The Evolution of Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Located within Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on the island of Oahu, Hawai'i, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial holds significant historical and strategic importance. Designated a national historic landmark in 1964, the area is renowned for its role in the U.S. annexation of Hawai'i and as the site of the infamous Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, during World War II. As the most visited destination on Oahu, Pearl Harbor remains a place of reflection, education, and remembrance.
The National Park Service's Role at Pearl Harbor
The role of the National Park Service (NPS) at Pearl Harbor has evolved significantly over time:
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1958: President Dwight D. Eisenhower approved legislation for the establishment of the USS Arizona Memorial to commemorate military personnel killed during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The memorial was constructed over the hull of the sunken USS Arizona and dedicated by the Pacific War Memorial Commission in 1962. Initially, visitation and management were under the responsibility of the U.S. Navy.
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1980: Operations of the USS Arizona Memorial were officially turned over to the NPS through an agreement with the U.S. Navy. In the same year, the NPS and the Navy jointly constructed and opened the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center.
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December 5, 2008: An Executive Order established the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, expanding the NPS mission at Pearl Harbor. This included management of:
- The USS Arizona Memorial and Visitor Center (now known as the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center)
- The USS Utah and USS Oklahoma Memorials (excluding the shipwrecks themselves)
- Six Chief Petty Officer bungalows on Ford Island
- Mooring quays F6 North and South, F7 North and South, and F8 North and South (parts of Battleship Row)
The monument also included additional sites on the Aleutian Islands in Alaska and in Newell, California (Tule Lake Unit).
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April 2019: The NPS announced the redesignation of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. This change was part of the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, which passed both houses of Congress in February and was signed into law on March 12, 2019, by President Donald Trump. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial now comprises:
- The USS Arizona, USS Oklahoma, and USS Utah Memorials
- Six officer bungalows
- Three mooring quays
- The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is located adjacent to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Honoring the Fallen
Central to the NPS mission at Pearl Harbor is memorializing those who perished during the December 7, 1941, attack. Each memorial serves as a tribute to the individuals who gave their lives on that day:
- USS Arizona Memorial: Honors the 1,177 crewmen who died. The hull of the ship remains a tomb for more than 900 sailors and serves as an artificial reef for marine life.
- USS Oklahoma Memorial: Pays tribute to the 429 sailors who lost their lives when the ship capsized.
- USS Utah Memorial: Commemorates the 58 dead, with the visible hull nearby serving as a reminder of the ship’s loss.
While the USS Arizona and USS Utah shipwrecks are not within the monument’s boundaries, they are designated national historic landmarks. The NPS, through an agreement with the U.S. Navy, is responsible for managing the archeological features associated with both shipwrecks.
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
The expanded and renovated Pearl Harbor Visitor Center offers a wealth of opportunities to explore the history of the Pacific War and the December 7, 1941, attack on Oahu. The complex features:
- Two exhibit galleries
- Outdoor exhibits
- An audio tour
- A theater
- A bookstore
Visitors can also access other nearby Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, including the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and the Pacific Aviation Museum, all offering further insights into the events and aftermath of World War II.
