Sights in Hawaii
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beach
The beach fronting Bellows Air Force Base is a long beach with fine sand and a natural setting backed by ironwood trees. The small shorebreak waves are good for beginner bodysurfers and board surfers.
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2400° Fahrenheit
Come early to glass-blowing studio 2400° Fahrenheit and watch artists Michael and Misato Mortara create their mind-boggling glass bowls and vases. A tiny gallery displays finished pieces.
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Pahoa Community Aquatic Center
For swimming, don't miss the gorgeous outdoor Olympic-size pool at Pahoa Community Aquatic Center, behind the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility; it's got nice showers and a separate kids' pool.
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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
The best place on Oʻahu to go eyeball to eyeball with tropical fish is at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, a gorgeous turquoise bathtub set in a rugged volcanic ring.
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Polynesian Cultural Center
Run by the Mormon Church, this is a Polynesian theme park (and all that implies) with villages, performances and luau buffets. Only Pearl Harbor draws more visitors.
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Fun Factory
Another rainy-day option is Fun Factory, a very '80s place that resembles a carnival arcade, with sports and shooting games, video games and mini carousel rides.
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Huliheʻe Palace
Currently closed for renovations, Huliheʻe Palace was a vacation spot for Hawaiian royalty and is packed with amazing Hawaiian artifacts.
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Diamond Head
For a sweeping view of the area, make the 1.5-mile climb up Diamond Head, the 760ft extinct volcano that forms the famous backdrop to Waikiki.
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Onizuka Center for International Astronomy
The Onizuka Center for International Astronomy offers displays, free astronomy presentations, awesome stargazing and summit tours (BYO 4WD).
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National Tropical Botanical Garden
Tour the stunning gardens at the National Tropical Botanical Garden and admire the windswept limestone cliffs of the Mahaʻulepu
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ʻIolani Palace
At the heart of downtown Honolulu, this historical site where the monarchy was overthrown offers a unique glimpse into the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi's late-19th-century history. Phone for tour schedules.
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Maui Arts & Cultural Center
The Maui Arts & Cultural Center is Maui's premier concert venue, which also runs an excellent art gallery.
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USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
Walk to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, poke around the WWII relics and clamber down into a retired submarine
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Pacific Tsunami Museum
Hilo has survived several major tsunamis and this dramatic museum brings these chilling events to life, with multimedia exhibits including documentary film footage.
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Kona Coffee Living History Farm
Check out the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, which recreates rural Japanese-immigrant life in the early 20th century.
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Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Stop at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge to enjoy its historic lighthouse and thriving seabird sanctuary.
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Honolulu Academy of Arts
Displays must-see collections of Asian, European and Pacific art. Phone to make reservations for tours ($25) of Doris Duke's former mansion Shangri La, a trove of Islamic art.
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Waikiki Aquarium
Fantastic educational exhibits and hands-on touch tanks.
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Parker Ranch Historic Homes
You can learn all about Hawaiʻi's unusual cowboy history at Parker Ranch Historic Homes
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Lyman Museum
The Lyman Museum provides an excellent overview of Hawaii's natural and cultural history.
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Shangri la
Shangri Lais open only for guided tours, which depart from the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
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Foster Botanical Garden
For a bizarro-tropical escape, visit Chinatown's overwhelming Foster Botanical Garden.
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Kekaha Kai State Park
Four dreamy sugar-sand beaches; all but Maniniʻowali Beach require hot hiking or 4WD to reach.
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Kawaiahaʻo Church
Built of coral slabs, theKawaiahaʻo Church is Oʻahu's oldest church.
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Jaggar Museum
Jaggar Museum,has working seismographs, lava displays and a stupendous vista.
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