpiece of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is the Honolulu Memorial, a sweeping structure featuring a statue of Columbia and eight large mosaic maps that trace the major battles and operations of the Pacific and Korean theaters. These maps are remarkably detailed and serve as a quiet history lesson for anyone who pauses to study them.
The surrounding grounds are immaculate, maintained by the National Cemetery Administration, and the contrast between the lush green lawn and the uniform white markers creates a landscape that is simultaneously peaceful and deeply affecting. There are no food vendors or commercial facilities within the cemetery, which preserves the contemplative atmosphere throughout. For anyone seeking to understand the human cost of twentieth-century conflict in the Pacific, a visit here offers perspective that no museum exhibit can fully replicate.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Visit early in the morning on weekdays to experience the grounds in near-solitude before tour groups arrive.
Walk to the Honolulu Memorial at the far end of the crater to view the large mosaic maps depicting Pacific campaigns of World War II and the Korean War.
Bring water and wear comfortable shoes, as the grounds cover over 112 acres and the Hawaiian sun is strong even on overcast days.
Check the schedule for the annual Memorial Day ceremony, one of Hawaii's most moving public observances, held within the crater each May.
After your visit, drive or walk up Punchbowl Drive to a nearby overlook for a perspective of the crater's full volcanic shape and its relationship to the Honolulu cityscape below.
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