Honolulu
Beautiful walking trails wind through this highly regarded 200-acre arboretum managed by the University of Hawaiʻi. It was originally founded in 1918 by a…
Must-see attractions in Oʻahu
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
This military aircraft museum covers WWII and the conflicts in Korea, Vietnam and beyond. The first aircraft hangar, number 37, features exhibits on the…
Kailua
Rich in stream-fed agricultural land, fishing grounds and protected canoe landings, Kailua was an ancient economic center that supported at least three…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
The last battleship built by the US (it was launched in 1944), the USS Missouri provides a unique historical 'bookend' to the US campaign in the Pacific…
Waikiki
Located on Waikiki’s shoreline, this university-run aquarium recreates diverse tropical Pacific reef habitats. You’ll see rare fish species from the…
Windward Coast
A cultural park owned by the Mormon Church, the PCC revolves around Polynesian-themed ʻvillages’ representing Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji,…
Honolulu
Opposite the Ala Moana Center mall, this city park boasts a broad, golden-sand beach nearly a mile long, buffered from passing traffic by shade trees. Ala…
Waikiki
Christened the Moana Hotel when it opened in 1901, this beaux-arts plantation-style inn was once the haunt of Hollywood movie stars, aristocrats and…
Valley of the Temples & Byōdō-In
Windward Coast
It's so peaceful and parklike that it might take you a minute to realize that Valley of the Temples is an interdenominational cemetery. Up at the base of…
Windward Coast
An extenuation of stunning Waimanalo Beach, this beach park is only open to civilians on weekends (and national holidays), as it fronts Bellows Air Force…
Windward Coast
By the side of the roadway south of the main business area, this sloping strip of soft white sand has little puppy waves that are excellent for swimming…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Hidden within Mauna‘olu Estates, a gated residential community in Makaha Valley, this quietly impressive heiau (ancient stone temple) is one of Oʻahu's…
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Adjacent to the visitor center for the Pearl Harbor historic sites, this park harbors the moored WWII-era submarine USS Bowfin, which you can explore on a…
Keaʻiwa Heiau State Recreation Area
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
In the mountains north of Pearl Harbor, this state park protects Keaʻiwa Heiau, an ancient hoʻola (healing or medicinal) temple. Today, people wishing to…
Waikiki
Fronting the Hilton Hawaiian Village, large Kahanamoku Beach is Waikiki’s westernmost beach. It takes its name from Duke Kahanamoku (1890–1968), the…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Protected by Kaneʻilio Point and a long breakwater, the beach is in need of some maintenance, although the luminescent beauty of the sand is undimmed…
Waikiki
At the Diamond Head edge of Waikiki, Kaimana is a prime triangle of sandy stretch of oceanfront that’s far from the frenzied tourist scene. It’s commonly…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
This beautiful, mostly deserted half-mile of sand is backed by a few aging condo buildings, including the Hawaiian Princess. If you’re lucky, you may see…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Between the highway's 3- and 4-mile markers, this narrow spit of sand is visited by basking honu (green sea turtles), who migrate here from French Frigate…
Waikiki
Princess Kaiulani was heir to the throne when the Kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in 1893. This statue of the princess feeding her beloved peacocks sits…
Tantalus–Round Top Scenic Drive
Honolulu
Starting 2 miles above downtown Honolulu, a narrow switchback road cuts its way up into the Makiki Valley's forest reserves and climbs almost to the top…
Oʻahu
Less than a mile east of Hanauma Bay, roadside Lanaʻi Lookout offers a panorama on clear days of several Hawaiian islands: Lanaʻi to the right, Maui in…
Oʻahu
Past the park's ticket windows is an excellent educational center run by the University of Hawaiʻi. Interactive, family-friendly displays teach visitors…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Way back in the day, this beach was a canoe-landing site for interisland travelers. In the late ‘60s it was used as the backdrop for the movie Hawaii…
Kailua
Kalama Beach Park, 1 mile north of Kailua Beach Park on Kalaheo Ave, is the best place to park for a great walk. Climb over the grassy lawn to a much more…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
White-sand beaches and aqua-blue waters are the highlights of this somewhat-desolate state park that has a literal end-of-the-road feel. Car-parking areas…
Waikiki
A bronze charmer, this warm-hearted public art sculpture shows a young surfer (Makua) sharing a moment with a monk seal (Kila). It's inspired by the…
Honolulu
Like a daily farmers market, the vendors inside have the full range of whole fish, dry goods, prepared foods and Hawaii's plethora of produce. Out front,…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
The westernmost point on Oʻahu is reached by 2.5-mile-long trails from the south and east. Waves up to 50ft break here in winter. It's a desolate spot…
Windward Coast
A wide patch of sand, good surf and decent parking make this a great beach to pause for a picnic and a splash. There's a wide lawn, picnic tables and…
Waikiki
If you’re the kind of person who wants it all, this beach offers everything from protected swimming to outrigger canoe rides, and even a free sunset hula…
Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
A cinematic coastal panorama and a stroll around the grounds of Oʻahu's largest ancient temple reward those who venture up to this national historic…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Expect a sticky-sweet overdose of everything ananas (pineapples) when you walk into the Dole Plantation’s visitor-center gift shop. After you’ve watched…
Honolulu
Nicknamed ‘Westminster Abbey of Hawaii,’ Oʻahu’s oldest church was built on the site where the first missionaries constructed a grass thatch church…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Started 80 years ago as an experiment by local sugarcane farmers, this 27-acre garden has evolved to showcase plants that thrive in a cool, moist climate…
Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site
Honolulu
Occupying the original headquarters of the Sandwich Islands mission that forever changed the course of Hawaiian history, this modest museum is…
Windward Coast
Take a tractor-pulled wagon tour through the taro patch and fruit orchards at this family farm – sampling included. Then stop at the gift shop for bath…
Windward Coast
In spite of over 40 years of political controversy and failed plans for a living-history village, this park is currently still open to visitors.
Sand Island State Recreation Area
Honolulu
A barely visited half-mile ribbon of sand hides in plain sight from much of Honolulu. Industrial Sand Island, sitting between the airport and the port, is…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
After the USS Arizona, the second-largest number of lives lost on December 7, 1941 was aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma. Numerous Japanese torpedoes…
