Guests to the Visitor Center are encouraged not to leave any valuables in their vehicles. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has very stringent entrance policies you need to know about. No purses of any size, backpacks, fanny packs, diaper bags, large camera bags, luggage, or other items that can provide concealment are prohibited within the Visitor Center. These items can be checked in at the Baggage Storage Building for a fee of S5.00 per bag.

The Baggage Storage building is located just to the right of the main entrance to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. The USS Bowfin Submarine staff operates it; each employee is bonded, and security cameras are everywhere. They can also accommodate large boxes and extra-large suitcases for $10 each. To save money, try to combine bags so you check in as few as possible. You can bring in your wallet, phone, keys, clear water bottles, medicine, camera, wheelchairs, baby strollers, umbrellas, coats, or anything that will fit in your pockets. If you have diapers or food items, store them in clear plastic bags and show them to the National Park Ranger upon entry. It’s a good idea to take your identification with you in case you are asked to show identification.

One of the great features of the Baggage Storage Building is that they have a window outside and inside the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center. So, in case you need to get something from your luggage, you do not have to leave the secured area.

Once in the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, you do not have to go through security again to get to the Ford Island attractions; go to the Bus Depot and catch the Ford Island shuttle that leaves every 10 to 15 minutes. If you did any shopping while in the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, you are allowed to bring these bags to Ford Island.

The Pearl Harbor National Memorial is a Federal Facility. For security, no bags are allowed in the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center or any of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. Simply put, nothing that can provide concealment may be brought into the Visitor Center. There is a checkpoint at the entrance of the Visitor Center that is attended by National Park Rangers, who ensure that you comply with the park rules. No item that may offer concealment to items larger than your enclosed fist may be brought into the Visitor Center. This includes but is not limited to: purses, handbags, backpacks, fanny packs, camera bags, diaper bags, suitcases, briefcases, duffel bags, attaché cases, and other similar items. If you have these items with you, you will not be allowed into the Visitor Center. If you were on a group tour, you would have been notified that this was the case and that you should not have any bags with you. If you ignore this notification, then your only choice would be to check your bags into the bag storage at Pearl Harbor, as many tour companies cannot accept the liability of holding onto your bags. Near the entrance, there is a bag storage facility. There is a charge of $5 per piece for smaller bags and $10 for suitcases. There is usually a line of people waiting to store their bags there. If you are with a tour group, this means that you will either be holding up the group or missing part of the tour, as the group would have moved on without you. In addition, the Arizona Memorial Tickets are time-sensitive. If you take too long in line, your ticket may expire, and you will lose your chance to go to the Arizona Memorial Monument. There have been cases in the past where this has caused problems for everyone involved. Please keep in mind that your bags are your responsibility, and it is unfair to expect others to have to wait for you, especially if they listened to the advisory and did not bring any bags. There are a number of items that are allowed into the Visitor Center. These are generally anything that fits into your pockets. Cameras are allowed, but lenses longer than 12 inches are prohibited. In addition, there are places where photography is not allowed, such as on the Ford Island Bridge. Camera cases are permitted, provided it snugly fits around the camera. Wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, and strollers are allowed. The carry bags for oxygen tanks and generators are allowed in, provided that they are not able to fit anything other than the oxygen tank and its fittings. Strollers may be brought into the Visitor Center. Nothing may be in the stroller bags. Strollers are not allowed in the Arizona Memorial Theater and on the USS Arizona Memorial. They may be left off to the side of the theater and reclaimed when you return from the Arizona Battleship Memorial. If you are unsure of where to leave it, please ask the Park Rangers. Other medical supplies are allowed in the Visitor Center. If this equipment has a carry case, the case must be capable of fitting nothing other than the medical equipment. Umbrellas, jackets, ponchos, and raincoats are allowed in the Visitor Center. If you have an infant with you, supplies for the infant may be brought into the Visitor Center in a clear bag. In fact, any non-prohibited item may be brought into the Visitor Center in a clear bag. The bag must be totally transparent. Bags acquired from the gift shops are, of course, allowed in the Visitor Center. As a Federal Facility, no weapons of any kind are allowed into the Visitor Center. Food is allowed in the Visitor Center, but most tour operators do not allow food onto their vehicles. In addition, food and beverages are not allowed in the Arizona Memorial Theater, on the USS Arizona Memorial, or on the Ford Island Shuttle Bus. Covered water bottles are fine.