Oahu

O‘ahu Attractions
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Image of the island
Photo by Baron Sekiya/West Hawaii Today
The USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor Naval Base.

In addition to its glorious beaches, O‘ahu boasts some of the world’s most famous points of interest — historical landmarks, parks, arts and cultural centers, and more.

Most attractions require an entrance fee, but some do not. If you’d like to keep costs down but still have plenty of fun, also see Free Things To Do in O‘ahu.

• Arts • Culture & History • Parks & Nature • Recreation

• Shopping & Food

Arts

THE CONTEMPORARY MUSEUM
Changing exhibits of contemporary art are on display at a renovated estate on 3.5 acres of terraced gardens. Gourmet cafe and shop on grounds.
Where: 2411 Makiki Heights Drive, Honolulu
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon-4 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Adults, $5; seniors and students, $3; children under 12, no charge
Info: (808) 526-1322

HONOLULU ACADEMY OF ARTS
An encyclopedic museum of world art, the Academy includes more than 34,000 works of art in its permanent collection plus special exhibitions throughout the year.
Where: 900 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Cost: General admission, $7; Students (13 and over), Seniors (65+) and Military, $4. Children 12 and under, free. The first Wednesday of each month is free admission.
Info: (808) 532-8700

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Culture & History

ARIZONA MEMORIAL MUSEUM
An interpretive program and documentary film is followed by a short ride via Navy shuttle across Pearl Harbor to the Arizona Memorial, which straddles the sunken hull of the battleship USS Arizona. The Arizona was one of several U.S. ships sunk by the Japanese in their attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The Memorial’s “Remembrance Exhibit” displays the names of those who died in the 1941 attack but were not on the USS Arizona.
Where: 1 Arizona Memorial Drive (Pearl Harbor)
Hours: 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., daily (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day)
Cost: Free, but you must get a ticket at the visitors center
Info: Tours, (808) 422-0561. Shuttle, (808) 839-0911

BATTLESHIP MISSOURI MEMORIAL
Relive defining moments in history with the Mighty Mo’s guided tour, and experience shipboard living in the newly opened “Life at Sea” areas.
Where: Pearl Harbor (tour begins next to the Arizona Memorial Visitor Center)
Hours: 9 a.m.-3:55 p.m., daily
Cost: Adults, $14; ages 4-12, $10; under 3, no charge. Guided tours are an additional $6.
Info: (808) 973-2494

BISHOP MUSEUM AND PLANETARIUM
The museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Pauahi, the last descendant of the Royal Kamehameha family. It features rare artifacts and exhibits on Hawaiian and Pacific history.
Where: State Museum of Natural & Cultural History, 1525 Bernice St., Honolulu
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Cost: Adults, $14.95; seniors and ages 4-12, $11.95; under 3, no charge
Info: (808) 847-3511

BYODO-IN TEMPLE
Stunning replica of the famous Byodo-In Temple of Equality in Kyoto, Japan. A lake and Japanese gardens are on the grounds.
Where: 12 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe (windward O‘ahu)
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., daily
Cost: Adults, $2; children under 12, $1
Info: (808) 239-8811

CAPITOL DISTRICT
The historic Capitol District of Honolulu includes the State Capitol Building and must-see landmarks such as ‘Iolani Palace, Kamehameha I statue, Kawaiaha‘o Church, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Washington Place, the Hawai‘i State Library, Honolulu Hale, Ali‘iolani Hale, the Old Federal Building and the Mission Houses Museum. To learn more about the history of these places, visit the City’s Historical Honolulu site.
Where: South King St., Downtown Honolulu

CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER
Interactive exhibits for all ages. Explore Polynesian cultures; discover the wonders of the human body; produce your own newscast; preside as judge for a day; and more. Infants must be in a carrier; strollers are not permitted.
Where: 111 Ohe St., Honolulu
Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday-Sunday
Cost: Adults, $8; ages 2-17, $6.75
Info: (808) 522-8910

DOLE PLANTATION
Featuring 21 varieties of pineapple and the world’s largest maze, according to the 2001 Guinness Book of World Records. If you plan to “maze,” bring water and sunscreen!
Where: 64-1550 Kamehameha Highway, Wahiawa (Central O‘ahu)
Hours: Plantation shops, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., daily. Maze, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., daily. Plantation and maze, closed Christmas.
Cost: Maze only – adults, $5; ages 4-12, $3; under 4, no charge
Info: (808) 621-8408 or www.dole-plantation.com

HAWAI‘I MARITIME CENTER
See the sailing ship Falls of Clyde and the King Kalakaua Boathouse Museum, plus the famous Polynesian voyaging canoes Hokule’a and Hawai‘iloa.
Where: Honolulu Harbor
Hours: Museum – 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Ship – 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., daily
Cost: Adults, $7.50; ages 6-17, $4.50; 5 and under, no charge
Info: (808) 536-6373

HAWAI‘I’S PLANTATION VILLAGE
Features restored and replica homes and buildings and period furnishings from the era of the Hawaiian plantations. Guided tours.
Where: 94-695 Waipahu St., Waipahu (West of Honolulu on H-1)
Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday
Cost: Adults, $7; seniors, $4; ages 5-12, $3
Info: (808) 677-0110

‘IOLANI PALACE
Official residence of King Kalakaua and Queen Lili‘uokalani, the last monarchs of Hawai‘i, 1882-1893. Guided tours, gift shop.
History of ‘Iolani Palace.
Where: King and Richards streets, Honolulu (Capitol District)
Hours: Tours every 45 minutes, 9 a.m.-2:15 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday. Reservations recommended: (808) 522-0832.
Cost: Adults, $15, ages 5-12, $5. Children under age 5 are not permitted in the palace.
Info: (808) 538-1471

JAPANESE CULTURAL CENTER
Pictorial gallery featuring the story of Japanese Americans in Hawai‘i.
Where: 2454 S Beretania St., Honolulu
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday
Cost: Adults, $3; ages 12-17, $2; ages 7-11, $1 (no charge if accompanied by a paid adult); under 7, no charge
Info: (808) 945-7633

MISSION HOUSES MUSEUM
Guided tours of historic houses from 19th-century Honolulu. Gift shop and research library.
History of Mission Houses.
Where: 553 S. King St., Honolulu (Capitol District)
Hours: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Tuesday-Saturday. Four guided tours per day, 9:45 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $8; ages 13-18, $4, ages 4-12, $3; under 4, no charge
Info: (808) 531-0481

POLYNESIAN CULTURAL CENTER
Visit seven Pacific Island villages on 42 tropical acres with an authentic lu’au, Polynesian arts & handicrafts marketplace and more. “Horizons,” a Polynesian revue of song and dance, features more than 100 native performers, including fire knife champions and fire walkers.
Where: 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, La’ie (North Shore)
Hours: 12:30-6 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Night show, 7:30-to 9 p.m.
Cost: Daytime admission, adults, $27; ages 5-11, $16. Nightshow, lu’au and day exhibits, $65 per person.
Info: (808) 293-3005. Reservations: 1-877-572-2347

QUEEN EMMA SUMMER PALACE
The former summer palace of Queen Emma (1836-1885) and other Hawaiian royalty has been restored to its original appearance and is now a museum of royal memorabilia.
Where: 2913 Pali Highway, Honolulu
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., daily
Cost: Adults, $5; children, $1
Info: (808) 595-3167

WAIKIKI HISTORIC TRAIL
The Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association offers a guided walking tour of Waikiki’s historic sites along the Waikiki Historic Trail. This walking tour follows a series of informational markers that highlight historic sites between Kapahulu Avenue and the International Market Place, including the estates of Prince Kuhio, Princess Ka’iulani and King David Kalakaua. The tour covers only a portion of the Waikiki Historic Trail, which can be explored in self-guided fashion.
Where: Meet at the beachside surfboard marker titled, “The Beaches of Waikiki,” at the entrance to Kapi’olani Park on Kalakaua Ave.
Hours: 9:00-10:30 a.m. Monday thru Friday
Cost: Free
Info: (808) 841-6442

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Parks & Nature

DIAMOND HEAD
Drive into the crater of this extinct volcano and hike nearly a mile (including 99 stairs up through a tunnel) to a spectacular lookout with a 360-degree view of O‘ahu’s leeward side. Bring a flashlight and water.
Where: Diamond Head Road and 18th Avenue (north side of crater), east of Waikiki
Hours: Crater open 6 a.m.-5 p.m., daily
Cost: $1

FOSTER BOTANICAL GARDENS
This 20-acre garden in downtown Honolulu features orchids.
Where: 50 N. Vineyard Blvd., Honolulu
Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., daily
Cost: Adults, $5; ages 5-12, $1
Info: (808) 522-7060

HANAUMA BAY NATURE PRESERVE
This sunken volcanic crater is ringed with golden sand and is protected from the open ocean on one side by inner reefs. The bay is a Marine Life Conservation District — where snorkelers can see thousands of tropical fish and other sealife. Note: The park is occasionally closed due to adverse water conditions; call the number below for closure info.
Where: Southeast of Honolulu off Kalanianaole Hwy
Hours: Wednesday through Monday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (closed Tuesdays)
Cost: $1 per vehicle for parking; $3 admission for non-residents
Info: (808) 396-4229

HAWAI‘I NATURE CENTER
Environmental education center for children and adults.
Where: 2131 Makiki Heights Drive, Honolulu
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., daily
Cost: Call for rates on tours, birthday parties, weekend programs and school groups.
Info: (808) 955-0100

HONOLULU ZOO
Features the Karibuni Reserve, the South American Aviary, a tropical forest and more.
Where: In Queen Kapi‘olani Park, Kapahulu Avenue and Kalakaua Boulevard
Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily
Cost: Ages 13 and older, $6; ages 6-12, $1; ages 5 and under, no charge
Info: (808) 971-7171

LYON ARBORETUM
Botanical garden with thousands of tropical plants.
Where: 3860 Manoa Road (University of Hawaii/Manoa)
Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Saturday (except state holidays)
Cost: Donations of $1 per adult appreciated
Info: (808) 988-0464

SEA LIFE PARK
Features include sea lion, dolphin and penguin shows and a 300,000-gallon Hawaiian Reef Tank that houses 2,000 island specimens including sharks, rays, moray eels, turtles and exotic reef fish. The Dolphin Adventure program offers swimmming encounters with these marine mammals three times daily, beginning at 9 a.m. (program is not open to children under age 13).
Where: 41-202 Kalanianaole Highway No. 7, Waimanalo (East of Honolulu)
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., daily
Cost: Ages 13-adult, $25; ages 4-12, $12.50 ; ages 3 and under, no charge. Resident admission prices – ages 13-to adult, $12.50; ages 4-12, $6.25; ages 3 and under, no charge. Dolphin Adventure program (not open to under 13 years): $119; residents, $107; includes admission to Sea Life Park.
Info: (808) 259-7933

SENATOR FONG’S PLANTATION
Features 725 acres of tropical flowers and fruit trees; tram rides through the rain forest; lei making; and gift shop.
Where: 47-285 Pulama Rd, Kaneohe (Northeast O‘ahu)
Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., daily; five tours per day
Cost: Adults, $10; children, $6
Info: (808) 239-6775

WAIKIKI AQUARIUM
Home to more than 2,500 marine animals from Hawai’i and the tropical Pacific. Features unique attractions, living collections and exhibits, and educational programs.
Where: 2777 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu (on the ocean near Diamond Head)
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Adults $7; children 13-17 $3; age 12 and under free
Info: (808) 923-9741