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Fly
from Big Island to Oahu to See Pearl Harbor
NOTE: The theater in the Arizona Memorial visitor's center is being renovated and will reopen sometime in the summer of 2010; in the meantime the documentary film will be playing on smaller monitors in the visitor's center. All other aspects of the Arizona Memorial and visitor's center are open and tours will function as normal during this time.
$239 per person from Kona or Hilo ($289 per person for holiday travel dates from December 15th to January 4th);
Round-Trip Airfare ...
Rental Car for the day ...
Tour Pearl Harbor ...
See Waikiki Beach ... free to plan your own day and save money compared to structured tours
Book
as soon as you can! If you wait until a few weeks before your trip,
the cost may go up if the less-expensive
seats are already booked. Rates quoted are our typical package prices available in advance for most dates. If travel on your selected date is going to cost more than the posted price, we will contact you prior to finalizing your reservation just after receiving your order. In many cases we surprise people; they receive confirmation and discover the rate is actually less than we post here.
The
most popular day-trip to another island takes people to one of our
nation's most sacred places, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl
Harbor. Regardless of your interest in history or WWII, a
visit to this shrine is an emotional experience. If you have never
been ... you should go.
The best way to
visit Pearl Harbor from the Big Island is to do one of these fly-drive
packages. You get
round-trip airfare from the Big Island to Honolulu, and the use of a rental
car for the day. Pearl Harbor is very close to the airport, and the
rental car attendant will give you a map and directions to get
there.
The USS Arizona is
part of the National Park Service, and there is no admission fee.
When you arrive, you will wait in line to get a ticket which admits
you to the theater at the next available show time. The documentary
film prepares you well for what you are about to experience, because
when the film ends and the doors open, everyone boards the Navy
shuttle boat in hushed silence. The boat ride to the memorial only takes
a few minutes.
After seeing the
Arizona, you might want to check out the USS Bowfin submarine and the Battleship Missouri ... entrance to these is by admission
and is right next door. Or you might choose to drive around Oahu ...
or go to Waikiki.
Departure from Kona is typically at 6:30am, with return choices of 5:20pm, 7:00pm, or 7:45pm. The morning departure from Hilo is typically at 9:00am, with return choices of 5:20pm, 6:20pm, or 7:20pm.
(Note: Fly-drive
reservations must be charged at the time of reservation and are non-refundable. They should also be considered non-changeable as any itinerary changes will result in significant change fees plus the difference in cost in the airfare, if any.)
The rate includes all airport taxes, fuel surcharges,
and security fees. The cost of the rental car is included in the total package price and this includes all taxes and surcharges on the car as well.
ACTIVITY
TIPS
Pearl
Harbor is open seven days a week ... every day of the year except for Thanksgiving,
Christmas, and New Year's Day. This air-car package is a much better way to explore Oahu and see Pearl Harbor. You'll get more done without being saddled with the slow pace and added expense of 55 passenger bus tours.
One
tip for photographing the memorial ... when you are re-boarding the
boat for the return, try to get in the last row. As the boat pulls
away from the Arizona, you will get your best photo from there.
When
you are done touring the Arizona Memorial, those who are especially interested in WWII may want to tour the USS
Missouri which is a battleship of the same class as the Arizona which is docked just south of the memorial. While tickets to the Arizona Memorial are free to the public, you must purchase tickets at the Missouri visitor's centerif you'd like to visit the Missouri or the USS Bowfin, a submarine which was nicknamed the "Pearl Harbor Avenger."After you are done with Pearl Harbor you have the freedom to drive around and explore Oahu ... go up
to the Pali Overlook ... or spend a few hours shopping at
Waikiki ... or walk out to the beach and take a photo with Diamond Head in the background. Honolulu is a very long, narrow city. It is hard to
get lost ... do some exploring and enjoy!
One
question I often get asked about the fly-drive ... "If there
are four of us, shouldn't the price get a little cheaper since there
are four of us sharing the cost of the car instead of two?"
Good question. The answer is "no" ... unless you want to
squeeze four people into a compact car. Parties of four get larger
cars ... and larger cars cost more. It evens out ... trust me!
The
driver of the rental car must be25or older with a major credit
card in his / her name. Drivers 21-24 are possible, but you
need to give us a call and let us know. Rental car companies charge an extra $25 or so for younger drivers at the rental
car counter.
A
major credit card is required at the time you pick up your
rental car (damage deposit). Most people don't take out the
option insurance coverage because their auto insurance at home
covers rental car damage as well (subject to your deductibles
... see your policy for details). My advice on the gasoline
... DON'T pre-purchase a tank of gas from the rental car compay ... tell them
you will bring it back full. You won't likely use a whole tank
of gas unless you drive the car all day long and do three
circles around the island of Oahu! There is a gasoline station
at the airport where you can fill up ... conveniently located
in the same block where you return the car! If you didn't go
anywhere except Pearl Harbor, the needle probably hasn't moved
on the gas gauge and in that case you don't even need to worry
about filling up.
Interisland airlines have discontinued the use of "flight
coupons." In the past it was possible to get discount
airfare by buying these coupons from a travel agent. They aren't
available anymore.
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