National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)
Puowaina
A national cemetery set inside the extinct volcanic crater Punchbowl, where tens of thousands of servicemen from WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War are buried. The summit overlooks Honolulu.
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific lies inside the Punchbowl crater north of the city. Its Hawaiian name is Puowaina, meaning 'Hill of Sacrifice.' Opened in 1949, the cemetery holds more than 50,000 American servicemen and family members, including soldiers killed in WWII and war correspondent Ernie Pyle. At the top of the stairs, the Court of the Missing bears the names of tens of thousands of missing servicemen, and the corridor walls feature mosaic maps of the major battles of the Pacific War. Admission is free; please remain solemn. The lookout on the crater rim overlooks downtown Honolulu, Waikiki and Diamond Head.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:30 (extended in summer)
Nearby sights
- Honolulu Museum of Art
- ʻIolani Palace
- King Kamehameha Statue
- Chinatown, Honolulu
- Kakaʻako Murals (POW! WOW! Hawaii)
- Ala Moana Center
- Bishop Museum
- International Market Place