Honolulu is an absolute playground for kids. Everywhere you turn there’s water to swim in, clean beaches to frolic along and unusual sights to marvel at. Honolulu is blessed with an incredible number of discovery centres, amusement parks and sea life attractions. Parents will have no trouble finding something interesting for the kids in this family-friendly town.
Science Adventure Center
One highlight of the stellar Bishop Museum is its new Science Adventure Center, which presents the worlds of volcanology and oceanography in kid-friendly fashion. The interior of a huge volcano can be explored and then climbed to get a lofty perspective of its erupting crater. ‘Hawaiian origins’ is an exhibit featuring an underwater tunnel that puts you deep under the ocean where dozens of cool, high-tech toys let kids interact with the marine environment. The museum’s enormous collection of Polynesian artefacts, insects, animals and marine life is another main attraction. Phone: +1 808 847 3511; website: www.bishopmuseum.org
If it’s a rainy day, your younger kids will have a blast in this huge centre devoted to entertaining and educational fun. Interactive exhibits and hands-on stations are the norm in this world of discovery featuring unique activities like playing volleyball with cyber-robots. A full schedule of arts and crafts classes add to the fun. Phone: +1 808 524 5437; website: www.discoverycenterhawaii.org.
It’s hard not to love this modern, well-equipped 29-acre water park. You can easily spend a full day bodysurfing in the football pitch-sized wave pool, tubing along the continuous-loop river, or zipping down one of the dozens of crazy water slides. Hawaiian cultural performances, shops and restaurants round off the fun. Phone: +1 808 674 9283; website: www.hawaiianwaters.com.
To the east of Honolulu lies this big attraction featuring some of the coolest sea creatures on the planet. Whales, bottle-nosed dolphins, penguins and sea lions are just a few of the highlights. Touch pools let the kids get a feel for things like a sea cucumber, while the reef tank aquarium showcases the islands’ colourful array of tropical fish. Phone: +1 808 259 7933; website: www.sealifeparkhawaii.com
Hawaii is synonymous with underwater beauty, and this small but incredible aquarium in Waikiki puts it all on display. The reef habitat is a big favourite, featuring endangered green sea turtles, monk seals, sharks and eels. The touch pool allows you to get to know the creatures that live around Hawaii; and don’t miss the star of the show, the only chambered nautilus ever born in captivity. Phone: +1 808 923 9741; website: www.waquarium.org.
Honolulu is the centre of the modern Hawaiian universe and many of the islands’ best cultural and historic sites are located in and around the city. Visitors can explore everything from the Polynesian roots of ancient Hawaii to the American naval legacy of Pearl Harbor. Hawaii’s best native artists show their work in Honolulu at prestigious galleries like the Hawaii State Art Museum. The rich maritime history of Honolulu is also presented at sites like the outstanding Hawaii Maritime Center.
Hawaii Maritime Center
The rich history of Hawaii’s maritime roots is displayed in this wonderfully well-rounded complex. A traditional royal Kalakaua canoe house contains more than 30 fascinating exhibits including the first Matson cruise ship that brought early tourists to Honolulu. Several authentic schooners are moored outside the centre, offering hours of exploration for those with an interest in boats and sailing. Phone: +1 808 536 6373; website: www.bishopmuseum.org.
Hawaii State Art Museum
The collection of art in this prominent Honolulu art gallery reflects the rich mixture of Hawaii’s cultural and ethnic heritage. Some 284 native artists have their works displayed here, many of which blend traditional Hawaiian forms with Western influences. Although most of the artwork dates from the 1960s onwards, one can still see the roots of Hawaiian art form. Phone: +1 808 586 0900
North Shore Surf and Cultural Museum
Hawaii was the birthplace of surfing, and this interesting museum is Oahu’s tribute to the sport of kings. The comprehensive collection features the evolution of surfboards, Waikiki beach boy culture, photos and lots of fun surfing memorabilia. A new exhibit about the ancient roots of surfing displays some amazing Hawaiian artefacts. Phone: +1 808 637 8888; website: www.captainrick.com/surf_museum.htm.
Polynesian Cultural Center
Hawaii is just one of hundreds of Polynesian islands in the Pacific. This living museum showcases seven of the main Pacific archipelagos through authentic recreated villages from each island. Visitors can enjoy performances of traditional songs and dances, as well as learn more about the lifestyle and costumes of Polynesia. Best of all, you can travel to each village in a canoe (or by footpath) along the freshwater lagoon. Phone: +1 808 367 7060; website: www.polynesia.com.
USS Missouri Memorial
This 58,000-ton battleship was where the Japanese surrendered, bringing WWII to an end. It now lies berthed in Pearl Harbor, where visitors can tour the massive ship. A one-hour tour provides an informative overview of the role this battleship played in the war, as well as details of its weapons. You’re also welcome to wander the ship own your own. Phone: +1 808 423 2263; website: www.ussmissouri.com.
Waikiki Historic Trail
Today’s Waikiki Beach looks nothing like it did when taro fields, fish ponds and gardens were tended by locals decades ago. Visitors can get a glimpse at the old days by walking this two-mile trail dotted with 20 placards highlighting important sites. The trail starts at Kuhio Beach and finishes at the King Kalakaua Statue. Website: www.waikikihistorictrail.com.
Honolulu’s starring role as Hawaii’s main tourist destination has encouraged hundreds of restaurants to open in the city. Visitors will find a vast array of food on offer featuring everything from fast food joints to five-star fusion cuisine. The most popular style of cuisine in Honolulu is a mix of Hawaiian regional and Pacific regional cuisine. Due to the islands’ incredibly isolated location, there’s a major emphasis on locally-grown produce and seafood. Organic is a big trend in Hawaii, and many restaurants go out of their way to promote the individual farms that grow their food.
Pan-Asian and Mediterranean cuisine also features prominently in Honolulu. Downtown is one of the main areas for eating out. The casual walk-in cafes surrounding lovely Bishop Square are a great place to start your explorations, especially during lunch. Restaurant Row along Moana Blvd is another hot spot starring many of the city’s trendiest restaurants. The eateries on Waikiki Beach stay open late and cover the whole spectrum. But wherever you eat expect to see some rather high prices.
One specialty of Honolulu is the luau dinner. This wonderful banquet centres around a whole pig baked in a traditional underground oven known as an imu. With tiki torches flickering in the cool evening breeze, a luau is the perfect way to experience Hawaiian culture and cuisine. Seafood is also a major part of the luau and most meals as the fish and shrimp caught off the islands is as fresh as it comes.
Honolulu has just as many shopping options as dining choices. Many visitors consider the city’s shopping scene one of Oahu’s main attractions as more than 1,000 stores sell a bewildering array of products, and more retailers are on their way. A thriving local crafts community ensures there is always something interesting to buy if you have gotten your fill of Aloha shirts and tacky souvenirs. The Aloha Tower Marketplace is the city’s most popular shopping complex, but also has dozens of restaurants and a great observation deck.
Visitors will quickly notice that Honolulu is a meeting point of east and west. Small shops carry products from around the globe, reminding us that Hawaii is truly a multicultural destination. Boutiques filled with blown glass, pottery, print clothing and beautiful wood carvings prove the craftsmanship of the Hawaiians. If you put in the legwork, you’ll be rewarded with some incredible finds to take back home. The coolest boutiques keep their own hours, so you may want to call ahead to check their opening times.
Despite the rampant overdevelopment of Waikiki Beach, the island of Oahu is a real haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. A perfect year-round climate, acres of open space and some of the most scenic coastal scenery on earth provide the ideal environment for outdoor activities of every kind. Golf, hiking, biking and horseback riding are all excellent choices. The waters of Oahu are wonderfully warm and clear. Visitors can swim, scuba dive, windsurf or just lounge on the sand and watch the surfers that flock here for the incredibly big waves.
Beaches
There are more than 130 superb beaches on Oahu to keep you tanned and relaxed. The closest and most socially hyperactive beaches to Honolulu are along the nearby Waikiki Coast. Ala Moana is a 76-acre midtown beach park right in the heart of Honolulu, while the infamous Waikiki Beach offers 1.5 miles of sand, surf, and people. No matter what beach you choose, you’ll find incredible scenery, warm water and plenty to do. But be aware that thefts are a frequent occurrence on Oahu’s beaches and parking lots.
Golf
Believe it or not, you can play on a world-class Oahu golf course without breaking the bank. There are more than 30 golf courses on the island, ranging from humble municipal courses to exclusive resorts like Ko Olina. However, you may be handicapped by the majestic views of ocean and verdant landscape at each hole.
Hiking
Don’t let the concrete sprawl of Honolulu and Waikiki fool you. Oahu has 33 major hiking trails on the island ideal for a quiet intimate experience with nature. These well-maintained and patrolled park trails lead to valleys ringed with waterfalls, narrow ridgebacks and stunning scenery. Diamond Head Crater is a moderate 1.4-mile walk to the peak of Honolulu’s most iconic natural landmark where you’ll get 360 degree views. The Makiki-Manoa Cliffs are another standout loop hike. This six-mile trail covers rainforests and big ridge-top views.
Scuba Diving
Oahu has some extraordinary dive sites, particularly those who want to explore underwater shipwrecks. A wealth of marine life such as manta rays, white-tipped sharks and green sea turtles are regular sightings at wrecks such as the famous Mahi minesweeper. Kahuna Canyon is the place to dive for deep sea canyons, headwalls and stunning aquatic life. The fish at this popular dive site are so tame that you can swim right through them.
Snorkelling
Oahu’s best snorkelling is at Hanauma Bay’s underwater park. The protected waters of the bay offer a rare calm environment in Hawaii ideal for snorkelling. Shark’s Cove is another great site, where huge lava pools create dozens of little protected snorkelling spots full of fish and other creatures.
Surfing
Surfing is the main sport on the islands of Hawaii. Oahu has some excellent surfing as well as plenty of qualified surf schools and instructors to teach you the ropes. In general, the waves on Oahu are challenging and in many cases quite dangerous. Beginners should ask a surf shop where the gentlest sites are located. But be sure and head over to the North Shore at least once to watch the world’s greatest surfers pound out the massive waves at spots like Kalalua Point, Waimea Bay and The Cliffs.
Windsurfing
Honolulu is on the windward side of Oahu so the breezy conditions here are ideal for windsurfing. Kailua Beach is a hot spot and the best place to learn how to windsurf. There are excellent schools and trainers here to show you the ropes. Adventurous types can even try the new sport of kite surfing, an extreme aerial version of windsurfing.
Very large rooms in excellent location. Staff friendly and polite. Breakfast buffet basic but adequate at a cost of US$9.00. Although hotel is a little dated it was clean and we would stay there ag...
