Hawaii
All Hands on Deck: Maintaining the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor
Program No. 2617RJ
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All Hands on Deck: Maintaining the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor
All Hands on Deck: Maintaining the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor
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Participant Reviews
Based on 9 Reviews
SHOWING
Aloha! After I arrived on the Pacific Island of Oahu Honolulu Hawaii on Thanksgiving and enjoyed other activities, I moved hotels to the Twin Fin on Waikiki Beach to connect with the Road Scholar All Hands on Deck adventure December 1st thru 8th. We toured the USS Missouri, USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the USS Bowfin at the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. We threw purple orchids from our leis into the water above the submerged USS Arizona after sharing some with other guests.
We began our volunteer work onboard the USS Missouri sanding teak for plaques & bookmarks and acted as ship guides for the 600+ visiting band students. We set up and took down the chairs for the 84th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony on Sunday December 7th. Our attendance at the ceremony with the Missing Man Flyover and Echo Taps was beyond words.
We stayed overnight onboard the battleship with dinner and breakfast in the mess deck. In the evening we walked almost 1 mile to the USS Utah Memorial site. We saw the USS Oklahoma MemoriaI site earlier in the day. Some of us had the honor of participating in the Flag Retreat Ceremony folding the flag at sunset on the USS Missouri. It was lights out at 9pm or 21:00 hours. In the morning we woke to reveille with lights on and the blaring John Phillip Sousa Stars and Stripes Forever music. We each received an Award of Recognition from the Mayor of Hololulu for our volunteer work.
In addition to the incredibly informative narratives by our national park services tour guides, the Road Scholar adventure included classes on WWII history and other military actions. We learned about Hawaiian island culture from Hawaiian culture expert Hi'ilani who also welcomes and familiarizes new military recruits and their families at Pearl Harbor.
Mahalo Lisa, Heidi and all the crew too numerous to name. Mahalo Road Scholar Group Leader Steve. Mahalo to all the participants too. You really made this an exceptionally fun week!
— Review left December 17, 2025
This was my first trip with Road Scholar and what an absolutely amazing adventure it was! Our group leader, Steve Kooiman, was just phenomenal. His in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm really made learning about the Mighty Mo, Pearl Harbor, and Hawaiian history easy and relatable. And completing maintenance projects that much more rewarding. All the other volunteers were so kind and just fun to be around. I felt like I was a part of a great team. I am definitely recommending this to friends and family looking for a way to give back while learning. It’s something I will remember forever.
— Review left December 21, 2024
Brings history alive while seeing it up close.
— Review left January 19, 2024
A great experience. Our group leader was very knowledgeable, and the volunteer coordinators on the USS Missouri were patient and helpful. To be able to do service projects to contribute to the maintenance of the ship in any small way was very rewarding. Attending the commemoration ceremonies for both the USS Arizona and the USS Oklahoma was another great part of the week. As a way to have a hands-on connection to WWII history, I recommend this program.
— Review left December 22, 2023
Great Program that is everything described in the brochures.
— Review left December 13, 2023
A wonderful way to appreciate WW II history by touching and feeling it.
— Review left February 5, 2023
If you have an interest in history and enjoy giving your time for a good cause, this is the program to join. Can't go wrong spending a week in Hawaii.
— Review left December 21, 2022
Great experience. I plan to return next year and bring a friend.
— Review left December 12, 2022
I felt honored and privileged to take this trip and be part of history. Our guide, Steve, was so knowledgeable and informative that it never ceases to amaze me with the quality of guides Road Scholar has on their team. I enjoyed this service learning project and my limited contribution of painting the Whale boat was so rewarding. Attending the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Ceremony was quite a privilege. To find out that one Road Scholar traveler has volunteered to work on this battleship 18 times, is a testament on the types of dedicated and honorable people that participate in these programs.
— Review left December 26, 2019