Lisa and Kristin's Blog: Pearl Harbor

I remember going to Pearl Harbor once before, but it was on a concert tour with 200 of our closest friends and we didn't spend much time there. I didn't realize how much there was to do and how awesome that place was! I think it will end up being the highlight of the trip.

Since today was going to be a non beach day, I decided to wear my lie on our adventures. It was just going to die eventually and I wouldn't be able to take it home, so minus well wear it right?

First stop, Pearl Harbor

The S.S. Arizona Memorial

I was so excited to see Steve, Katie, and Baby Lucy at Pearl Harbor! Baby Lucy is wearing my Lei.

After watching a movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor, they shuttle you by boat over to the S.S. Arizona Memorial.

Approaching the dock.

Anneli, Christine, Catherine, Riley, Dad, and Dave looking at a map of the ship inside the memorial.

A large wall at the back of the memorial lists the names of everyone who died.

The pattern in the wall next to the memorial wall is called "The Tree of Life." It was designed to create an atmosphere for quiet pondering and reverence and symbolizes that the memories of all who died would live on forever. It worked. It is such an intriguing pattern and inside the memorial feels kind of like a temple. No talking, no craziness, just respect and reverence. It was awesome!

There were a few flowers placed on the shrine that I assumed had been left there by visitors. It seemed like the right thing to do to take off my lei and leave it behind to pay my respects.

My lei in front of the tree of life with the names of the dead of the wall behind.

Inside the memorial with part of the S.S. Arizona showing behind. It is amazing how white the walls of the memorial are, inside and out. The whole place is like an open palace.

Anneli showing Riley how to tell how big the ship is. Bouys on each side of the ship mark it's ends. It was giant.

I was trying to get a cool picture of the flag flying above the monument. It is only a coincidence that the people who ended up walking by at the time and got in the picture was my family.

Me and mom leaving the memorial headed for the boat.


The flag on our little boat waves good bye to the memorial as we head back to shore.

Our first family picture taken in front of a wall panel of The Tree of Life that is on display in front of the museums when you get off the boat.

Shadow cast by The Tree of Life

Next we went to the museums

Riley standing in front of a model of the S.S. Arizona

This model shows the sunken S.S. Arizona and how the memorial is positioned on top.

I don't know how well you can see this, but this was the coolest thing at the museum. It is the typed presidential speech given to congress about the attack on Pearl Harbor with handwritten notes. The first line was originally going to say "... a day that will live in world history." Not nearly as impactful.

Look how cool the roots on this tree are.

The anchor recovered from the USS Arizona

Mom and Anneli looking at the missels

We met up with Katie and Lucy again (Katie took this picture) and I got to hang out with them for a little bit while my family scattered and Steve was making phone calls in the car.

This place was awesome. Each one of the stone markers represents a ship with its crew that is lost at sea.

Each marker tells about the ship, has a picture, and lists all of the crewmen under the heading "On Eternal Patrol." I had no idea so many ships got lost at sea. Sad.

The USS Bowfin was docked at Pearl Harbor....

... and service men were on board doing something.

After spending the better part of the day at Pearl Harbor we left for a little bit to get some dinner and go to a swamp meet before returning in the evening for the Christmas Lights boat tour. This is Riley standing in line, back at Pearl Harbor, as we wait to get our tickets for more tickets. He was very proud to have found this giant leaf.