Visitors to Honolulu, Hawaii, may hear that, because it's Hawaii's largest city, it is less "Hawaiian" than the rest of the state. The high-rise office buildings and traffic of Honolulu don't match people's romantic ideal of what Hawaii should be—remote, palm-fringed beaches and lavish resorts.
In truth, Honolulu is probably the most Hawaiian part of the state, because it best reflects the different things that Hawaii can be. Honolulu tourist attractions include a multicultural mix of people, a beautiful landscape of greenery and ocean, and a place where amazing events have unfolded—many of them recounted in Honolulu's historic sites and museums. All that's exciting about big-city life—theater, opera, museums, shopping, nightclubs, fine dining—is set against Honolulu's backdrop of majestic mountains, lush rain forests and sweeping vistas for Hawaii's visitors to enjoy.
And, with Waikiki along one edge of the city, travelers to Honolulu even have a beach resort. Waikiki remains Hawaii's busiest tourist spot and makes a good departure point for exploring Honolulu's recreation possibilities. Active travelers can ramble across pastureland and ancient religious shrines, swim with the green sea turtles off Waikiki Beach and surf past Diamond Head. Honolulu activities also include hiking a coastline trail, watching for humpback whales, renting kayaks at Kailua Beach Park or playing a round of golf at a variety of public and resort golf courses.
Honolulu visitors should take advantage of the city's busyness but also enjoy the quieter spaces.
Location
Ships sail into Honolulu Harbor and dock at the cruise-ship terminal, which is within walking distance of Chinatown and downtown Honolulu. The landmark Aloha Tower, which has welcomed seaborne visitors for decades, is nearby. Unless several cruise ships are in port, your ship will dock at Pier 10 or 11.
The Aloha Tower Marketplace, a pretty tile-roofed complex, occupies Piers 8-11. A tourist information booth is there, as well as shops and restaurants. (The tower's 10th-floor observation deck offers spectacular ocean and mountain views.)
Most cruise lines provide transportation between the airport and the port for about US$40 round-trip for passengers who begin or end their cruise in Honolulu. You can also arrange your own transportation to the terminal.
Shore Excursions
Consider signing up for the excursions offered by your ship. They may cost more than sightseeing on your own, but you won't have to spend your limited time making arrangements. You also won't have to worry about missing the ship. The shore excursions offered by your ship may vary, as may tour prices.
A variety of worthwhile shore tours and other activities are available. Several tour companies offer bus excursions around the island that take you to some of Oahu's most scenic and interesting areas, such as Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, the Halona Blowhole and Pali Lookout. There are also tours that visit single destinations such as Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Getting right back on another boat may not appeal to some landlubbers, but many enjoyable offshore excursions are available, from sunset sails off Waikiki (often with drinks included) to full-blown dinner cruises with a show. Consider a whale-watching trip, when Hawaii's beloved humpback whales are in town (December-May).
Do-it-yourselfers may want to stretch their legs with a walking tour of either Chinatown (practically across the street from Honolulu Harbor), with its neighborhood of art galleries and eateries, or the adjacent downtown area, taking in Iolani Palace, King Kamehameha's statue and the Hawaii State Capitol.
Check with your ship's shore-excursion staff or your travel agent for additional information. If your cruise begins or ends in Honolulu, investigate cruise-hotel packages: Most ships offer them for passengers who want to spend an extra day or two in the city. Most cruise lines also offer Oahu tours for disembarking passengers whose planes depart late in the afternoon from Honolulu.
Free local print guides abound—check in any major shopping area for a display with maps, shopping guides, dining guides and discounts.
