Outdoor sights in O'ahu
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He'eia State Park
He'eia State Park on Kealohi Point, just off Kamehameha Hwy, has a good view of He'eia Fishpond on the right and He'eia-Kea Harbor on the left. The fishpond, an impressive survivor from the days when stone walled ponds of fish raised for royalty were common on Hawaiian shores, remains largely intact despite the invasive mangroves.
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Kualoa Regional Park
The 153-acre Kualoa Regional Park on Kualoa Point provides an expansive vista of offshore islands and inland mountains. In ancient times Kualoa was once one of the most sacred places on O'ahu. When a chief stood on Kualoa Point, passing canoes lowered their sails in respect. There are picnic tables, rest rooms, showers and a lifeguard. Camping is allowed from Friday through Sunday. The children of chiefs were brought here to be raised.
It may also have been a place of refuge where kapu (taboo) breakers and fallen warriors could seek reprieve from the law. Because of its rich significance to Hawaiians, Kualoa Regional Park is listed in the National Register of Historic Pla…
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Lyon Arboretum
Managed by the University of Hawaiʻi, this hilly arboretum tempts with wildly unkempt walking paths through Oʻahu’s most accessible tropical rainforest. Its seminatural state is such a relief from the touristy, manicured tropical flower gardens so common elsewhere in the islands. Key plants in the Hawaiian ethnobotanical garden include ʻulu (breadfruit) and kalo (taro); ko, the sugarcane brought by early Polynesian settlers; kukui, which was used to produce lantern oil; and ti, which was used for medicinal purposes during ancient times and for making moonshine after Westerners arrived. It’s a short walk to Inspiration Point, or keep walking uphill for about 1 mile along a…
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Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park
For a marvelous panoramic view over Honolulu, visit Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Park. The park entrance is 2.5 miles up Round Top Dr from Makiki St. It's half a mile in to the lookout; bear to the left when the road forks. The sweeping view extends from Kahala and Diamond Head on the far left, across Waikiki and downtown Honolulu, to the Wai'anae Range on the right.
To the southeast is the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, easily recognized by its sports stadium; to the southwest you can see clearly into the green mound of Punchbowl crater; the airport is visible on the coast, with Pearl Harbor beyond that.If you're taking photos, the best time is during the day; however, this is …
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James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Four miles beyond Kahuku, heading towards Turtle Bay Resort, James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a rare freshwater wetland that provides habitat for Hawaii's four endangered waterbirds - the Hawaiian coot, the Hawaiian stilt, the Hawaiian duck and the Hawaiian moor hen. During stilt nesting season, normally mid-February to October, the refuge is off-limits to visitors. The rest of the year, it can only be visited on a guided tour.
Guided tours are provided by refuge staff (at 16:00 every Thursday, 09:00 on the first two Saturdays of the month and 15:30 on the remaining Saturdays of the month from October 1 to February 15). Tours are free, but reservations …
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Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park
Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park (formerly Kahana Valley State Park) is in an incredibly rainy and unspoiled valley. You can walk through the valley on either of two hiking trails. The orientation center provides a trail map, but it isn't always open to visitors; trails tend to be poorly maintained and conditions slippery.
The park's most important site is Huilua Fishpond, on Kahana Bay, a survivor of the traditional ponds used by the Hawaiians to cultivate fish. Early fishpond technology typically used fresh and saltwater sources and strategic placement to protect it from large swells. Management of the pond was a communal effort governed by local beliefs in the magical pow…
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Kaka'ako Waterfront Park
South of downtown Honolulu and just off Ala Moana Blvd at the end of Cooke St, little Kaka'ako Waterfront Park is protected from much of the city noise by a small grassy rise. Roller bladers cruise along the rock-fringed promenade, which offers clear views of Diamond Head, Waikiki and Honolulu Harbor. The 28-acre park attracts experienced surfers in the morning and picnickers in the afternoon.
It's not a safe swimming beach, but the tricky surf break is near the shore, making Kaka'ako a great place to watch surfers and boogie boarders up close. School children from Japan journey to this shrine each year as a gesture of peace.
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Kapi'olani Park
At the Diamond Head end of Waikiki is Hawaii's first public park, the nearly 200-acre Kapi'olani Park, a gift from King Kalakaua to the people of Honolulu in 1877. The king dedicated the park to his wife, Queen Kapi'olani. The park is the city's communal backyard, hosting sports games and family picnics under shady banyan trees. The park's tourist attractions include the Kapi'olani Beach Park, Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo.
Outdoor musical events are also held at the park.
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