Pearl Harbor Tours ~ Testimonials

My tour started with a pick up at my hotel with a warm greeting from my tour guide Kenn. (yes with two N's) He's a transplant from New York and has lived on Oahu for 33 years. I was the last to be picked up so we headed toward Pearl Harbor at which point he went over the safety requirements of the shuttle and operations protocols and then transitioned into one of the best performed scripts I've ever heard. Now I say "performed" for a reason, because he did just that. He treated the telling of the history of that day at Pearl Harbor and the events that lead up to it with a passion like it was his first time speaking of it.

We reached Pearl Harbor, and as we stayed on the bus for a moment while some folks lockered some bags, Kenn got all our tickets for us in advance. (As touched upon by a previous email sent out by DHHT. Guests no longer have to wait in line for individual tickets) We entered the visitor center and Kenn pointed out the layout of the entire facility, told us where to be and when to be there. He made sure to repeat to the group that we're not "Tourists" we're "Professional Travelers" and as such there will be NO stressing! He succeeded in that despite what I thought would be challenge from some guests, ha. At this point Kenn departed as he had other tours to pick up and bring about. The guides have a pretty active schedule and are NOT with you the entire time. The visitor's center always has a park ranger about though to answer questions.

The tickets the guests have all have a time specific entry on them and as our time neared we got in line to the theater. The theater room is where they play a 23 minute (if I remember correctly) video that gives a detailed account of the events that lead up to and included the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I can tell you honestly that I heard people weeping during this movie. I do not say that in jest. It was a touching movie.

After the theater guests are brought to the naval vessel that brings guests to the Arizona Memorial. Guests are usually allotted about 15 minutes on board the memorial. It's noteworthy to mention that as you walk into the memorial the rangers ask you to NOT take pictures. They do this simply for the efficiency of arrivals and departures. Once all guests are safely inside you can be as camera happy as you like.

Though this particular tour does not include a visit to the USS Bowfin (the submarine on site), guests were actually given enough time to do it on their own if they wished. Also, that's the same submarine they use in the sub scenes on the show Lost.. Go Lost! (sorry, I'm a huge fan)

After the memorial grounds we were shuttled over to Ford Island so that we may view and climb aboard the USS Missouri. This is the site where the American and Japanese forces signed the treaty that ended WWII. The ship is massive, because of this we were given almost 2 hours there. The barrels of her main guns each weigh 120 tons and have a firing range of 20 miles accurate within 23 feet!!! Pretty neat stuff.

After the Mighty Mo we boarded the shuttle for the last time. Kenn brought us through a great tour of Honolulu. He showcased the Royal Palace, King Kamehameha's statue, Punchbowl Nat. Cemetery (which was amazing), and yes..even a former residence of President Obama. Shortly after that we arrived again into Waikiki. Kenn began dropping off guests and I left the bus from a day that was profound. Very well conducted indeed!
~ John R.

Lani's enthusiastic and interesting commentary was very enjoyable. She made the whole day a highlight.
~ Kristie Sarmiento

A very enjoyable day spent at Pearl Harbor!. Jonathan was a great guide who was friendly and very informative. The highlight for me was the Mighty Mo. Very impressive!
~ Kathy H.

What a wonderful and touching day we had! Cowboy was full of knowledge! We were in Hawaii for 2 weeks and we are glad that we did this tour the day before we left. This was the best tour we took while on vacation!
~ Dustin

We highly recommend this tour as well as Lani our tour guide. Lani was great, she shares with us so much information, something we wouldn't have gotten if we went on our own. This was the best tour we have been on during our vacation!
~ Graeme Gosling

We are very happy that we booked with Discover Hawaii Tours. Lani (our tour guide) was very knowledgeable of the historic events. Thank you for a wonderful tour!
~ The Donovan's

This was a very moving tour. Seeing the morning sun reflecting off the memorial as we took the Navy shuttle over was incredible. (Thanks to Jonathan for telling us where to sit!). I also has a good time on the self guided tour of the Missouri, as it gave me the chance to see the ship at my own pace (I never realized just how small the surrender deck was until I stood on it in person). The Obama tour was very interesting and really helped to show the kind of neighborhood and people he grew up around.
~ Carole

We had a great tour! Pappy took great care of us and got us everywhere we needed to go. He shared a lot of information. It was good.
~ Allan

We had a great time on the tour. It was fun. We liked our guide, Lani. She was very knowledgeable. We thought the tour was well organized.
~ Chris

I thought the tour was real good. It was very nice. Jonathan was great. He was fantastic. I don't know how much the City tour was in the price but it was weak. A real waste of time.
~ Gerald

I thought the tour was very informative, very well put together and very Professional. We really enjoyed it. Our guide was amazing. Overall, I would give it 11 out of 10.
~ Jordon

We loved it. Truly loved it. Cannot stop talking about it. We would have liked to have more air conditioning. But the tour was very functional, on time, everything was taken care of by us.
~ Marvin