Punchbowl Crater, known in Hawaiian as Pūowaina, is an extinct volcanic tuff cone in central Honolulu that holds the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. This guide covers current opening hours, admission, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for a first-time visit.
This guide was updated in August 2026. One point worth flagging: the National Cemetery Administration lists year-round visiting hours of 8am to 6pm, but the memorial’s own American Battle Monuments Commission page lists longer summer hours, 8am to 6:30pm from March through September, so evening visitors should confirm closing time before arriving.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily, 8am–6pm (see note above on possible seasonal extension) |
| Admission | Free |
| Address | 2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu, HI 96813 |
| Nearest transport | TheBus serves the area with a transfer and an uphill walk; driving or a taxi/rideshare is faster |
| Typical visit length | About one to two hours |
Punchbowl Crater opening hours
The cemetery grounds are open daily, from 8am to 6pm, according to the National Cemetery Administration, which administers the site. The cemetery’s office hours run Monday to Friday, 8am to 4:30pm, and the office is closed on federal holidays except Memorial Day.
The Honolulu Memorial’s own page, published by the American Battle Monuments Commission, lists slightly different hours: 8am to 5:30pm from late September through early March, and 8am to 6:30pm from early March through late September, with extended hours of 7am to 7pm on Memorial Day.
Punchbowl Crater ticket prices
There is no admission charge to visit Punchbowl Crater, the cemetery grounds, or the Honolulu Memorial.
Opening hours were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026. A visitor kiosk near the entrance provides gravesite information and a site map at no charge.
How to get to Punchbowl Crater
Driving is the most straightforward option: from the airport or Waikiki, take the H-1 East ramp toward Honolulu, exit at Pali Highway (Exit 21A), then follow School Street, Lusitana Street and Puowaina Drive to the cemetery gate.
TheBus serves the surrounding neighbourhood, though reaching the cemetery typically involves a transfer and a 15-to-20-minute uphill walk from the nearest stop; many visitors find a taxi, rideshare or rental car considerably faster.
Parking at Punchbowl Crater
Free on-site parking is available, though space can be limited during peak visiting times or on days with memorial ceremonies, such as Memorial Day. Tour buses and other vehicles are not permitted to stop and drop off passengers directly at the cemetery gate.
How long to spend at Punchbowl Crater
Most visitors spend around one to two hours exploring the grounds, the Honolulu Memorial’s Courts of the Missing, and the crater-rim viewpoint. Visitors joining a guided tour or looking up a specific grave should allow extra time.
Accessibility at Punchbowl Crater
The cemetery grounds include a mix of paved paths and some uneven surfaces, and the Honolulu Memorial’s grand staircase leading up to the chapel and galleries is not step-free. There are no restroom facilities inside the cemetery itself, though restrooms are available near the visitor kiosk and administration building.
Inside Punchbowl Crater
The crater itself formed 75,000 to 100,000 years ago when lava erupted through ancient coral reef layers; its Hawaiian name, Pūowaina, is usually translated as “Hill of Sacrifice,” referencing its earlier use as a site of human sacrifice and, later, a battery of ceremonial cannons under Kamehameha the Great.
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific opened to the public on July 19, 1949, and now holds more than 61,000 interments, including the WWII correspondent Ernie Pyle, astronaut Ellison Onizuka, and Hawaii Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga.
The Honolulu Memorial, built and maintained separately by the American Battle Monuments Commission, includes eight Courts of the Missing inscribed with the names of more than 18,000 Americans missing from the Pacific theater of WWII and over 8,000 missing from the Korean War, plus two half-courts added later for around 2,500 Americans missing from the Vietnam War.
At the top of the memorial’s grand staircase stands a non-denominational chapel flanked by galleries of mosaic maps describing the achievements of American armed forces across the Pacific and Korea; two further pavilions, added in 2012, cover an orientation map and the Vietnam War.
The crater rim offers a wide view over Honolulu, taking in Diamond Head, Waikiki and, on clear days, Pearl Harbor in the distance.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arriving early in the day tends to mean quieter grounds and easier parking, especially before tour groups arrive. |
| Crowds | Memorial Day draws large crowds for the annual Remembrance Ceremony, and parking becomes limited that day. |
| Layout | The cemetery and the Honolulu Memorial are separate but adjoining sites, so allow time to see both the graves and the memorial’s staircase and galleries. |
| Entry process | No tickets or reservations are required, but tour buses cannot drop passengers directly at the gate. |
| On-site logistics | There are no restrooms inside the cemetery itself, so use the facilities near the visitor kiosk before heading in. |
Frequently asked questions about Punchbowl Crater
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Punchbowl Crater suitable for children? | Yes, though as an active cemetery, visitors are asked to remain quiet and respectful throughout. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Punchbowl Crater? | No, entry is free and does not require advance booking. |
| Is there an entrance fee for Punchbowl Crater? | No, both the cemetery grounds and the Honolulu Memorial are free to visit. |
| Is Punchbowl Crater wheelchair accessible? | Partially. The cemetery grounds include paved paths, but the memorial’s grand staircase is not step-free. |
| Can you drive through Punchbowl Crater? | Yes, though tour vehicles are not permitted to stop and let passengers out directly at the cemetery gate. |
Things to do near Punchbowl Crater
Downtown Honolulu, including ʻIolani Palace and Kawaiahaʻo Church, is a short drive from the crater. The Hawaii State Capitol and the surrounding Capitol District cover the islands’ political history.
Chinatown Honolulu, with its markets, galleries and restaurants, is a short drive or rideshare away. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial, including the USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri, is about a 20-minute drive west and is commonly paired with a Punchbowl visit on guided tours.
Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout, a scenic overlook of the windward coast, is a short drive north through Nuʻuanu Valley.
What to visit tomorrow
Punchbowl Crater is one of several volcanic tuff cones formed on Oʻahu during the same period of activity, and the others make a natural comparison.
Diamond Head State Monument, in Honolulu, is about 20 to 25 minutes’ drive and includes a steep summit trail through the crater to WWII-era military bunkers; non-Hawaii residents must reserve a time slot online in advance.
Koko Crater Botanical Garden, in Hawaiʻi Kai, is around 30 to 35 minutes’ drive and occupies another tuff cone, with a dryland plant collection and a demanding stairway trail to the crater rim.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, also in Hawaiʻi Kai, is a similar distance and occupies a tuff cone that has partly eroded into the ocean, now protected as a snorkeling reserve.
The Byodo-In Temple, in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park on the windward coast, is about 30 to 40 minutes’ drive and offers a different kind of memorial setting, modeled on a 900-year-old Japanese Buddhist temple.
Waimea Valley, on the North Shore, is about an hour’s drive and combines botanical gardens with Native Hawaiian cultural and historical sites.
