Honolulu/Oahu 2011 Memorial Day Activities

For 2019 events, go to Honolulu/Oahu Memorial Day Events & Activities 2019.

The following list is from 2011 for reference purposes only. For 2017 events, go to Honolulu/Oahu Memorial Day Events & Activities 2017.

If you are looking for a meaningful place to honor Memorial Day, Oahu will certainly offer you that opportunity. Here are some suggestions for what to see and do this Memorial Day, May 30, 2011.

Visit Punchbowl (National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific). Memorial Day is an especially good time to visit Punchbowl as local boy scouts decorate the graves with flags and floral leis donated by Hawaii’s public school children. At 8:30am on Memorial Day, the Mayor of Honolulu hosts a special Memorial Day Ceremony. See this link for all the ceremony details, including how to get there.  On Memorial Day, Punchbowl extends their opening hours to 7am to 7pm.

Go to the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor – Visiting this memorial is certainly a worthy way to honor Memorial Day. Admission is free.  I highly recommend that you get there early in the morning as holidays are particularly popular times to visit. The Visitor Center is open from 7am to 5pm, but the timed programs to the memorial begin at 8am and run through 3pm. Be prepared for your visit by reading Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Tour the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor– This retired battleship makes a great place to visit to honor the day. Visiting hours are from 8am to 5pm. See this link for ticketing details as well as my article with advice for touring the Mighty Mo.

See the Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbor – This museum showcases aircraft that has been important to the US military history. The Pacific Aviation Museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm. See this link for ticket pricing details. On Memorial Day, from 10am to 2pm, you’ll have an opportunity to see the Home of the Brave Quilt Project, plus sign one that will be presented to the family of a fallen Hawaii soldier.

See the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park in Pearl Harbor – The USS Bowfin was an attack vessel in WWII. The Bowfin was dubbed the Pearl Harbor Avenger. Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for children. Open daily from 7am to 5pm.

Go to the 50th State Fair at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. On Memorial Day, entertainment includes US Army Brass Quintet, US Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band, and US Air Force Pacific Band. Admission is either $3 or $5 depending on when you arrive. See this link for more admission details.

See the Lantern Floating Ceremony at Magic Island at Ala Moana Beach Park – This unique Memorial Day opportunity will offer a beautiful and peaceful remembrance of those who gave their lives for their country as well as memories of loved ones who have passed away. The ceremony starts at 6:30pm. It is free and open to the public. See this link for event details and directions.  Hawaii news Now will provide a live online broadcast of the Lantern Floating Ceremony. Here’s a beautiful video about the Lantern Floating Ceremony:

(Email subscribers: use this link to find the embedded video.)