National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific

In ancient Hawaiian times, the Punchbowl Crater was used for human sacrifices. Now, it's the final resting place for men and women who provided military service to their country. The National Memorial Cemetery stretches over much of the crater and receives thousands of visitors each year, all eager to pay their respects to the U.S. veterans buried there. The cemetery contains several moving tributes, including the Honolulu Memorial dedicated to armed forces who fought in the Pacific during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Notable veterans buried here include Ernie Pyle (the famous World War II correspondent) and Stanley Dunham, the maternal grandfather of President Barack Obama. 

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific overlooks central Honolulu and can be reached from the Pali Highway. The grounds are open from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. from October to February, and until 6:30 p.m. from March through September. Visit the cemetery's website to further plan your visit.