PEARL HARBOR NATIONAL MEMORIAL VR / AR

Relive the Day That Changed the World.

Help Bring Pearl Harbor’s History to Life Through Augmented Reality

December 7, 1941: a quiet Sunday morning that turned into one of the most defining and devastating moments in American history.

Today, millions visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the USS Arizona to reflect on that “date which will live in infamy.” But for younger generations and international visitors, it can be difficult to grasp the full magnitude of what happened here.

That’s about to change — with your help.

Pacific Historic Parks is launching a bold initiative to develop and deploy an immersive Augmented Reality (AR) experience that will allow visitors to stand in the harbor and see Pearl Harbor as it was on the morning of December 7, 1941—under attack, in motion, and full of the stories that shaped our nation’s future.

We invite you to support this groundbreaking project to raise $2.8 million for the development, production, and equipment needed to launch the Pearl Harbor AR Tour—a next-generation historical experience that overlays multimedia, animation, and storytelling over the very place where history unfolded.

Your Gift Builds the Future of History

Help us raise $2.8 million to bring a powerful, immersive AR experience to life — one that honors history and connects generations. Your support will fund the design and production of the AR experience, the collection and digitization of survivor stories, and the historical research needed to ensure accuracy.

It will also enable on-site implementation, mobile device integration, and ongoing content updates to expand and enrich the experience for years to come.

The Vision: A Living Battlefield, Powered by Technology

Using a park provided smartphone by Pacific Historic Parks, visitors will be able to point their device at specific locations around Battleship Row, the USS Arizona, and the harbor itself, triggering realistic and historically accurate AR animations of:

  • The full Japanese aerial assault: dive-bombers, torpedo planes, and fighters conducting coordinated attacks
  • Explosions and ship damage as seen from the decks of the USS Arizona, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and others
  • Defensive responses from U.S. sailors and marines, manning anti-aircraft guns, tending the wounded, and fighting back under fire
  • Multimedia content that includes survivor interviews, wartime broadcasts, official documents, and archival photos
  • Narratives of the men who served, bringing individual heroism and sacrifice to the forefront

Whether in the museum, at the USS Arizona Memorial, or along the harbor’s edge, visitors will experience a fully immersive educational journey that transforms remembrance into understanding.

Make Pearl Harbor Real for the Next Generation

Support the Pearl Harbor AR Tour Project today — and ensure that the sacrifice, courage, and legacy of December 7 are never forgotten, and always remembered as they truly were.

Why It Matters

This augmented reality tour will:

  • Bring history come alive for students, teachers, veterans, and families
  • Reach younger generations through technology they already understand and use
  • Provide deeper context for international visitors and first-time learners
  • Honor the bravery of those who served by telling their stories with clarity and emotion
  • Ensure Pearl Harbor’s legacy is preserved, not just in stone and steel, but in sight and sound

For millions who visit Pearl Harbor each year, this experience will become a vivid portal into the past—helping them not only see what happened, but feel it.

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Projects & Programs

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Pearl Harbor National Memorial Visitor Orientation Center Restoration Fund
Today, we stand at a critical juncture in the life of this sacred site.

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