A short bus ride from the beach, downtown Honolulu holds the story of the Hawaiian Kingdom, a world-class museum and the memorials of Pearl Harbor.
Many visitors never leave Waikiki, which is a pity: the rest of Honolulu explains how the islands became what they are. These are the essential stops, all reachable by TheBus or a short drive.
Iolani Palace
Completed in 1882 under King Kalakaua, Iolani Palace was the official residence of Hawaii's last monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. It had electric lighting before the White House, and after the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893 the queen was later imprisoned in an upstairs room. Guided and self-guided tours run on most days; book ahead.
Chinatown and downtown
Next to the business district, Chinatown mixes lei stands, noodle shops, markets and a growing number of bars and galleries. First Friday art nights bring crowds to its streets each month.
Bishop Museum
Founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honour of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the museum holds the world's largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific cultural objects. Hawaiian Hall alone is worth the trip.
Pearl Harbor National Memorial
The memorial is a place of remembrance for those who died on December 7, 1941. Programs that include the boat to the USS Arizona Memorial are free but limited, so reserve in advance. Bags are not allowed inside; plan accordingly. Nearby, the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum charge separate admission.
| Stop | From Waikiki | Allow |
|---|---|---|
| Iolani Palace | About 20–30 minutes by bus | 1.5 hours |
| Chinatown | About 25 minutes by bus | Half a day |
| Bishop Museum | About 30 minutes by car | 3 hours |
| Pearl Harbor | About 30–45 minutes by car | Half a day |
Travel times vary a lot with traffic; avoid weekday rush hours on the H-1.
Top photo: Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu, the former residence of the Hawaiian monarchy. Photo: Leo Carmona, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
