Natural Hawaii

Oahu has it all. From the glitzy, busy lifestyle of Oahu and Waikiki, to the historical aspects of Pearl Harbor and Hawai'ian culture, to nature trails, botanical gardens, Chinatown, sugar mills, Honolulu zoo, people watching, and more. You will not run out of things to do on Oahu, no matter what your pleasure.

Ala Moana Center

Ala Moana Blvd., between Piikoi and Atkinson St. Hawaii’s largest shopping mall, with over 200 shops & food court with ethnic fast-foods.

Aliiolani Hale

Corner of S. King St. and Mililani St., across from lolani Palace. Historic building originally built in 1874 to house the Hawaiian parliament and courts. The 30-foot bronze replica of the Kamehameha Statue on the Big Island is in the front of the building facing the parking lot.

Aloha Tower

 Located at Pier 9, Honolulu Harbor. 10-story tower built in 1921. Observation Deck on the 10th floor of tower (take escalator to the 2nd floor, then the Observation Elevator). Observation Deck open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Free. (808) 537-9260.

 Banzai Pipeline

Kamehameha Hwy. to Ehukai Beach Park. Hawaii’s most famous waves with tube rising to heights of 20 feet or more. Site of several surfing competitions. Best during the winter months.

Bishop Museum

1525 Bernice St., Honolulu. One of the greatest collections of Hawaiian cultural and natural history artifacts. Founded in 1899. Dedicated to Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Hawaiian princess of the Kamehameha dynasty who collected many of the artifacts on display. Features Hawaiian Hall, Polynesian Hall, Hawaiian Hall of Natural History, Hall of Discovery, a planetarium and observatory, and a Hawaiian culture and arts program. Open daily 9-5. Admission: $5.95 adults, $4.95 children. (808) 847-3511.

Byodo-In Temple

47-200 Kahekili Hwy. (83) in Kaneohe. Replica of a 900-year-old Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan, complete with a 3-ton ceremonial brass bell, a 9 foot gold & lacquer Buddha, and a landscaped Japanese garden. Open daily. (808) 239-8811.

Cemetery of the Pacific

2177 Puowaina Dr., Honolulu. Located in the Punchbowl Crater, a 75,000 year old extinct volcano. 28,000 graves of military personnel killed in the Pacific theater in World War II and the Korean War.  Open daily, 8-5:30. (808) 541 - 1430.

Chinatown

Between Nu’uanu Avenue and North Beretania, North King and River streets. Established in the early 1800s, Chinatown was rebuilt at the turn of the century after much of it was destroyed by fire. Features the Kuan Yin Temple (oldest Chinese temple in Honolulu), produce markets, lively sidewalk markets, restaurants, factories, stores, handicrafts, souvenirs, as well as porn shops, pool halls, gambling dens, dance halls, and bars. Very colorful.

Contemporary Museum

2411 Makiki Heights Dr., Honolulu. Former home of art collector Mrs. Montagne Cooke. Features contemporary art. Open Tues.-Sat. 10-4, Sun. 12-4. Admission: $4.00  and free on Thursdays. (808) 526-0232.

Del Monte Pineapple Garden

Hwy. 99 and 80, N. of Wahiawa. Pineapple plants from various countries. Exhibit of the history of Hawaii’s pineapple production. Open daily.

Diamond Head Crater

Diamond Head Rd. at the southeast end of Waikiki.  Perhaps the most recognizable crater in the world with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu. Open daily, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.

Dole Cannery Square

650 Iwilei Rd., Honolulu. Formerly the site of the Dole Pineapple Cannery. Displays, video presentation, garden tour, and the Hawaii Children’s Museum. Cannery Square open 9-5 daily. Hawaii Children’s Museum Tues.-Fri. 9-1, Sat.-Sun. 10-4 (Admission $5.00 adults, $3.00 children and seniors). (808) 523-3653, 548-6601.

Dole Plantation

64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy., Wahiawa. Garden with pineapple plants from around the world. Open daily 9-5:30. (808) 621-8408.

Fort DeRussy

Kalia Rd., between Ala Moana Blvd. and Saratoga Ave., Waikiki. U.S. Army museum of historical exhibits of the U.S. military in Hawaii and the Pacific. Museum hours: Tues.-Sun. 10-4:30. Free.

Foster Botanic Garden

180 North Vineyard Blvd., Honolulu. Tropical botanical garden on 20-acres. Thousands of tropical plants and trees from all over the world, including native Asian and South Pacific trees. Open daily. 9-4. Admission: $1.00. (808) 522-7060.

Hanauma Bay Beach Park

Kalanianaole Hwy (72) east to Hanauma Bay. Oahu’s most popular snorkeling spot. This beautiful bay is ideal for swimming or just plain gazing. Snorkeling equipment rentals. Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. (808) 396-0933.

Hawaii Maritime Center

Pier 7, Honolulu Harbor. Museum with displays of canoes, replica ships, sailing vessels. Exhibits on Polynesian & Hawaiian history, customs and culture. In the harbor you'll find the Falls of Clyde, a 266 ft. ship built in Scotland in 1878, as well as the Hokulea, a 65 ft double hulled voyaging canoe. Open daily 9-5. Admission: $7.00 adults, $4.00 children. (808) 536-6373.

Hawaii State Library

478 King St. (corner Punchbowl St.). Honolulu. Main branch of the state library system. An early 1900s building with a central courtyard. Houses a rare collection of books on Hawaiian history. Open Mon.-Sat., 9-5. (808) 548-4775.

He’eia State Park

Off Kamehameha Hwy. (836), 1 1/2 miles N. of the intersection of Haiku Rd. and Windward Mall in Kaneohe. This grassy park at Kealohi Point overlooks Kaneohe Bay and an ancient 88-acre He’eia Fishpond. Good views of Moku o Loe (Coconut Island).

Honolulu Academy of Arts

900 S. Beretania St., Honolulu. Built in 1927 as the home of art collector Mrs. Montagne Cooke. Features 30 individual galleries, garden courtyards, American and European works by Gauguin, Van Gogh, Picasso, Japanese ceramics and paintings, antiques from the Ming and Ching dynasties,  Hawaiian, South Pacific and rare African art. Open Tues.-Sat. 10-4.30, Sun. 1-5. Donations accepted. (808) 538-1006.

Honolulu Hale (City Hall)

South King St., near Punchbowl St., across from Kawaiahao Church. Built in 1927 and designed by Honolulu architect C.W. Dickey. A landmark of modern Honolulu, the building is in the Spanish Renaissance style with a terra-cotta-tiled open courtyard and designed to be in harmony with Hawaii’s climate. Open Mon.-Fri., 9-5.

Honolulu Zoo

151 Kapahulu Ave., Honolulu. Animals and birds in natural setting, Reptile House, African Savannah, Petting Zoo, Elephant Encounter. Open daily, 8:30am-:430pm. Admission: $3.00. (808) 971-7171.

Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden

Luluku Rd., Kaneohe. 400-acre garden featuring plants and trees from various parts of the world, including much of the Pacific. 32-acre lake. Hiking & horseback riding trails. Open daily. 9-4; guided nature walks on weekends. Free admission. (808) 235-6636.

Iolani Palace

300 South King St., Honolulu. The nation’s only royal palace built in 1882. This is where Queen Liliuokalani’s government was overthrown in 1893, and where she, the last Hawaiian monarch, was imprisoned. Iolani Barracks dating from 1870, and built to house the Royal Guards, are located on the Palace grounds. Open Mon.-Sat., 8-3.30; tours by reservation, Wed.-Sat.. 9am-2:15pm. Admission: $4 adults. (808) 522-0832.

Kahuku Sugar Mill

Kamehameha Hwy. at Kahuku. Self-guided tours of the old mill, built in 1890. Sugar mill machinery on display. Open 10-4 daily; tour $1.00. (808)293-8747.

Kapiolani Park

Kalakaua Ave., between Kapahulu Ave. and Paki Ave., Waikiki. 100-acre public park. One of the most popular recreation areas in Waikiki and the site of many local events. Home of the Kapiolani bandstand, Honolulu Zoo, aquarium and Kodak Hula Show.

Kawaiahao Church

957 Punchbowl St. (corner S. King St.). This church of Hawaiian royalty was built in 1842 from 14,000 coral slabs - some weighing 1/2 ton each. Open Mon.-Fri. 9-12. (808) 522-1333.

Kodak Hula Show

At Kapiolani Park (near the bandstand), Waikiki. Hawaiian band and women in traditional clothes and grass skirts performing an authentic hula dance. Tues., Wed., Thurs., 10-11a.m. Free.

Liliuokalani Church

Kamehameha Hwy. in Haleiwa. Church built in 1832 and rebuilt in 1961 has a century-old clock that shows  the phase of the moon as well as the time, day and month. Open daily.

Lyon Arboretum

3860 Manoa Rd., Honolulu. 124-acre arboretum in the Manoa Valley. Established in 1918. Features thousands of indigenous plants, flowers and trees. Self-guided tour. Owned and maintained by the University of Hawaii. Open Mon.-Fri. 9-3, Sat. 9-12. Free. (808) 988-7378.

Mission Houses Museum

553 South King St., Honolulu. Three buildings with original furnishings, and a printing press on which early missionaries printed the first Bible in Hawaiian. Open Tues.-Sat. 9-4, and Sun.12-4. Admission: $3.50 adults, $1.00 children. (808) 531-0481.

Moanalua Gardens

Moanalua Rd. (Hwy. 78) to Puuloa Rd. to Mahiole St. (3 miles E. of Pearl Harbor). A 26-acre park,  Royal House of Oahu (historic summer cottage of King Kamehameha V), and an old Chinese meeting hall. Open Mon.-Fri., 8-4. Free.

Mokoli’i Island (Chinaman’s Hat)

Offshore from Kualoa Regional Park, at Kualoa. Named for its shape that resembles a traditional Chinese peasant hat.

Natatorium War Memorial

Kalakaua Ave. Large stone facade, built in 1927, as a memorial to island men who fought in World War I. Under disrepair. 100 meter salt-water pool.

Nu’uanu Pali Lookout

Pali Hwy. Spectacular views of the Windward Coast, Kaneohe and Kailua. Site of the historic 1795 battle in which Kamehameha I drove over the cliff the defenders of Oahu.

Our Lady of Peace Cathedral

Beretania St. and Fort Street Mall. The church was built from local coral block in 1840.

Paradise Park

3737 Manoa Rd. Honolulu. A 15-acre garden. Tropical birds, trees, plants, flowers, orchids, bamboo, coffee trees, rainforest, and life-size maze for children. Exhibits and video films on Hawaiian culture. Open Mon. Tues. Thurs. Fri. 10-4; Sat., Sun. & holidays, 9:30-5. Admission: $14.95 adults, $7.95 children. (808) 988-0200.

Polynesian Cultural Center

Kamehameha Hwy. (83) in Laie.  42 acres with 7 authentically recreated Polynesian villages representing the South Pacific cultures. Also arts and crafts, and demonstrations of traditional activities (making poi, tapa cloth, etc.) Open Mon.-Sat., 12.30-6 pm. Admission: $25.00 adults, $10.00 children. (808) 293-3333 or (800) 367-7060.

Queen Emma Summer Palace

2913 Pali Hwy., Honolulu. Summer home of Queen Emma, wife of Kamehameha IV. Museum includes antique koa furniture, portraits of the Hawaiian royal family, artifacts. Open 8am-4pm daily. Admission: $4.00. (808) 595-3167.

Royal Mausoleum  Monument

2261 Nu’uanu Avenue, Honolulu. Historic monument that was the burial place of Hawaiian royalty and  where Kings Kamehameha Il, III, IV, V, Kalakaua, and Queen Liliuokalani are buried.  Built in 1863. Open  Mon.-Fri., 8-4.30. Free.

St. Andrews Cathedral

Alakea St. and Beretania St. Episcopal church, built in 1862 by King Kamehameha IV and his wife, Queen Emma. Stained-glass windows and cut stones  were imported from England. Open daily, 6.30am-6pm. (808) 524-2822.

Sacred Falls State Park

Kamehameha Hwy. 1,374 acre nature preserve, with 80-foot high waterfall with swimming hole, reached by way of a 2-mile foot trail.

Sea Life Park

Kalanianaole Hwy. 4.5 miles N.E. of Hanauma Bay. 62-acre marine life theme park with whales, dolphins, sharks, monk seals, turtles, sea lions,  penguins, and the “wholphin”, an offspring of a killer whale and dolphin. Hours: 9:30-5 daily (9 a.m.-10 p.m. on Fridays). Admission: $14.95 adults, $7.95 children. (808) 259-7933. Yearly family passes available.

State Capitol

South Beretania St., between Punchbowl St. and Richards St. Built in 1969,  it features a central courtyard, reflecting pools, and a Statue of Father Damien who devoted his life to the lepers on Molokai. Open Mon.-Fri. 8-4.30. (808) 548-5420.

Submarine Museum and Park

Pearl Harbor. Adjacent to the USS Arizona Memorial Visitor Center. 1,500-ton submarine open to public. Open daily, 8-5. Admission: $7.00 adults, $2.00 children. (808) 423-1341.

Tropical Lightning Museum

Waianae Ave. & Kolekole Ave. at the Schofield Barracks. History of the Barracks with info and memorabilia from World War II, Korean and Vietnam wars including exhibits of equipment and photographs. Open Tues.-Sat., 10-4. Free.

USS Arizona Memorial

Arizona Place & Hwy. 90, Pearl Harbor. Memorial is directly over the battleship USS Arizona, which sank during the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, entombing on board 1,102 servicemen. Hours: 7:30am-5pm. daily; Video: 8am-3pm. (808) 422-0561.

Wahiawa Botanical Garden

Kamehameha Hwy. to California St., Wahiawa. Botanical garden, established in 1957. Flowers, plants and trees from around the world and native Hawaiian plants. Open 9-4 daily. Free. (808) 621-7321.

Waikiki Aquarium

2777 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki. Aquarium with exhibits, simulated coral reef, sharks, turtles,  monk seals, sting rays, octopi, etc. Open 9-5 daily. Admission: $3.00. (808) 923-9741.

Waimea Falls Park

59-864 Kamehameha Hwy. (83), Haleiwa. 1,800-acre park with historical sites, a botanical garden, cliff diving from Waimea Falls, hula performances, and traditional Hawaiian sports & games. Open daily 10-5.30; admission: $14.95 adults, $7.95 children. Yearly family passes available. (808) 638-8511.

Waipahu Garden Cultural Park

94-695 Waipahu St., Waipahu. 50-acre theme park with a historic plantation village, outdoor museum, 30 restored and replica 19th-century homes and buildings representing various ethnic groups. Open Mon.-Sat., 8-4. Recommended donation: $5.00. (808) 667-0110.

Washington Place

320 South Beretania St., Honolulu. Official residence of the governor of Hawaii. Not open to the public, but can be seen from Beretania St.