Honolulu is the home of the state capital and an energetic epicenter of Hawaii. Here youโll enjoy everything ranging from a thriving arts and cultural mecca to significant historic landmarks, numerous cherished monuments to world-class shopping. The majority of Oahuโs population of almost 1 million residents call Honolulu homeโฆthis expansive city covers most of the southeastern shores of Oahu, it encompasses the world famous Waikiki, and ranges from Pearl Harbor to Makapuu Point. Honolulu is the ultimate destination vacation.
As the home of some of Hawaiiโs most storied historic locations such as: Iolani Palace, the Kawaiahao Church, the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archive, the Aloha Tower, the King Kamehameha I Statue, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, the historic Hawaii Theatre, or you may stop and view the precious relics housed in the famous Bishop Museum. Honolulu has more to offer than just historic venues and warm tropical beaches…it is also Hawaiiโs pivotal arts, culture and entertainment location.
Enjoy the nightlife, live music and fine dining of Waikiki or venture to the art galleries and underground bars of the Chinatown arts district. In Honolulu, youโll find it all, whether youโre looking for Hawaiiโs premium museums, the ultimate in Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, the finest festivals, resorts, and events, or just some entertaining things to do, Honolulu has it all. Oahu is the ultimate shopper’s paradise. Oahu has everything from open-air malls (Ala Moana Center is one of America’s largest outdoor malls) and high-end luxury retailers to charismatic boutiques and unique local specialty stores. Authentic Hawaiian crafts, local surf shops, stylish fashion retailers and designer flagship stores can all be found on the streets of Waikiki. Waikiki shopping centers like the expansive DFS Galleria and the Royal Hawaiian Center offer an assortment of items unique to Hawaii, from ukuleles and Hawaiian arts and crafts to extravagant designer fashion and high-end jewelry.
Or
venture to shops such as Mana Hawaii or Aloha Army on the Waikiki Beach
Walk for even more distinctive gifts. The main strips of Kalakaua and
Kuhio avenues are the focal
point for a multitude of shops and boutiques bound to delight the
treasure hunter in you. Here you will definitely find the perfect
memento to remember your wonderful Hawaiian adventure. Shopping is not
limited to downtown Waikikiโฆthere are several venues
beyond Waikiki including Ward Centers, the Aloha Tower Marketplace and
Kahala Mall in Honolulu, the sprawling Pearlridge Center and the outlet
center Waikele Premium Outlets in Central Oahu, and on the Windward
Coast there is the Windward Mall to enjoy. You
may even need an extra suitcase for all your newfound treasures.
Pearl Harbor
โYesterday, December 7, 1941 โ a date which will live in infamy โ the
United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval
and air forces of the Empire of Japan.โ โ Franklin Delano Roosevelt
(Speech to a Joint-Session of Congress; Dec 8,
1941) The largest natural harbor in Hawaii is Pearl Harbor, named for
the pearl oysters once harvested there. Pearl Harbor is the only naval
base in the United States to be designated a National Historical
Landmark and played a pivotal role in World War II.
The unprovoked and devastating attack by the naval air forces of Japan
on Pearl Harbor resulted in 2,390 dead and hundreds wounded, and was the
deciding factor that caused the United States to enter into World War
II. Pearl Harbor honors this history-making
event with the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites:
USS Arizona Memorial
Battleship Missouri Memorial
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
Pacific Aviation Museum
USS Oklahoma Memorial
The
Aloha Tower is a lighthouse located 15 minutes west of Waikiki on the
Honolulu Harbor in Downtown Honolulu
and is an iconic symbol of Hawaii. The Aloha Tower opened on September
11th 1926…for four decades it remained the tallest building in the
Hawaiian Islands. The Aloha Towerโs clock was also one of the largest in
the United States at the time. The tower was
a welcome guiding light for visitors of the era since travel to the
island was limited to seafarers. The wharf surrounding the Aloha Tower
was home to Duke Kahanamokuโs first swimming world record at Pier 7 and
was also known for a lively celebration welcoming
the arrival of visiting ships known as Boat Days. To this day, the
Aloha Tower is still a principle mooring for Oahuโs cruise ships, but it
has grown beyond this utilitarian use, this historic place has been
transformed into the 170,000- square foot Aloha
Tower Marketplace. Here you may enjoy a variety of stores and fine
eateries. Blissfully enjoy a harbor-view lunch ocean-side while
listening to live music. Explore many quaint shops or stroll a few
minutes to Chinatownโs art district. The Aloha Tower also
boasts an Observation Deck, located on the 10th floor where youโll find
the perfect spot for magnificent harbor views and the Honolulu skyline.
Art, artifacts and heirlooms from across Hawaii and the Pacific call Oahu home. Hawaiiโs largest museum collections
and most extensive assortments of fascinating artifacts can be found in Oahuโs many museums. Journey around town and discover:
Iolani Palace
Iolani
Palace was the only official state residence of royalty on U.S. soil.
Located in Downtown Honolulu,
it is listed as one of Hawaiiโs most historic places. During your visit
to Iolani Palace, you can journey through the happiest and also the
most tragic times of the lives of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani.
Step back in history and see the unfolding of
Hawaiian history from inside the splendor of this two-story American
Florentine style palace.
Queen Emmaโs Summer Palace
Close to the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, is the secluded summer retreat of
Queen Emma, King Kamehameha IV and their son, Prince Albert. Shortly
after the 4-year old princeโs tragic death in 1862, closely followed by
the King in 1863, Hawaii’s Queen descended into
perpetual mourning and remained in the Palace. Queen Emmaโs Summer
Palace still contains royal antiques and antique furnishings still in
their original places. Even Prince Albertโs koa wood cradle remains
untouched as do many gifts presented to him by his
godmother, Queen Victoria.
The Hawaiian Mission House Historic Site and Archives
Close to historic Iolani Palace is the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic
Site and Archives. You can take a historic walking tour and experience
the life and daily toils of the Protestant missionaries dating back to
their arrival in 1820. The mission houses three
original frame homes that were constructed in New England and
transported to Hawaii for the sole purpose of missionary housing. Close
by are the island’s original schoolhouse and printing house where the
first Hawaiian alphabet book and hymnal were printed.
The
Bishop Museum was initially intended to accommodate the
all-encompassing Hawaiian artifacts collection
and heirlooms of the royal family of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
However, due to its popularity, the Museum has expanded to include
millions of relics, official papers and photographs from Hawaiiโs and
other Pacific culturesโ past. Daily programs allow
Visitors are welcome to discover Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures
utilizing interactive exhibits, live presentations and display tours.
The Bishop Museum is Hawaii’s principle museum of natural and Hawaiian
cultural history.
The Honolulu Museum of Art
Downtown Honolulu also hosts the Honolulu Museum of Art (formerly known
as the Honolulu Academy of Arts). This museum was founded in 1922 by
Mrs. Charles Montague Cook (Anna Rice), in order to share her love for
the arts with Hawaiiโs keiki (children). Ever
since opening day on April 8, 1927, the Museum has progressively
developed to become the largest private hosting of visual arts works,
containing a collection of over 38,000 works from cultures world-wide.
The Museumโs collection ranges from a tour of Shangri
La, to one of Hawaiiโs most architecturally noteworthy homes.
The Honolulu Museum of Art – Spalding House (Contemporary Museum)
The Honolulu Museum of Artโs – Spalding House (previously branded the
Contemporary Museum) provides an intriguing view into the Museum’s
extensive art collection all while providing a light lunch at its
epicurean cafe. Mount Tantalus provides the setting for
the artistโs gardens and other exciting outdoor contemporary art
exhibits.
The Hawaii State Art Museum
Downtown Honolulu hosts the Hawaii State Art Museum across the street
from the Iolani Palace and the State Capitol, this museum is devoted to
presenting and interpreting Hawaiiโs art and culture. The museum credits
and stimulates artistic achievement and provides
educational enrichment through Enriched by Diversity, a semi-permanent
exhibition. This dynamic display replicates Hawaii’s rich cultural
traditions and ethnic artifacts through an active varying demonstration
program. The Hawaii State Art Museum is located
in the notable No. 1 Capitol District Building, which was built in the
Spanish-Mission style circa. 1928. The museum spans three large
galleries, an open-air lanai, a 70-seat multi-use facility and a
volunteer resource center: www.hawaii.gov/sfca
Honoluluโs
midtown is home to some of Oahuโs historic venues. Nestled among the
towers of Oahuโs business district
are key landmarks such as: the Aloha Tower, the Iolani Palace, the
Kawaiahao Church, and the King Kamehameha I statue. This central hub of
activity is also the center of Hawaiiโs government and in times past was
the house of royal power. It is now home to
the Hawaii State Capitol, the governorโs mansion (Washington Place) and
Honoluluโs City Hall (Honolulu Hale). A mere afternoon walking tour
would easily cover all of these historic locations, give you an
appreciation of Honoluluโs architectural surprises and
possibly help walk off the nightโs over-indulgence!
Chinatownโs antiquated buildings are located on the outskirts of the
financial district, this assortment of shops, traditional Chinese
Pharmacies (herbalists), lei stands, antique traders, shrines,
sanctuaries, bars and restaurants is unique, even by Oahuโs
standards. Poke through Chinatownโs lively bazaars such as the Oahu
Market or the Maunakea Marketplace. Youโll come discover bizarre fruits,
swimmingly fresh seafood and cultural oddities like the โthousand-year
old egg.โ Awesome sanctuaries such as the Kuan
Yin Temple and the Izumo Taishakyo Mission Shrine harken back to feudal
Japan or ancient China. Donโt worry about your appetiteโฆyouโll be
surrounded by And when youโre hungry, Chinatownโs varied oasis of
eateries have everything from Cuban to Chinese dumplings
(dim sum), from Eurasian to Malaysian, or from French to Vietnamese.
Youโll be surrounded by a cornucopia of options!
Chinatown is also the focal point of Oahuโs arts community. Enjoy the
Chinatown art walk during the monthly First Friday festivitiesโฆfollow
the crowds down to Nuuanu and Bethel Street and experience everything
that Chinatown has on display. When the sun goes
down, donโt worry about finding a happening nightspot. Actually,
Chinatown is the place to be after dark. Oahuโs nightlife is alive and
well in Chinatown, as the home to the famous Hawaii Theatre, youโll find
live music and some of Hawaiiโs fieriest underground
bars, eateries and clubs above and behind the antiques store fronts and
urban buildings of Chinatown after dark.
