Honolulu
gets a bad rap. As Hawaii's largest city, it's sometimes perceived
as being less "Hawaiian" than the rest of the state,
meaning that its high-rise office buildings and traffic don't
easily match many people's romantic ideal of what Hawaii should
be -- remote palm-fringed beaches and lavish resorts.
In truth, Honolulu is probably the most Hawaiian part of the
state simply because it best reflects the many different things
that Hawaii can be: It's a multicultural mix of people; it's
a beautiful landscape of greenery and ocean; and it's a place
where stupendous historical events have unfolded, many of
them recounted in Honolulu's historic sites and museums. All
that's exciting about big-city life -- theater, opera, shopping,
nightclubs, fine dining -- is set against a backdrop of majestic,
rain-forest-covered mountains and sweeping vistas.
And,
with Waikiki along one edge of the city, Honolulu even has
a beach resort. Though it's certainly not as idyllic as
some would wish, Waikiki remains Hawaii's busiest tourist
spot and makes a good departure point for exploring the
recreation possibilities afforded by the greater Honolulu
area. Active travelers can race down volcanic mountains
on bikes, ramble across pastureland and past ancient religious
shrines, swim with the green sea turtles off Waikiki Beach
and surf or paddle a canoe past Diamond Head.
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Waikiki
Beach
Never has a beach been as fabled as Waikiki. Since the 1950s,
this beach has been a tourist destination extraordinaire.
While much of it has been eroded, trampled by millions of
feet, or encroached upon by towering skyscrapers, hints
of its original beauty can still be seen in the crashing
waves and the warm sand. Come night time, the hipsters strut
their clubwear on the beachwalk, and lovers find peaceful
little nooks under the cover of sweeping palm trees.
Pearl
Harbor
The tragic occurrences and subsequent world-changing events
associated with this naval base make it a crucial part of
American history and heritage. While the harbor is quite
large, the Visitor's Center and Arizona Memorial are the
hubs of tourism. Both places are free to enter, and both
draw huge crowds. Several tours are available through activity
brokers or tour companies. To reach Pearl Harbor from Waikiki
Beach, take Nimitz Highway past the airport to Highway 99,
and continue past the naval community.
Polynesian
Cultural Center
One of Hawaii's top visitor attractions, this tropical 42-acre
site showcases seven Polynesian regions: Fiji, Hawai'i,
the Marquesas, New Zealand, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga. Visitors
enjoy frequent crafts demonstrations, musical performances,
games and more. The famous Canoe Pageant reenacts the myths
and legends of Polynesia through song and dance, all atop
floating canoes. A spectacular show, Horizons, is presented
nightly. There's also an IMAX theater.
Diamond
Head State Monument
This crater of an extinct volcano got its name when Western
explorers mistook calcite crystals they found there for
diamonds. The historic trail to the 761-foot summit starts
inside the crater and is an easy, but steep, 45-minute hike
to the top. Stay on the trail, wear appropriate footgear
and sunscreen, take along water and bring a flashlight to
light your way through the tunnels. Those who reach the
summit are rewarded by a spectacular 360-degree view of
O'ahu. The tunnel gates close promptly at 6pm.
Hanauma
Bay Marine Preserve
Famed for its beautiful horseshoe-shaped sandy beach and
clear, calm turquoise waters, this natural marine sanctuary
is home to thousands of colorful tropical fish. The waist-deep
water inside the reef is perfect for novice snorkelers to
explore. More experienced snorkelers might want to check
with the lifeguard before venturing beyond to deeper waters
to see sea turtles and other marine life. The Bay is least
crowded in the early morning or late afternoon.
Waimea
Valley Adventure Park
Nature has created only a few spectacles as breathtaking
as this one. Located on 1,800 acres above legendary Waimea
Bay, the park harbors 6,000 plant species and hundreds of
animal species. Peacocks and macaws wander the grounds fearlessly.
Giant lily pads—nearly the size of a seat cushion—float
in serene pools. Guests can hike the trails or opt for guided
tram tours. Don't miss the cliff-divers or the hula dancers;
both groups perform periodically throughout the day.
Waikiki
Aquarium
Located just a few short blocks from Waikiki Beach, this
is a great place to learn about Hawaii's amazing ocean world.
You can see 400 different species at this small but mighty
museum, including monk seals, sharks and sea turtles. A
knowledgeable staff is on hand to narrate tours and answer
questions. The aquarium has a good gift shop where you can
ask about special events and excursions. It offers some
terrific educational and community outreach programs.
Sea
Life Park
Dolphin and sea lion shows, a Hawaiian monk seal center,
a sea turtle lagoon and a seabird sanctuary are a few of
the highlights at this 62-acre ocean theme park on the coast
of East O'ahu. The park's newest attraction is Pirate's
Lagoon, a themed play area for kids. Serious marine biology
takes place at the rehabilitation center for endangered
marine life. Other facilities include eateries and gift
shops.
King
Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade
Downtown Honolulu goes above and beyond for this annual
parade honoring the reign of King Kamehameha who was responsible
for consolidating the islands under one rule in 1795. As
part of this 87th celebration massive leis, some measuring
thirteen feet in length, will be draped over the kings bronze
statue that towers in downtown. The parade, which begins
at King and Richards Streets and concludes at Queen Kapiolani
Park, features brightly decorated floats, marching bands,
and plenty of convertibles full of waving, smiling people
with perfect teeth.
Aloha
Festival
This annual celebration of Aloha, the traditional Hawaiian
spirit of warmth and open arms, commences with ceremonies
on all of the major Hawaiian Islands. During the week that
follows, each island has parades, Ethnic Days celebrating
the diverse cultures of Hawaii, Ohana Days at popular attractions,
and street parties. The Honolulu street party draws a quarter
of a million people. The festival starts on O'ahu and ends
on Maui. It moves from island to island throughout the months
of September and October. Three hundred events take place
on the islands, and are staffed and arranged by 30,000 volunteers.
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