Oahuhonolulu

Honolulu

Honolulu is by far the best known and most recognized city in all of Hawaii. This is both the largest city and the capital of Hawaii, as well as the center of government, transportation and commerce for the entire state of Hawaii. Honolulu retains the Hawaii and island atmosphere of laid-back attitudes with a focus on good times, but the pace of Honolulu is much more hectic than anywhere else on Hawaii. Honolulu is, after all, an urban center much like any other big city in the United States. This is not the place to go for peace and tranquility, but it is the place to go to get a taste of all the best activities and sights that Hawaii has to offer, located only a few miles from each other. Honolulu offers all the great aspects of the Hawaii islands in one space: everything from wonderful natural sights and habitats to world renowned beaches to the best museums, shops, restaurants, and nightlife. Honolulu truly has something for everyone and it retains its uniquely Hawaiian vibe within the big city context.

The city boasts several districts and neighborhoods, so choosing where you want to stay while in Honolulu can become tricky. Staying in or near downtown or Waikiki are two of the best bets, in so far as you will be both close to the beaches and positioned in a central point within the city. In Downtown Honolulu, you could check out the fancy ResortQuest at the Executive Centre Hotel which contains privately owned suites that add a unique flavor to each stay. In Waikiki, you will find plenty of places to sleep in. Try out the Equus if you are into an active nightlife. Another good bet on Waikiki is the Holiday Inn—Waikiki, located a mere two blocks from the beach and another two blocks from the Ala Moana Shopping Center. If you want to stay a little further from all the noise and excitement of Downtown and Waikiki, try staying at the Kahala Hotel & Resort in the Kahala district, or the Manoa Valley Inn (bed and breakfast style) in the Manoa district.

As far as what to do and what to see while in Honolulu, your options will never become exhausted. Honolulu is home to what is probably the best museum in all of Hawaii, the Bishop Museum. This museum takes up several buildings and a visit to the museum will likely take you at least a whole half day. Another interesting and informative day trip for the whole family is to the Hawaii Maritime Center where you will learn all about Hawaii’s maritime history, from the ancient days of how we believe people came to the islands of Hawaii to Hawaii’s role in different wars. If you are curious about Hawaii’s relation to wartime USA, you have to go no further than the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, where the tragic events of December 7, 1941 are honored and remembered. Visitors to the memorial take a shuttle out to the ship while listening to a guided audio tour. You can also see other wartime shipping vessels while in Honolulu such as the USS Bowfin, now a Submarine Museum and Park, or the USS Missouri Memorial.

Honolulu is home to a great cultural scene, fronted by several art schools and museums such as the Honolulu Academy of Arts and the Hawaii State Art Museum. For an authentic taste of the diversity that is found in Honolulu, head over to the city’s Historic Chinatown district (the first Chinatown district in the United States), where you can find unique shopping opportunities at places like Viet Hoa Chinese Herb Shop or the Oahu Market Place. As far as dining in Honolulu is concerned, we recommend exploring all your options, talking to locals in the areas you are in, and trying out new restaurants, since there are so many. Some of my favorite restaurants are the Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas in Downtown, the Contemporary Museum Café in Makiki, Spices right next to the university, and 3660 On The Rise in Kaimuki.

For more nature-related activities, do not miss out on the Diamond Head Crater, where you will be able to hike through the 760-foot tall volcanic cone. From up here, you will get some of the most breathtaking vistas of all of Honolulu. The Manoa Falls Trail is also an excellent hiking activity. This is one of the easier hiking trails (measuring under a mile each way) and takes less than an hour of total hiking time. At the end of the trail, you will reach the gorgeous Manoa Falls. Pali Lookout is another fabulous lookout spot, located six miles northeast of downtown Honolulu. Here you will look out into Oahu’s windward coast, and you will feel some of those strong winds. You can also drive out to the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, about ten miles east of Waikiki Beach. Hanauma Bay was once a traditional beach, but has been converted into what is called a nature preserve to try to protect the delicate environment of the bay. You can snorkel and dive at the preserve but are advised to be very careful with the delicate coral reef.