National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl sits within a crater visible from all of Honolulu. Here is the final resting place for thousands of America’s veterans including soldiers remains from around the Pacific Theater, as well as noted war correspondent Ernie Pyle, Hawaii Island-born astronaut Ellison Onizuka and U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye.

First and foremost a cemetery, Punchbowl also has a Memorial Building that houses a chapel and sizable mosaic gallery that maps out the history of war in the Pacific. The Courts of the Missing is inscribed with the names of 26,280 MIA soldiers.

At the crater’s highest point along the rim, visitors will find breathtaking views stretching from Diamond Head to the Waianae mountain range. The pathway leading from a small lot to the lookout is lined with memorials honoring America’s veterans.