Waikiki
At Fort DeRussy, this museum exhibits an almost mind-numbing array of military paraphernalia as it relates to Hawaii’s history, starting with shark-tooth…
Must-see attractions in Oʻahu
Hawaii Children's Discovery Center
Honolulu
On a rainy day when you can't go to the beach, consider dropping by this hands-on museum for families. Opposite Kakaʻako Waterfront Park, the building was…
Honolulu
Embraced by tropical sculpture gardens, this art museum occupies an estate house constructed in 1925 for Oʻahu-born Anna Rice Cooke, a missionary…
Oʻahu
According to Hawaiian legend, Koko Crater is the imprint left by the magical flying vagina of Kapo, sent from the Big Island to lure the pig god Kamapuaʻa…
Kailua
One of Hawaii’s largest freshwater marshes, Kawai Nui provides flood protection for the town and a habitat for endangered waterbirds, and is also one of…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
For half a century from 1890 to 1940, a railroad carried sugarcane and passengers from Honolulu all the way around the coast through to Kahuku. The…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Along the south side of the bay, Kaneʻilio Point is the site of a terraced-stone platform temple, partly destroyed by the army during WWII, then later…
Honolulu
Built in the architecturally interesting 1960s, Hawaii’s state capitol is a poster child of conceptual postmodernism: two cone-shaped legislative chambers…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Craving land instead of sea? This 1800-acre Hawaiian cultural and nature park, just inland from Waimea Bay, is a sanctuary of tropical tranquility. Amid…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
A huge grassy lawn and sizable pavilion attract large Hawaiian families to this hidden gem of a beach on weekends. There’s always a spare table or two for…
Honolulu
In the heat and humidity of summer, Queen Emma (1836–85), the wife and royal consort of Kamehameha IV, used to slip away from her formal downtown Honolulu…
Waikiki
In its early days, horse racing and band concerts were the biggest attractions at Waikiki's favorite green space. Although the racetrack is long gone,…
Honolulu
Formerly the governor’s residence, this colonial-style mansion was built in 1846 by US sea captain John Dominis. The captain’s son became the governor of…
University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa
Honolulu
About 2 miles northeast of Waikiki, the main campus of the statewide university system has a contemporary feel offset by towering, ancient trees. Today,…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
The waves that created this giant stone amphitheater receded long ago. Now the highway passes right outside the cave, about 3 miles north of Makaha Beach…
Oʻahu
As you drive east, keep your eyes toward the ocean. At the highest point you'll spot a volcanic-rock obelisk, dedicated to fishers who have drowned, swept…
Honolulu
Standing before the Ali'iolani Hale, a bronze statue of Kamehameha the Great faces ʻIolani Palace. Often ceremonially draped with layers of flower lei,…
Waikiki
This statue of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaʻole fronts Kuhio Beach. It celebrates the man who was prince of the reigning House of Kalakaua when the…
Waikiki
This bronze statue depicts Queen Kapiʻolani, the wife of King David Kalakaua – his statue sits at the other end of Waikiki. The Queen was a beloved…
Honolulu
Built in 1926, this 10-story landmark was once the city’s tallest building. In the golden days when all tourists to Hawaii arrived by ship, this pre-WWII…
Windward Coast
When the tide is low you can wade from Malaekahana State Recreation Area's southern Kalanai Point to Mokuʻauia (Goat Island), a state bird sanctuary about…
Pearl Harbor & Leeward O‘ahu
Ko Olina's four artificial lagoons and beaches have calm waters that are perfect for kids, although the current picks up near the opening to the ocean. A…
Honolulu
This neoclassical landmark first opened in 1922, when silent films were played to the tunes of a pipe organ. Dubbed the ‘Pride of the Pacific,’ the…
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Windward Coast
A few miles northwest of Kahuku town heading toward Turtle Bay, this rare freshwater wetland provides habitat for four of Hawaii's six endangered…
Oʻahu
Play in the lap of luxury at this little gem of a beach between Diamond Head and Black Point, though it's not the best for swimming. Normally uncrowded,…
Waikiki
Born in 1836, King Kalakaua ruled Hawaii from 1874 until his death in 1891. With his wife, Queen Kapiʻolani, Kalakaua traveled the world extensively. This…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Operated by the Hawaii Department of Transportation under a 25-year lease from the US Army, Dillingham Airfield is mainly used for general aviation,…
Honolulu
In front of the capitol is a highly stylized statue of Father Damien, the Belgian priest who lived and worked with victims of Hansen’s disease (leprosy)…
Honolulu
The first major government building ordered by the Hawaiian monarchy in 1874, the ‘House of Heavenly Kings’ was designed by Australian architect Thomas…
Hiroshima to Honolulu Friendship Torii
Honolulu
In a grassy median called the Mōʻiliʻili Triangle Park sits a symbol of Honolulu's close ties to Japan. This bright red Shintō gate is a half-size replica…
Honolulu
This Shintō shrine was built by Japanese immigrants in 1906. It was confiscated during WWII by the city and wasn’t returned to the community until the…
Alan Davis Beach & Pele's Chair
Oʻahu
It's an easy, flattish 15-minute walk on the Kaʻiwi Shoreline Trail from the parking area for the Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail out to secluded little Alan…
Kailua
Just southeast of Kailua, Lanikai is an exclusive residential neighborhood fronting a gorgeous stretch of powdery white sand overlooking two postcard…
Kukaniloko Birthstone State Monument
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
One of the most important ancient sites on the island, Kukaniloko Birthstone State Monument is located in a 5-acre field just north of Wahiawa township,…
Windward Coast
That eye-catching islet you see offshore from Kualoa Regional Park is called Mokoliʻi (Little Lizard). In ancient Hawaiian legend, it’s said to be the…
Honolulu
With its green ceramic-tile roof and bright red columns, this ornate Chinese Buddhist temple is Honolulu’s oldest. The richly carved interior is filled…
Honolulu
The tomb of King Lunalilo, the short-lived successor to Kamehameha V, is found at the main entrance to the Kawaiahaʻo Church grounds. Lunalilo died from…
Oʻahu
At this picturesque sandy beach, a gentle stream meets the sea. Local surfers challenge Razors, a break off the channel’s west side. Swimming conditions…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
A short walk along the beach east of Kuilima Cove is this beautiful, curved, white-sand beach backed by ironwoods. The rocky bottom means it's not great…
North Shore & Central O‘ahu
Just east of Turtle Bay Resort is beautiful little Kuilima Cove with its perfect, protected Bayview Beach. On the bay's right-hand side is an outer reef…
