About the Pearl Harbor National Memorial

History, Purpose, and Significance

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial honors the history of World War II in the Pacific and commemorates the events of December 7, 1941. Located on Oahu within Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the site stands as a place of reflection, education, and remembrance.

Dedicated to preserving the stories and sacrifices made during the attack, the memorial highlights the pivotal role of Pearl Harbor in compelling the U.S. to enter World War II. It safeguards the USS Arizona, USS Utah, and USS Oklahoma memorials, while sharing powerful stories of heroism and resilience.

The memorial's interpretive themes help visitors connect to the global and personal impacts of the Pacific War, ensuring the lessons of the past endure for future generations.

 

Description of the Memorial

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is located in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, on the island of Oahu in the State of Hawai'i. Within close proximity to downtown Honolulu and the resort area of Waikiki, the Pearl Harbor site is the most visited destination on Oahu.

 

Purpose of the Memorial

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial and its partners preserve, interpret, and commemorate the history of World War II in the Pacific from the events leading to the December 7, 1941, attack on Oah'u, to peace and reconciliation.

 

Significance of the Memorial

Significance statements express why a site's resources and values are important enough to merit designation as a unit of the national park system. These statements are linked to the purpose of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and are supported by data, research, and consensus.

 

Fundamental Resources and Values

Fundamental Resources and Values are those features, systems, processes, experiences, stories, scenes, sounds, smells, or other attributes determined to warrant primary consideration during planning and management processes, because they are essential to achieving the purpose of the park and maintaining its significance.

 

Interpretive Themes

Interpretive themes are often described as the key stories or concepts that visitors should understand after visiting a park - they define the most important ideas or concepts communicated to visitors about a park unit. Themes are derived from, and should reflect, park purpose, significance, resources, and values.