Exploring Oahu: Punchbowl Crater and The Pacific Aviation Museum

During last month’s visit to Oahu for Duke’s Oceanfest, my family and I took the opportunity to further explore the island of Oahu with visits to The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) and the Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbor.

National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

Our first stop was The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific located inside of Punchbowl Crater. While I imagine a lot of people out there wouldn’t be too excited about giving up precious time during their Hawaiian beach/shopping vacation to go visit a graveyard, it’s one of those things you should do anyway. If nothing else go for the sweeping panoramic views high above the city of Honolulu, then stick around for a little while to pay your respects. The monument is full of interesting historical facts and colorful maps depicting famous battles of World War II and the Korean War. It’s a little tricky to find and signage on Oahu is notoriously bad, so if you go I highly recommend taking your smartphone or getting directions beforehand to avoid getting lost in the adjacent residential neighborhood.

View of Honolulu and Diamond Head from Punchbowl Crater

Remembering Those Who Served

Operations in the Pacific, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

After our visit to Punchbowl we continued along the Pali Highway (route 61) towards Kailua/Kaneohe, for a quick jaunt through the magestic Ko’olau maintains, then back again towards Honolulu and Pearl Harbor on interstate H3. This little scenic detour was a total hit! The H3 is an engineering wonder and a destination within itself. Consider it another must-do if you’re looking to get a feel of the island outside of the city, although it’s best avoided during commute hours.

The Pali Lookout and Kaneohe Bay

Driving H3

While it’s not quite as big as Seattle’s Museum of Flight or as famous the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in DC, the Pacific Aviation Museum is unique to Hawaii and always such a joy to visit. We’d been there previously in 2011, during our spontaneous day trip to Pearl Harbor, and honestly one of my favorite things about this visit was getting to see how much had changed in just two and half years. It was great to see our entry-fee dollars hard at work with a ton of new aircraft and exhibits.

: Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor

Family Portrait Courtesy of iSnap.com

If you’re an aviation enthusiast and/or history buff, put this place on your to-do list. I can’t really express how important I feel it is for every American to visit Pearl Habor at least once in their lifetime; Be sure to make that a priority during your visit to Oahu, but while you’re there already, do make the extra effort to check out this fabulous museum as well. Tickets can be purchased at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Visitor Center (the same place where you go to see the other Pearl Harbor attractions). The museum itself is located on Ford Island, but because it is on an active military base, you have to take a bus from the visitor center to get there (included in the ticket price). Adult Admission is $20 and I can vouch for the fact that a lot of this money goes right back into the museum.

Hangar 79, Pacific Aviation Museum

What was little more than a half-empty airplane hangar in 2011, is now FULL of new stuff to check out! I particularly enjoyed the collection of navy and marine helicopters, and a small display about the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea. Prior to this visit, for me, Mauna Kea was just that tall mountain over on the Big Island and where people went to go skiing in Hawaii; I had no idea about the kind of work that went on there and learning more about it was truly fascinating. The nearby control tower on Ford island had also been restored since our last visit (it was in very rough shape), and I was truly grateful to see such an important piece of our nation’s history, along with a bunch of other cool stuff, properly cared for and preserved.

The Newly-Restored Control Tower on Ford Island, Pearl Harbor

As a self-confessed beach bum, I fully “get” all the reasons why people choose to visit Hawaii. Just know that there’s more to see and do outside of the big fancy resort hotels (and not just on Oahu, but all the islands) so get an out and explore! I think you’ll be glad you did.