National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Military cemetery in Punchbowl Crater, Honolulu, United States.
This military cemetery sits inside an extinct volcanic crater, where rows of flat granite markers stretch across carefully tended lawns. The central memorial features reliefs and inscriptions, with steps leading up to a chapel and viewing platform overlooking the grounds.
The site opened in 1949 to provide a resting place for those who died in the Pacific during World War II. Later expansions added sections for service members from the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, transforming the crater into a national memorial.
The crater's Hawaiian name, Puowaina, is usually translated as "Hill of Sacrifice", recalling its use as a place where those who broke kapu were offered to the gods. Around 1800, under Kamehameha, two cannon stood on the rim and fired ceremonial salutes for distinguished arrivals. The 25-bell carillon nicknamed "Coronation" was dedicated on Veterans Day 1956.
Visitors can drive up Puowaina Drive and park near the entrance, where paved paths make it easy to explore the grounds on foot. Mornings and late afternoons tend to be cooler and less crowded, offering a quieter experience for those who want to walk through at their own pace.
The 25-bell carillon dedicated on Veterans Day 1956 is nicknamed "Coronation"; Arthur Godfrey helped raise funds for it. The crater's Hawaiian name, Puowaina, means "Hill of Sacrifice", where violators of kapu were once offered to the gods. Around 1800 two cannon stood on the rim, fired in salute to distinguished arrivals.
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