Enjoy a Honolulu vacation filled with special attractions and events.
Honolulu is the bustling epicenter of the Hawaiian Islands. Located in Oahu, you will find various adventures, historic landmarks, monuments and festivals for a truly indulging vacation, aloha-style. Take a special trip and explore the beauty of Oahu by learning about its people, history and marine wildlife.
Festival
Attend the Annual Honolulu Festival at the Hawaii Convention Center to learn about Hawaiian culture and heritage. This special event celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of the islands and features cultural performances influenced by Hawaiian, Japanese and other Pacific Rim cultures. The festival also includes various arts and crafts, exhibits and demonstrations. Participating groups are quite diverse, including performances from Korea, Philippines, New Zealand, Chinese and Middle East nations. The event is held in the beginning of March.
Iolani Palace
Stroll along downtown Honolulu and visit Iolani Palace, a unique national historic landmark and the only official royal residence in the U.S. The palace served as home to Hawaii's last two monarchs during the late 1800s. Learn about Hawaii's history as you tour the inside and view artifacts, like ancient regalia of Hawaiian royalties such as swords, crowns and precious jewelry. Book a guided tour or take a self-guided audio tour by purchasing tickets from the ticket office.
Underwater Adventure
Take a dive into the waters of Honolulu to view marine wildlife such as dolphins, whales and turtles. See schools of tropical fish and colorful coral reefs native to Hawaii. Book a diving trip with one of the many dive shops in the area, such as the Honolulu Scuba Company on Auahi Street, to take this special excursion. Beginner divers can take introductory dives where instructions followed by in-water practice are given along with a certified scuba tour guide. One of the dive sites you can tour is San Pedro, a sunken Korean fishing vessel frequented by white tip sharks and Hawaiian sea turtles.
Diamond Head Crater
Hike to the top of the Diamond Head Crater to see the iconic monument of Leahi. This 760-foot crater offers a panoramic view of Honolulu, and is one of the most famous landmarks in Hawaii, making it a special must-see destination during your Honolulu vacation. The monument was named Diamond Head by early British sailors because they thought the slopes nearby harbored diamonds, only to realize later that the stones were valueless calcite crystals. The crater is a popular hiking destination in the islands and is also a National Natural Landmark. Bring your headlamps and wear comfortable shoes, as the trail requires going up two sets of long stairs and across dark, underground tunnels.
Tags: Diamond Head, Diamond Head Crater, Head Crater, Honolulu vacation, Iolani Palace, marine wildlife