Located on Oahu Island, Honolulu is Hawaii’s state capital and its best-known resort destination. Blessed with long days of sunshine, it is a great place to go and while away the hours on the beach. Don your floral shirt, wrap a colourful lei around your neck, get yourself a cocktail and immerse yourself in the sunny, harmonious atmosphere.
As soon as you arrive and see the sunshine, you will definitely want to go straight to Waikiki Beach. One of the world’s most famous beaches, here you can join the surfers and swimmers in the turquoise waters. Or you can visit Kapiolani Park, home to the Honolulu Zoo as well as the extinct Diamond Head volcano. If you want to try your hand at snorkelling, pay a visit to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve or Halona Beach, known to visitors as Eternity Beach.
As well as being a paradise resort for visitors who flock here from all over the world, Honolulu is a key town where most of Hawaii’s citizens reside. This is predominantly an Asian town, and you’ll see this in the food on offer in the local restaurants. Try one of their traditional dishes such as “laulau”, pork wrapped in taro leaves, or “poke”, a raw fish salad.
In the downtown area, you’ll find temples, nightlife and plenty of charming shops. The Aloha Tower is a renowned icon of Honolulu, where you can sit in the cafes and enjoy the stunning views out across the bay. At the Ala Moana Centre, meanwhile, you’ll find some splendid outdoor market stalls to explore. The town is also home to a royal palace, where you can find out more about the island’s Polynesian heritage.
Make sure you visit Pearl Harbour, where you can still see the USS Arizona Memorial by the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum, and find out more about the history of one of the Second World War’s most pivotal moments.
Hawaii is the southernmost state in the U.S., and Honolulu is home to some of its most famous attractions. It’s a busy place, famous for its traffic jams, so getting around cheaply and quickly on buses and trolleys is a smart move. That way you can explore the culture, enjoy the natural beauty and make the most of the climate when you visit.
