Benjamin & Isabella
Things To Do
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Hanauma Bay has long been one of the island of Oahu’s jewels. Native Hawaiians have been enjoying life on the bay for thousands of years. The beach and surrounding natural park get their name from two Hawaiian words: “hana” which means bay and “uma” which means curved. To the Hawaiians, Hanauma Bay has long been part of their history. In fact, there are many legends about how the curved bay got its name. The bay was historically an excellent area for fishing. Records show that the Hawaiian royalty in the 1800s often stayed at the bay for entertainment and fishing.
Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo is the only zoo within a radius of 2,392 miles. It is also the only zoo in the United States that originated in a King’s grant of royal lands to the people. In 1876, King David Kalakaua, Monarch of Hawai‘i, made lands of the Leahi Crown Holdings available, “to the people of Hawai‘i.”
Waikiki Aquarium
The Waikīkī Aquarium has a long and venerable history. Open on March 19, 1904, it is the second-oldest public aquarium in the United States. Then known as the Honolulu Aquarium, it was established as a commercial venture by the Honolulu Rapid Transit and Land Company, who wished to “show the world the riches of Hawaii’s reefs.” The Aquarium is undergoing renovations at this time, but the facility remains open to the public. There may be a few exhibits that are unavailable, but the aquarium is still worth a visit.
Waikiki Friday Fireworks
The Waikiki Fireworks Show happens each Friday around 7:45pm to 8pm. Most places near the Hilton Hawaiian Village, or Fort DeRussy will provide an amazing view of the fireworks. It can get crowded at times, so arriving early is not a bad idea
Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state and the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific, recognized throughout the world for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services and public educational programs. It also has one of the largest natural history specimen collections in the world. Serving and representing the interests of Native Hawaiians is a primary purpose of the Museum.
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is a family-centered cultural tourist attraction and living museum in Laie on the northern shore of Oahu. The PCC encompasses eight simulated tropical villages where performers demonstrate various arts and crafts from throughout Polynesia. The Polynesian Cultural Center is an all day experience. While it is on the pricier side, it is well worth it. There are multiple shows throughout the day, and a Luau show at the end. There is also a shuttle service available from Waikiki to the Center.
Manoa Falls Trail
A short hike to the base of Manoa Falls in the Manoa Valley in Honolulu, Oahu, the Manoa Falls Trail winds through a lush Hawaiian tropical rainforest filled with movie scene locations from Jurassic Park and LOST. The trail can be quite muddy, so proper closed toe footwear is recommended. Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed in the pool at the base of the waterfall but the views alone justify this easy hike. This area receives significant rainfall so check the weather before going to avoid flash floods. The trailhead is a short drive from downtown Honolulu and can be accessed at the end of Manoa Road. There is a fee to park. Visitors might also be interested in the nearby Lyon Arboretum and Botanical Garden which preserves endangered Hawaiian plant species.
Manoa Cliff Trailhead
The Manoa Cliff Trail is a popular out-and-back trail in Manoa Valley, Oahu, known for its scenic beauty and moderate difficulty. It's a 4.0-mile trail that typically takes 2 hours and 35 minutes to complete. The trail is known for birding, hiking, and walking, and dogs are allowed on leashes. While it's generally considered a challenging route, it offers beautiful views and is accessible year-round. The trail is part of a larger network of trails in the area, including the Kalawahine Trail and the Makiki Valley Trails, which can be combined for loop hikes.
Judd Trail
Not too far up the old Pali Road, is the Judd Trail located in the jungly Nu’uanu area. This Oahu hiking trail is a fun 1-mile nature walk through beautiful Norfolk Pines, guava trees, a bamboo forest, and finishes a full loop at the Jackass Ginger Pool & Falls. The Oahu waterfall in the area is one of the easiest to get to, and has some neat features including a natural rock-slide to take plunge into the water.
Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout
Just a five-mile drive northeast of Downtown Honolulu, the Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout offers panoramic views of the sheer Koʻolau cliffs and lush Windward Coast. Driving up the Pali Highway through tall trees and dense forests to get to the lookout, you’ll see the city disappear and the tranquil beauty of Hawaiʻi’s natural landscape emerge. Perched over a thousand feet above the Oʻahu coastline amid mountain peaks shrouded by clouds, the stone terrace overlooks the areas of Kāneʻohe and Kailua, Mokoliʻi, and the University of Hawaiʻi’s marine biology research center, Coconut Island.
