Honolulu

The capital of Hawaii and its primary point of entry, Honolulu is by far the state's largest city, with 950,000 people in the metro area (2010)—two-thirds of the state's population—residing within the metro area. Situated on the southern shore of the island of Oahu, Honolulu serves as the center of government and commerce for the state, the home of the largest airport in the Hawaiian Islands, and the site of state's best known tourist destination: Waikiki Beach.

Given the city's size and its prominence as a traveler destination, this is definitely not the place to go for a "get-away-from-it-all" Hawaiian vacation. Honolulu is as fast-paced and dynamic as any large city, with all the associated problems such as heavy traffic, crime, and homelessness. But Honolulu still has the charm of the islands' laid-back atmosphere and culture, with some of Hawaii's best museums, the historic sites of Pearl Harbor and former palaces of Hawaiian royalty, splendid beaches, and striking natural scenery, all set amidst a dynamic mix of cultures which hail from all corners of the Pacific Ocean.

Honolulu extends inland from the southeast shore of Oahu, east of Pearl Harbor to Makapu'u Point, and incorporates many neighborhoods and districts. You'll most often hear people refer to these districts by name—Waikiki, Manoa, Kahala, Hawaii Kai and so on—as though they're not part of the same city.

The name Honolulu means "sheltered bay" or "place of shelter" in Hawaiian, and its natural harbor catapulted this humble village to importance when King Kamehameha I moved his royal court from the island of Hawaii to Oahu in 1809, shortly after conquering Oahu to unite the Hawaiian Islands. In 1845, Kamehameha III moved the kingdom's capital from Lahaina on Maui to Honolulu.

Honolulu's ideally located port made the city a perfect stop for merchant ships traveling between North America and Asia, and through the 1800s, descendants of missionaries who arrived in the early 1800s established their headquarters in Honolulu, making it the center of business and the main seaport for the Hawaiian Islands.

The late 1800s and early 1900s brought the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and subsequent annexation by the United States. Under American rule, Honolulu saw the rise of tourism and the first hotels were constructed in Waikiki. The U.S. military also built numerous bases in the islands, including nearby Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor later became known for the surprise attack by the Japanese in 1941, which brought the U.S. into World War II in the Pacific.

Statehood for the islands brought rapid economic growth to Honolulu, with all the state's major businesses headquartered in the city, the Honolulu airport as the primary entrance point for visitors, and Waikiki as the center of the island's tourism industry.

Honolulu has a very moderate climate, with very little change of temperature throughout the year - the average high is 80-90°F (27-32°C) and the average low is 65-75°F (19-24°C) any time of the year. Water temperature averages 82°F (27°C) in the summer months and 77°F (25°C) in the winter months.

The only noticeable variation in seasons is in terms of rainfall. Honolulu is on the sunny, leeward side of the island, and where you are in the city will affect the chances for rain - areas like Waikiki, downtown, and the western side of the city will usually be sunny, while the hills or eastern side of the city may get some passing clouds and very brief rainfall. On average, Honolulu gets less than half an inch of rain in the summer months to almost three inches in the winter months.

See the Districts articles for more listings. Also seeOahu for details on attractions outside of Honolulu.

Naturally, when most visitors think of beaches here, they think of the famous Waikiki Beach. As the tourist center of the Hawaiian Islands, this white sand beach, framed by hotels and Diamond Head as a backdrop, is easily the most crowded. Waikiki is popular with a wide crowd, as it's an excellent place for swimming, sunbathers, catamaran and outrigger canoes, as well as a great spot for beginner surfers and body boarders (and there are plenty of surf schools set up in Waikiki for lessons). Remarkably, even in Waikiki, you can find a fairly quiet beach; it's just a matter of knowing where to look.

But if you really need to get away from the crowds, there are plenty of other beaches. Just to the west, near Downtown, is Ala Moana Park, a green space with plenty of trees and grass as well as a nice sandy beach that's popular with the locals and is perfect for families or a calmer swim.

The area surrounding Makapu'u Point in Eastern Honolulu has several excellent beaches, the most popular being Hanauma Bay, which is set in the crater of an extinct volcano, now open to the sea and filled with a coral reef. This is not the place for a good swim and certainly not the spot for surfing, but the calm water and abundance of marine life makes it excellent for snorkeling and scuba diving. Even if you don't get in the water, the scenery makes it a great place to sunbathe or picnic, although you may find parking to be an issue.

Just near Hanauma Bay is the Halona Beach Cove, known as "the Peering Place". It is a small, rocky cove that has good swimming when the surf is calm, but no lifeguards here means it's at your own risk. Nearby Sandy Beach does have lifeguards, and has been popular with surfers and bodyboarders for decades. On a calm day, it can be good for a fun day of swimming. Makapu'u Beach, just a little further up the road, is quite scenic. It tends to have very large waves, meaning it may not be the best place to swim but a fantastic place to surf.

Pearl Harbor, in Western Honolulu, is well-remembered for 7 December 1941, a day that lives in infamy, when an attack by Japanese forces killed over 2,000 personnel and brought the U.S. military into World War II. Today the harbor, still functioning as a Navy base, is the site of several memorials honoring the fallen of that day and the rest of the war. The centerpiece is the USS Arizona Memorial, which was built over the sunken hull of the USS Arizona battleship; the resting place of many who died that day. The memorial itself is accessed after an introductory movie and a short ferry ride, and lists the names of those lost as well as a chance to view the wreck.

Next to Pearl Harbor's visitor center is the USS Bowfin, a WWII submarine that's open for tours and offers a glimpse at life aboard a submarine. Ford Island, in the middle of the harbor, is home to the Pacific Aviation Museum, which has plenty of WWII fighter planes to view. The island is also home to the Battleship Missouri Memorial, a battleship best known as the site where World War II ended when the Japanese military formally surrendered to the Allied forces. The ship is open for tours and watches over the USS Arizona, marking the end of the war at the site where it began for the U.S.

Also in Honolulu is the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, in the Punchbowl Crater near Downtown, just above Makiki. The cemetery is the final resting place of over 45,000 Americans who served their country in the military, and has a memorial to those missing in action in World War II as well as panoramic views of Honolulu. The memorial contains a series of time-line and map-based wall paintings that tell the story of the Pacific Theater of WWII.

Of all the museums in Honolulu, none approach the size of the Bishop Museum in Western Honolulu; a complex of buildings with a large collection of Hawaiian artifacts. Much of the museum is dedicated to Hawaiian history, with a growing number of science-based exhibits, including a planetarium, a large natural history hall, and an area centered around volcanology. The museum is huge, so give yourself a few hours to take it all in.

Downtown is home to several museums. On the state capitol grounds is the gorgeous `Iolani Palace, which was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs and is now open for tours. Nearby is the Mission Houses Museum, which has three 19th century Honolulu houses restored for viewing, and the Hawaii State Art Museum, which displays visual art by Hawaii artists.

Makiki has two major art museums worth a look: the Honolulu Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the city and houses one of the largest collections of Asian art in the United States, along with an impressive Western collection to boot, including Van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin, Cézanne, Monet, Modigliani and other masters. Just up the hill and operated by the Museum of Art is the Spalding House, which occupies an old estate overlooking the city and is devoted exclusively to contemporary art. Further east along the Pali highway is Queen Emma's Summer Palace, the summer home of King Kamehameha IV and his family that is now transformed into a museum commemorating its past residents.

Kapiolani Park in Waikiki is home to the city's zoo and aquarium. The Honolulu Zoo is fairly small but quite enjoyable, with plenty of exotic animals including the big-name ones like lions, elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, etc. The also small but rather impressive Waikiki Aquarium holds a spot on the beach and has marine life from all over the Pacific Ocean, including sharks, octopus, colorful reef fish, jellies, and an outdoor exhibit with seals. On the far east part of the island lies Sea Life Park which includes exhibits of marine life as well as entertaining dolphin, sea lion, and penguin shows.

It's Hawai'i, so there's no shortage of natural scenery, even near the big city. For those looking for expansive vistas, Diamond Head is a good starting point - this ancient volcanic crater in Eastern Honolulu dominates over Waikiki and the top offers an incredible view over the city. Along the trail leading up to a World War II-era bunker are two sets of stairs, one with 99 steps and the other with 76 steps, so the climb can be challenging for the average couch potato. Other than a 225-foot (70-m) unlit tunnel, there is no shade - so schedule an early hike and bring water.

If you're looking for a vista that doesn't require a long hike, look no further than the hills above Makiki. The Punchbowl crater, home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, offers a panoramic view closer to Downtown. Pu'u Ualaka'a State Wayside, also above Makiki along Tantalus/Round Top Drive, is the site of a lookout with sweeping view of southern O'ahu from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor, including Honolulu and Manoa Valley. Picnic shelters are available, and trailheads for a network of hiking trails can be found at various points along the drive. Another popular overlook is the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, 6 miles north of Downtown on State Route 61 (Pali Highway). The scenic vista, set between two incredibly high cliffs, provides a panoramic view of Windward O'ahu. The overlook is often buffeted by high winds, but the view is more than worth it.

If ocean scenery is more your speed, the rocky shoreline of the Makapu'u Point area is an excellent bet. In addition to the scenic beaches, the Makapuʻu Point State Wayside is a roadside stop which offers an excellent view of Makapu'u Point and the Windward O'ahu coast - and if you're lucky, off-shore humpback whales in the winter months. Hike the Makapu‘u Point trail for magnificent views of the offshore islets, as well as the historic red-roofed Makapu‘u Lighthouse built in 1909. Nearby is the popular Halona Blowhole, one of the many blowholes (an underwater cave with a hole in the top, so ocean water blasts out the top) in this area, but the easiest to view from the large parking area overlooking it.

Near Downtown are two beautiful gardens. The Foster Botanical Garden has a collection of rare and beautiful plants from the tropical regions of the world, while the Liliuokalani Botanical Garden nearby is the only one of the five botanical gardens that contain only plants native to Hawaii. Portions of this 7.5-acre garden belonged to Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning Monarch of Hawaii.

Hawaii's year-round tropical weather provides perfect running weather all year, so bring your running shoes. Kapiolani Park and Ala Moana Beach Park are where most joggers in Honolulu congregate; the 4-mile 6.4-km) loop around Diamond Head is also a popular and scenic route. If you're up for a challenge, Tantalus Drive above Makiki is a winding, two-lane road that is relatively safe for joggers. The Honolulu Marathon, held annually on the second Sunday in December, is a huge event that attracts from 20,000-25,000 runners annually.

Cycling around Honolulu's streets and bike paths can be a great way to see the city and stay in shape. There are several bike shops in the city that rent various types of bikes. You can also take Highway 72 to Waimanolo, east of Honolulu, if you want to get out on the open road.

Ice skating is probably the last thing you'd expect to be able to do in a tropical city, but the Ice Palace in Western Honolulu makes for the perfect getaway if the hot climate is too much for you.

There are great surfing beaches around Waikiki. For lessons, beach boys give private surfing lessons daily at Waikiki Beach. A one hour lesson includes dry land and in-the-water instruction. Instructors teach paddling, timing and balance skills. No reservations required, just sign up at the stand on the beach at Diamondhead of the Waikiki Police Station. You can also try one of the many surfing schools in Waikiki.

In addition to the traditional luaus and hula shows, Hawaii has a thriving scene of theatre, concerts, clubs, bars, and other events and entertainment. Honolulu has two major theatre complexes. The oldest and most popular one is Diamond Head Theatre. They have been entertaining audiences with broadway style performances since 1919, and has been called "The Broadway of the Pacific". Another theatre is the Hawaii Theatre in Downtown Honolulu. They have similar performances to that of Diamond Head Theatre and have been performing since 1922. Other performances are also held at the Neil S. Blaisdell Arena and Concert Hall, and the Waikiki Shell.

See the Districts articles for more listings.

There are several shopping centers in Honolulu, ranging from your typical large strip malls to more unique areas popular with tourists. The International Market Place in Waikiki is one such spot, filled with market stalls and shops laid out amongst a jungle-like backdrop of banyan trees. Also in Waikiki is the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, the duty-free T Galleria by DFS, and the Waikiki Shopping Plaza, also very popular with tourists.

Downtown also has a few shopping areas. The Aloha Tower Marketplace on the harborfront next to Aloha Tower is popular with tourists. Between Downtown and Waikiki is the Ala Moana Center, the largest shopping mall in Hawaii and the largest open-air shopping center in the world. There are also the Victoria Ward Centers. For something truly unique, Chinatown has food and seafood markets, as well as many Lei (the ornamental flowered necklace) makers on the street corners.

Eastern Honolulu has a couple of regional malls, Kahala Mall and Koko Marina Center, with various large stores and movie theaters. In Western Honolulu, Aloha Stadium is home to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, and offers a chance to buy from local merchants and artists and get things for far cheaper than you can anywhere else. Past Western Honolulu in the suburb of Aiea is the Pearlridge Center, the largest indoor mall in the state, with the upscale outlet center Waikele Premium Outlets further afield in the suburb of Waipahu.

See the Districts articles for more listings.

For general information on the kind of food available in Hawaii, see the Eat section in the Hawaii article. Honolulu and Waikiki in particular offer a vast array of dining options for tourists. The local farmers markets are a great place for fresh and local food.

Scattered around Oahu are various locations of the local Zippy's chain. It's the island equivalent of Denny's; but much more popular with the locals. They provide a wide variety of food, including plate lunches at reasonable prices. Most are open 24 hours and as such are very popular late-night spots to hang out. Zippy's signature dish is their chili, which they prepare in many different ways: such as served over rice, or over a burrito, or over french fries. Another popular chain is Genki Sushi, a Japanese-style eatery with employees shouting "irrashaimase!" when you enter, which is the Japanese word for "welcome." Very popular with the younger crowd; the eatery offers many types of sushi, often served on a sushi conveyor belt.

See the Districts articles for more listings.

There are several places open till 2AM. Some are open until 4AM. Most of Honolulu's bars and night clubs can be found along Kuhio Avenue and are covered in the Waikiki article.

The area code for Honolulu, and the rest of Hawaii, is 808.

Although Honolulu is relatively safe as far as violent crime goes, the risk of property crime is much greater. Take particular care when parking vehicles in popular tourist spots, especially Diamond Head and the Halona Blowhole near Sandy Beach; always lock your vehicle; and do not leave any valuables in your car. Keep all valuables within sight and within reach at all times. Your car is not a safe place to store anything: Thieves have commonly dismantled locks and broken into vehicles, or conversely will just bash open your window to get in. Use extra caution when visiting less savory parts of town, including the Chinatown district after dark, but during the day you should have no problem. Effective 25 October 2017, it's illegal in the city for pedestrians to look at their cell phones while crossing the street. (Talking on phones is permitted, and the law doesn't apply to sidewalks.)

There's a popular bumper sticker here: "Slow down, brah. This ain't the mainland." Drivers rarely use horns here, even if someone is stopped at a green light, or just going slow. Drive with some Aloha; leave room for others to change lanes and take your time. Whether you're visiting or a long-time kama'aina (local resident), there's little sense in driving fast on a small island.

• Australia Australia, Penthouse, 1000 Bishop St, +1 808 529-8100.
• Belgium Belgium (Honorary), 600 Ocean View Center, 707 Richards St, +1 808 533-3999.
• Denmark Denmark (Honorary), 3615 Harding Avenue #304, +1 650 575-6226.
• Japan Japan, 1742 Nuuanu Ave, +1 808 543-3111.
• Netherlands Netherlands (Honorary), +1 808 954-6124.
• Norway Norway (Honorary), 949 Wainiha Street, +1 808 396-9484.
• Portugal Portugal (Honorary), 530 S King St Rm 202, +1 808 523-4580.
• New Zealand New Zealand (Honorary), 3929 Old Pali Rd, +1 808 595-2200.
• Philippines Philippines, 2433 Pali Hwy, +1 808 595-6316.
• Taiwan Taiwan (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office), 2746 Pali Hwy.

Australia Australia, Penthouse, 1000 Bishop St, +1 808 529-8100.

Belgium Belgium (Honorary), 600 Ocean View Center, 707 Richards St, +1 808 533-3999.

Denmark Denmark (Honorary), 3615 Harding Avenue #304, +1 650 575-6226.

Japan Japan, 1742 Nuuanu Ave, +1 808 543-3111.

Netherlands Netherlands (Honorary), +1 808 954-6124.

Norway Norway (Honorary), 949 Wainiha Street, +1 808 396-9484.

Portugal Portugal (Honorary), 530 S King St Rm 202, +1 808 523-4580.

New Zealand New Zealand (Honorary), 3929 Old Pali Rd, +1 808 595-2200.

Philippines Philippines, 2433 Pali Hwy, +1 808 595-6316.

Taiwan Taiwan (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office), 2746 Pali Hwy.

Don't spend all your time on Waikiki Beach; the whole island of Oahu, with more secluded beaches, hiking opportunities, and the sight of huge waves in the winter, awaits you. Most of the island's major attractions can be seen in a day trip, or spread out over several days. Check out:

• Kailua - Lanikai beach is a much quieter and beautiful alternative to Waikiki