Honolulu


Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the capital and largest city of the state of Hawaii. It is the center of government, transportation, and commerce for the state; home to a population of nearly one million people in the metro area (80% of the state's population) and Hawaii's best known tourist destination, Waikiki Beach.
The majority of visitors to Hawaii enter through this city, meaning this is definitely not the place to go for a "get-away-from-it-all" Hawaiian vacation - It is as fast-paced and dynamic as any city, with all its problems such as heavy traffic, drugs, crime, and homelessness. But Honolulu still has the charm of the Islands' laid-back atmosphere and culture.

Districts

Honolulu extends inland from the southeast shore of Oahu, east of Pearl Harbor to Makapu'u Point, and incorporates many neighborhoods and districts. You'll most often hear people refer to these districts by name -- Waikiki, Manoa, Kahala, Hawaii Kai and so on -- as though they're not part of the same city. Technically, they are. In fact, the municipal government of Honolulu covers the entire island of Oahu, including its outlying suburbs.

Climate

Honolulu has a very moderate climate, with very little change of temperature throughout the year - the average high is 80-90°F (27-32°C) and the average low is 65-75°F (19-24°C) any time of the year. Water temperature averages 82°F (27°C) in the summer months and 77°F (25°C) in the winter months.
The only noticeable variation in seasons is in terms of rainfall. Honolulu is on the sunny, leeward side of the island, and where you are in the city will affect the chances for rain - areas like Waikiki, downtown, and the western side of the city will usually be sunny, while the hills or eastern side of the city may get some passing clouds and very brief rainfall. On average, Honolulu gets less than half an inch of rain in the summer months to almost three inches in the winter months.

Get in


By plane

Honolulu International Airport (IATA: HNL), is the main aviation gateway for the Hawaiian Islands. The main terminal is served by most major American airlines from the mainland U.S., and by many international airlines from other countries around the Pacific Rim. Its Inter-Island Terminal is the home base of Hawaiian Airlines which offers frequent local service to the other Hawaiian islands. It is quite a walk between terminals, so be sure to take the free Wikiwiki Shuttle that runs every few minutes. It's easy to miss it so be sure to ask somebody where it is.
The Airport Waikiki Express provides shuttle service to hotels in Waikiki every half hour ($9/$15 one-way/round-trip). City buses #19 and #20 ($2.50 per adult and $1.25 per child or senior, exact change required, bills and coins accepted) also come to the airport once every half-hour, going through downtown and on to to Waikiki. You can catch them on the outside second level of the international and domestic departure terminals.
The best way to get to Waikiki by rental car is to follow signs for H-1 east, then follow H-1 east about 2 miles to exit 18A (Waikiki/Nimitz Highway). Follow Nimitz Highway (which turns into Ala Moana Boulevard past downtown Honolulu) straight into Waikiki. You will pass through Honolulu's industrial district, along Honolulu Harbor, and past downtown Honolulu and the Ala Moana Shopping Center. You can also follow H-1 east into downtown Honolulu, take either exit 22 (Kinau Street) or 23 (Punahou Street), and follow signs to Waikiki.

By ship

Cruise ships frequently link Honolulu with the US mainland. These voyages are designed for tourists, and are rarely used as one-way passenger service.

Get around


Navigating

Unlike many cities on the U.S. mainland, Honolulu is not laid out in a strict compass-point grid. Its street system conforms in large part to the shorelines, valleys, and ridges, with lots of twists and turns. It can be confusing for people used to straight grid systems. However, at the same time, it is not that difficult to navigate in, as long as you are familiar with the major arterials and terminology below. 
Because it is difficult to differentiate north and south on an island, directions are normally given in terms of local landmarks. The most common terms that you will run into are mauka (Mow-kah) meaning "toward the mountain" and makai (mah-KAI) meaning "toward the sea". In the case of Honolulu, which is on Oahu's south shore, "mauka" is a rough north, and "makai" roughly south. You will also hear Ewa (Eh-vah) and Diamond Head used a lot, in relation to downtown Honolulu, the former roughly means "west" (toward the town of Ewa on the southwest shore of Oahu) and the latter roughly means "east" (toward the famous landmark crater on the southeast shore).
Highway signs, however, will use standard compass directions, so if you are asked to go Ewa-bound on the freeway, look for the on-ramp to H-1 west.
It is a very good idea to invest in a good map of Honolulu before doing extensive driving. Members of the American Automobile Association (AAA) can request fold-out maps for free from their local office. Rand McNally paper fold-out maps are available in many stores; for more extensive coverage you can also purchase Bryan's Sectional Maps (a popular choice among locals) at most bookstores for about $9.50. GPS-enabled devices can also be used to navigate around Honolulu, and Oahu.

By bus

The local bus service in Honolulu is called, with remarkable succinctness, TheBus. Fares are $2.50 for adults, $1.25 for children and seniors (no change given). TheBus runs intercity services to other parts of Oahu as well. Ask for a free transfer ticket, good for two hours, if you are continuing on another bus or returning on the same route. Monthly bus passes are available at 7-Elevens and supermarkets. Monthly bus passes begin on the first of each month and cost $60 (all-you-can-ride) regardless of which day of the month you purchase the pass. A $25 4-day Discovery Pass, can be purchased at an ABC Store. You scratch off the Month and day of your first use and each subsequent day (up to four total days) and enjoy unlimited rides. You can use the pass to take any bus including the Circle Island route and see the entire island. Yearly bus passes are also available for $660. All buses in the fleet are equipped with bike racks that can hold two or three bikes. Buses are also wheelchair accessible. Larger groups may want to tour the city via charter bus; there are several chartering companies available on the island.

By taxi

A taxi ride from Honolulu International Airport to Waikiki will cost around $30 to $40 plus tip. Taxis are locally regulated, so fares will be the same regardless of the company. Some taxi companies also offer tours around the island of O'ahu.

Places to see

 

Downtown Honolulu


Downtown Honolulu is the commercial, governmental, and cultural center of the Hawaiian Islands. However, unlike many cities on the U.S. Mainland, most hotels are not located downtown (there are only a few in the entire area). Nevertheless, Downtown Honolulu has many attractions for the tourist to see.

Get in

From Waikiki, taking Ala Moana Boulevard west will take you to the waterfront section of downtown, Aloha Tower, and Chinatown. To get to the Capital District from Waikiki, take Kalakaua Avenue and follow it until it ends at Beretania Street; Beretania Street will lead you into downtown.
From the airport and points west, you have the option of taking the H1 freeway eastbound to the Nimitz Highway (State Road 92) and following it into Downtown, or staying on H1 and getting off at either Vineyard Blvd (State Road 98) and following it into Downtown, or the Pali Highway (State Road 61) and turning south. From points east of Waikiki, get on H1 westbound and get off at Vineyard Blvd (State Road 98).
If you plan on driving to downtown Honolulu, be sure to bring a lot of quarters. Parking meters are easy to find, but the charge is 10 minutes per quarter. Many parking garages and parking lots are only equipped with parking meters. These include the ones underneath the state capitol building and at the Iolani palace. Without coins, it is extremely difficult to find a place to park.
Many bus routes serve Downtown, making it pretty easy to get to by mass transit. From the airport, routes #19 and #20 travel through Downtown, passing by the waterfront before continuing on to Waikiki. Routes #2 and #13 also connect Downtown to Waikiki, traveling along King and Beretania Streets pass the capitol district.

Get around

Downtown Honolulu is about one mile across; all the major attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Places to see in Downtown Honolulu

  • Bishop Street is Honolulu's equivalent of Wall Street. It is home to most of Honolulu's skyscrapers, including the First Hawaiian Center, the tallest building in the Hawaiian Islands (450 feet tall).
  • Aloha Tower, 1 Aloha Tower Drive (one block oceanside of Nimitz Highway between Bishop and Fort Streets). Daily 9AM-5PM. Completed in September 1926, the Aloha Tower was for a long time the tallest building in Honolulu and was the first thing that tourists arriving by ship would see. Today it still serves as the control center for Honolulu Harbor; a public observation deck provides panoramic views of downtown and the harbor. Free.
  • Hawaii State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel St., 2nd Floor (across Richards Street from the state capitol), +1 808 586-0900. Tu–Sa 10AM–4PM; closed all State and Federal holidays. Occupies the second floor of a beautifully restored historic building with displays of visual art by Hawaii artists in three galleries with with both permanent and rotating displays. Also has evening concerts on the lawn. Free.
  • Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew, seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii. Commissioned by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma and completed by King Kamehameha V in 1867.
  • Kawaiahao Church, the Westminster Abbey of Hawaii, historic church of Hawaiian royalty, constructed between 1836 and 1842. A historic cemetery is adjacent to the church.
  • Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, on the Fort Street Mall between Beretania Street and Chaplain Lane. Seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, the orignal structure dates to 1843.
  • Mission Houses Museum. 553 South King St., +1 808 531-0481. Open Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Its three restored houses, temporary exhibition gallery, and research library provide a unique glimpse into 19th century Hawaiian life. $10 adults, $8 residents/seniors/military, $6 students.

Capitol Grounds

  • Hawaii State Capitol Building, 415 South Beretania Street (between Punchbowl and Richard Streets). Open every day. Completed in 1969, the State Capitol has a modern, open-air design, with pillars reminiscent of palm tree trunks, and two conical structures symbolizing volcanoes containing the House and Senate chambers, all surrounded by a moat of water representing the ocean. Free.
  • `Iolani Palace, 364 South King St. (corner of King and Richards St.), +1 808 522-0822. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM (guided tours 9AM-11:15AM, audio tours 11:45AM-3:30PM). Iolani Palace dates back to 1882 and was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs. As a result of careful restoration and continued preservation, today's visitors to this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu can experience one of the most precise historic restorations and learn much about Hawaiian history and heritage. Next to the palace is `Iolani Barracks, a small fortress-like building. Audio tours $13 adults, $5 children; guided tours $20 adults, $15 residents/military, $5 children.
  • Ali'iolani Hale, across King Street from `Iolani Palace. A historic building that is the seat of the Hawaii State Supreme Court and is noted for the Kamehameha the Great Statue in front, which is often adorned with leis.
  • Washington Place, across Beretania Street from the state capitol, +1 808 586-0248. The private home of Hawaii's last monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, and presently the governor's mansion. Call to reserve tours.
  • Honolulu Hale, across Punchbowl Street from the capitol grounds. In the Hawaiian language, "Honolulu Hale" literally means "Honolulu House", a fitting name for Honolulu's city hall. 

Things to do in Downtown Honolulu

  • Ala Moana Park, along Ala Moana Blvd between Downtown and Waikiki. A pleasent green space with plenty of grassy lawns and trees, as well as a lovely beach that's popular with local families. An outer reef keeps the water very calm, perfect for children or a nice swim. Lifeguards, showers, restrooms, picnic tables, and food concessions are available.
  • Boat charters are available from Kewalo Basin adjacent to Ala Moana Park, with numerous operators offering short cruises.
  • Kakaako Waterfront Park, just off Ala Moana Boulevard at the end of Cooke Street. A nice park southeast of Downtown, situated on the water. There's no beach, but a pleasent oceanside walk and some rolling, grassy hills. Just off-shore is a popular surfing spot known as "Point Panic".

Shopping attractions

Aloha Tower

The area around the intersection of Nuuanu and Pauahi is filled with art galleries and antique shops. The First Friday of every month is a downtown festival into the evening and all the galleries are open late. There is also a Farmer's Market every Tuesday and Friday from 7:30AM until 2:30PM on the Fort Street Mall, a pedestrian-only walkway running parallel to Bishop Street from Beretania Avenue to the waterfront.
  • Aloha Tower Marketplace, next to Aloha Tower on the downtown Honolulu waterfront is best known for several well-known restaurants, such as Gordon Biersch and Don Ho's Island Grill. This is also where cruise liners are received.
  • Ala Moana Center, The largest shopping mall in Hawaii and the largest open-air shopping mall in the world. Has over 250 stores on four levels, a massive food court with many different world cuisines, and everything from the practical (groceries and medicine) to high-fashion (Chanel, Prada, etc.) and in between (Limited, American Eagle). The mall's anchor stores are Shirokiya (Japanese Department Store), Sears, Macy's, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. The mall is extremely popular with both locals and tourists alike, so much so that residents of other Hawaiian islands fly in just to shop here.
  • Chinatown. Located downtown on the blocks just east of the river, Chinatown is an extremely interesting place to visit and shop during the day. The markets contain fresh produce, including many exotic tropical and asian fruits and vegetables, along with fresh seafood and other items. On many corners you will find women manufacturing leis (the ornamental flowered necklace). And, you can have one made to your specifications, usually fresher and for far less money than you can find them in other places. The best time to visit is between early morning and noon, because the markets and shops begin to close in the early afternoon. Begin your day with a dim sum brunch, or stop at one of the noodle houses and have an authentic dining experience. At night, however, Chinatown has a reputation for being unsafe and is best avoided, though this shouldn't discourage anyone from going during the day.
  • Victoria Ward Centers, Ala Moana Blvd and Ward Avenue. A four-block shopping area with 120 stores, including major tenants like The Sports Authority and Borders as well as small boutiques, restaurants, a farmers market and 16-screen megaplex and entertainment center. Encompasses Ward Centre, Ward Warehouse, Ward Entertainment Center, Ward Farmers Market, Ward Village Shops and Ward Gateway Center. 

Places to eat

  • Genki Sushi, A Japanese-style chain eatery, with employees shouting "irrashaimase!" (welcome) when you enter. Very popular with the younger people, offering many types of sushi moving on a rotating track.
    • 1200 Ala Moana Boulevard (in the Ward Center), +1 808 591-5600.
    • 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard (in the Ala Moana Center), +1 808 942-9102.
  • John Dominis, Perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. Elegant atmosphere includes an indoor koi pond and beautiful Waikiki ocean views. Friday nights offer a special bonus- the sky over Waikiki is lit by fireworks.
  • Legend Seafood Best dim sum in Honolulu, easily rivaling places in San Francisco, Los Angeles, etc. Located in Chinatown, across from the river in a two level Chinese outdoor shopping plaza, Legend serves amazing and authentic dim sum at reasonable prices. Very popular with locals, and crowded on weekends. Open daily 8:30am-2pm for dim sum and then again at 5:30 for dinner. Despite their name, all types of dim sum are served, not just seafood. Their vegetarian counterpart restaurant is located adjacent, and is also excellent.
    • 100 N. Beretania #108, +1 808 532-1868
  • Zippy's, The island equivalent of Denny's, though far more popular with the locals. There's a wide variety of food, including plate lunches at reasonable prices; their signature dish is their chili, which they prepare in many different ways: served over rice, over a burrito, or over french fries, to name a few.
    • 59 North Vineyard Boulevard, +1 808 532-4211.
    • 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard (in the Ala Moana Center), +1 808 973-0870.
  • Little Village Noodle House, 1113 Smith Street, Located in the heart of Chinatown, this bustling restaurant has an extensive menu of Chinese favorites. The food never disappoints, which probably explains why it's almost always packed. 

Places to drink

  • Mai Tai Bar, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Upper Level 4, was voted the best bar in Honolulu in 2002. It is popular among locals, especially on weekends and Wednesday nights. Live local music is played between 4-7PM Monday-Friday, and 1-4PM on the weekends and nightly 9:30PM-12:30AM. Happy Hour 8PM-11PM.
  • O'Toole's, 902 Nuuanu Avenue (In a small brick building across the street from Aloha Tower). This excellent little pub has good beer, good booze, and Irish friendliness without going overboard on the imported (or fake) Irish crap. Live music (try to catch Doolin' Rakes, they kick ass!). They serve sandwiches though they are nothing to write home about.
  • Pipeline - Located on Pohukaina St. in the heart of Honolulu, a remodeled warehouse, it is not much to look at from the outside, but once inside you are in a different world. This local spot features live local bands, plenty of dance music, and with more room to dance then you could possibly need. Throughout the 2 floors, there are an array of large screens that display a number of different sports being played. With good happy hour specials, nightly drink specials, and good dance music going until 4AM every night, they will have you coming back for more every time.
  • Smith's Union Bar, and old stalwart, reopened after closure due to fire or flood awhile ago.
  • Murphy's Bar and Grill, 2 Merchant Street. Traditional Irish pub food and local specialties. Mr. Murphy reputedly hand-selects the corned beef, which should tell you something about the quality of the food (it's awesome!); they also pour the best pint of Guinness in the entire Pacific.  

Places to stay

There are only a couple of hotels in the Downtown area; most hotels in the city are located in Waikiki or near the airport in Western Honolulu.
  • Ala Moana Hotel, 410 Atkinson Drive, Phone: (808) 955-4811, Fax: (808) 944-2974. This contemporary hotel is close to many of Honolulu's beautiful beaches and attractions.
  • ResortQuest Executive Centre Hotel, 1088 Bishop St., Honolulu, HI 96813, 1-877-997-6667 or (808) 539-3000. Located on the top 10 floors of the 40-story Executive Centre skyscraper in downtown Honolulu. 116 suites. $150-300.

Waikiki

Waikiki is a district of the city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Waikiki is the area of Honolulu bounded by the Ala Wai Canal to the north and east, the Diamond Head crater to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west.

Get in

From the airport, there are plenty of options for getting to Waikiki. The Airport Waikiki Express provides shuttle service to hotels in Waikiki every half hour for $9 per person; look for the bright yellow t-shirts. Be warned that these are full coach buses, and if your hotel is on the eastern end of Waikiki, it will take the shuttle just as long to get through all the other hotels and traffic as it did to reach Waikiki from the airport. If you are a party of multiple people, it's better to take a cab.
Additionally, city buses #19 and #20 ($2.25 per adult and $1 per child or senior; exact change required, $US bills and coins accepted) connect Waikiki to the airport once every half-hour, passing through Downtown. You can catch them on the outside second level of the international and domestic departure terminals. Note: TheBus only allows luggage that fits on your lap and under your seat. If you have more luggage than this, consider other options.
If coming to Waikiki by car from the airport or points west, follow signs for the H1 freeway east, then follow H-1 east about 2 miles to the Waikiki/Nimitz Highway exit and follow the Nimitz Highway (which turns into Ala Moana Boulevard past Downtown) straight into Waikiki. Another option is to stay on H1 east and take exit 25A (King Street); after merging onto King Street, stay to the right and take the second right onto Kapahulu Avenue and follow Kapahulu into Waikiki. If coming from the east, take H1 west to the Kapiolani Blvd exit and follow to Kapiolani Blvd to McCully Street and make a left into Waikiki.

Get around


Map of WaikikiWhen getting direction in Hawaii you're more likely to hear "mauka" or "makai" then north, south, east or west. Mauka means towards the mountains. Makai means towards the water, in this case the ocean. This means that the direction of mauka/makai is dependent on where you are on the island. In the case of Waikiki and Honolulu, which are located on the south shore of Oahu, mauka roughly means north, and makai roughly means south.
In Waikiki, the three main streets, from makai to mauka, are Kalakaua Avenue (one way Ewa to Diamond Head, along Waikiki Beach), Kuhio Avenue (two-way), and Ala Wai Boulevard (one way Diamond Head to Ewa, along the Ala Wai Canal).
Everything in Waikiki is within easy walking distance of each other. Another option is to use a moped - around Waikiki, numerous stands can rent mopeds (small motor scooters). Prices vary greatly, so look around a bit before deciding. These bikes generally cannot exceed 35 MPH, allowing for easy travel on city streets. A couple of rules to remember and locals will respect you better -(1) stay to the right! At all times stay as far right as possible, and if turning, stay to the far right of the lane you are in (moving to the far right side of the road as soon as you can). (2) It is illegal to ride double, so avoid having a passenger on your bike. (3) Don't park your bike on the sidewalk -- police will ticket. (4) Unless experienced, don't ride the bikes in at night in dark areas -- it is very difficult for you to be seen.

Places to see in Waikiki

  • Diamond Head Crater, to the south of Waikiki (head south to Monsarrat Avenue and turn right; Monsarrat becomes Diamond Head Road and leads to the turnoff for Diamond Head). One of the defining landmarks of Hawaii is this ancient volcanic crater which dominates over Waikiki. An observation deck at the top offers breathtaking views of the southern coast of Oahu - after driving through a short tunnel, you can hike up a 0.75 mile (1.1 km) trail from a parking lot in the crater to the rim, up a couple flights of stairs, through a tunnel (bring a flashlight) and an old coastal artillery to the summit. The hike is very popular and not difficult, but the climb can be a little much for the average couch potato (bring water).
  • Kapiolani Park, a large public park at the east end of Waikiki (toward Diamond Head), home to the Waikiki Shell amphitheater and the Honolulu Zoo. Right across the street on the shore is the Waikiki Aquarium.
    • Honolulu Zoo, at the corner of Kapahulu Ave and Kalakaua Blvd. +1 808 971-7171. Every day, 9AM-4:30PM (closed Christmas day). Lovely zoo with lots of exotic animals and plenty of the big-name ones like elephants, rhinos, lions, zebras and giraffes. $12 adults, $6 residents, $3 children, under age 4 free (family pass available for $25).
    • Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 Kalakaua Ave. +1 808 923-9741. Every day, 9AM-4:30PM (closed Christmas day). The third oldest aquarium in the United States, this incredible institution has hundreds of species of marine life from Hawaii and the Pacific, including sharks, octopus, jellyfish, colorful reef fish, coral, and an outdoor exhibit with Hawaiian monk seals. $9 adults, $6 residents/military/students/seniors, $4 teen, $2 children, under age 5 free. 

    Beaches


    Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Kuhio BeachIf not the most famous stretch of beach in the world, Waikiki Beach (which is in fact, a series of beaches) is by far the most famous in Hawaii. It forms the foreground of most postcard pictures, with Diamond Head in the background, and it is the first beach that comes to mind when most people think of Hawaii. Consequently, it is also, by far, the most crowded. It's a good place to learn to surf if you can manage not to hit or be hit by other beginners in the throng.
    From west to east:
  • Kahanamoku Beach. Named after legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku, this is a man-made beach and lagoon on the Ala Moana end of Waikiki, in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort.
  • Fort DeRussy Beach. Located adjacent to a park, this is the widest stretch of beach and one of the most popular. It is also a good spot for snorkeling, with a coral reef a little offshore.
  • Royal Manoa Beach. Located in front of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and the Sheraton Moana Surfrider, this is perhaps the most crowded stretch of beach in Waikiki.
  • Kuhio Beach. With an offshore retaining wall, this is a calmer section of beach that's great for families and beginner surfers. Along Kalakaua Avenue are four stones known as the Ancient Pohaku (Wizard Stones) which are believed to hold spiritual healing powers. There is also a statue of legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku located here, often adorned with leis and a popular photo spot.
  • Queens Surf Beach. In front of Kapiolani Park, this is a quieter section of beach that's also popular with gays. The snorkeling is great here, with huge tangs, Moorish Idols and other fish.
  • San Souci Beach. Located between the War Memorial Natatorium and the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, this is a much quieter section of beach that's protected by a reef; great for families and swimming. 

Things to do in Waikiki

  • First time visitors should be sure to book at least one luau. Some are better than others, check with your hotel concierge for recommendations.
  • Sunset On The Beach, Since 2001, there have been free movies on the beach in Waikiki near the Honolulu Zoo. You can view a movie on an outdoor 30 foot screen.
  • Surf, The beach (Walk towards the ocean). Anytime. Waikiki is good for beginners and old hands alike. It doesn't have the killer waves like Pipeline, but it has nice small longboard waves right off the beach which is where the beginners lessons are. A bit of a paddle will bring you out to some moderate sized waves. There are several places to rent boards and hire lessons right on the beach, all of which open early, and there countless cheaper places to rent off-beach. Varies.
  • Atlantis Submarines, Hilton Hawaiian Village,  +1 800 548-6262. Daily 9AM-3PM. Submarine tours off the coast of Waikiki, getting up-close to marine life, coral reefs, and shipwrecks. $99 adults, $45 children.
  • Na Hoku II, the beach in front of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel. Sailing trips off Waikiki. Drinks are free. Try the sunset sail for spectacular views of the sunset. $30 for a 90 minute sail.

Shopping attractions

  • Ever-present ABC Stores are located so that most hotels are within no more than a one-block walk. In fact, many locations are located in the shopping areas of the major hotels. They provide all manner of convenience store food, souvenirs, and merchandise, but the convenience does come at an extra cost. If you're looking for Hawaiian bath & body products, you'll find a variety of Forever Florals products at ABC Stores.
  • Popular with locals, Longs Drugs are general merchandise stores with locations throughout the islands. The nearest location to Waikiki is on the second level of the Ala Moana Center just west of Waikiki. Much cheaper than ABC.
  • The closest thing to a proper supermarket in Waikiki is Food Pantry at 2370 Kuhio Ave. and 438 Hobron Lane.
  • International Market Place, 2330 Kalakaua Ave. A virtual warren of over 100 market stalls and shops laid out amongst a jungle-like backdrop of banyan trees. All tourist goods and local tourist junk (mumus, aloha shirts, shell jewelry) available. Prices are not much better or worse than anywhere else, but worth a trip just to look at the trees and tourists.
  • Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is the main shopping mall in Waikiki, with levels of many tourist-oriented shops and restaurants. Currently undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation. Includes more than 100 shops and restaurants ranging from Cheesecake Factory to high-end boutiques (Hermes, Bvlgari, Fendi, Cartier etc.), to art galleries and lei stands. The Little Hawaiian Craft Shop on the upper floor is a good place to buy real Hawaiian and Tahitian-made crafts (koa wood, etc.) for slightly less than the fancier shops in the hotel malls.
  • DFS Galleria (Duty Free Shops) is a shopping court built around a cruise theme. Included in the mall is one of the largest duty-free shops in the state.
  • Waikiki Shopping Plaza on Kalakaua Avenue includes five levels of small shops, including a food court on the lower level.
  • Kahala Nuts, International Marketplace on Kalakaua Ave., DFS GALLERIA 330 Royal Hawaiian Ave. (Corner of Kalakaua Ave & Royal Hawaiian Ave.), +1 808 780-6887. Farm fresh macadamia nuts, pecans, and almonds are freshly roasted and glazed right in front of your eyes. Awesome smell, taste, and a local favorite. Try to catch the owner, Kevin, the unofficial mayor of Waikiki.
  • At the west end of Waikiki you can find the ridiculously expensive stores like Armani, Tiffany's, Bvlgari, etc. 

Places to eat


Budget

  • Galaxy Steak House, 2301 Kuhio Ave, +1 808 926-1641. Features a $3.00 pancake breakfast and a $13.00 steak and lobster tail dinner. Food is acceptable, service is prompt and the atmosphere is minimal, with televisions and a second-story view of Kuhio Ave.
  • Wailana Coffee House, 1860 Ala Moana (across the street from the Hilton Hawaiian Village), +1 808 955-1764. Open 24 hours. Probably one the best food deals in Waikiki; with a good variety of reasonably priced food, it’s popular with both locals and tourists. Breakfast anytime and all you can eat pancakes. Plus the place has been around long enough to become a bona fide institution.
  • Zippy's, 601 Kapahulu Avenue, +1 808 733-3725. The island equivalent of Denny's, though far more popular with the locals. There's a wide variety of food, including plate lunches at reasonable prices; their signature dish is their chili, which they prepare in many different ways: served over rice, over a burrito, or over french fries, to name a few.

Mid-range

  • Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood Co., 2145 Kuhio Ave. $10-$15 Fresh Seafood plate lunch, spicy butter garlic shrimp, the bomb fish like Ahi, Mahi-Mahi, rice, corn on the cob, bomb burgers and last but not least Crab Legs!
  • Cheeseburger Waikiki, (The other end of Waikiki). Close to the beach and indoors although the whole front opens up.
  • Duke's, 2335 Kalakaua Ave. (At the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel), (808) 922-2268. Named after legendary surfer Duke Kahanamoku. For meals and drinks right on the beach you can't beat Duke's. It's a bar and a restaurant. Their Sunday live music is a local favorite.
  • Irifune, 563 Kapahulu Ave (North east corner of Waikiki), (808) 737-1141. This funky little Japanese fusion joint is one of the best kept secrets in town. Be sure to try the garlic ahi. There can be a long line of locals on some nights. It's BYOB!  
  • Lu Lu's Surf Club, 2586 Kalakua Ave. (Across the street from the Honolulu Zoo), (808) 926-5222. 7AM-late. This is an enclosed, but open-air sports bar on across the street from the beach. moderate. 
  • Ono Hawaiian Foods, 726 Kapahulu Ave, +1 808 737-2275. Easily the best place to get Hawaiian food in the islands -- popular with kama'aina and the savvy traveler willing to venture beyond the tourist track. Get the combination plate for a sampling of both kalua pig and lau lau (with some pipikaula, lomi salmon and poi on the side). An advice would be to get here early: as the best Hawaiian food restaurant it is very popular and waiting lines grow fast.
  • Tiki's Grill & Bar, 2570 Kalakaua Ave. (In the Waikiki Beach Hotel), (808) 923-0751. Good food and service.
  • Wailana Coffee House, 1860 Ala Moana Blvd. Great pancake breakfast at a reasonable price. Try the coconut syrup! 

Splurge


  • Gaan Sushi, 2375 Ala Wai Blvd. (Two blocks north of the Hyatt Regency Hotel), 808-922-3399. 5:30PM-10PM; closed Mondays. Delicious, authentic Japanese food and great service in a small elegant restaurant: pool-side at the Waikiki Sand Villa Hotel.  
  • Top of Waikiki is Hawaii's only revolving restaurant and offers views of both ocean and mountains. Best time to dine is at sunset. Serves pacific-fusion cuisine. Open for Dinner only. Located on the 18th floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza 2270 Kauakaua Ave. (808) 923-3877. 

Places to drink

Almost all bars in Waikiki also serve good food and sometimes it's hard to draw the line between pub and restaurant. Any of these places should also be considered a good place to get dinner.

Budget

  • The Hideaway Bar 1913 Dudoit Lane, (808) 949-9885. A dive bar located in an ally behind a 7-Eleven. Popular with Hospitality workers, bikers, punks and hard-edge musicians. Open daily 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. Don't forget Power Hour is from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM every night with $1.00 domestic beers and well drinks.

Mid-range

  • Angles, on Kuhio and Seaside Ave. Features nightly drink specials and live shows and is a great spot to party. Usually no attendance fee, but support playing local bands by giving tips to 'em
  • Hula's, on Kapahulu, in the Waikiki Grand. The oldest and best-known gay-friendly nightspot showcasing a glassed in dance floor.
  • Kelly O'Neil's. Energetic pub atmosphere with live music playing every night.
  • Moose McGillycuddy's, 310 Lewers St (Across from O'Toole's), (808) 923-0751, 7:30AM - 4AM. Moose's is famous for their Happy Hour from 4-8PM 1/2 price drinks, live music, daily specials, tasty adult beverages, ono pupu's, bikini contest, friendly atmosphere and staff. Huge selection of breakfasts, pupu's (appetizers), burgers and specialties. A Waikiki landmark for over 26 years. 
  • Nashville. This is Waikiki's only country bar. They offer country music for all generations, a nice size line dancing floor, pool tournaments Sunday through Thursday with prizes, dartboards and casino nights. They also are opened until 4AM, so be sure to bring your drinking cowboy hat because they like to have a good time in there (located on Kuhio, below the Ohana West Hotel).
  • Maddog Saloon. A more local spot, it offers live entertainment on various nights of the week, a dance floor, pool tables and dartboards to keep you entertained. They are also opened until 4AM everyday which is nice for when the other bars close and you still want to party(located on Kuhio Ave).
  • Senor Frogs. A restaurant by day and party atmosphere at night. After many years, the Frog has finally received his Green Card and he's coming to America. And he's bringing all the wild times and great food you've come to expect from Senor Frog's. Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center 2201 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 313 Lewer’s St. and Kalakaua Ave.
  • The Yard House. Not only does it have a wonderful food menu, but they offer over 130 draft beers from all over the world, the huge island bar protects the 4 walls of taps within. If you were wondering how they can have so many beers on tap, just take a walk over to the double pained 2 inch thick Plexiglas wall that allows you to observe the elaborate tap system. It may take you longer to pick out a beer than to actually drink it (located off of Kalakaua Ave. on Lewers street).

Splurge

  • Zanzibar. An upscale nightclub on Kuhio Ave. 

Places to stay

There are many hotels in Waikiki. Try to find a place that's close the center of town and has decent amenities and has been recently renovated. Don't bother eating at the hotel restaurant unless it's one of the famous high-end ones like Duke's. The usual hotel booking websites all do a pretty good job here, although don't be surprised to find the name of your hotel has changed since you booked it.

Budget

  • Ilima Hotel, 445 Nohonani Street, Phone: +1 808 923-1877. Budget friendly condo hotel two blocks from Waikiki Beach. Free parking and internet. The condos are very large units. Starting at $133 a night.
  • Castle Ocean Resort, 175 Paoakalani Avenue, Phone: 808-922-3861.
  • Castle Hokele Suites Waikiki, 412 Lewers Street.
  • Waikiki Beachside Hostel, 2556 Lemon Road, +1 808 923-9566, Dorm-style and semi-private rooms. US$20-$74 per night, weekly rates available.
  • Pacific Ohana Hostel, 2552 Lemon Road, +1 808 921-8111, Dorm, private, and studios available. US$25-$65 per night, weekly and monthly rates available.
  • Maile Sky Court, 2058 Kuhio Avenue, +1 808 947-2828, Budget friendly hotel three blocks to Waikiki Beach, four blocks to Hawaii Convention Center. Studios and one bedroom suites available. US$70-150 per night, weekly and monthly rates available.

Mid-range

  • Hilton Hawaiian Village, 2005 Kalia Rd (corner of Kalia Road and Ala Moana Blvd), +1 808 949-4321. The largest resort in Waikiki, covering 22 acres fronting Waikiki Beach. Five towers with 2,545 units, 90 shops, and 22 restaurants. Alii Tower offers one of the best locations on Waikiki Beach. Beachfront accommodations, exclusive services, enhanced amenities, including the Tower's private pool terrace, whirlpool and private fitness center. The parking garage is very handy; with your room card you can access your car at any time without waiting on valet service. Diamondhead Tower is straight out of the 70s and many of the rooms are poorly maintained with torn wallpaper, water damage and obvious power cables running under carpet. Overall the resort is very crowded in the peak season but for families with tweens may be acceptable. US$199 and up.
  • Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach, 400 Royal Hawaiian Avenue, +1 808 954-4000. Contemporary, boutique-style hotel right in the heart of Waikiki. Two towers, 401 rooms. Currently the only Courtyard in Hawaii. 
  • Park Shore Waikiki, 2586 Kalakaua Ave, +1 808 923-0411‎. Overlooking Diamond Head and the pristine expanses of Kapiolani Park. 

Splurge

  • Aqua Palms & Spa, 1850 Ala Moana Blvd, 808-947-7256, Spa, WiFi, rooftop pool and receptions. 
  • Aston Waikiki Beach Tower, 2470 Kalakaua Avenue Phone: (877) 997-6667. A condominium resort with ocean views from every suite, this hotel is located across the street from Waikiki Beach.
  • Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, 2552 Kalakaua Avenue, (808) 922-6611. A large resort hotel across the street from Waikiki Beach, with two towers, several restaurants, dozens of shops, a spa and views of the city, ocean, and Diamond Head.
  • Halekulani, 2199 Kalia. One of the nicest (and most expensive) hotels on Oahu. Located right on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu.
  • Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, 100 Holomoana Street, Phone: (808) 956-1111. A luxury hotel on the island of Oahu that features all oceanfront rooms and suites. Other amenities of the hotel include a championship golf course, day spa, tennis courts, and extensive facilities for meetings, weddings, and social events.
  • Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, 2424 Kalakaua Avenue, 4 Star twin-tower resort and convention complex on Waikiki Beach. Spa, restaurants, shops and daily entertainment on property. 
  • The Lotus at Diamond Head, 2885 Kalakaua Ave., (808) 922-1700. This Diamond Head boutique hotel is located at the Diamond Head end of Waikiki on the Gold Coast. The perfect hotel for visitors who want to escape from the busy lifestyle of Waikiki.
  • Trump International Waikiki Beach Walk, 223 Saratoga Road, (877) 683-7401. 5 star resort and spa with magnificent views and very helpful staff. Rooms are very luxurious and brand new. Pool, spa, library, free WiFi and daily room servicing. 
  • Ilikai Hotel & Suites, 1777 Ala Moana Blvd., (808)949-3811. Oceanfront hotel, the famous opening shot of Hawaii Five-O. Amenities include a swimming pool, fitness room, meeting rooms, rooftop restaurant. 

Stay safe

  • If you are not familiar with this climate, at times you may feel like you are about two inches from the sun. The cool breezes or convertible you are driving may offset the heat, but not the ultraviolet sun rays. Take appropriate care and keep the convertible top up, until evening or early morning.
  • Do not pick up strangers - they may act friendly and act like they really need a ride. Best not to take chances in places you do not know.
  • Be careful when you're in the ocean. Never underestimate power of the currents and the waves, and don't swim alone. If in doubt, ask a lifeguard about the current conditions. If there are signs posted, heed them. Jellyfish sometimes float near shore - if you get stung, head to a lifeguard station. The lifeguard will spray vinegar on the stings.
  • Although certainly safer at night than Chinatown, exercise caution when walking in Waikiki at night. A potent mix of drug dealers, prostitutes and drunken tourists can explode into a bad situation.
  • Theft is rampant on Waikiki Beach. Never leave items unattended. 
 

Manoa-Makiki

Manoa-Makiki is an area of Honolulu, made up of the neighborhoods of Manoa, Makiki, and Nu'uana, located in the foothills of the Koolau Mountains north of Downtown Honolulu. These neighborhoods are situated in valleys which extend into the Koolau Range, with the lower reaches of the neighborhoods made up of unpretentious bungalows, 1960's cinderblock walkup apartments and small businesses, to the upper reaches of upscale apartment and condo complexes on the hillsides. Manoa is best known as the home of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the main branch of the largest university in the Hawaiian Islands. Makiki is set beneath the scenic Tantalus area and the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific within the Punchbowl crater, and has gained recent fame as the birthplace and childhood home of President Barack Obama.

Get in

Manoa and Makiki are bisected by the H-1 freeway, and are easily accessible heading East (from Downtown) via the Punahou or University exits and heading West (from Hawaii Kai) via the University or Wilder exits. You can also follow surface streets into the area, namely King Street (one way heading east) or Beretania Street (one way heading west), which run through the southern end of the Manoa and Makiki area and continue west straight into Downtown. Nu'uana is located along the Pali Highway (State Road 61), which can be accessed from the freeway or, if coming from Downtown, by heading straight inland on surface streets.
Manoa-Makiki Map
If you’re coming from Waikiki it’s a 15 minute drive. Get on Kalakaua Avenue and head west, towards Downtown. For Manoa, turn right onto Kapiolani Blvd immeaditily after crossing the canal and continue for about half a mile before turning left onto University Avenue, which will take you straight to the UH campus. For Makiki, stay on Kalakaua Avenue until it ends at Beretania Street, where you make a left, then make a right onto either Keeaumoku Street or Ward Avenue, both of which will cross the freeway and take you into Makiki.
If taking The Bus, both the #2/#13 and #4 routes connect Makiki with Waikiki to the east and Downtown to the west, with the #2/#13 running along King and Beretania Streets and the #4 heading past the UH campus and along Wilder Avenue. The #4 also travels north of Downtown into Nu'uana.

Places to see in Manoa-Makiki

  • The Contemporary Museum, 2411 Makiki Heights Drive, +1 808 526-1322, is the sole museum in the state of Hawai‘i dedicated exclusively to contemporary art—specializing in art from 1940 to the present. It offers a wide array of visual art, providing interaction with art and artists in gorgeous indoor/outdoor environs. TCM’s Makiki digs are located at the historic Cooke-Spalding house and gardens in a residential area. Its collection of works include artists such as Vito Acconci, Josef Albers, Robert Arneson, Jennifer Bartlett, Deborah Butterfield, Enrique Chagoya, Jim Dine, Jasper Johns, Donald Judd, William Kentridge, Sol Lewitt, Robert Motherwell, Vik Muniz, Louise Nevelson, Kenneth Price, Andres Serrano, Kiki Smith, Frank Stella, Masami Teraoka, Mark Tobey, Richard Tuttle, Kara Walker, Andy Warhol, Tom Wesselman, and Peter Voulkos.
  • The Honolulu Academy of Arts. 900 South Beretania St (corner of Beretania St. and Ward Ave.), +1 808 532-8700, Tu-Sa, 10AM - 4:30PM, Su 1PM - 5PM, M closed. This museum, founded in 1927 by Anna Rice Cooke, encompasses 32 galleries surrounding six courtyard gardens. The Honolulu Academy of Arts houses one of the largest collections of Asian art in the United States, with an impressive Western collection to boot, including Van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin, Cezanne, Monet, Modigliani and other masters. In partnership with the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, the Academy also conduct tours of Shangri La, Doris Duke's architecturally significant Honolulu estate that contains the country's largest private collection of Islamic decorative art, including more than 3,500 items, many of which--eaborate ceilings, doorways, and tiles--are part of the house itself. Adults $7.00; seniors (62+), students (13+), and military $4.00; children 12 and under free; 1st Wednesday of each month free.
  • Lyon Arboretum, 3860 Manoa Road, +1 808 988-0456, M-F 8AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-3PM. A massive botanical garden at the top of Manoa that's run by the University of Hawaii with a wide variety of tropical plants as well as scenic waterfalls and views of Manoa. Free; donations appreciated.
  • The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is situated in the middle of Punchbowl, an extinct crater. It’s the final resting place for over 38,000 personnel from WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. A shrine also commemorates the missing-in-action. It’s also the resting place of Stan Dunham, Barack Obama’s grandfather. The rim of the crater offers panoramic views of Honolulu.
Looking from the Nu'uana Pali Lookout

  • Nu'uana Pali Lookout. 6 miles NE of downtown Honolulu on Hawaii 61 (Pali Highway), right at the Pali Lookout exit. Everyday, 7AM-7:45PM Apr. 1 - Labor Day; 7AM-6:45PM Labor Day-Apr. 1. One of the more popular scenic vistas on Oahu and the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, the Pali Lookout provides a panoramic view of Windward Oahu. Also interesting at this site is the Old Pali Road, formerly the highway connecting Windward Oahu to downtown Honolulu. A note of caution: due to its location between two high cliffs, the Pali Lookout is often buffeted by high winds. Admission Free.
  • Queen Emma's Summer Palace, 2913 Pali Highway, +1 808 595-3167, Daily 9AM-4PM. In the Nu'uana valley is this historic building, the summer retreat of Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV. Tours of the palace are available. $6 adults, $4 residents, $1 children.
  • Puu Ualakaa Park, above Makiki, provides a stunning view of southern Oahu which includes Diamond Head, Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, Punch Bowl Crater and the airport. There are also hiking trails which allow you to completely forget that you are in a city, taking you into a lush rainforest. Tantalus/Round Top Drive is winding mountain road which takes you about 2,000 above sea level to various viewpoints providing panoramic views. From Makiki, take Makiki Street from Nehoa Street and make a left on Round Top Drive. 
 

Things to do in Manoa-Makiki

  • University of Hawaii Athletics, The southern end of the UH campus is home to most of the university's sports facilities. The baseball team plays at Les Murakami Stadium, while the men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams play at Stan Sheriff Center. Adjacent to these two facilities are the university's swimming pool, tennis courts, track and field stadium, and softball and soccer fields. The football team plays at Aloha Stadium in Western Honolulu.
  • Walking Tour of Obama’s former neighborhood, This is one of the newest attractions in Honolulu; so new that there are no historical markers or signs erected by the city. In the thirty years since “Barry” Obama, as he was known as a youth, attended high school, the neighborhood hasn't changed all that much. Major landmarks along the walking tour, which takes about an hour to complete, include his grandmother's former apartment, Punahou School (which he attended from 1971 -1979), Kapiolani Hospital (where Obama was born on August 4, 1961), the Central Union Church (the site of Obama’s baccalaureate), the Baskin Robbins ice cream store where he worked after school, the Washington Middle School Playground (where he learned to play basketball), and his mother’s old apartment. For a route and detailed description of the walking tour check out the maps available on the website. 

 

Shopping attractions

  • Manoa Marketplace located between East Manoa Road and Woodlawn Drive at the 2800 block. A strip mall with about twenty shops including a Safeway grocery store, Long's drugstore, McDonald's restaurant, a bank and a Post Office. 
 

Places to eat

  • Alan Wong's Restaurant, 1857 South King St, +1 808 949-2526, Serving top-notch Pacific-Rim cuisine that changes daily. Enjoy your food in style in a restaurant that has a glassed-in terrace and open kitchen. Alan Wong's was the only restaurant in Hawaii to be listed in Gourmet magazine's List of Top 50 Restaurants in America (it ranked #8). Reservations recommended. Street or valet parking.
  • Bubbies - Off University Ave near the King St intersection, across from the Varsity bar. Local owned and operated ice cream shop, continually voted best ice cream on the island. The ice cream cakes and pies have fun quirky names and taste great, but the mochi ice cream is the trump card: single servings of ice cream wrapped in a flavored mochi-rice-dessert wrapper for $1 each.
  • Bangkok Chef With two locations, one in Nuuanu and other in Manoa, it is as good and as cheap that an amazing delicious thai meal can get. The place started as a thai market, but grown as one of the resident's favourites. The high quality of the food, associated with fresh ingredients and low prices make this spot a must try while in Honolulu.
  • Chiang Mai Thai Restaurant, 2239 S King St, 808-941-1151. While there are many Thai restaurants on Oahu, this is one of the best and most reasonably priced. The Panang Curry is especially good. You have to drive or take a cab if you're staying in Waikiki, but it's well worth it!
  • Eastern Paradise Restaurant, 1403 South King Street, 808.941.5858 Basic, decent Korean Food at a budget price.
  • Hakkei,1436 Young Street Suite 103, 808.944.6688 Great Japanese eatery—the food is beautiful to look at and equally pleasurable to eat. Try the "A Course" dinner menu
  • Ichi-Ryu Noodle House, 1103 South King Street, 808.591.8033 A traditional noodle house. Nothing fancy but always crowded with regulars. Very reasonably priced.
  • Jimbo, 1936 S King St Ste 103. Specializing in authentic Japanese udon and soba, freshly made on-site. Parking can be difficult, but there are additional parking spaces behind the building. They don't take reservations.
  • Mekong I, 1295 South Beretania Street, 808.591.8841 Consistently good, tasty Thai food at a price that won’t break the bank. Try the curry fish.
  • The Pavillion Café, Honolulu Academy of Arts, 900 South Beretania Street, 808.532.8734 Situated in an indoor/outdoor setting, it’s usually packed with locals. It’s the place to go for imaginative salads and sandwiches at a reasonable price. The art isn’t bad either.
  • Sushi Company, 1111 McCully St. Owned and operated by a Japanese couple. They offer high grade take-out sushi at budget prices. You can enjoy lunch or dinner here for well under $10.
  • Tanabe's Superette, 934 Keeaumoku St, 808-949-8301. Old neighborhood convenience store, serving ready-made musubi (rice balls), sushi, breakfast rolls, and cut fresh fruit. Also has a full lunch counter. A bit out of the way, but cheap, delicious, and very quick.
  • The Well Bento, 2570 S Beretania St Ste 204, 808-941-5261. Local healthy macrobiotic take-out lunch (bento) place. Call ahead with your order if you can, as they cook-to-order and lunchtime gets very busy. Expect to spend $8-14.
  • Waiola Shave Ice, 2135 Waiola Ave, (808) 949-2269. 7:30am-6:30pm. One of the best places to get shave ice (local equivalent to snow cones). Popular with both locals and visitors. Very long lines during the summer heat, extremely limited parking, but still worth it.
  • Zippy's, The island equivalent of Denny's, though far more popular with the locals. There's a wide variety of food, including plate lunches at reasonable prices; their signature dish is their chili, which they prepare in many different ways: served over rice, over a burrito, or over french fries, to name a few.
    • 1222 South King Street, +1 808 594-3720.
    • 1725 South King Street, +1 808 973-0877.  
      
Places to drink
  • Varsity, University Ave near the corner of King Street. Once was Magoo's, a cheap, dirty, dive bar catering to students from UH. Now it's cleaned up and is a slightly-less-cheap, slightly-less-dirty, dive bar catering to students. Food from a number of eateries in the vicinity can be ordered and delivered there.
 

Places to stay

  • Manoa Valley Inn, 2001 Vancouver Drive, Phone: 808.947.6019 (Fax: 808.946.6168), 8 B&B rooms in a large cottage. There are no hotels or motels in Manoa, because it is primarily a neighborhood of single-family residences.
  • The Plumeria Hostel, 1111 Piikoi St. (corner Piikoi and Young Streets), 808-596-2080, checkin: 3pm; checkout: 11am. 2 bed dorms (NO bunkbeds) and private rooms, 5 person limit per bathroom 25+. 
 Eastern Honolulu

Eastern Honolulu is an area of Honolulu, made up of several neighborhoods between the Diamond Head crater near Waikiki and Makapu'u Point, the very southeastern corner of Oahu.

Get in

From anywhere else in Honolulu, getting here is a simple matter of getting on the eastbound H1 freeway. Just after it passes the Kahala Mall, the H1 turns into a surface street - the Kalanianaole Highway (State Road 72). The Kalanianaole Highway passes everything of interest in this area, before curving north past Makapu'u Point and continuing upshore to Waimanalo and Kailua. From Waikiki, you can get to H1 by heading towards Downtown on Kalakaua Avenue, turning right on Kapiolani Blvd, and continuing to the H1 eastbound onramp.
There is bus service to this area, but it is somewhat limited. From Downtown, routes #1 and #1L go along the Kalanianaole Highway, with the 1 usually ending at the Kahala Mall and the 1L going all the way to Hawaii Kai. The #22 and #23 travel from Waikiki to Hanauma Bay and Sea Life Park, although service is limited.

Places to see in Eastern Honolulu

Halona Blowhole
  • Makapuʻu Point State Wayside, along Kalaniana’ole Highway (Route 72). At Makapu'u Point, the very southeastern corner of the island, this roadside stop offers scenic views of Makapu'u Point and up the windward coast of Oahu. A 1.75 mile trail leads from the parking lot to a lighthouse at the end of the point, with views the rocky coastline along the way.
  • Halona Blowhole, along Kalaniana’ole Highway (Route 72) between Makapu'u Point and Hanauma Bay. Another popular roadside stop, the Halona Blowhole is one of many blowholes (ocean caves with a hole in the top, so water shoots out the top) along the coast, although this one is easy to view, located right under a parking lot, and can perform some nice blasts of water.
  • Sea Life Park, along Kalanianaole Highway (Route 72) north of Makapu'u Point, +1 808 259-2500,  Daily 10:30AM-5PM. A Sea World-esque theme park with marine animal shows and an aquarium. For a small fortune, you can also swim with dolphins or sea lions. $30 adults, $20 children.
  • The Workspace. 3624 Waialae Ave. Suite #201, For those looking for contemporary art produced by local artists, this is a must see.

Beaches

  • Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, off Kalaniana’ole Highway (Route 72), +1 808 396-4229, Summer: W-M 6AM-7PM, and until 10PM on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Winter: W-M 6AM-6PM, and until 10PM on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Closed Tuesdays. Hanauma Bay is not a place for beach sports but is instead a bay formed in the crater of an extinct volcano and filled with a wonderful coral reef and many fish. The calm waters and abundance of marine life make it an excellent place for snorkeling and scuba diving. A wide stretch of beach also makes it a scenic place to picnic or sunbathe. If you're driving you'll want to get here early in the morning (by 8AM) to ensure you get a space as parking is limited. Otherwise, parking may be available again by afternoon as people leave. On the weekends, public buses (route #22) from Waikiki fill up and will not stop if full; you can also get a shuttle package from most Waikiki hotels for about $15, round trip with snorkel gear, not including admission (ask your concierge). Plan on 20 additional minutes before entering as lines may be long, and all new visitors (as well as visitors who have not visited in the past year) are required to watch an orientation video. Bring water and food; there is a snack bar, but it's limited and pricey. Also keep an eye on the tides; at low tide you will be swimming right on top of the reef, which is harder and makes it less easy to see. $5 adults, Hawaii residents and children under 13 free. Parking $1. Snorkel rental available.
  • Halona Beach Cove, near the Halona Blowhole. Known as "the Peering Place", this is a small, rocky cove with a small sandy beach that is great for swimming when the surf is calm. It requires a small hike down to the beach, and there's no lifeguard or facilities, so it's swim at your own risk. Also, do not swim when the water is rough.
  • Sandy Beach, just south of Makapu'u Point. True to its name, this is a nice, wide stretch of beach that's great for swimming when the surf is calm. When the water is rough though, the shorebreak and rip tide currents make it rather treacherous for swimming but quite popular with surfers. Lifeguards and facilities are available.
  • Makapu'u Beach, just north of Makapu'u Point. A very scenic, rocky beach that's too rough for swimming but is a very popular spot for surfing.

Shopping attractions

  • Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, along Keahole Street (just off Kalanianaole Hwy). A large strip mall that's one of the main shopping areas in Honolulu, anchored by a Costco's and a Safeway. 
  • Kahala Mall, just off H-1 (exit onto Waialae Ave from the west, Kilauea Ave exit from the east), +1 808 732-7736, M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10AM-5PM. A regional mall is known for its more upscale shops. It is anchored by Macy's, Barnes and Noble Bookstore, and an 8-plex movie theater.
  • Koko Marina Shopping Center, 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy (at Kalanianaole Hwy and Lunalilo Home Rd), +1 808 395-4737, One of the main shopping centers in East Honolulu, with smaller shops and restaurants, a small marina behind the mall, and an 8-plex movie theater.
 

Places to eat

  • Cha Cha Cha Salsaria, 377 Keahole St. C-1A, +1 808 395-7797, One of the few spots on Oahu for Mexican food, this place has live music, incredibly friendly waiters, good chips. The service might be slow at busy times, but the entertainment compensates.
  • Hoku's, 5000 Kahala Ave (in the Kahala Hotel & Resort), +1 808 739-8780, Fine restaurant lauded for its contemporary island cuisine. Recommended are the pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras, sashimi and slow-braised pork belly.
  • Genki Sushi, A Japanese-style eatery, with employees shouting "irrashaimase!" (welcome) when you enter. Very popular with the younger people, offering many types of sushi.
    • 820 West Hind Drive #102, +1 808 373-4033.
    • 885 Kapahulu Avenue, +1 808 735-7700.
  • Olive Tree, 4614 Kilauea Avenue (close to Kahala Mall), +1 808 737-0303. It is a very well known Mediterranean and Greek food spot among Honolulu resident's, this is a charming place, with most of its tables outside a small lanai. It is BYOB, and you can bring your own glasses to avoid the cup fee. There is a wine store on the side of the restaurant, in case you forget your own.
  • Roy's Restaurant, 6600 Kalanianaole Hwy (at Kalanianaole Hwy and Keahole St), +1 808 396-7697, Known as the "Wolfgang Puck of the Pacific," Roy Yamaguchi specializes in Hawaiian fusion cuisine. This is the flagship restaurant of the Roy's Restaurant chain and overlooks Maunalua Bay with a lovely westward view. 
  • Zippy's, The island equivalent of Denny's, though far more popular with the locals. There's a wide variety of food, including plate lunches at reasonable prices; their signature dish is their chili, which they prepare in many different ways: served over rice, over a burrito, or over french fries, to name a few.
    • 3345 Waialae Avenue (in Kaimuki), +1 808 733-3722.
    • 4134 Waialae Avenue (in Kahala), +1 808 733-3730.
    • 7192 Kalanianaole Hwy (in the Koko Marina Shopping Center), +1 808 396-6977.
 

Places to stay

  • Kahala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kahala Avenue, +1 800 367-2525, Set on 800 feet of secluded beach, this rather lavish resort has numerous luxury rooms and suites, five restaurants and a spa on site, and is a favorite with international statesmen and celebrities. However be careful; this resort can be way overpriced and the room descriptions can be misleading.
 Western Honolulu

Western Honolulu is an area of Honolulu, made up of the neighborhoods between Downtown Honolulu and Pearl Harbor.

Get in

Getting to this area from anywhere else in Honolulu is a simple matter of getting on the westbound H1 freeway and following it in. The freeway passes by the main points of interest here: the Bishop Museum (take the Kalihi Street/State Road 63 exit), the airport, and Pearl Harbor (get on State Road 99 westbound), continuing west into the suburbs past Pearl Harbor, ending at Kapolei. If coming from Waikiki or Honolulu, get on Ala Moana Boulevard and follow it west; it will become the Nimitz Highway and merge into H1 near the airport.
If taking the bus, routes #19 and #20 connect Waikiki and Downtown with the airport, with the 20 continuing past Pearl Harbor. Also serving Pearl Harbor from Waikiki and Downtown is the #42. If heading to Kalihi and the Bishop Museum, the #2 runs from Waikiki and Downtown.

Places to see in Western Honolulu

  • Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St. (H-1 west from Waikiki to exit 15B Houghtailing St., right on Houghtailing, then left on Bernice), +1 808 847-3511, W-M 9AM-5PM. Founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop, the last direct descendant of Kamehameha I, this massive museum is by far the largest in Hawaii, with a complex of buildings holding a excellent collection of artifacts from the islands. The main building, the Hawaiian Hall, holds three floors of exhibits on the history and culture of Hawaii, with numerous artifacts, recreations of Hawaiian villages, and a complete whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling. The Science Adventure Center has exhibits on the natural history and environment of Hawaii, including a large simulated volcano that "erupts" regularly. The museum also features a planetarium, a Hawaii sports hall of fame, and plenty of traveling exhibits. $17.95 adults, $14.95 seniors/children, children 3 and under free (discounts for residents and military). 
  • Moanalua Gardens, A scenic public park is the Moanalua neighborhood, home to a small cottage which was home to Prince Lot Kamehameha (who would later become Kamehameha V) and a large monkeypod tree known as the "Hitachi Tree". 

Pearl Harbor


At Kamehameha Highway (Hawaii 99) and Kalaoa Street (take H-1 west to exit 15A (Arizona Memorial, Stadium) onto Kamehameha Hwy; or Honolulu public transit buses #20 and #42).
Well known for December 7, 1941, the "day that lived in infamy", when a surprise attack by Japanese forces killed over 2,000 U.S. military personnel and brought the United States into World War II. Today the harbor, still functioning as a navy base, is the site of several memorials honoring the fallen of World War II.
  • USS Arizona Memorial, +1 808 422-0561 (fax: +1 808 483-8608), Daily 7:30AM-5PM; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. This memorial, built over the hull of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, commemorates the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which brought the U.S. into World War II. It also serves as the final resting place for many of the 1,177 who died here. Visitors view an interpretive film, then board ferry boats which run from the visitor center to the memorial. Tickets are given out on a first-come-first-served basis and are limited; tickets may run out by noon on busy days. Expect wait times of about one hour. Free.
  • USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, +1 808 423-1341, Daily 7AM-5PM. A WWII-era submarine that is open for tours, giving you a look at a life aboard a submarine. A museum attached to the submarine has artifacts from the submarine. $10 adults, $7 military/seniors, $4 children.
The guns of the USS Missouri
  • Battleship Missouri Memorial, +1 808 423-2263,  Daily 9AM-5PM (ticket window closes at 4PM); closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. A perfect companion to the USS Arizona Memorial, this battleship is best known the site where World War II ended when the Japanese military surrendered to the Allied forces. Tickets may be purchased at the USS Bowfin Museum; visitors board buses to the USS Missouri itself. $16 adults, $8 children under 12.
  • Pacific Aviation Museum, Ford Island, next to the USS Missouri, +1 808 441-1000, Daily 9AM-5PM; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. A large hanger full of military aircraft from WWII, with both authentic American and Japanese aircraft. Tickets may be purchased at the USS Bowfin Museum; visitors board buses to the museum. $15 adults, $8 children under 12. 
 

Things to do in Western Honolulu

  • Aloha Stadium, at Salt Lake Blvd and Kamehameha Highway, Home to the University of Hawaii football team and the annual NCAA football Hawaii Bowl every December.  
  • Ice Palace, 4510 Salt Lake Boulevard, +1 808 487-9921, An ice rink is probably the last thing you'd expect to find in a tropical city, but at least it makes for the perfect getaway if the hot climate is too much for you. 
  • Sand Island Beach Park, Sand Island (from the Nimitz Highway, take the Sand Island access road to the harbor). Tucked away behind an industrial area facing the Honolulu Harbor, this large park offers plenty of green lawns, excellent views of Downtown, and a very calm sandy beach that's never crowded and with fairly good swimming. No lifeguards; restrooms and picnic tables available. 

Shopping attractions

  • Aloha Stadium Swap Meet, 99-500 Salt lake Blvd, 808-486-6704. Open every W,Sa,Su 6AM-3PM. Hawaii's largest swap meet. Bring your hat, sunscreen, and bottled water and plan at least 1/2 day. The swap meet is like a giant outdoor flea market, surrounding Aloha Stadium, and features merchants offering local food items, clothing and Hawaiian souvenirs. You are unlikely to find Hawaiian souvenirs for less money anywhere else. The prices are reasonable, haggling allowed, unique items from local artists and merchants abound. Most places are cash only, but there are a few standalone ATMs on the outskirts of the swap meet. Admission $1 per buyer, under 12 free.

Places to eat

  • Zippy's, The island equivalent of Denny's, though far more popular with the locals. There's a wide variety of food, including plate lunches at reasonable prices; their signature dish is their chili, which they prepare in many different ways: served over rice, over a burrito, or over french fries, to name a few.
    • 666 North Nimitz Highway, +1 808 532-4205.
    • 1210 Dillingham Boulevard, +1 808 832-1750.
    • 904 Mokauea Street, +1 808 832-1755. 
 

Places to drink

  • La Mariana, off Sand Island Access Road, near the airport. Not much to speak of in terms of food or drink (their Mai Tai is alright) but the decor is straight out of a tiki-lovers paradise. 

Places to stay

  • Best Western The Plaza Hotel, 3253 North Nimitz Highway, Located 1/2 mile from the Honolulu Airport and offers rooms and suites in a tropical setting. Features an outdoor pool, a restaurant and lounge and meeting facilities.
  • OHANA Honolulu Airport, 3401 N. Nimitz Hwy, Phone: (808) 836-0661, Fax: (808) 833-1738.  Located near the Honolulu International Airport Corridor, this Honolulu hotel has something that both business travelers and vacationers can enjoy.