Family things
to do on Oahu, Free!
Waikiki
- Honolulu Area
USS
Arizona Memorial
Kamehameha Hwy. 99, via H-1 west, exit 15A, Honolulu - (808) 422-2771.
The U.S.S. Arizona was completely sunken during the bombing of Pearl
Harbor, taking over 1,000 sailors to their death in the harbor. This
boat and that event are essentially what entered the United States full-scale
into World War II. A not-to-miss if you are on Oahu. Free tours of the
memorial are offered daily, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are available on
a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the USS Arizona
Memorial Visitor Center. Get here as soon as they open. They fill up
fast and furious and you could wait for hours.
Damien
Museum
130 Ohua Avenue Honolulu, HI 96815 (Waikiki) Tel. (808) 923-2690
Father Damien was the Saint who worked with the sufferers of Hansens
Disease (lepers) on Molokai and eventually contracted the disease himself.
Iolani
Palace State Monument
364 South King Street Honolulu
The only royal palace in the United States - served as Hawaii's capitol
until 1969. Free admission to grounds - charge for tours.
Kawaiahao
Church and Missionary Homes
957 Punchbowl Street Honolulu
White coral church built in missionary times. Free tours, services in
Hawaiian and English every Sunday.
Royal
Mausoleum State Monument
2261 Nuuanu Avenue
The Royal Mausoleum is considered the most sacred Hawaiian burial site
on O'ahu. The state monument covers ten acres. The Mausoleum was planned
by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma following the death of their son
in 1862. The site was completed in 1865 and the remains of the seven
monarchs were transferred from the first Royal Mausoleum at 'Iolani
Palace.
The
Royal Mausoleum State Monument is open to the public Monday through
Friday from 8 to 4 p.m. The site contains the burial site of the Kamehameha
and Kalakaua Hawaiian royal families. Recreation - This site is open
to the public for historical interpretation. Guided tours of the site
are available with prior arrangement. Picnicking is not permitted on
site.
Diamond
Head Hike
Diamond is an extinct crater, and the most recognized landmark in all
of Hawaii. The hike to the top of Diamond Head is moderate (killer stairs!),
and gives incredible views of Waikiki and the ocean. Diamond Head Lighthouse
and Diamond Head Beach are not open to the public, but the views are
outstanding. The view of Waikiki and Honolulu is highlighted by board
surfers and windsurfers below in the swells. It is a famous postcard
view. There is a tunnel off Monsarrat Ave that goes inside the crater.
From there is a half hour hike to the top with the famous view. Admission
is free and it is open daily 6am to 6pm. May cost $1.00 in the future
Kodak
Hula Show
Kapiolani Park 2805 Monsarrat Avenue. Waikiki
Daily free authentic hula shows since 1937. The Kodak Hula show is practically
a Waikiki legend.
The
Royal Hawaiian
Shopping Center has free activities daily (Waikiki)
- Lei
making lessons
- Hula
classes
- Ukulele
lessons
- Hawaiian
Quilting
- Torch
lighting ceremonies
- Polynesian
Cultural Center Mini Show
Hilton
Hawaiian Village Polynesian Revue
2005 Kalia Road Honolulu, HI 96815 (right in Waikiki)
Fireworks and Polynesian Revue every Friday by the swimming pool - open
to the public.
Wyland
Galleries
Hyatt Regency Waikiki, 2424 Kalakaua Ave. Waikiki - (808) 924-3133
Wyland Kalakaua Center, 2155 Kalakaua Ave., #104, Waikiki (808) 924-1322
The Wyland Galleries feature the art of Mr Wyland (the amazing ocean
scenes) and other nature-featured artists. Fun to look around.
AROUND THE ISLAND - get
a rental car!
Kahana
Valley State Park
52-222 Kamehameha Highway , Kahana
Scenic wildland valley. Swimming, bodysurfing, beach-related activities,
picnicking, Family hike (4.9 miles) and fruit picking in lushly vegetated
forest; picnicking in coconut grove. Crafts instruction. Park open during
daylight hours. Excellent hiking.
Haleiwa
and the North Shore
Home of the Banzai Pipeline and some of the biggest waves in the world.
The big waves and the quaint surfer towns make a drive to the north
shore wonderful free entertainment.
Nu'uanu
Pali State Lookout
Rising 1,186 feet above sea level, the lookout offers panoramic's of
Windward O'ahu. Hwy. 61 (Pali Hwy.)
Mokuli'i
Island - Chinaman's hat
Kualoa Park, Hwy. 83, Kualoa
You can wade out to this island at low tide, located off the windward
coast at Kualoa Park.
La'ie
Point State Wayside
Off
Kamehameha Highway (Hwy. 83) at La'ie town via Anemoku Street to end
of Naupaka Street. Scenic
views of offshore sea arch and seabird sanctuary island. Good shore
fishing from sea cliffs at the point.
Oahu
State Parks
Cultural
and Historic Sites
Wizard
Stones
Located on Waikiki Beach
off Kalakaua Avenue next to the Waikiki Police Department opposite the
Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Sometime
before 1400, these four large stones were hauled two miles to the beach
by Ancient Hawaiians. They were believed to be empowered with the mana
(spiritual force) of four great Tahitian kahuna (priests) known throughout
the island as healers.
Kukaniloko
Birthstones State Monument
At the intersection of Kamehameha Highway (Hwy. 99) and Whitmore Avenue
on the north side of Wahiawa.
A complex of approximately 180 stones, Kukaniloko Birthstones is one
of the most significant cultural sites on O'ahu. These cool uplands
were a place where chiefs were born, where famed chiefs lived, and where
key battles for control of O'ahu were fought.
- ancient Hawaiian royalty came here for the birth of their children.
The stones are a powerful place, and some have petroglyphs.
Wild
Side Specialty Tours
Tours with Integrity
- on the island of Oahu:
Waianae Boat Harbor, Slip A5
Ohau Honolulu 96792 (near Ko Olina Resort)
TEL (808) 306-7273
FAX (808) 668-4075
email: reservations@sailhawaii.com
Website
Questions and Comments: Webmaster@SailHawaii.com
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