Where to Stay & What to Visit in Honolulu, Oahu – Hawaii?
1. Pearl Harbor
2. Kualoa Ranch
3. Iolani Palace
4. State Capitol
5. Waikiki Beach
6. Diamond Head
7. Koko Head Trail
8. Hanauma Bay
The first settlers in Hawaii were Polynesians, who came to the island in the 6th century. The Polynesian culture has dominated the Hawaiian archipelago ever since. Hawaii, New Zealand (Aotearoa), and Easter Island (Rapa Nui) form the three vertices of the Polynesian triangle, an area in the Pacific Ocean with common Polynesian roots and cultural heritage. Today, Polynesian traits still exist in the native population, although, over time, they have mixed with Asiatic traits.
Kualoa Ranch, Jurassic Valley | Photo: Travel In Culture
Why stay and where to stay in Honolulu (Oahu, Hawaii): Honolulu in Oahu is the gateway to Hawaii. Therefore, it is obvious to include Honolulu in your visit regardless of whether you plan to stay in Oahu or travel to another island in Hawaii. Honolulu is a big, modern city, a military hub, a holiday paradise, and a centre for native Hawaiian culture and heritage.
The British explorer Captain James Cook arrived in Hawaii during his Pacific Third Voyage (1776-1780) but was, tragically, killed on the islands because of a dispute with the native people.
Hawaii became a republic in 1894, came under the USA in 1898, and became the 50th American state in 1959.
The highlights of Honolulu, Oahu include the eight sights described below, which you can visit on an organised tour or on your own. See also our Oahu itinerary including Haleiwa
Photo: Travel In Culture
One of the top sights in Honolulu is Pearl Harbor, known for its great tragedy on 7th December 1941 when the Japanese Imperial Navy attacked the U.S. Pacific Fleet by dropping bombs at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. President Roosevelt asked Congress to declare war on Japan, leading to the United States involving in World War II. The fatal attack destroyed 20 ships, including the USS Arizona, and over 300 planes. Over 1,500 Americans lost their lives.
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USS Arizona was irreparably damaged and left on the bottom of Pearl Harbor. The USS Arizona Memorial was subsequently erected upon the shipwreck, still today one of the main reasons many Americans and other people still visit Honolulu and Hawaii. From the memorial, one can see the remains of the USS Arizona underwater.
Other places to visit at Pearl Harbor in Oahu include the Battleship Missouri, the USS Bowfin Submarine, The Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, and the Hawaii National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater.
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Kualoa Ranch, north of Honolulu, is one of the top destinations in Oahu to visit for its awe-inspiring landscape and Jurassic Valley. The site has been a filming location for hundreds of films and popular TV shows, including King Kong, Skull Island, Jumanji, Godzilla, LOST… and, of course, Jurassic Park and Jurassic World!
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Visitors can take a tour including the most famous Hollywood movie sites – or focus the visit on the most iconic places and settings from Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, and Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom. On a jungle expedition tour, perhaps on an open-air UTV ride or safari truck, it doesn’t take much imagination to picture an aggressive tyrannosaurus rex bursting out of the jungle!
Photo: Travel In Culture
Photo: Travel In Culture
Horseback riding is another way to enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery with lush jungles, waterfalls, and stunning valley views. Hawaii’s cultural heritage is preserved on the ranch in the form of the cultivation of typical Hawaiian agricultural products and tropical orchards. The ranch has been a working ranch since 1850. Discover Hawaii’s traditional fish farming in a local fishpond. A Lanai lunch with ranch products may complete the experience.
Photo: Travel In Culture
Photo: Travel In Culture
Kualoa Ranch is also steeped in history and boasts significant historic bunkers from World War II.
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Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Oahu, reveals a part of the fascinating cultural heritage of Hawaii at the time when Hawaii was a kingdom. The Hawaiian kingdom goes back to 1795, when King Kamehameha unified the islands of Oʻahu, Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi(and later Kauaʻi and Niʻihau), which lasted until 1893 when the monarchy was overthrown and Hawaii became a republic.
King Kamehameha | Photo: Travel In Culture
In 1845, Hawaii’s King Kamehameha established the first residence in this location, a place of worship since antiquity. From here, the Hawaiian archipelago was ruled. However, in 1882, the current and even more impressive Iolani Palace replaced it, built by King Kalakaua. The building also served as the official site of the monarchs, with grand performances such as royal balls and hula dancing. King Kalakaua’s sister, Queen Lili’uokalani succeeded him and became the last monarch before the overthrow.
Queen Lili’uokalani | Photo: Travel In Culture
Today, the elegant building still stands in Honolulu as the only and last American royal residence. Historical buildings such as the Coronation Pavilion and the Iolani Barracks are still preserved.
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Iolani Palace served as the Capitol of the Hawaiian State after the overthrow of the monarchy.
Nevertheless, in 1969, the second Governor of Hawaii, John A. Burns, commissioned a new Hawaii State Capitol. A statue of Queen Liliʻuokalani was erected between the old Iolani Palace and the State Capitol to commemorate the former royal monarchs.
The Father Damien Statue | Photo: Travel In Culture
Also, a Liberty Bell, donated in 1950 by the American President and the United States Congress to the Territory of Hawaii, exists, symbolising democracy. Today, it is a landmark along with the Korean-Vietnam War Memorial and Eternal Flame Memorial, a tribute to all Hawaiians who have served with the Air Force, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines.
The Father Damien Statue was erected in 1969 as a tribute to the Catholic priest who had cared for people with leprosy, canonised by Pope Benedict XVI.
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Waikiki Beach is the iconic two-mile Hawaiian beach on the south shore of Oahu, world-famous and a top photo spot for visitors wishing to capture the exotic vibe of surfers riding the waves with palm trees and skyscrapers as a backdrop.
More than four million people annually visit the spectacular Honolulu beach in Oahu, and – with plentiful surf schools, the destination is known as the perfect place in Hawaii to learn how to surf or paddle a canoe.
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Waikiki Beach is also a venue for local hula shows, which are cultural performances with traditional dancing. One of the popular venues is under the century-old banyan tree near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue, a master of surfing on Waikiki Beach, who won silver and gold medals in freestyle swimming at the Olympics in 1912, 1920 and 1924.
Seeing a hula show before dark and then going for a sunset walk on the beach can be a breathtaking experience!
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As the most famous landmark in Oahu and Hawaii, the volcanic crater is a must-see on every visitor’s bucket list. A 0.8-mile steep trail takes hikers to the summit for extraordinary and spectacular views of southern Oahu. The ascent to the top of Diamond Head (and the Fire Control Station built in 1911) is via stairs and a lighted tunnel. The trail was established in 1908 and intended to be part of the military coastal defence system.
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The beautiful round-shaped crater was formed 300,000 years ago in an explosive eruption at Oahu’s southern coastline. Today, it is a favoured sight in Hawaii, providing visitors with panoramic views of Oahu, Honolulu, and the picture-postcard seascape – and, with a little bit of luck, a visit to Diamond Head may even encompass spotting a humpback whale in the distance.
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Another climb worth taking near Honolulu is to Koko Head in the southeastern corner of Oahu, with a steep 1,048-step, 0.7-mile trail leading to the peak of the extinct volcano. During World War II, the trail was constructed as a railroad track, intended for transporting equipment and personnel by tramcar to the military bunkers atop the crater. Today, it is a regional park area owned by the City of Honolulu.
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A challenging trail leads to the peak of this extinct volcano at 368 m. When reaching the summit of the large tuff cone, you will be rewarded with gorgeous views of Oahu’s landscape, including the crater’s interior. It includes the Koko Crater Botanical Garden, with a rich diversity of cacti, succulents – and horse stables.
The old Koko Head volcano had its last eruption 3,000-5,000 years ago and formed numerous vents to allow the emission of volcanic material and gases. One of these vents resulted in Hanauma Bay at the foot of the volcano.
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Formed by the volcanic Koko Head above the sea thousands of years ago, Hanauma Bay is a nature preserve and protected marine park in southeastern Oahu, unique in marine life. Hanauma is composed of ‘Hana’ (bay in Hawaiian) and ‘uma’ (curve/canoe). The pristine secluded bay is today an outstanding place abounding with reef fish. Approximately 400 species of fish, coral, and other aquatic marine life inhabit Hanauma Bay, including green sea turtles and parrotfish.
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Due to easy access and its protected location by vertical crater walls, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a favoured place to swim and snorkel among visitors and locals. Even King Kamehameha appreciated its qualities in the past!
Protection of the marine life is of paramount importance. Global warming has impacted the coral reefs in Hanauma, as in many other places. Another major problem has been over-tourism, with hordes of tourists arriving to explore the bay, walking on the coral and leaving sunscreen and trash in the water to an extent the fragile marine ecosystem could not support.
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Consequently, marine life was affected, and the coral bleached, reaching a point where it was necessary to impose a limitation on the usual daily 3,000 guests. An entrance fee for non-Hawaiian residents was introduced in 1997, limiting the number of visitors. The reduction in visitors during the COVID pandemic did good for the rehabilitation of the ecosystem. Today, Hanauma Bay is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and requires reservations on the other days, reducing the daily visitors to 720 to allow marine life to recover.
Read next: There are three famous destinations making up the vertices of the Polynesian Triangle. In addition to Hawaii, it is New Zealand and Easter Island. Read about the other two: Māori Culture in New Zealand and Discover Hanga Roa in Easter Island
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Where to Stay & What to Visit in Oahu, Honolulu Hawaii
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Where to Stay & What to Visit in Oahu, Honolulu Hawaii:
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