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Honolulu was not an important place until the arrivial of the Europeans in the mid-19th century. Since they found adjacent Pearl Harbor to be a convenient place to anchor, King Kamehameha found it necessary to move his capital here.

Honolulu is the principal city on the island of Oahu and is in fact the largest city and capital of the Hawaiian Islands. Capital of Hawaii since 1845. During the 19th cent. it was a busy whaling and trading port, occupied successfully by Russian, British and French forces. During World War II it was the principal staging area for the Ameican battle with Japan and also site of the infamous Pearl Harbor Raid.

Downtown Honolulu is quite different and distinct from the Waikiki Beach district on the east side which is the biggest resort center in Hawaii.

Another place for a scenic stroll is Kewalo Basin. Located along Ala Moana Blvd is the home port for sightseeing cruise boats and charter fishing boats and other unique watercraft.

Key Points of Interest and Links:

Diamond Head
State Capitol
Bishops Museum
Honolulu Academy of Arts
Honolulu Zoo - Waikiki Beach
Waikiki Aquarium - Waikiki Beach
Univ. of Hawaii

Other Honolulu services:

Honolulu Restaurant Guide - Reviews, menus, specials and pricelist.
Honolulu Hotel Directory - Room search and reservation service.
Special Vacation Packages for Honolulu - Great deals to the best vacation opportunities.
Honolulu Harbor / Dinner Cruises

11th Hour Vacations.com - More Hawaii- Oahu Specials
Many vacation packages available for Hawaii- Oahu. Some packages include prepaid tickets for local attractions. Affordable low prices.

Iolani Palace
King and Richards St, Honolulu, HW 96813; 808-522-0832;
Open: 9AM-2:15PM Wed-Sat; Admission: Adult $10 / Child (5-12) $3;
Tours leave every 15 minutes, reservations required, no children under five years old allowed in palace.

Built in 1882, this historic four-story mansion served as the official residence of the last two monarchs of the Hawaiian Islands - King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. The throne displays crystal chandeliers, carved thrones, swords and crowns. The Royal Hawaiian Band performs Free Concerts on the grounds at 2:15PM Fridays. One of the most popular tourist destinations on the Islands.

King Kamehameha Statue
Located in front of the judiciary building. Four tableux at its base depict important accomplishments. One June 11, King Kamehameha Day, it is draped leis to remember the monarch that united the Hawaiian Islands.

Queen Emma Summer Palace
2913 Pali Hwy, Honolulu, HW 96817, 808-595-3167;
Open daily 9AM-4PM, (Exc: Holidays); Admission: $5;

Features many artifacts of Queen Emma, King Kamehameha and Prince Albert in restored home.

Royal Mausoleum
2261 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, HW 96817, 808-536-7602;
Open: 8AM-4PM, Mon-Fri. Free Admission;
Most sacred burial ground in the islands. Final resting place for six of the eight Hawaiian monarchs.

Washington Place
Beretania and Miller Sts;
Former home for Queen Liliuokalani, it is now the governor's residence and is close to the public.

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Harbor Cruises
Go here for more info on area sightseeing and dinner cruises.

Hawaii Maritime Center
Location: Pier 7 in Honolulu Harbor; (808) 536-6373;
Open: Daily 8:30AM-5PM (Exc Dec 25); Admission: $7.50 Adult / Child (6-17) $4.50;
Located next door to the Aloha Tower Festival Marketplace. This museum has 50 historical and maritime exhibits.


Aloha Tower - 10th-floor observation deck
Falls of Clyde - Docked at Pier 7 - this is the world's only surviving full-rigged four-masted sailing ship, built in 1878. It has made many trips around the islands and out to San Francisco.

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Foster Botanical Gardens
50 N. Vineyard Blvd, Honolulu, HI; (808) 522-7066;
Open: Daily 9AM-4PM (exc: Jan 1 & Dec 25); Admission: $5 Adult / $1 Child (6-12);
Guided Tour: Daily at 1PM;
4,000 acres of rare trees, palms, orchids and many other tropical plants. Established in 1853 and many original trees still on display. Particularly noteworthy is the Prehistoric Glen section of ferns.

Lyon Arboretum
3860 Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI; (808) 988-0464;
Open: Mon-Sat 9-3PM (Exc: Holidays); Donations;
Located just north of Paradise Park is this garden collection of native Hawaiian and Polynesian tropical plants. The 194-acre rain forest is usually damp and muddy - rain gear and good walking shoes are always recommended.

Punchbowl Cemetery /
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Opened in 1949, this military cemetery contains 40,000 graves arranged in concentric circles on the crater floor of an extinct volcano. Nearby is the Courts of the Missing Monument with roster of 26,000 service personnel missing in action from World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum and Planetarium
The State Museum of Natural and Cultural History
1525 Bernice St, Honolulu, HI 96817-2704; (808) 847-3511;
Open: Daily 9AM-5PM (Exc Dec 25); Admission: $14.95 Adult / Child (4-14) $6.95;

Founded in 1889, this place has the world's best collection of Hawaiian art, crafts, artifacts and other important cultural items. The facility was originally part of Kamehameha Schools for Boys. There is also an extensive array of items relating to the cultural and natural history of the Pacific Basin. Facilities include:

• Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame - Pictures and memorabilia records for all time outstanding accomplishments of Hawaii sports history.
• The Explorers Center / Planetarium - Interactive gallery that compares accomplishments in modern space exploration to Polynesian exploration of the Pacific Ocean. Includes a look at the great telescopes located on Mauna Kea.
• Kahili Room - Artifacts and memorabilia from 19th century Hawaiian Royalty includes royal feather standards, capes, uniforms, weapons and the royal carriage of Queen Liliuokalani
• Star-Station One - interactive learning exhibit demonstrates what life on board the International Space Station will be like for astronauts.
• Plants of Paradise - Garden tour of beautiful Hawaiian plants
• Music and Dance of Hawaii - Daily Hula performance
• Ola Na Mo'olelo - Living Stories - 20 minute dramatic presentation about High Chief Liloa
• Behind the Scenes Tour - Private guided tour of royal artifacts not shown in the public galleries. Admission $15 per person, must be 12 or older.

The Contemporary Museum
2411 Makiki Heights Dr, Honolulu, HI; (808) 526-0232;
Open: Tues-Sat 10AM-4PM /Sun noon-4PM;
Admission: $5 Adult / Child - Free / Free to all on third Thurs of month.
Comtemporary art museum located within a 3.5-acre Oriental and sculpture gardens.

Honolulu Academy of Arts
900 S. Beretania St, Honolulu, HI; (808) 532-8701;
Open: Tues-Sat 10AM-4:30PM / Sun 1-5PM (Exc: Jan 1, July 4, Thgs, Dec 25);
Admission: $7 Adult / Students & Military $4 / Under 13 Free;

Widely considered the premier cultural center of Hawaii is this collection of art galleries the adjoin a series of garden courts:

• Kress Collection - Italian Renaissance paintings
• Asian Collection - the finest collection of its kind in the USA, it includes Japanese screens, hanging scrolls, Buddhist and Shinto sculpture, Chinese furniture and Korean ceremics.

Mission Houses Museum
553 S. King St, Honolulu, HI; (808) 531-0481;
Open: Tues-Sat 9AM-4PM; Admission: $6 Adult / Child (4-12) $2;
Guided tours thru several historical buildings and exhibit on the first missionaries to reach Hawaii.

• Hale La'au House - wood-frame house shipped from Boston in 1820
• Printing House - place where the Hawaiian language was first printed
• Chamberlain House - 1831 house build of coral blocks

Tennent Art Foundation
203 Prospect St, Honolulu, HI; (808) 531-1987;
Open: Tues-Sat 10AM-Noon / Sun 2PM-4PM; Free Admission;
Home to collection of work by artist Madge Tennent who lived over 50 years in Hawaii producing drawings and paintings depicting life of Hawaiian women.

USS Arizona Memorial
One of Oahu's most famous historical landmarks located in Pearl Harbor.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace
1184 Bishop St, Honolulu, HI; (808) 536-7036;
Open: Daily 6AM-6PM; Free Admission;
Built in 1843, it is the oldest Catholic cathedral in Hawaii and the site of the ordination of Father Damien.

Tour Diamond Head

Diamond Head - Extinct volcano rises 761 ft. Very prominent landmark of the Honolulu waterfront near Waikiki Beach and is protected from commercial development.

Kawaiahao Church
King and Punchbowl Sts, Honolulu, HI; (808) 522-1333;
Open: Daily 9AM-3PM;
Honolulu's oldest church was built in 1841-42 and served as the royal chapel for the Hawaiian monarchs during the 19th century. The coral-block building has been used for coronations and legislative meetings.

State Capitol
Bertania and Richards Sts, Honolulu, HI;
Grounds and central courts are open 24 hours daily;
Retangular structure built in 1965 and reflects many Hawaiian elements. The open crown resembles a volcano, sunken legislative chambers on either side of the central court and reflecting pools. Many Hawaiian prints and tapestries adorn the interior.

St. Andrews Cathedral
Beretania and Alakea Sts, Honolulu, HI; (808) 524-2822;
Open: Mon-Fri 8AM-4PM; Free Admission;
Built in 1862 of stone shipped from England, it is believed to be the only example of French Gothic architecture in Hawaii.

• Organ concerts every third Friday of the month
• Guided tours each Sunday.

Soto Zen Buddhist Temple
1709 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, HI; (808) 537-9409;
Temple of Indian design noted for its ornate altar. Entry permitted by reservation only.

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Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort and Spa
2424 KALAKAUA AVENUE Honolulu HI 96815
Resort amenities include

• rooftop sundecks with whirlpools
• preferred member access to Waikiki Golf Course
• grand hall atrium with 60 boutique shops and a cascading waterfall
• live entertainment nightly

Island Colony
445 Seaside Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
3 Diamond Rating -The Tastefully Decorated Spacious Units Include Hotel Rooms With Refrigerators And Coffee Makers, Studios With Kitchenettes And Ones Bedroom Suites With Complete Kitchens. All Guest Rooms Are Air Conditioned And Have Large Private Lanais. A Swimming Pool, Jet Spa, Sauna And Sundry Store Are On The Large Recreation Deck. There Is A Restaurant And Activity Desk On The Ground Floor.

Pacific Beach Hotel
2490 KALAKAUA AVENUE Honolulu HI 96815
Pacific Beach Hotel Is A Complete Vacation Facility Overlooking Waikiki Beach. The Hotel Has 837 Rooms, 352 In The 17-Story Beach Tower And 485 In The 38-Story Oceanarium Tower. The Hotel Offers Standard To Deluxe Oceanfront Guestrooms That Are Spacious And Include Private Balconies. The Amenities Include: Pool And Whirlpool Spa, 2 Tennis Courts, 24-Hour Fitness Center, Concierge, 3 Restaurants, Meeting And Banquet Space, Parking, And Lobby Boutiques. The Centerpiece Of The Hotel Is The Three-Story 280,000 Gallon Indoor Oceanarium, Home To Over 70 Different Species Of Marine Life, Most Native To Hawaiian Waters.

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