On the island of Oahu, there are plenty of activities you can engage in during your stay, but there are some that are absolutely “must-do” before your time on the island is up. The two most imperative choices represent a mix of adventure and history, two completely different experiences that will give you insight into both the beautiful terrain of the island and the history that was thrust upon it one warm Sunday morning in 1941.
Treat yourself to two of Oahu’s most sought-after tours – a zipline course that takes you soaring over the beautiful expanses of the island and a trip back in time at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument at Pearl Harbor.
Ziplining Thrills
There is a variety of different courses spread throughout Oahu, each one providing its own unique view of the island’s stunning landscapes. Each line ends on a sturdy wooden platform, giving you a moment to regroup from the rush and get a good long look at the wondrous scenery surrounding you. Zip over the canopies of the towering treetops as the beauty of the island unfolds below you.
Embark on a breathtaking adventure, soaring against the warm tropical breeze. Look left, look down, look right – don’t miss out on any of the wondrous sights that await you on this high-flying speedy journey!
A Journey Through Time
A somber contrast to your ziplining high, this trip through time is an important one that all travelers to Oahu should experience. Over 75 years ago, the Japanese swooped in on Pearl Harbor and targeted the battleships lined up in Battleship Row. Though the United States Navy persevered and continued fighting in the Pacific, the attack left much of the harbor in disarray. Over 2,400 servicemen died that day, and the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument is a lasting remembrance of the lives lost and the heroes made that day.
Through a series of exhibits and memorials that starts at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and culminate at the Punchbowl National Cemetery, guests are thrust into the events of December 7th, 1941. The USS Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri combine to provide a look at both the devastation of the attack, the life of a sailor aboard a battleship, and the successes of the war.
Guests at the USS Arizona Memorial peer down into the wreckage of the sunken giant before embarking on a tour of the Battleship Missouri, from the cramped interior of the vessel to the deck where Japan’s surrender was signed.
The exhibits and ships at Pearl Harbor provide an in-depth view of the Japanese attack, and the Pacific Aviation Museum completes the story, encompassing planes of the World War II-era as well as other aircraft used throughout United States military history.
