Most Hawaii Locals Have Never Heard Of This Fascinating Naval Museum
By Megan Shute|Published November 27, 2018
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
The Hawaiian Islands are steeped in history, though there is perhaps no place more integral to United States’ history than Pearl Harbor. While the U.S. Government did not obtain exclusive use of the area — and the right to maintain a repair station for ships — at Pearl Harbor until 1887, it has since become one of the country’s most well-known historic landmarks. This, of course, is due to the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941, the fateful event which was the immediate cause of America’s entry into World War II.
Today, Pearl Harbor is one of two main bases for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, as well as a living piece of history, with several museums and memorials open to the public. And while most people have heard of the USS Arizona (which has unfortunately been closed for repairs until at least March 2019) and maybe even the USS Missouri (America’s last remaining battleship), most people are unaware of the floating naval museum we want to share with you today.
Nestled in the heart of Pearl Harbor next to the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center, the USS Bowfin Museum and Park is home to a World War II-era submarine turned floating museum that is often overlooked by Hawaii locals and tourists alike.
A Balao-class submarine, the USS Bowfin was laid down on July 23, 1942, by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, launched on December 7, 1942 (one year to the day after the tragic attack on Pearl Harbor), and commissioned on May 1, 1943.
After embarking on nine different patrols throughout the Pacific during World War II — sinking an impressive 44 enemy ships — and operating as part of the Atlantic Fleet from 1945 to 1947, the Bowfin was placed in reserve in 1947 at New London before moving to San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle where she was once again commissioned.
The USS Bowfin was taken to Pearl Harbor, and since 1981, the submarine has been open to the public for tours as a floating museum full of naval history. The submarine was declared a National Historical Landmark in 1986.
Painstakingly restored to near-perfect condition by an avid crew of preservationists, the USS Bowfin gives visitors a unique glimpse into the history of both the United States Navy and World War II.
Measuring in at approximately 312 feet long and 27 feet wide, the Bowfin housed a crew of 80 men in addition to an array of guns and up to 24 torpedos.
Today, visitors to Pearl Harbor can tour both the historic ship and the accompanying museum for just $15 per adult and $7 per child aged 4 to 12 (children under four are not allowed to tour the submarine due to safety concerns). Kama’aina, military, and seniors can gain admission for just $8.
Stand at the battle stations in the torpedo rooms, discover how members of the crew slept on their bunks on top of the torpedos, and experience the inside of the control room, officer quarters, engine rooms, galley, and mess decks.
Anyone interested in the United States military, World War II, and submarines will want to add this unique floating museum to their Hawaii bucket list as soon as possible.
The USS Bowfin is located at 11 Arizona Memorial Dr, Honolulu, HI 96818, and is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit their website.
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