For the current year’s Memorial Day, click this link —> Oahu Memorial Day Events, which is updated by mid-May each year.
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The following events are from 2014 for reference purposes only.
Need ideas for what to do and see in Waikiki, Honolulu and Oahu for this Memorial Day? Check our recommendations for Memorial Day events and more.
Memorial Day Events on Monday, May 26, 2014
Honolulu Mayor’s Memorial Day Service
This annual event organized by the Honolulu Mayor’s office is a very popular event held at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, which is also known as Punchbowl. The Royal Hawaiian Band will be performing at this service that starts at 8:30am and lasts through 10am.
Punchbowl is located at 2177 Puowaina Drive in Honolulu. This event is free and open to the public.
Parking in Punchbowl for the Mayor’s Memorial Day Service is limited and could prove to be very challenge. Consider taking public transportation. Check TheBus.org for special bus service to this event.
Visit National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl)
If you can’t make it to the Honolulu Mayor’s Memorial Day Service, which we describe above, a visit to this somberly beautiful national cemetery is still worth your time.
On Sunday, May 25 local boy scouts place flags and drape more than 50,000 fresh floral leis at the grave sites. These leis are hand sewn by local school children and residents. Due to parking limitations, we do not recommend visiting between the hours of 11am – 3pm, while the boy scouts are busy decorating the graves.
Punchbowl is located at 2177 Puowaina Drive in Honolulu. See our post with recommendations for visiting Punchbowl.
Magic Island Lantern Floating Ceremony at Ala Moana Beach Park
The annual Lantern Floating Ceremony attracts thousands of local residents and visitors. It’s a peaceful and moving night of remembrance and prayer. This free ceremony takes place from 6pm to 7:30pm at Ala Moana Beach Park — just west of Waikiki. Ala Moana Beach Park (see map) is within walking distance of Waikiki — especially on the western end. Public transportation to Ala Moana Beach Park is available via TheBus. For more information, go to LanternFloatingHawaii.com.
Other meaningful things to see and do over Memorial Day Weekend
We are not currently aware of any special Memorial Day events at the following Pearl Harbor sites, but it is possible they may have some.
USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor
We list a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial as one of the top things you should see and do on Oahu. It’s a very moving place to tour and can be an especially meaningful place to visit on Memorial Day. Admission is free. I highly recommend that you get there early in the morning as holidays are particularly popular times to visit. The Visitor Center is open from 7am to 5pm, but the timed programs to the memorial begin at 8am and run through 3pm. Be prepared for your visit by reading Visiting the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor
The Mighty Mo played an important role in US history. Visiting hours are from 8am to 5pm. See this link for directions and ticket pricing details as well as my article with advice for touring the Mighty Mo.
Pacific Aviation Museum in Pearl Harbor
This museum displays aircraft that have been important to US military history. Open from 9am to 5pm. See this link for ticketing information.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park in Pearl Harbor
The Bowfin was an attack submarine vessel with significant history in WWII. It’s open from 7am to 5pm. Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for children.
Sheila Beal
