You might want to also investigate tours for USS Missouri, and Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. You can also tour Bowfin (and arrange tours for Ford Island) right at the USS Arizona. Check also into visiting the Army Museum in Ft. DeRussey Park (my husband visits that at least 3 times each year while we are at the Hale Koa). Hope you enjoy the Home of the Brave Tour as much as we do--have done it 3 times!
If you have booked the Home of the Brave tour early during your trip, you'll see the wreaths at Punchbowl. I do not know how long they will be up.
If you booked the tour for January, you might want to drive there earlier.
National Cemetery of the Pacific. Many of the graves are decorated with wreaths right now.
This is part of the "Wreaths Across America campaign".
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=13703714
While you are there, walk up the sidewalk to the overlook. There are many plaques honoring the military. I don't know if this is part of your tour there.
Tripler Hospital may have some pictures or other historical items. I have not been there since my daughter was born there in 1974. I do not remember if there are pictures or other items.
Tripler Hospital is not the Tripler Hospital that was during the war.
Perhaps the building(s) at Ft. Shafter are still there. Ask when you are on the tour.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripler_Army_Medical_Center
I also noted on Home of the Brave tour that Tropic Lightning at Schofield Barracks is closed on Mondays. So if your tour is on a Monday, you can go back for the museum.
Thx,
I will investigate all your ideas......we really came to Honolulu/Oahu just to see WWII sites.
I will check out the cemetary/ and Ft. Shafer....plus the USS Missouri and the other museums near the Uss Arizona.
"I will check out the cemetary/ and Ft. Shafer"
Those are on the Home of the Brave tour. I just added some info in case they don't go to the lookout at National Cemetery or if your tour is in January & you might not see the wreaths.
And ask about the old Tripler Hospital location at Ft. Shafter.
Maybe one of these days I'll take Home of the Brave tour. Then I'll know much better about the stops they make. Kind of hard for me to justify paying $$ for the tour as I've been to USS Arizona Memorial 15 times or so, National Cemetery about the same, USS Missouri once & Tropic Lightning Museum once.
Fort Shafter, Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Air Field, USS Arizona, drive thru of Punchbowl (not allowed off the bus) are all on the Home of the Brave Tour. Wonderful recreation of some of 12-07-41 which will make you want to investigate more. Sadly, unless you have a military ID, you can't go on Hickam AFB, to see more of the damage from that Day of Infamy.
I truly recommend going over to Ford Island, because you can see the runways, and air traffic control tower which is still standing. Again, unless you have a military ID, the only way you can visit Ford Island is to be on the bus that will take you over the USS Missouri and/or the Pacific Aviation Museum.
Whatever you decide, ENJOY!
"drive thru of Punchbowl (not allowed off the bus)"
Then for sure go to National Cemetery on a different day.
Just saving :)
We did the Home of the Brave Tour on our first trip we enjoyed it.
Definitely go back to vist the Punchbowl it's in a beautiful setting and hubby was dissapointe we did not get to stop on the tour so we went back he wanted to see Ernie Pyle's grave and the WWII battle murals are also impressive.
Well then thats what I'll do. Its sort of dissapointing that you can not go to Hickam (read about that place) or walk around Ford Island (the airbase) without Military ID. But I am sure it is for security after 9/11.
Another question- will the tour (home of the brave) when we get to Scholfield/ the Tropic Lightning Museum ...- will they rush you fast so you cannot read anything? Or is there not much to see?
I get frustated and never take museum tours because they rush you in like a herd of sheep, while it takes me 8 hours to read word for word- because the information is so great.
Tropic Lightning Museum is small, and I always feel that we can get through it in the time allowed. If anything, you can get a bus and go back again. Personally, I think the longer time needed would be at PH. On Ford Island you can spend as long as you want at the USS Missouri or at the Pacific Aviation Museum.
Personally, for us, the Home of the Brave tour is a delightful overview of 12-07-41. I still also urge you to go to the Army Museum. Great Hawaiian history, plus wonderful WWII history presented.
ENJOY!