Overnight Trips offered to Neighbor Island Keiki to Visit Pearl Harbor Historic Sites

HONOLULU, HI –   Pearl Harbor Historic Sites now accepting applications for the Pearl Harbor Explorer Program, offering 4th–12th Grade Students from Neighbor Islands a two-day educational journey to Oʻahu, including an overnight stay aboard the Battleship Missouri.

For a second year, Southwest Airlines® has generously donated 400 complimentary tickets. Applications for the 2026 Spring Semester Pearl Harbor Explorers Program are now open and will be accepted through November 14, 2025. Spring Semester awardee program dates will take place between January 15, 2026 and April 30, 2026.

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites including Pearl Harbor National Memorial/USS Arizona Memorial, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, the Battleship Missouri Memorial, and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, offers a unique and immersive journey into some of the most significant events in world history.

The Pearl Harbor Explorer Program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive learning experience by visiting multiple historic sites located in Pearl Harbor. Neighbor island students can take advantage of this program through the partnership with Southwest Airlines®.

“With nearly 700 Hawaii-based Employees, Southwest® Airlines is proud to care for our communities with the Heart and Hospitality that guide everything we do,” said Kelly Knox, Southwest Airlines’ Leader of Corporate Responsibility across Hawaii. “We’re especially proud to support efforts that connect keiki to the places, stories, and experiences that shape their understanding of Hawaii. Helping students from across the islands visit Pearl Harbor is one small way we can invest in the next generation and honor the history that connects us all.”

Hawaii Technology Academy from Maui was selected as this year’s Fall Semester awardee school. The students participated in the Pearl Harbor Explorer Program on October 7–8, immersing themselves in hands-on learning experiences across all of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites.

“The Pearl Harbor Explorers program has been a great way for students like me to get involved in aviation and learn more about it,” shared Xavier Stream, a ninth-grade student. “It’s opened so many opportunities. I’ve been able to perform preflight checks on Cessnas, fly simulators, and see incredible World War II planes and artifacts. There are also so many cool fighter jets to explore.

Overall, it’s been a really fun and inspiring experience.”To apply for the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites’ Pearl Harbor Explorer Program, educators are asked to submit an application that describes their interest in the learning program, the anticipated student impact, specific financial and travel requirements, and their commitment to manage their travel manifest and logistics to ensure a safe travel experience for students.

Transportation to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, museum admission fees, education program fees, meals, and overnight accommodations (if needed), may be requested by the applicant. Due to limited program funds, not all applications will be awarded. Schools will be contacted directly to review submitted applications. Teachers and school administrators are encouraged to fill out the application here.
 

Click here to view digital assets for Pearl Harbor Explorer Program
 

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites

Welcoming more than 1.5 million visitors each year, the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites include four independent memorials and museums—some under the purview of the U.S. National Park Service and others operated by private, nonprofit organizations. Together, in partnership, they carry forth the legacies of several of our nation’s most treasured icons, enduring tributes to the valor and sacrifices of our veterans during a time when the future of our nation and the world truly hung in the balance. The result is a powerful visitor destination and cumulative educational experience.

Pacific Historic Parks

Pacific Historic Parks is a 501 (c)3 Non-Profit and the leading organization supporting significant historical sites in the Pacific for future generations. We have been supporting the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and USS Arizona Memorial for over 44 years through education, interpretive programs, research, preservation, and restoration. We work to perpetuate the memory of events and honor the people involved in these historic Pacific locations. In addition to school group programs provided almost daily, the USS Arizona Memorial receives over 1.7 million visitors annually who want to see and experience the events of the "Date Which Will Live In Infamy."

Contact information:

Phone: (808) 439-3750

Email: Wsaito@pacifichistoricparks.org

Website:www.pacifichistoricparks.org
 

Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum

Located immediately adjacent to the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is one of the few museums in the world where you can learn about and be inspired by the U. S. Navy’s submarine force or Silent Service. Since opening to the public in 1981, more than 10 million visitors have toured the World War II fleet submarine, USS Bowfin. Operated as a non-profit organization, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum is dedicated to the sacrifice of more than 3,500 submarine personnel lost in World War II. This gallant band of brothers, compromising less than two percent of the U.S. Navy, sank more than 5.5 million tons of enemy ships, while sustaining the loss of 52 submarines that remain on Eternal Patrol.

Contact information:

Phone: (808) 423-1341

Email: STEM@bowfin.org

Website: www.bowfin.org
 

Battleship Missouri Memorial

Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 10 million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri’s unique place in history. Located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.

The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars—World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm—after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations.

The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Military, kama‘āina (local resident) and school group pricing is available.

Contact information:

Phone: (808) 455-1600 (x. 264)

Email:education@ussmissouri.org

Website: www.ussmissouri.org
 

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is more than a museum—it’s a place where history, innovation, and inspiration come together. Located on Historic Ford Island, the site of the December 7, 1941 attack, the Museum stands on America’s World War II aviation battlefield. Visitors can walk through bullet-scarred hangars, see legendary aircraft like the Japanese Zero and B-17 Swamp Ghost, and hear the powerful stories of the heroes who changed the course of history. Beyond preserving the past, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is committed to shaping the future. Through youth programs, scholarships, and workforce development initiatives, the Museum educates and empowers the next generation. From signature events like PHAMily Fun Day to hands-on STEM experiences, flight simulators and more, the Museum connects people of all ages with the wonder of flight and the importance of history. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Museum relies on donations, volunteers, and members to fulfill its mission: to steward America’s WWII aviation battlefield and inspire future generations through education and remembrance. Join us, support our work, or plan your visit at PearlHarborAviationMuseum.org.
 

Contact information:

Email: Education@PearlHarborAviationMuseum.com

Website: PearlHarborAviationMuseum.org

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 121 airports across 11 countries, and is the State of Hawaii’s second-largest air carrier of interisland travelers. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. Famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
 

Southwest is also continuing to develop tangible steps toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, including offering Customers an opportunity to help the airline offset its carbon emissions. To be part of the solution, visit Southwest.com/wannaoffsetcarbon. 

Press Release Contacts:

Shay Peltier, Director of Marketing and Sales
808-441-1011; Shayreen.Peltier@PearlHarborAviationMuseum.com

Jaclyn Hawse, Director of Communications & Business Development

808-455-1600 ext. 246; JaclynH@ussmussouri.org 

Brad Hawkins, Southwest Airlines Media Relations

214-792-4847; swamedia@wnco.com