Punchbowl Crater Crater
Volcanic crater containing National Memorial Cemetery, Honolulu
Punchbowl Crater contains the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and provides wide views over Honolulu; visitors come for wartime memorials, horticultural terraces and city panoramas from the rim.
Punchbowl Crater at a Glance#
Address: Punchbowl Crater / National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu, Oʻahu, HI
Website: https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/nmcp.asp
Hours: Daily 8:30am-4:30pm (grounds; visitor center hours may vary)
Admission: Free (cemetery access)
About Punchbowl Crater#
Punchbowl Crater is a volcanic tuff cone in the city of Honolulu on the island of Oahu. The crater is the site of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, a formal military cemetery and memorial.
The crater floor is occupied by the cemetery and associated memorials, while the crater rim has paved viewpoints and landscaped approaches. The setting provides panoramic views over downtown Honolulu, Waikiki and the nearby volcanic landmark Diamond Head.
The landform was produced by volcanic activity that formed a tuff cone. The interior was later developed as a commemorative cemetery and memorial area for United States service members.
Geographically the crater sits within urban Honolulu on Oahu, just above the downtown and residential neighborhoods, making it easily accessible from the city.
- Best viewpoint: Gives sweeping views over urban Honolulu and Diamond Head from rim viewpoints, making the site a common stop for city sightseeing and remembrance.
What to See#
- National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific: The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific occupies the crater floor and contains memorials, plaques and interments honoring US service members.
- Crater rim lookout: A paved lookout and pedestrian paths along the crater rim provide formal viewpoints with broad vistas over central Honolulu, Waikiki and Diamond Head.
How to Get to Punchbowl Crater#
Punchbowl Crater is a short drive (10-15 minutes) from downtown Honolulu and Waikīkī. Limited street parking is available; public buses (TheBus) serve routes to nearby stops with a short uphill walk to the cemetery.
Tips for Visiting Punchbowl Crater#
- Visit mid-morning on a weekday to avoid tour buses and to catch the city views without glare.
- Combine the visit with a stop at the nearby Punchbowl Lookout for panoramic views of Honolulu and Waikīkī.
- Be respectful: the site is an active national cemetery and ceremonies occur regularly; photography is allowed but funerals should not be disturbed.
Best Time to Visit Punchbowl Crater#
Mild, tropical weather year-round; visit outside mid-day for softer light and fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Punchbowl Crater#
Punchbowl Crater's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (984 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 18° - 27° | 22° | 134 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 18° - 27° | 22° | 71 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 19° - 28° | 23° | 71 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 19° - 28° | 24° | 79 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 20° - 29° | 25° | 50 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 21° - 30° | 26° | 53 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 22° - 30° | 26° | 69 mm | - | - | 5.0 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 22° - 31° | 27° | 92 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 22° - 31° | 26° | 49 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 21° - 30° | 26° | 96 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 20° - 29° | 25° | 128 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 19° - 27° | 23° | 92 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
