Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Historic Ford Island occupies World War II-era hangars Ranked #8 aviation attraction in the nation.
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Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on historic Ford Island occupies World War II-era hangars that still bear the scars of our nation's first aviation battlefield.

From the depths of Lake Michigan to Pearl Harbor. The Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat in our collection (BuNo 12296) began its jou...
06/21/2026

From the depths of Lake Michigan to Pearl Harbor.

The Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat in our collection (BuNo 12296) began its journey with the U.S. Navy in 1943, serving as a fighter trainer during World War II. Originally ordered as part of a group intended for the F4F-3S “Wildcatfish” floatplane program, the aircraft was instead completed as a trainer after the program was canceled.

On June 21, 1943, Ens. George A. Hahn was completing carrier qualification training aboard USS Sable when a mechanical failure prevented the aircraft from gaining enough speed during takeoff. Ens. Hahn safely escaped, but Wildcat 12296 sank beneath the waters of Lake Michigan.
Nearly 50 years later, the aircraft was recovered, restored, and returned to the skies before eventually finding its home at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

Visit Hangar 37 at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to see this beautifully restored historic aircraft up close.

Celebrate Independence Day at PHAMily Fun Day: Freedom to Fly, presented by CarWash808 Express, on July 4 from 10 AM–4 P...
06/21/2026

Celebrate Independence Day at PHAMily Fun Day: Freedom to Fly, presented by CarWash808 Express, on July 4 from 10 AM–4 PM at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum! 🇺🇸✈️

Join us for a patriotic day of family fun in partnership with Hawaiʻi’s America250 commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Activities include:
🎶 Live entertainment and patriotic demonstrations
🇺🇸 Hawaiʻi’s America250 commemoration program (1:00 PM–2:30 PM)
✈️ Meet a 103-year-old WWII B-17 pilot
💌 “Messages for Heroes” display
🎨 Keiki crafts and activities
🏰 Bounce house
📸 Photo booth
📖 Vintage Book Sale
✈️ Open cockpit experiences
❤️ Local Oʻahu exhibitors
😋 Free popsicle for the first 250 guests (one per guest with valid PHAMily Fun Day admission)
➕ Plus more PHAMily Fun Day favorites

🎟️ Kamaʻāina and Military: $5 (ages 4+) with pre-registration or $10 at the door
• Members and keiki 3 and under: FREE

Located on historic Ford Island. Visitors without base access can take the free shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

Pre-register now! Link in bio. bit.ly/4kiZHy8

June 19, 1944: The Battle of the Philippine Sea begins.Known as the largest aircraft carrier battle in history, the two-...
06/20/2026

June 19, 1944: The Battle of the Philippine Sea begins.

Known as the largest aircraft carrier battle in history, the two-day battle marked a decisive moment in the Pacific War. As U.S. forces advanced toward the Mariana Islands, the Imperial Japanese Navy launched Operation A-GO in an attempt to deliver a decisive blow and turn the tide of the war.

Instead, U.S. Navy pilots and ships of Task Force 58 defended against waves of Japanese aircraft in what became known as the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot,” a devastating loss for Japanese naval aviation. By the end of the battle, Japan had lost hundreds of aircraft and three aircraft carriers, severely weakening its carrier forces for the remainder of World War II.

Today, we remember the courage, skill, and sacrifice of those who served in the skies and seas of the Pacific.

Photos:

1. An F6F Hellcat lands aboard USS Lexington (CV-16) during the opening day of the battle, June 19, 1944.
2. Lt. (jg) Alexander Vraciu celebrates after becoming one of the battle’s top-scoring American fighter pilots.
3. USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) narrowly avoids a Japanese bomb during the air attacks of June 19, 1944.
4. Torpedo bombers and dive bombers of Task Force 58 en route to strike Japanese forces.
5. Sailors aboard USS Lexington admire victory markings representing enemy aircraft destroyed during the battle.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved Americans in Confederate territory learned they were free....
06/20/2026

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when the last enslaved Americans in Confederate territory learned they were free.

Few realize that one thread of this larger story reaches Hawaiʻi.

Samuel C. Armstrong, born in Wailuku, Maui, served with the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War and later founded Hampton Institute. One of his students, Booker T. Washington, would go on to lead Tuskegee Institute—the future birthplace of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in U.S. history.

This Juneteenth, we reflect on the enduring connections between freedom, education, and service, and the many individuals who helped carry that promise forward.

Mahalo to PHAM docent Alvin Yee for sharing this remarkable historical connection.

06/16/2026

Planning your visit to Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum? ✈️

From historic aircraft and immersive exhibits in Hangar 37 and 79 to the iconic Ford Island Control Tower, there’s so much to explore during your visit. Hear from our CEO, John Hiltz, as he shares some of our experiences that make Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum a must-see destination in Hawaii. 🌴

Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, there’s always something new to discover, learn, and experience.

📍 Start planning your visit today at PearlHarborAviationMuseum.org

06/05/2026

School’s out and the fun is on! ☀️🤩

Kick off summer at PHAMily Fun Day: School’s Out, presented by CarWash808 Express, on Friday, June 13 from 10 AM–4 PM at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum! ✈️

Bring the whole ohana for a full day of family fun across our historic campus.

Activities include:
💦 Water yo-yo fishing
🎣 Toy fishing
🎨 Sand art
☀️ Sun catcher making
🌈 Streamers
🖍️ Chalk art corner
📚 Bookmark making
⚽ Soccer playing
✈️ Open cockpit experiences
❤️ Local exhibitors from across Oahu
➕ Plus more PHAMily Fun Day favorites

🎟️ Kamaaina and Military: $5 (ages 4+) with pre-registration
• Members and keiki 3 and under: FREE

Located on historic Ford Island. Visitors without base access can take the free shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.

Pre-register now! Link in bio! bit.ly/4kiZHy8

06/04/2026

The Battle of Midway, one of the most important naval battles of World War II, was not decided by ships, but by aircraft.
On June 4, 1942, U.S. aviators played a critical role in turning the tide of the Pacific War.
Join us in breaking down the events of that day and explore the aviation behind the battle, connecting history to the stories preserved here at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.

This Japanese Foreign Ministry cipher machine is part of the 1931-series of Japanese cipher machines and was designated ...
06/03/2026

This Japanese Foreign Ministry cipher machine is part of the 1931-series of Japanese cipher machines and was designated M-3 by the US Navy and RED by the US Army Signal Intelligence Service (SIS).

In 1935, SIS codebreakers Frank Rowlett and Solomon Kullback began an attack on RED and had successfully broken it by the spring of 1936. Eventually replaced by a new cipher, designated PURPLE, the RED cipher represents an important stage in the development of diplomatic ciphers by the Empire of Japan.

Facing rising tensions in the Pacific diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tokyo would reach a critical point in December 1941.

Address

319 Lexington Boulevard/Ford Island
Honolulu, HI
96818

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+18084411000

Website

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