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- Beautiful coral reef and abundance of marine life
- Snorkeling
- Swimming & sunbathing
Hanauma Bay Beach Park on the southern shores of Oahu was named the best beach in the United State in 2004. The beach is a protected cove with a stretch of white sand and tall palm ... moretrees. Because of the shape of the bay, the water is mostly kept calm providing ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling and also making it very accommodating for kids of all ages. No surfing or body boarding is allowed on the beach.
The curved bay had been declared a protected marine wildlife conservation area and underwater park in 1967. A rich coral reef extends throughout the cove and into deeper water. The marine life is diverse and abundant, making snorkeling and scuba diving, particularly fun and exciting. As a protected site, visitors watch a short video of the bay's history and wildlife before entering the beach. The bay floor is the crater of an ancient volcano that flooded as the exterior walls collapsed letting the ocean water rush in.
The bay is often full and finding parking can sometimes be difficult. Most amenities can be found at the beach. Gift shops also provide the opportunity for obtaining souvenir. Non-Hawaiian residents have to pay an entrance charge of $7.50 dollar, which is waived for Hawaiian residents, children under 12 and active military persons. Opening hours of the beach is at 6:00 am daily with the exception of Tuesdays when the beach is closed.
As a protected marine conservation area, no fishing is permitted neither is it allowed alcohol on the beach or intervening with the marine life. The sun is quite blistering at the beach therefore it is recommended having sun glasses, sun cream and other such items.
Type: Beach, Geological Feature
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water, Equipment rentals, Food for purchase, Lifeguards, Lockers / storage, Parking, Picnic tables, Showers, Wheelchair access
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- Spectacular view of the surrounding
- Hiking to the top
- Learning about the history of Diamond Head
Type: Geological Feature, Hike, Mountain, Park, Scenic Lookout, Volcano, Landmark
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- Swimming long distance
- Playing various games at the beach
- Barbecue at the beach
Ala Moana Beach Park is a free public beach located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. The beach is very popular among locals and a favorite spot for enjoying the sea. About 100 ... moreacres of gold sand that stretch half a mile, the beach is man-made created in the 1950's when the owner of the Dillingham Dredging Company was searching for a location to dispose of his dredged earth. The sand was dumped in the park, creating the beach
The park has many facilities such as restrooms, showers, tennis courts, picnic tables and even a music pavilion. It is a great place for undertaking various water activities. The waters are often quite calm, making it ideal for swimming, particularly long-distance swimmers, novice swimmers, families and children. It is also great for jogging, surfing, skateboarding and other beach activities.
Novice swimmer need nevertheless be careful since the ocean bottom near the shore drops quickly. The east end of the beach is a lot more preferred and much safer as the ocean bottom is sandy without any reefs or rocks. In the middle section and the west end the bottom of the beach is rocky which makes entering the water quite tricky.
Ala Moana Beach Park also has big grassy areas, palm tree, and banyans making it an ideal location for barbecues, picnics, and for playing various beach games. Next to Ala Moana Beach Park is "magic island" where various cultural events take place.
Features: Bathroom, Drinking water, Food for purchase, Lifeguards, Picnic tables, Showers
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- The throne room
- The blue meeting room
- Lili'uokalani piano
Built in 1882, Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United State. King David Kalakaua along with his wife, Queen Kapiolani, took inspiration for its architecture when on a ... moreEuropean tour. A popular tourist attraction and a National Historic Landmark, Iolani Palace was
the residence of two monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Lili'uokalani. In
1893 after the monarch had been overthrown, the castle started to be used as the capitol building of the provisional government and for the State of Hawaii until 1969. In 1978, the castle underwent restoration work and opened to the public as a museum.
Originally, the construction of the palace was as a traditional Ali'i residence having only ceremonial places, no sleeping room, a throne room, a reception, and
a state dining room. Other houses around the palace were used for sleeping and for retainers. Kamehameha III slept in a cool grass hut near the palace.
When David Kalakaua took the throne, the original palace was in poor condition with termite damages. He had the building razed. He commissioned the construction of a new palace as the official palace of the Hawaiian monarchy. The architectural features of the Iolani Palace are nowhere to be seen anywhere else in the world. A style known as American Florentine. It consists of a grand hall that faces a staircase made of koa wood on the first floor, ornamental plaster is used to decorate the interiors, a throne room, a blue meeting
room that has a large portrait of King Louis Philip of France, a dining
room, an upstairs private library, and bedrooms of the Hawaiian monarchy. The piano made of koa wood where Lili'uokalani used to play for guests can also be seen.
Iolani Palace is a marvel of opulence, innovation and political intrigue. Visitors can learn the history surrounding the monarchy in Hawaii and embark either on a guided
tour or without guide.
Type: Cultural, Historic, Museum, Landmark, Royal Palace
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- Strong trade wind that can sweep you of your feet
- Very beautiful panoramic scenery
- Fantastic picnic area
Located about a 5 mile drive from downtown Honolulu, Nu'uanu Pali lookout offers one of the best scenic views of O'ahu. At a height of a 985 foot cliff of the Koolau Mountain Range, ... moreKing Kamehameha defeated the O'ahu army in 1795 on that location. It includes breathtaking views of Kanoehe Bay, Chinaman's Hat, and Hawaii Pacific. The location has also made history in the Hawaiian Kingdom struggle, and offers visitors a thrilling experience with strong trade winds that can sweep you off your feet and great panoramic scenery.
Since ancient times to present day, Nu'uanu Pali has been vital as the traversal section that connects the leeward side, and Honolulu to the windward side. Settlers made villages and populated the Nu'uanu valley for thousands of years. Of importance is also the Nu'uanu reservoir. It consists of small bodies of water that have various species of catfish. The river bed offers great opportunity for picnicking.
Stories told include superstitious tales that two black stones near the Nu'uanu Valey represent a pair of goddesses who are guardians of the passage down Pali. Visitors often left flowers to ensure a safe passage, and parents buried their new born umbilical cord for protection against evil.
The landscape is made up of big trees and dense forest. The terrace thousands of feet above the Oahu coastline, at occasions covered with clouds, overlooks areas of Kanoehe and Kailua. The University of Hawaii marine biology research center and Coconut Island are also visible. Continuing through the Pali tunnel, you can reach Windward Oahu and either to the beach town of Kailua or toward Kaneohe.
Type: Scenic Lookout, Scenic Road
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- Bodyboarding and bodysurfing
- Picnic at the beach
- Snorkeling
Sandy Beach Park on the east side of Oahu is well known for two good reasons, the beautiful beach sand and powerful shore breaks. Getting to this beach will have you drive along the ... morelava cliff side of Koko Head crater. The beach is just beyond the popular Halona blow-hole. During the summer period when the beach is often calm, the offshore reef that protects it also provide very good conditions for swimming, snorkeling and diving. The soft sand, the gentle water and the ease of entry into the water attracts families with small children seeking to spend some fantastic moments on the seaside.
Sandy Beach is not almost always gentle. In fact, the locals in Hawaii call it "the beach of broken necks". It is listed as one of the most dangerous beaches in Hawaii. You must always be on the look out for red warning flags and signs posted on the beach warning of the dangers of strong currents, high surf, sharp coral, and dangerous shore breaks. Sandy beach is popular among experience body surfers and body boarders.
In the winter months, there are powerful shore breaks and rip tide currents during high surf. You should avoid swimming in front of Keawaakio Cove even when the water seems calm because of rip tide currents.
Sand Beach Park does not provide scenic views like many other beaches in the surrounding, but it does provide a lot of thrill. One of the things you will notice is that the sand on the beach seems to get everywhere. On your hair, nose, ears, swimwear, even after having taken a shower, you will still be brushing off sand.
The beach has all the facilities of a modern beach including lifeguards. there is not much shade on the beach but a grassy area with some picnic tables can be found which is perfect for relaxing, taking photos or watching the waves.
Features: Bathroom, Lifeguards, Parking, Picnic tables, Showers
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- Very nice beach entertainment in the evenings
- Nice waters for body boarding and kayaking
- Nice shops and restaurants
Waikiki beach is located on the south shore of Oahu. It is one of the most popular beaches visited water sport enthusiasts from all over the world. The name of the beach in Hawaiian ... moremeans "sprouting water". The beach stretched for two miles and is coated with beautiful white sand and a backdrop of hotels, restaurants, various shops and beach bars.
Being very popular, the beach is a bit crowded and parking can be difficult to find. All sorts of activities are undertaken at the beach, but the most popular are, surf boarding, kayaking, swimming, an snorkeling. Equipment for rent can also be found for the various water sports. You may also be able to take surf lessons. Waikiki Beach provides activities for all ages, families with children will find a variety of organized activities for kids and teenagers.
The waters in Waikiki Beach are primarily calm and protected by reefs. There is a long shelf which makes it possible to wade out a good distance. The beach is two miles long consists of several sections which have their own name. On the west side is Kahanamoku Beach, also the widest stretch of Waikiki Beach, Kuhio Beach is close to the Kapahulu Groin (also known as The Wall). Queen's surf beach is found east of Kuhio Beach and is a very popular boy boarder site. Kaimana Beach is then found further east and is very nice for swimming having a sandy ocean bottom.
Waikiki Beach has all the facilities of a modern beach and the convenience of being located near resorts, restaurants, and gift shops. The Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium and the Kapiolani Park can be found on the east side of the beach, and Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon is at the west end of the beach.
Type: Attraction, Beach, Historic, Landmark
Features: Bathroom, Equipment rentals, Food for purchase, Lifeguards, Parking, Picnic tables, Showers
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- USS Arizona memorial
- Shrine room with the names of victims engraved on the walls
- Sunken USS Arizona battleship
Japanese forces on the 7th of December 1941 made a sneak attack which crippled much of the United State Navy and abruptly brought the United State fully engaged into the Second World ... moreWar. The Pearl Harbor attack was undertaken when in need of oil and other raw materials, the Japanese engaged in a war against China in mid-1937 and other oil and mineral rich countries of the East Indies, and South East Asia has as allies Germany and Italy.
With peace negotiations ending in November 1941, the United State secret agency expected the Japanese to attack into the Indies, Malaya, and the Philippines but did not anticipate an attack east as well. Japanese aircraft carriers reached the US fleet at Pearl Harbor, launching an aerial strike that resulted in sinking 5 out of 8 US battleships, and the others badly damaged or sinking, the majority of the Hawaii-based combat planes were damaged and more than 2400 Americans lost their lives.
The USS Arizona memorial is part of World War II valor in the Pacific National Monument that commemorates the events of that day. 1,102 sailors and marines of the 1,177 crewmen of the USS Arizona were killed during the Pearl Harbor attack.
In 1949, the Pacific War Memorial Commission was created and charged to build a memorial which was erected on the site of the submerged hull. The memorial stands to represent the American pride before the war, the depression after the attack and the rise to new heights after the war.
Along side and perpendicularly docked to the USS Arizona is the USS Missouri. It was moved to Pearl Harbor from the west coast of the United State. On the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, the Japanese surrendered to General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz of the United State army effectively ending World War II.
Each year, millions of visitors embark on the Pearl Harbor tour, which provide a whole day tour of four historic locations that includes, the USS Arizona memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and park admission, the Pacific Aviation Museum, and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
Type: Cultural, Historic, Memorial, Museum
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase, Lockers / storage, Parking
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- Scenic outlook from the tower
- Gourmet dining at the Alowa Marketplace restaurants
- Nice shops to visit
The Aloha Tower is a landmark in downtown Honolulu. It is well recognized as a welcome symbol for tourists arriving in Honolulu Harbor. It was built between the wars and officially ... moreopened in 1926 at Honolulu Harbor's ninth pier. When it was built, it was the tallest structure in Hawaii at the time standing ten stories high and an extra 40 feet of the flag pole.
The tower itself has a square shape and is slender. It is topped by a dome that has an opening on all four sides. Just under the dome are two very big clocks one of which faces the harbor while the other faces inland and between them is written in big character that can be seen from miles "ALOHA". Surrounding the tower is the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Many quaint shops, and restaurants can be found in the marketplace which makes it a very interesting place to hang around after having visited the tower.
During the 1920's until the 1930's, when the tower had been built, passengers arriving in the harbor were greeted by hula dancers, thousands of colorful streamers and performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band in what was known as "boat days".
Boat days were a very big deal, the entire harbor was permeated with flowers; there were musicians playing, young men diving for coins tossed overboard by tourists.
Inside the tower, visitors obtain panoramic views of Honolulu Harbor and the surrounding areas. The observation deck is on the tenth floor. You'll have to take a small vintage elevator to get there, but it is quite small. You might want to avoid the ride if you're claustrophobic.
Today, many events take place on the tower's just adjacent to the Marketplace complex all throughout the year. Tours are also organized on a daily basis. The Aloha Tower played an important role after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor which led to the defensive positioning of Coast Guardsmen at the tower to protect it from being occupied.
Type: Attraction, Scenic Lookout
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase
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- National Cemetery of the Pacific and Courts of the Missing at Punchbowl
- Medal of honor headstones
- Panoramic view of the island of Oahu
The Honolulu memorial was erected in 1964 by the "American Battle Monuments Commission" at the National Memorial Cemetery in honor of the sacrifices and accomplishments of American ... moreArmed Forces in the Pacific during both World Wars and the Korean War. The National Memorial Cemetery, informally known as Punchbowl, is located at the middle of the
"Puowaina crater" which is an extinct volcano that had been active some
75,000 to 100,000 years ago.
Punchbowl or Puowaina as it is translated in the Hawaiian language means "consecrated hill" or "hill of sacrifice" used to be the location where secret Royal burials were performed and where sacrifices of certain kapas (taboos) were made to pagan gods. The crater also served during the 1800s as a stronghold for Oahu in their resistance against the reign of Kamehameha, who united the Hawaiian islands in 1810. The Hawaiian National Guard used the crater as a rifle range during the 1930s and toward the end of World War II, offshore batteries were placed in tunnels dug at the rim of the crater to protect the Honolulu Harbor and the South edge of Pearl Harbor.
Punchbowl was officially recognized a national cemetery in 1943 when the governor of Hawaii offered the location for that purpose. The first internment took place on the 4th of January 1949 and the cemetery became open to the public on the 19th of July 1949. In 1980, the names of more than 28,788 military personnel missing in action
or lost in the Pacific during the war were added on marble slabs in ten
courts of the missing that flanks the Memorial grand stone staircase.
The
National Cemetery of the Pacific was the first cemetery to include medal of honor headstones which have an insignia in gold leaf. As in the graves of other National cemeteries around the country, no cross marks the
grave of the dead. The Punchbowl is among one of the most popular touristic destination with more than five million visitors each year. It also provides a panoramic breathtaking view of the island of Oahu.
Type: Cultural, Historic, Memorial, Park, Scenic Lookout, Landmark, Cemetery
Features: Bathroom, Food for purchase, Parking, Wheelchair access
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