description Punchbowl Crater Overview
Punchbowl Crater is a volcanic tuff cone in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Its bowl-shaped interior contains the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, which was established in 1949 and holds the remains of members of the United States armed forces as well as memorials to missing personnel. The cemetery is a place of burial, remembrance, military ceremony, and historical interpretation.
help Punchbowl Crater FAQ
Is Punchbowl Crater an active volcano?
No, Punchbowl is an extinct volcanic tuff cone formed during Honolulu's later volcanic activity. Its Hawaiian name, Pūowaina, is commonly translated as Hill of Sacrifice.
What is inside Punchbowl Crater today?
The crater contains the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, dedicated in 1949. It is a burial and memorial site for members of the United States armed forces, including many connected with wars in the Pacific.
Can tourists visit the Punchbowl cemetery?
Yes, visitors can enter during posted hours to view the memorial court, mosaic maps, and cemetery grounds. Because it is an active national cemetery, visitors are expected to behave respectfully and avoid disrupting services.
Are the Courts of the Missing at Punchbowl connected to Pearl Harbor?
The memorial records thousands of American service members missing from Pacific conflicts, including World War II. Pearl Harbor is a separate historic site, but both places commemorate people affected by the Pacific war.
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