Established in 1945, officially as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, the cemetery was established in the punch bowl-shaped crater of an extinct volcano. The crater spans six acres and is almost filled with the graves of service members who fought and died in Pacific theaters of combat, including World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
The day we visited Punchbowl, a perfect rainbow appeared over the monuments to those missing in action
Especially noteworthy—and moving—are the ascending giant marble slabs inscribed with the names of more than 28,000 service members listed as missing in action or buried at sea. Look for bronze florets beside the names of service personnel whose remains have since been recovered and positively identified.
At the back of the memorial is a marble wall with huge mosaic images of the various battles in the Pacific. These graphics show the positions of Allied and enemy forces, and their movements. The history of the wars in the Pacific, including World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam conflict, are captured in these detailed panels.
From January 4-March 25, 1949, more than 11,000 World War II casualties had been laid to rest in the Punchbowl crater prior to the public opening of the cemetery.
Designed to fit within the circular crater of the extinct volcano, carefully landscaped with native trees and shrubs, graves are marked by flat granite headstones meticulously placed on the expanse of the manicured grounds. The cemetery is a significant part of the country’s National Memorial Parks. (National Park Service)
Things To Know: This national cemetery is well worth visiting. While it is a solemn place, it is also a peaceful and educational experience, especially studying the detailed maps of different Pacific battlegrounds and campaigns. The “Punchbowl” cemetery is located in Central Honolulu at 2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu. It is open to the public. Allow several hours for your visit.
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