May is Military Appreciation Month, a month-long observance to express our gratitude and honor all military members that are active duty, guard and reserve members and veteran service members of the past and present, and Memorial Day, (Monday, May 30), an American holiday dedicated to a day of remembrance and honoring to the men and women who died while serving the U.S. military. 

Hawaii is home to 11 U.S. military bases and home to more than 42,000 active duty men and women, 100,000 veterans, that make up approximately 10% of Hawaii’s population, with our island Oahu being the housing the largest military bases.

If you have plans to visit us this month (or bookmark for later plans), here is a list of Oahu historic sites and museums to add to your itinerary if you want to experience more about American military history and to pay your respects!

• USS Arizona Memorial – the USS Arizona Memorial is where your Pearl Harbor experience begins! Part of the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, which is located approximately 25-mins from Coconut Waikiki Hotel, the National Park Service (NPS) has managed and operated the USS Arizona Memorial since 1980. Learn more about tickets, visiting hours and we recommend booking in advance!

• National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific – North of downtown Honolulu, this a resting-place for almost 53,000 veterans. The memorial, placed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands in honor of the sacrifices and achievements of the American Armed Forces and commemorates the soldiers of 20th century wars, including those who were lost during the attack at Pearl Harbor (source GoHawaii.com). This site is a 15-minute drive from our hotel.

• Lanikai Pillboxes and Observation Stations – hike up to history and take in the panoramic views of the Mokulua Islands, Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach! The popular Lanikai Pillbox Hike is also known as the Kaiwa Ridge Trail – this site is an approximately 37-minute drive from our hotel.

• Tropic Lightning Museum – Located 45-minutes from Coconut Waikiki Hotel, take a stroll through this museum and learn more about 25th Infantry Division, its collection, preservation and displays  of artifacts and memorabilia from the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, the largest Army post in Hawaii.

Visiting us Memorial Day weekend? Here are a few things happening on our island!

• Hawaii Memorial Day Parade – Kicks off at 5:00PM on Monday, May 30, 2022, the parade begins at Fort DeRussey in Waikiki, and will proceed down Kalakaua Avenue for one-mile, then takes Monsarrat Avenue to Kapiolani Park.

• Shinnyo Lantern Floating Hawaiʻi: Space to Heal – In lieu of the annual ceremony at Ala Moana Beach on Memorial Day, due to COVID-19, this year’s in-person interactive experience will be held at Friday, May 27 through Sunday, June 5, 2022 on the grounds of the Shinnyo-en Hawaii temple.

• 50th Annual State Fair – May 27 – July 4, 2022 at Aloha Stadium

From our ‘ohana to yours, we salute to all the military members and give thanks to everyone that has served to protect our country. This year, the biennial RIMPAC, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise will take place this summer (July-August) in and around Hawaii and we want to say aloha to all the participants and visiting nations! The plan includes “41 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and nearly 25,000 personnel from 27 countries.” E Komo Mai – Mahalo Nui Loa!