Things to Do in Hawaii

Founded by the late Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, who was the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. It preserves and tells the stories of the cultures and natural history of Hawaii and the Pacific including the royal family's heirlooms.

Each year the Watumull Planetarium at Bishop Museum provides a calendar of celestial events for the Hawaiian Islands - the dates and times of meteor showers, moon phases, eclipses and star maps, among...

Founded by the late Charles Reed Bishop in memory of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, who was the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. It preserves and tells the stories of the cultures and natural history of Hawaii and the Pacific including the royal family's heirlooms.

Each year the Watumull Planetarium at Bishop Museum provides a calendar of celestial events for the Hawaiian Islands - the dates and times of meteor showers, moon phases, eclipses and star maps, among others.

The museum also operates the Hawaii Maritime Center, next to Aloha Tower Marketplace, and the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden on the island of Hawaii.

The plantation blends the traditional elements of Hawaii's plantation life and the early pineapple industry with present day diversified agriculture currently grown on the North Shore of Oahu.

Dole is dedicated to perpetuating the agricultural heritage of Hawaii and its place in the history, as well as the progress of the islands and its people. Visitors learn how James. D. Dole, founder of Dole Food Company, came to Hawaii in 1899 and began the pineapple industry....

The plantation blends the traditional elements of Hawaii's plantation life and the early pineapple industry with present day diversified agriculture currently grown on the North Shore of Oahu.

Dole is dedicated to perpetuating the agricultural heritage of Hawaii and its place in the history, as well as the progress of the islands and its people. Visitors learn how James. D. Dole, founder of Dole Food Company, came to Hawaii in 1899 and began the pineapple industry.

Visitors can enjoy a pineapple cutting demonstration or explore a pineapple garden maze (fee) featuring Hawaiian plants. Take a 20-minute, two-mile narrated tram ride (fee) and learn about pineapple farming and James Dole. Or take a self-guided garden tour (fee) and discover other crops grown on the island, plus details on the state flower, the lei, bromeliads, plantation life and irrigation.

Dole Plantation's main center features Made in Hawaii items including a variety of goods from local handicrafts to Dole logo items and pineapple-themed baked goods, snacks, Waialua coffee, Waialua chocolate and the famous DoleWhip®, a frozen dessert.

Antique tables, baskets and traditional wooden bins display items in the manner of Hawaii's plantation stores of yesterday. Special areas housing a variety of foods and refreshments are designed to represent a traditional marketplace, a country store and a series of building facades reminiscent of old Haleiwa Town on Oahu's North Shore.

America's only royal residence, the palace was the official home of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs - King Kalakaua, who built the palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili'uokalani. Guided tours reveal everything from throne rooms to meeting halls.

America's only royal residence, the palace was the official home of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs - King Kalakaua, who built the palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili'uokalani. Guided tours reveal everything from throne rooms to meeting halls.

Situated between the Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges in central Oahu, this tropical rain forest is reputed to be the finest of the five Honolulu Botanical Gardens. This 27-acre site dates to the 1920s when sugar planters first used it as an experimental arboretum.

Take a self-guided tour and see Hawaiian palms, an aroid garden, and epiphytic and native plants....

Situated between the Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges in central Oahu, this tropical rain forest is reputed to be the finest of the five Honolulu Botanical Gardens. This 27-acre site dates to the 1920s when sugar planters first used it as an experimental arboretum.

Take a self-guided tour and see Hawaiian palms, an aroid garden, and epiphytic and native plants.

The photo on the left is of Ho`omaluhia Botanical Garden, another of the five Honolulu Botanical Gardens.

This museum documents the transition of Lahaina from a sleepy port city to a whaling boomtown. Home to an impressive collection of whaling memorabilia, exhibits illustrate what life was like between 1825 and 1860 for the men involved in the whaling industry - tiny boats chasing 45-ton marine mammals. Harpoons and sea chests are featured, along with the re-created quarters for a six-man crew. Films about whales and whaling history are shown.

This museum documents the transition of Lahaina from a sleepy port city to a whaling boomtown. Home to an impressive collection of whaling memorabilia, exhibits illustrate what life was like between 1825 and 1860 for the men involved in the whaling industry - tiny boats chasing 45-ton marine mammals. Harpoons and sea chests are featured, along with the re-created quarters for a six-man crew. Films about whales and whaling history are shown.

The world's largest passenger submarine, Atlantis takes seafarers below the surface to reveal the underwater world of reefs and marine life during a 90-minute tour.

Navatek offers two-hour sunset dinner cruises along Waikiki Beach, past Diamond Head and the Kahala coast, and a 2.5-hour whale watching lunch cruise.

Note: height requirement for...

The world's largest passenger submarine, Atlantis takes seafarers below the surface to reveal the underwater world of reefs and marine life during a 90-minute tour.

Navatek offers two-hour sunset dinner cruises along Waikiki Beach, past Diamond Head and the Kahala coast, and a 2.5-hour whale watching lunch cruise.

Note: height requirement for children.

This overlook is one of the most beautiful places in Hawaii; the view covers the entire bay on the southeastern tip of the island.

At the marine education center, visitors learn about this fragile marine eco-system and how they can positively impact the environment. After exploring a coral reef and learning about Hawaii geology, walk to the theater to view a presentation....

This overlook is one of the most beautiful places in Hawaii; the view covers the entire bay on the southeastern tip of the island.

At the marine education center, visitors learn about this fragile marine eco-system and how they can positively impact the environment. After exploring a coral reef and learning about Hawaii geology, walk to the theater to view a presentation.

Then walk or take a tram down to the beach. Here snorkels and fins can be rented to further explore the preserve, or amid the palm trees view the landmark Koko Head.

The center strives to preserve and portray the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, the Marquesas, Easter Island, New Zealand and Tonga are represented.

The complete experience encompasses seven villages, the Rainbows of Paradise canoe show, an IMAX® theater presentation, a tram tour of Laie and the Horizons evening show....

The center strives to preserve and portray the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji, the Marquesas, Easter Island, New Zealand and Tonga are represented.

The complete experience encompasses seven villages, the Rainbows of Paradise canoe show, an IMAX® theater presentation, a tram tour of Laie and the Horizons evening show.

The Ali'i Luau, or royal feast, is the center's most popular dinner show featuring musicians and dancers showcasing all-Hawaiian entertainment. Other dining options are available.

In the villages guests are invited to discover and interact with the different cultures. In Samoa, watch fire making and coconut cracking demonstration. Learn about the Maori stick game, get a washable Marquesan tattoo, throw Tongan spears, play Fijian instruments and try checkers and bowling ancient Hawaii style.

Note: the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started the center in 1963 to preserve Polynesian culture, while providing work for students at the adjoining Brigham Young University.

**A new visitor center is under construction and slated to be completed in December 2010, but the old facility remains open.**

The USS Arizona, dedicated on Memorial Day 1962, is the final resting place for 1,177 crew members that lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The memorial honors and commemorates all members of the U.S. Armed Forces and civilians who gave their lives to their country during the attack on Pearl Harbor....

**A new visitor center is under construction and slated to be completed in December 2010, but the old facility remains open.**

The USS Arizona, dedicated on Memorial Day 1962, is the final resting place for 1,177 crew members that lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The memorial honors and commemorates all members of the U.S. Armed Forces and civilians who gave their lives to their country during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Built in 1980, the current museum and visitor center is a significant part of the overall visitor experience, along with the memorial. The National Park Service operates it under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Navy.

A guided tour begins at the visitor center with a 20-minute presentation on the attack on Pearl Harbor. From here, travel by boat to the memorial where visitors can see the Entry Room that details the eight great battleships named for states. The Assembly Room provides a view of the USS Arizona in the waters below, while the Shrine Room identifies those who lost their lives.

Note: Long waits during peak visitor periods (summer and when cruises are in port). Obtain tickets early in the day to better insure seeing the memorial.