Honolulu Travel Tips

Honolulu's setting right on the Pacific and backed by dramatic cliffs and the extinct volcanoes of Punchbowl and Diamond Head is spectacular. Three-quarters of Hawaii's population lives on Oahu. Eighty percent of visitors to Hawaii arrive in Honolulu and most remain for their entire vacation. Even with its rampant development, Honolulu still gives the real flavor of Hawaii.

Until the Europeans came, Honolulu was insignificant; soon so many foreign ships were using adjacent Pearl Harbor that it had become King Kamehameha's capital. The city covers a long, narrow strip of southern Oahu; the downtown area is surprisingly small and a lot more quiet than its glamorous image might suggest. It contrasts royal history with the modern-day action of a major government and business capital.

Just 3.5 miles from downtown is the tourist mecca of Waikiki. Set on the sunny, dry side of Oahu, it provides a stunning physical setting along with the buzz of international hotels and shopping destinations. This thin, attractive strip is overcrowded and small compared to other Hawaiian beaches, but it serves a different function. No one is trying to "get away from it all" - they are there to be seen.

What attracts most visitors to Honolulu is the sheer hedonism of shopping, eating and generally hanging out in the sun. Hawaii's broad ethnic mix and the city's status as a major world crossroads make it a cosmopolitan place where something is always happening and everything is for sale. The urban metropolis of the Aloha State, Honolulu is a salad of cultures artfully tossed in a blend that is harmonious, yet allows each culture to retain its distinct flavor and texture.

Shopping Best shopping buys are aloha attire, T-shirts and candies. The best shopping area is the Ala Moana shopping center, a 50-acre open-air mall with a host of major department stores. The Ward Centre has upscale boutiques and eateries; the Aloha Tower Marketplace bills itself as a festival marketplace. The local currency is the dollar.

Cuisine Honolulu offers many food possibilities. Hawaii's tourist industry has attracted some of the finest chefs in the world to Oahu. A variety of restaurants serve fine ethnic food, especially Chinese, Japanese and Thai. Be prepared for high prices.

Other Sights

Aloha Tower Marketplace -- This is a two-story conglomeration of shops, kiosks, indoor and outdoor restaurants, and live entertainment. To view the harbor, take the free ride up to the observation deck.

Hawaii Maritime Center -- On the far side of the marketplace, look for the century-old sailing vessel, a four-masted, square-rigged ship moored out front. Lively exhibits trace the history of Hawaii's love affair with the sea.

Kodak Hula Show -- Next door to the Waikiki Shell, Honolulu's outdoor concert arena, the Kodak Hula Show has been wowing crowds for more than 50 years.