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Sightseeing Cruising Around TownAli'iolani Hale
The name Ali''iolani (pronounced ah-lee-ee-oh-lah-nee, meaning chief unto heavens) honors King Kamehameha V, who initiated the planning and construction of this historic site. The building opened in 1874 and housed the Legislature and the Supreme Court. Today, the State Supreme Court convenes here. The Judiciary History Center welcomes visitors to Ali'iolani Hale and interprets a dynamic past through exhibits and other public programs. Hours, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., by reservation. Phone 539-4999. 'Iolani Palace
'Iolani Palace (Hawaiian for "the hawk of heaven," a symbol of the highest royalty) is the only royal palace in the United States. It is one of the most significant historical structures in the Hawaiian Islands. The official residence of King Kalakaua and his successor Queen Lili'uokalani, the last monarchs of Hawai'i, the Italian Renaissance-style palace was completed in 1882. The palace grounds include: the Coronation Pavilion (where the Royal Hawaiian Band plays every Friday at 12:15 p.m.), Royal Tomb, 'Iolani Barracks and gift shop, open Tue-Sat, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 532-1050.
Kamehameha I Statue
The most beloved and illustrious of Hawai'i's heroes, King Kamehameha the Great unified all of the Hawaiian Islands. His government maintained peace and traditional Hawaiian values under the intense pressure of Western culture. The golden statue is one of three statues cast in Paris from a model made by American artist T. R. Gould in Florence, Italy. The original was recovered from a ship that burned and sank off the Falkland Islands in 1880 and is now in Kohala on the Big Island of Hawai'i. The second one (on O'ahu) was dedicated in 1883 as part of King Kalakaua's coronation ceremony. The third casting is in Statuary Hall in Washington D.C. Mission Houses Museum
The oldest surviving Western-style structure in Hawai'i, the Mission Houses are now a museum complex. The main white frame house was erected in 1821 of New England timbers hewn and fitted in Boston and shipped around Cape Horn to Hawai'i. The museum tells the dramatic story of cultural change in 19th-century Hawai'i. Here, American Protestant missionaries established their headquarters in 1820. Explore the visitor center and the three historic mission buildings. Queen Emma Summer Palace
This Greek Revival-style, mid-19th century residence in the cool confines of Nu'uanu Valley was the favored summer retreat of Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV. Every room of the 3,000-square-foot palace is furnished with her possessions, an extensive collection of Hawaiian and European treasures that will take you back in time. Hawai'i Maritime Center
The world's only existing four-masted square-rigger, the Falls of Clyde, is docked outside the door of this fascinating maritime museum. Commemorated here are 2,000 years of Hawai'i's maritime history dating back to the first Polynesian settlers. The Hokulea, a re-creation of the traditional double-hulled Polynesian voyaging canoe, is also here. One price admits you to the museum and the square-rigger. Pali Lookout One of the most breathtaking views in all of Hawai'i is located just 6.5 miles from downtown Honolulu up the Pali Highway. The perpetually gusty Pali Lookout offers a 1,186-foot-high, heart-stopping view of Windward O'ahu. In 1795, the army of Kamehameha the Great pushed many of the defenders of O'ahu over these rugged cliffs. Punchbowl Crater
The 68-acre crater is called Punchbowl because of its shape, but its real name is Puowaina or Hill of Sacrifice. This is the final resting place for 34,000 American service personnel who served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. Also here is the Courts of the Missing, which names 28,000 Americans missing in action. Over five million visitors come here annually to pay their respects to America's heroes. For Memorial Day ceremonies every year, each grave of the departed bears an American flag and a lei. Dole Cannery
The famous old cannery is closed, but the Shops at Cannery Square are in a portion of the original Dole Cannery building. Exhibits and memorabilia throughout the shops help tell the Dole story. The Mighty Mo
Visitors relive the great battles of the sea aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial. The massive USS Missouri, the battleship on which the Japanese surrendered in 1945, thus ending World War II, stands sentinel over the watery grave of the USS Arizona, where the war began with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The two ships serve as bookends of World War II and are symbolic of the nation's wartime heritage. The Mighty Mo offers self and guided tours across its massive hull spanning the length of three football fields. Arizona Memorial
At the information desk, you'll receive a number (first come-first served) for a free shuttle ride to the memorial, preceded by a film on the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Arizona Memorial is a justifiably somber place, where 1,102 crewmen lost their lives in the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The deck of the USS Arizona lies six feet below the surface of the water beneath the Arizona Memorial, and oil still seeps from the engine room. Completed in 1961, the 184-foot-long memorial crosses the Arizona's mid-section. USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
The USS Bowfin (SS-287) was known as the Pearl Harbor Avenger for the havoc it wreaked on the enemy in World War II. Today, the Bowfin is one of only 15 World War II submarines in existence. Walkman-style cassette players help visitors explore the Bowfin and imagine what life was like on board for the 80-man crew. Dole Plantation
This popular attraction lays claim to the World's Largest Maze as listed in the 2001 Guinness Book of World Records. The 1.7-mile maze is constructed of 11,400 colorful Hawaiian plants. Tour the visitor's center and exhibits chronicling the history of the pineapple in Hawai'i. Polynesian Cultural Center
Over 26 million visitors have visited the lavishly landscaped 42-acre Polynesian Cultural Center since its inception in 1963. Each of the seven villages features entertainment, native customs, interesting exhibits and lots of fun. Dolphin Excursions
It's not necessary to fly to Maui to see humpback whales — some of the best whale watching is right here on O'ahu. During the winter (January through April), Humpback whales make the calm waters off the Waianae Coast, their home. For the past seven years, Dolphin Excursions has thrilled guests from around the world, as well as visitors here at home, with some of the best sightings in the state. Small groups of 24 whale watchers means viewing is clear and unobstructed. Dolphin Excursions provides educational narration on behavior and biology as well as on-board hydrophone. Sea Life Park
The park opened in 1964 with a few Hawaiian dolphins and a tankful of dreams. Today, it's a world-renowned facility with an oceanful of shows, activities and experiences. Honolulu Zoo
The zoo offers lots of fun extracurricular activities, like music festivals, family sleep-overs and kiddie activities. But the big draw is the zoo's 1,200+ animals, including hippopotami, giraffes, zebras, aardwolfs, cheetahs, lions, Hawai'i native forest birds and more.
Waikiki Aquarium
Founded in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is the third oldest public aquarium in the United States. The Aquarium is located next to a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline. Island Hopping It's easy to explore the neighboring Hawaiian Islands. In less than an hour and for about $80 one way, you can be on the Neighbor Island of your choice. There are literally dozens of flights a day. You'll need a rental car to get around once you arrive, because buses are non-existent. There is taxi service, if you need it. Aloha Airlines: www.alohaairlines.com/index.htm
Hawaiian Airlines: www.hawaiianair.com Neighbor Islands
Hawai'i (The Big Island) Nickname: The Orchid Isle Population: 148,677 Land area: 4,050 square miles Almost twice the size of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined, The Big Island of Hawai'i is just that. It's still growing too, thanks to the steady eruption of Kilauea, one of two active volcanoes. The other, Mauna Loa, has been heard from only twice since 1950, with its most recent eruption in 1984. Kaua'i Nickname: The Garden Isle Population: 58,303 Land area: 548.7 square miles The oldest of the inhabitable Hawaiian Islands, Kaua'i (pronounced kah-oo-ah-ee, but it usually comes out ka-why) is considered by many to be the most spiritual of all of the isles. You can't look at the stunning Waimea Canyon or the perfectly majestic Na Pali Coast without feeling your heart soar. Lana'i Nickname: The Pineapple Isle Population: 3,193 Land area: 139.5 square miles Billionaire computer wizard Bill Gates and his wife Melinda were married here on January 1, 1994. They, like many other celebrities and the rest of us, were attracted to the island's undeveloped natural setting. The island once produced 90 percent of the nation's pineapples, but now it focuses on tourism. And it does so with style. Maui Nickname: The Valley Isle Population: 117,644 Land area: 729 square miles As they say on The Valley Isle, "Maui No Ka Oi!" (Maui is the best!). There is so much to see and do here, whether it's exploring the quaint whaling village of Lahaina, basking on the shores of Ka'anapali Beach or discovering the natural wonder of Haleakala (ha-lay-ah-kah-lah), Maui's only volcano. Moloka'i Nickname: The Friendly Isle Population: 7,404 Land area: 261 square miles Moloka'i (mo-lo-kah-ee) has more full-blooded Hawaiians than any island except the forbidden island of Ni'ihau (forbidden because it's privately owned). The Aloha Spirit abounds here on The Friendly Isle. Population source: 2000 U. S. Census |
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