Here lies a place of profound peace. This is the Punch Bowl. It is also known as the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. This place is more than a scenic overlook. It is a sacred space with panoramic views.
The Punch Bowl’s story stretches back millennia. It started as a volcanic crater named Puowaina. This name translates to “Hill of Sacrifice”. Ancient Hawaiians used it as an altar. They offered human sacrifices to their gods here. They also killed taboo violators.
Later, Kamehameha the Great mounted cannons here. They saluted distinguished guests. They also marked important occasions. In the 1880s, the slopes opened for settlement. By the 1930s, the Hawaii National Guard used it as a rifle range. Anti-aircraft guns were stationed here. They fired during the Pearl Harbor attack. The US Navy even built the Nimitz Bowl here. It hosted USO shows and sports in 1944.
Imagine the echoes of history. Feel the weight of past events. Toward the end of World War II, tunnels were dug. They guarded Honolulu Harbor and Pearl Harbor’s south edge.
In the late 1890s, there was a proposal. It suggested turning the Punch Bowl into a cemetery. People feared water contamination. They also didn’t want a city of the dead above the living.
Fifty years later, Congress approved a national cemetery in Honolulu. There were two conditions. The War Department had to approve the location. The site had to be donated. In 1943, the governor offered the Punch Bowl. But funding was insufficient. The project was delayed until after World War II.
By 1947, pressure mounted to find a burial site. Thousands of remains awaited burial on Guam. In 1948, Congress approved funding. Construction finally began.
Since its dedication in 1949, the Punch Bowl has become a place of honor. Over 53,000 veterans and their families rest here. They served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Today, it primarily accepts cremated remains.
Before opening, remains from across the Pacific came here. They came from Wake Island and Japanese POW camps. The first interment occurred on January 4, 1949. The cemetery opened to the public on July 19, 1949. Services honored five war dead. They included an unknown serviceman and war correspondent Ernie Pyle.
Initially, white wooden crosses and Stars of David marked graves. But permanent flat granite markers replaced them in 1951. In 1976, the Punch Bowl installed Medal of Honor headstones. These had gold leaf insignia.
In 2001, “Unknown” markers were replaced. They identified men who died on the USS Arizona. New markers also identified 175 previously unknown graves in 2002.
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976. It features a memorial pathway. It is lined with memorials from various organizations. They honor America’s veterans.
Today, the Punch Bowl receives over five million visitors each year. They come to pay respects. They also enjoy the panoramic views. As you stand here, remember the history beneath your feet. Consider the sacrifices made. Appreciate the peace that now surrounds this “Hill of Sacrifice.”