Travel to Honolulu
Oahu, Hawaii

Waikiki
Waikiki Beach stretches from the slopes of Diamond Head to Ala Moana and the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor. The beach itself is a great spot for the whole family. There is a near-shore break for the children (keiki pool), while the more experienced swimmers surf the waves.

The main thoroughfare of Waikiki is Kalakaua Boulevard. Most of the hotels, shops, and restaurants are gathered along this well-populated strip. The Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is a must-stop for anyone who likes to shop. Dine on pho, sushi, fresh seafood, or gourmet buffets at area restaurants. As for accommodations, Waikiki hotels are some of the best in the world. You can find everything from upscale, five-star establishments to lodgings for the budget traveler.

Ala Moana
This diverse area is probably the first place business travelers will see, thanks to the presence of the enormous Hawai'i Convention Center. Be sure not to miss one of the largest open-air shopping centers in the country, Ala Moana Shopping Center, the Hawaiian Islands' premier shopping mall. Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island are beloved by locals and visitors alike. Restaurant Row, the stomping ground for the corporate lunch and Happy Hour crowd, is known as the "gateway" to downtown Honolulu.

Chinatown
Chinatown is one of Honolulu's most colorful and exciting neighborhoods. The area has been a major gateway for immigrants to Hawai'i. Chinese medicine and Eastern religion have a huge presence with Taoist, Buddhist, and Shinto temples sandwiched between herbalists, shops, and restaurants. Highlights of Chinatown include Maunakea Marketplace, a local shopping plaza complete with its own ethnic food court, and the Chinese Cultural Plaza, a spacious, open-air courtyard inhabited by jewelers, Asian restaurants, and cultural organizations.

Downtown/Waterfront
From the steely skyscrapers and luxury highrises that rise up along the waterfront to the restored palaces and fascinating museums on Beretania and Bernice Streets, the downtown area proves Honolulu to be much more than the glitzy tourist town that Waikiki would have us believe. Landmarks are numerous, but a few that can't be missed are the grand and graceful Aloha Tower, the bustling Honolulu Harbor, and the stunning Iolani Palace. After the sun goes down, the Honolulu Symphony and Hawaii Opera Theater offer entertainment to a cultured, affluent crowd. The Aloha Tower Marketplace probably throws more parties, festivals, and celebrations than any other place in Honolulu.

Manoa Valley/Makiki
Manoa Valley, where the University of Hawaii is situated, is typical of the valleys resulting from the erosion caused by rain and lava flows in Hawai'i. One of the best places to view Honolulu and the Ko'olau mountain range surrounding the city is from the Manoa Cliff Trail. The main attraction of the valley itself is the University of Hawaii, a research university founded in 1907, and the only one of its kind in the state.

Manoa and the nearby neighborhood of Makiki comprise one of the major cultural hot spots on the island. While this district isn't marketed or publicized as a cultural destination, it is home to several galleries, museums, and theater companies. Among the hidden jewels in the area are The Contemporary Museum, one of the best art museums in Hawaii, and Manoa Valley Theater, a spirited community theater group.

East Honolulu--Diamond Head, Kahala, & Hawaii Kai
There are several major tourist attractions spread out through this area. Diamond Head is great for hikers. This peak can be seen from many vantage points in Honolulu, but for outdoor enthusiasts there's no better way to experience it than by hiking to the summit and gazing down at the island below. The Kahala Mall, Hawaii Kai Towne Center, and Hawaii Kai Golf Course are other East Honolulu area attractions.

Experts agree that Hanauma Bay, on the eastern tip of the island, offers some of the world's best snorkeling. However, if you prefer more privacy, try snorkeling or diving in Hawaii Kai. And if you'd prefer to view sea creatures from the safety of land, head over to Sea Life Park.

North Honolulu--Pearl Harbor, Pearl City, Ewa Beach
Aside from Waikiki, this district may be the one most often visited by tourists. Site of the infamous Pearl Harbor attack, it is among the most famous naval attractions in the country. Millions of people visit the Arizona Memorial, Bowfin Memorial Park, and "Mighty Mo" (Missouri Battleship) each year, learning about or revisiting the horror--and the heroism--that made this place what it is. Locals and in-the-know tourists often bypass Ala Moana Center and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center in favor of Pearl City's famous Pearlridge Center.

Windward O'ahu
If you visit Honolulu, or even read about it, you'll likely find that the term "Windward" is tossed around quite a bit. Windward, to clarify, is the eastern shore of the island. It's a quiet, laid-back place, devoid of all the glitz and noise of Honolulu. Most locals will also tell you that it's the best part of the island.

There are no major hotels or malls here, but there are plenty of restaurants and shops, and there seems to be a B&B tucked under every hillock and at the end of every street. Kailua Beach Park offers some of the world's best windsurfing, while Lanikai is simply one of the world's best beaches. Oh, and golfers...are you paying attention? Three words: Ko'olau Golf Club. It's the best on the island; Golf Digest said so.

Leeward O'ahu & Central O'ahu
Like Windward O'ahu and East Honolulu, Leeward O'ahu (that's the western shore to all you mainlanders) is a quieter district with a few outstanding visitor attractions. Smart tourists--at least, the ones who can afford it--pooh pooh the jam-packed hotels of Waikiki, knowing that true paradise awaits at Ihilani Resort & Spa at the serene Ko'olina Marina. Near Ko`olina is Hawaiian Waters, a water amusement park on a grand scale. At Makaha Beach Park, swimmers, surfers, and sun-worshipers congregate every day in the spring and summer months. In winter, daredevil surfers test their skill against swells that reach 20 to 30 feet.

Central Honolulu isn't much of a visitor destination, although the famous Dole Plantation draws its fair share of tourists.

North Shore
It seems like every Hawaiian island has its own North Shore, where surfers from around the world come to brave the big waves in winter time. The Big Island of Hawaii has one. Kaua'i has one. But O'ahu has something that the others do not: Baywatch. Since the popular television show came to the funky little town of Haleiwa, things have never been the same. Even without the publicity boost though, the North Shore is one of Oahu's most popular areas. It has great beaches, famous parks, and a mellow lifestyle. Waimea Valley Adventure Park is a great place to hike, ride horses, and watch people dive off cliffs. There is also the Polynesian Cultural Center, where you can shop and eat at buffets.

What more could anyone ask for? Whatever it is, it's probably somewhere on O'ahu. This island metropolis is truly in a class all its own.

The World Discovers Hawai'i
The earliest inhabitants of the Hawaiian islands were likely royal navigators from the Marquesa Islands who found their way to Hawai'i sometime around 900 A.D. Later came seafarers from New Zealand, Tahiti, and other Pacific islands. When the navigators reached these islands, the Big Island's southern points were the first areas settled.

British Captain James Cook started the "modern era" of Hawai'i on January 18, 1778. During the next 20 years, the Hawaiian Islands became a beacon for voyagers in an era of international imperialism. For the most part, native Hawaiians welcomed the foreign crews, not knowing they brought diseases deadly to the native population. During the next 100 years, 80 percent of the native Hawaiian population succumbed to illnesses caused by the foreign diseases. Tyrannic ruler Kamehameha I died in May of 1819, just as the first of the American Christian missionaries proclaimed their goal of "raising up the people of Hawai`i to an elevated state of Christian civilization." The influx of missionaries over the next 40 years was to change the island chain forever.

Honolulu Becomes a Pacific Hub
Foreigners created the village of Honolulu beside the tiny harbor of Kou in the first half of the 19th century. By 1850, Honolulu Harbor was full of masts with more than 150 whaling and merchant ships. This meant that more than 3,000 seamen were ashore, looking for liquor and other entertainment. Honolulu's jails were always filled to capacity. The town, for better or worse, had become the hub of commerce for the entire northern and central Pacific.

Sugar production took hold in the 1840s, and by 1884 production soared to 10 million pounds a year, transforming Hawai'i from a traditional, insular, agrarian, and debt-ridden society into a region that was multicultural, cosmopolitan, and prosperous. In the center of this world was Honolulu.

19th century super-powers England, France, and the United States were keenly aware of the Islands' and Honolulu's strategic importance. By the early 1840s, intrigues by British residents led Rear Admiral Richard Thomas, commander of the British Squadron in the Pacific, to send Lord George Paulet to Honolulu in order to "protect" British interests. He arrived in the winter of 1843 and issued a series of threatening ultimatums. King Kamehameha III sent emissaries to Europe to resolve all disputes, but to no avail. The king was forced to yield to British guns on February 15, 1843.

As a result of Great Britain's actions, protests mounted in the Islands. Since Great Britain had already recognized Hawaii's independence and France had promised to do likewise, the provisional cession to Paulet was received with concern in London, Paris, and other foreign capitals. Admiral Thomas came to Honolulu on July 26, 1843 and declared Paulet's act to be unauthorized. On July 31 of that same year, the Hawaiian flag was again raised.

The Hawaiian Monarchy
Over the course of 62 prosperous years, there were five individuals who carried the Kamehameha title, and the Hawaiian monarchy that went along with it. The last of this direct dynasty passed on in 1872 and was followed by the ascension of King David Kalakaua, who was the descendant of a cousin of King Kamehameha the Great.

In 1887, several hundred foreigners formed a secret group called the Hawaiian League. By various means, they intimidated King Kalakaua into accepting a new constitution, known as the Bayonet Constitution. It stripped the king of many powers, making him a figurehead only, and permitted only Caucasian foreigners to vote in elections.

In 1889, a man named Robert Wilcox led an uprising against the new constitution. The uprising was put down by the king's troops, but Wilcox became a hero to native Hawaiians. An all-Hawaiian jury at his conspiracy trial found him not guilty.

After David Kalakaua's death in 1891, his sister Lydia garnered the distinction of becoming the last Hawaiian monarch. Queen Liliuokalani, as she was known, was a courageous and intelligent woman and a strong nationalist. She tried to replace the Bayonet Constitution with one that would favor native Hawaiians, but was pressured into letting the old constitution stand.

The Overthrow of the Monarchy
Hawaiian planters needed political help to keep their plantations profitable. Most of all, they needed a reciprocity treaty that gave them the ability to sell sugar in the United States without paying a tariff. Hawaiians opposed reciprocity, fearing it was the bait to give the United States exclusive use of Pearl Harbor. The Queen's attempt to create a constitution that would restore more power to the Hawaiian monarchy was the catalyst and the call to action for powerful Honolulu businessmen.

On January 17, 1893, supported by U.S. Marines, they overthrew the Kingdom of Hawai'i. A provisional government was declared and immediately recognized by John Stevens, the American Minister to Hawai'i. Pineapple baron Sandford Dole was appointed President. This lasted until 1898, when the United States annexed Hawai'i and it became a territory of the United States. Once Hawai'i became a state in 1959, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was created to manage native lands ceded during the overthrow and U.S. annexation.

Honolulu Grows
During the pre-tourist years, sugar planters and pineapple growers ran the islands with impunity--and prospered. However, strong new cultural identities were emerging. The U.S. military was creating a greater presence in the Pacific. The Navy and Army both considered Honolulu, with its key asset of Pearl Harbor, to be the most important place in the North Pacific. Unlike military bases on the mainland or in the Philippines where military life was separated from civilians, Hawai'i and the military grew up together. Military officers were at the top of Honolulu society.

Waikiki's first luxury-trade hotel, the elegant Moana Surfrider, opened in 1901 as an exclusive paradise for the rich. The same held true for the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, which opened in 1919. This would change greatly during the next 20 years, as steamship companies, Hollywood, and the Pan American Clipper discovered Honolulu.

In one of World War II's most historic events, Pearl Harbor was struck by forces of the Japanese navy on December 7, 1941. For America, World War II began here although, interestingly, Hawai'i would not become a state until much later in 1959.

Honolulu is currently the permanent home to almost one million people of all races and cultural backgrounds. It is not only one of the largest cities in the U.S., hovering around the 10th or 11th spot on the census charts, but also one of the most popular destinations in the country for business and leisure. At any given time there are about 100,000 visitors in Hawai'i, and nearly all of them travel through Honolulu, "The Queen of the Pacific."

Art
Hawai'i is home to many world-class artists, and Honolulu has multiple galleries displaying their work. Honolulu Academy of Arts, which opened its doors to the general public in 1927, was the dream of Anna Rice Cooke. Her goal, which became the goal of the Academy as an entity, was to create a place where, artistically, "East meets West." There is a large main exhibit area that is used for temporary special exhibits. In addition, there are several other permanent galleries along with a wonderful shop and a delightful barRestaurant set in a tropical courtyard.

Cinema
In Honolulu's prestigious Restaurant Row near downtown, nine screens show first-run features. In the old Dole Cannery area on the other side of Honolulu's downtown area there is a 16-screen Signature Theater.

Music and Dance of Polynesia and Beyond
All the colorful islands of the Pacific are well represented in the music and dance of Honolulu. The Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu's North Shore presents daily and nightly music and dance extravaganzas and free entertainment is presented often throughout Waikiki. Two of the best free shows are the classic live hula show at the Waikiki Shell, and the Aloha Waikiki show at DFS Galleria.

One of the most popular forms of entertainment for the visitor to Hawai`i is the luau, a traditional Hawaiian festival party. Guests are served sumptuous food and drink and treated to a music and dance extravaganza.

Lovers of classical music should make a date with the The Honolulu Symphony. The highly reputed Symphony attracts some of the world's finest guest conductors and soloists. The Hawaii Opera Theater has been entertaining lovers of the genre for years.

Museums
Honolulu boasts one of the country's most interesting local history and cultural archives, the Bishop Museum. Located downtown, this fascinating place was founded in 1889 by Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a member of the Hawaiian royal family. The museum primarily focuses on the islands of the Pacific basin, but it also houses a fascinating astronomy exhibit and children's museum. Also downtown, the Mission Houses Museum allows one to step back in time to the early 19th century, when Honolulu was a bustling whaling port.

For those interested in Military history, the island of O'ahu offers many choices. At the northern end of Waikiki you'll find the historical Fort DeRussy. The mighty Battleship Missouri has been turned into a Navy and World War II museum at Pearl Harbor. Nearby, Bowfin Memorial Park has many exhibits about undersea warfare from the last century.

The Music Scene
The most popular venue for rock and pop concerts is the 9000-capacity Neal Blaisdell Arena, located between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock Cafe Honolulu also do their share to entertain the rock and pop fans visiting Waikiki.

Nightclubs
Honolulu, like most cities, has a wide variety of spots where nightlife flourishes. Most of these nightclubs are in the tourist area of Waikiki. Several places in the Aloha Tower Marketplace feature the best local Hawaiian performers. There are also countless karaoke and hostess-bars throughout Honolulu. Ala Moana is the main area for these establishments.

Live Theater
The premier house for live theater is the Diamond Head Theater in the shadow of the Diamond Head State Monument. Another place to see live theater is at the Manoa Valley Theater near the University of Hawai'i. The Honolulu Academy of Arts has the Doris Duke Theater that sometimes presents plays and musical showcases.

Golf
One of the main reasons visitors come to the Hawaiian Islands is the abundance of beautiful golf courses. Honolulu's home island of O'ahu has a number of great choices.Coral Creek is a favorite for its lush tropical landscaping, exotic coral formations and challenging par-72 course. On the North Shore you'll find the Links at Kuilima. The crowded Ala Wai Golf Course is a convenient and reasonably priced place to play. If saving a few dollars is important, Stand-by Golf can get you next-day and same-day tee times at discounted rates.

Waikiki
Hawaii's premier vacation destination, Waikiki, boasts every imaginable kind of dining establishment. Every large hotel has at least one barRestaurant and some boast five or six; most are very worthwhile.

Chinatown
As might be expected, Honolulu's Chinatown features some of the best Chinese restaurants in the Pacific basin. In addition to regional Chinese establishments, you'll also find other authentic Asian eateries here. Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, and Indonesian food are all available and, in most cases, very reasonably priced. There are about ten restaurants in and around the Chinese Cultural Plaza on King Street. Enjoy buffets, dim sum, or inexpensive a la carte meals from all regions of China. Many excellent Vietnamese restaurants are also in this district. It's easy to confuse them all, but don't worry too much about it; the menus and prices are comparable. Anyone sampling Vietnamese cuisine for the first time should order a huge, steaming bowl of Pho (pronounced "fuh"), the ubiquitous Vietnamese soup.

Downtown Honolulu
The downtown center of this fascinating melting-pot city offers a wide choice of dining establishments. Straddling the border of downtown and Ala Moana is Restaurant Row on Ala Moana Boulevard. Several blocks away, the Aloha Tower Marketplace at the Port of Honolulu also boasts a number of excellent dining choices.

Ala Moana and Kaakako
There are some great places to dine on the stretch between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. The two main thoroughfares that span this four-mile distance are Ala Moana and Kapiolani Boulevards. The many-sided Victoria Ward Center on Ala Moana has some of the best spots in town. In the Ward Warehouse, you'll find everything from cheap seafood to pricey steaks.

The Ala Moana Center itself has over 30 choices for dining; in addition to multiple restaurants, the Ala Moana Food Court, also known as the Makai Market, has over 20 stalls that serve American, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and local cuisine.

East Honolulu (Kahala & Hawai'i Kai)
This upscale stretch of coastline features many dining opportunities. Farther down the coast toward the beaches near Coco Head, the community of Hawai'i Kai boasts one of the best restaurants in Hawai'i: Roy's. The cuisine is a mixture of Continental, Japanese, and local Hawaiian. It's very pricey, but most diners think it's well worth it.

Manoa Valley
This lovely area is home to the University of Hawaii and is one of Honolulu's nicest suburban neighborhoods. In the center of the Valley, the Ala Manoa Shopping Center (not to be confused with the Ala Moana Shopping Center) is a gathering place for students, professors and residents. The most unusual of the restaurants in the valley is Paesano, a top-notch Italian bistro owned and operated by a family from Laos. The comfortable eatery serves food to rival any Italian dining spot in town. It's located in the Center, on Woodlawn Drive.

These dining establishments represent just a small cross-section of the hundreds of great places in Honolulu and its home island of O'ahu. Wherever you turn in this Pacific metropolis, you'll find opportunities to enjoy wonderful cuisine. Bon Appetit!