As has been long planned, a new Pearl Harbor National Memorial visitor fee will be implemented starting April 15. The fee is to generate funds to support the park’s maintenance and provide further exhibits, new technology for visitors, and park security.
The fee charged for parking goes from free to $7 per day starting April 15. There is no charge for admission, and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the USS Arizona Memorial program have always been and will remain free of charge.
When announcing the new fee, the National Park Service said, “Generated revenue would support the park’s recurring maintenance needs and upkeep… This fee would also fund the operation of the parking lots and enhance visitor services such as security, exhibits, and the leveraging of technology to better reach a more modern audience… National Park Service sites collecting fees can retain 80% of collected revenue to support projects that improve the visitor experience. The remainder is used for other projects throughout the National Park Service.”
The fees are also determined in relation to other parks and memorials. For example, Mt. Rushmore charges a parking fee of $10 per vehicle, and the range of NPS parking fees is from $4 to $35 per vehicle. That puts Pearl Harbor among the NPS system’s lowest parking fees.
When you arrive at Pearl Harbor National Memorial, there will be two ways to pay. One will be through a mobile device app, and the other will use a parking lot-based kiosk system.
Parking fees apply to both out-of-state visitors as well as Hawaii residents.
Why visit Pearl Harbor?
To this day, the USS Arizona remains the single most in-demand destination for Hawaii visitors each year. It sees about two million visitors every year. The 1,177 soldiers who died during the Japanese attack, which took place on December 7, 1941, are not forgotten. That event resulted in the US entering World War II.
That attack began at 7:48 AM as 353 Japanese aircraft launched from six carriers struck Hawaii in two waves. The USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor is one of two ships that remained sunk. The others have all been raised; some returned to service in WWII.
When the Arizona was struck with a 1-ton bomb, it exploded and sank with 1,000 sailors who were onboard. Oil continues to be exuded from the remains to this day and is eerily visible below the Pacific waters.
In 1962, the memorial was dedicated and later came under the management of the National Park Service.
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Please forgive me for sounding dumb but, I know they are always worried about the yachts when they get beached leaking their fluids. Is it because it’s a tomb to many that they haven’t sucked out the oil that continues to leak 82 years later?
As a resident here all of my life, it’s wonderful(albeit) the tragedy, that we can remember the fallen during that fateful day. It’s concerning, however, that despite the millions of visits(each year), what is happening to the actual battleship that sits under the water, second after second, minute after minute, hour after hour, year after year? Will it still be there for future generations to memorialize beside our fallen heroes? This personal issue has been with me for the latter half of my 49 years of being alive. If it were up to me, I would raise the ship out of water and save what’s left of it, put it on a solid foundation, and build a memorial around it. That way the the preservation could be memorialized for centuries to come.
@Dayson… to help alleviate your fears regarding the Arizona.
Since the oxidation process (rust) requires oxygen, that great ‘ol ship will be around long after you and I are gone.
Think about all the discoveries that have been made over the past many years of Viking ships that were made out of wood. Because they weren’t exposed to the air they are in pretty good shape all things considered.
So much more so for the metal made Arizona.
What?? You Do realize the Arizona is a gravesite to scores of men, right? How would you handle their remains? Likely most skeletal remains might be dissolved by the saltwater by now, but you never know. I saw a documentary on a team using a remote controlled camera, investigating as far inside the Arizona as they could go. Hanging in obviously an officer’s quarters was his perfectly preserved dress white uniform. Very eerie. I’m not in favor of anyone disturbing those possible remains and causing more heartache to the families. It is the final resting place of those who died, and out of respect, should be preserved as such. I think we can continue to preserve the site for many years to come, without resorting to raising it.
I think that it is about time that a fee is charged for this historical site. I am a Hawaii resident and I will happily do my fair share. I support this fee for maintenance and preservation and improving the experience for everyone. Thank you
If you have never been to the Pearl Harbor Memorial, it is worth a $7 fe to go out to see it. The have charged for every other exhibit at Pearl Harbor for years and some are much more expensive than that. It gives you the realistic view and feel of what the movies about Pearl Harbor can never give you. Before I went the first time I went to Pearl Harbor, I had watched the movies, studied about WWII in school but it didn’t give any justice to what you feel when you’re standing on that memorial looking down at that ship and thinking of the men and women who gave their lives for our freedom. It is so humbling and sobering. This last time we went there was a gentleman on the memorial who spoke about how things were that day, it was life changin
Sailors and Marines were aboard the USS Arizona, not Soldiers. As a retired Marine I always try to keep the record straight. Thanks.
Out of all the various fees you pay at hotels and other attractions during your visit to Oahu, this parking fee is worth every penny. A visit to Pearl Harbor is a Must!
I have no problem with this Fee, unlike the Numerous and Overwhelming Fee’s that Hawaiian Tourists are forced to pay at least This Fee will benefit the National Historic Park and its visitors. When considering $65 per day parking Fees, remember that it’s sunny and warm year-round without any ice or snow removal to contend with, it’s well over priced by $40 a day. Other Fees are also put in place to add revenue, not to recoup actual costs. Where will people be parking their EV Rentals? Not in parking structures! Do I forsee $100+ per day parking Fees exclusively for them in the future!
Yes, I know it’s “minor”, but the 1177 men entombed in USS Arizona are sailors…Not soldiers….They are US Navy sailors…Not US Army Soldiers. I am not denigrating what Army soldiers did in both Europe and the Pacific.
Those who have family aboard the Arizona should not have to pay to go to their grave. As a daughter & niece of Pearl Harbor Survivors, this is a hard No for me.
Is it a good idea to get tickets before your trip? Or can you purchase them there? Is the submarine the same way? Thanks
Hi Mel.
We’ll do another visit and a complete update shortly. In the meantime, we’ll refer you here for ticket and other information: https://www.nps.gov/perl/index.htm.
Aloha.
Tickets are on a 1st come basis. Best to go early to do that memorial then take your time at the rest of the park.
You should definitely reserve your tickets days before visiting the memorial otherwise you may not get to go
What happens to all the visitors that arrive on “The Bus”? Is there a fee for that? Most people who visit ride “The Bus” to get around the fees being charged at most sites.
This is such a loving memorial to our soldiers. The 7$ parking fee is quite reasonable. We make it a point to stop there enroute to Maui every visit. The first time I visited was in 1986 and it was so very sad. Sad that so many that were there were loud and disrespectable during a time that one should be honoring and reflecting from their lessons of this historical event. I do hope that parents will teach their kids the history, and also respect. Ever human (race) should be respectful and not be chattering up so loud while (we) veterans and individuals who were taught this history, who have parents and loved ones that experienced this event. It is not a disney trip. And travelers should be given their language a lesson in courtesy
Sounds reasonable
I hate to have to remind BoF, but the large majority of the person killed during the Pearl Harbor attack were Sailors, Not Soldiers!!! And most were on the Arizona.
This sounds dramatically more reasonable and well justified than $30/day parking at beaches in Maui.
At least there is equality with fees for both visitors and locals
In the scheme of things, $7 doesn’t seem like too much to deal with. It’s a small price to pay to see a part of history. And pay tribute to those who perished in the attack. What bothers me is the rising prices of hotels, and fees on top of fees. But that’s another story.
No parking anywhere, with the possible exceptions of hospitals and police stations, should be free. Car drivers should pay for the storage of their private property (I.e. their car) when not in use.
Totally worth it. That’s for all day. Not bad.
“… enhance visitor services such as security,…”
There’s a problem with security? I think they could have come up with a better reason that.