1. Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head State Monument
Waikiki, with its beautiful stretch of oceanfront beach, is Hawaii’s biggest tourist attraction. A suburb of Honolulu, Waikiki is popular for its big resorts, dining, entertainment, and shopping.
The Waikiki Historic Trail includes historic markers made of surfboards, inspired by Waikiki’s own Duke Kahanamoku, an Olympic gold medalist swimmer and avid surfer.
The boardwalk, known as the Waikiki Beach Walk, is lined with cafes and entertainment venues, while Kuhio and KalaKaua Avenues are where the bulk of the area’s restaurants and boutiques can be found.
Diamond Head State Monument sits at the end of the crescent-shaped beach, creating a distinctive profile on the coastline. It was once an important vantage point for the island’s coastal defense, and a steep hike to the top brings you to the old bunkers and artillery control station and rewards your efforts with panoramic views.
2. Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial
Pearl Harbor is a National Historic Landmark and active military base that earned its place in history for the 1941 attack, which killed 1,177 servicemen on the USS Arizona. The site is now home to several attractions that are part of the World War II Valor in the Pacific Monument, including the USS Arizona Memorial, which floats above the remains of the sunken ship – parts of which can be seen protruding from the water. There is no cost for a tour of the memorial, however reservations are recommended due to its popularity.
The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has free admission and is the meeting place for tours, including transportation to the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island, where visitors can see WWII aircraft and artifacts, as well as experience landing an airplane on an aircraft carrier in a flight simulator.
