On December 7, 1941, over two thousand lives were lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 2010 marks the 69th anniversary of this historical event, and the grand opening and official dedication of the newly renovated, state-of-the-art Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. This year’s theme is “A Promise Fulfilled” and honors Pearl Harbor survivors by endeavoring to provide a deeper, hands-on experience in understanding Pearl Harbor and World War II in the Pacific, and continuing to educate the public and commemorate Pearl Harbor’s history and its heroes.

The new visitor center, costing an estimated $56 million, is 23,600 square feet -- twice the size of the original and better able to accommodate the more than 1.5 million visitors it receives each year. An information desk and numerous ticketing windows allow visitors to spend less time standing in line and afford them a chance to make the most of their visit. The visitor center also serves as a gateway to not only the USS Arizona Memorial, but the  Battleship Missouri Memorial  , the  USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park  , the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the USS Oklahoma and USS Utah memorials as well.
 
New open air and enclosed multimedia exhibits have been designed to help visitors learn and absorb information from many different perspectives, including the U.S. military on the ground, civilians caught in the crossfire, and American and Japanese airmen. Interactive maps, video tracks and oral history kiosks share personal stories of those affected by the war. A 1941 gallery displays life on Oahu prior to the attack. History then comes to life as the Attack and Aftermath Gallery takes visitors on the actual flight path of the Pearl Harbor attack. Finally, two fully-renovated movie theaters present a captivating and informative 23-minute documentary to prepare visitors for their Naval ferry ride across Pearl Harbor to the final resting place of the USS Arizona.



The 69th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration and Dedication of Pearl Harbor Visitor Center takes place on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, beginning at 7:40 a.m., at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. Over 100 Pearl Harbor survivors are expected to attend. Guest speakers will include Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Admiral Thomas B. Fargo, USN (RET); the Honorable Daniel K. Inouye, United States Senate; Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director, National Park Service; and the Honorable Ken Salazar, Secretary, U.S. Department of Interior. Although invited guests have first priority, any remaining seats will be offered to the general public.

Admission to the  Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial and Honolulu City Bus tour  is free with the Honolulu Power Pass card; however, the tour will not be available on December 7, 2010.

About the Honolulu Power Pass:

Visit the Honolulu Power Pass official website for more detailed information on the  Honolulu Oahu sightseeing pass  .

A complete  list of Honolulu attractions and tours  participating in the Honolulu, Oahu Power Pass is also available on the Oahu tourist pass site.