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Historic Sites in Honolulu

Historic Sites in Honolulu, HI

Honolulu Historic Sites

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What travelers are saying

  • peter h
    2 contributions
    Respectful Memory of a dreadful day in history
    Well organised visit. saw the 8.00am raising of the American Flag and the great respect Americans have for their military.
    Review of: USS Arizona Memorial
    Written March 23, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Trelis730
    14 contributions
    History says you must
    Teach your kids with historic visual aids. Very moving and leaves you with a great since of patriotism.
    Review of: Pearl Harbor National Memorial
    Written March 20, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Kathy B
    1 contribution
    A lot of history
    The audio tour is easy to follow and there is a lot of history of the royal family in Hawaii. There is not a lot of context, though, and no easy way to ask questions or for more information. Still, it is worth seeing.
    Review of: Iolani Palace
    Written March 22, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lea
    South Dakota30 contributions
    Top notch. Take the guided tour!
    Mark & Duke as our tour guides. Top notch and so pleased we were able to do the guided tour. Then to go from top to bottom of the USS Missouri was a great experience. Our experience throughout the entire day was very emotional and moving.
    Review of: Battleship Missouri Memorial
    Written March 20, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • vonOtter
    New York City294 contributions
    Be Swept Away to Shangri La!
    When at Honolulu a visit to Doris Duke’s former home, now a museum dedicated to art from the Islamic tradition, is a must see. At every turn beauty surrounds you, ceiling to floor. The glazed, terracotta tiles are the stand-out throughout the house; but those tiles in the Dining Room are breathtaking. Make certain to see Miss Duke’s white marble-clad bathroom; and look up at the ceiling there and in her dressing room. The number of days Shangri La is open are limited, as are the number of guests permitted per tour. The advice is book early, because this gem is not to be missed!
    Review of: Shangri La
    Written March 4, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Adrian M
    Melbourne, Australia59 contributions
    Lovely docent-led tour
    For us, this was the third and final palace we went to, starting with the Hulihe'e Palace on the big island before going to the main Iolani Palace and finishing up with Queen Emma's Summer Palace. It was a bit of a sad story, and the docent we had was lovely, even if we were accidentally overbooked with 26 people against a maximum of 15 in the party! Having the docent there was that much better than the audio tour we had at Iolani and was a lot better than the self-guided wander I had at Hulihe'e. Chronologically this should probably be the second one, and you should finish with Iolani, but it was okay. It was just lovely to see this relatively unimportant summer palace, but it just completed the picture. I now know that Hawaii belonged to England from 1795 to 1843, after Kamehama gave Hawaii to England in return to getting to unify the islands, then England gave it back, and in return the Union Jack became a part of the Hawaiian national flag, even though England never really enforced their ownership of Hawaii and never colonised it. Hawaii don't even seem to realise that they belonged to England for 48 years. It was great to have that clarity.
    Review of: Queen Emma Summer Palace
    Written January 29, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • interceptpubs
    Columbus, IN1,019 contributions
    Great harbor views from historic Aloha Tower
    The Aloha Tower opened in 1926. Part clock tower, observation platform, office building, and even maritime beacon (although the light became ineffective in the 1960s as taller buildings began to eclipse the tower, so was removed), this 184 foot Hawaiian Gothic (with some Art Deco mixed in) building is topped with a 40 foot mast. For some 40 years, it was the tallest structure in Hawaii.

    A seven ton weight driven pendulum clock in the tower drives four large clock faces located on the four sides of the tower just below the observation deck. However, this was just one of the ways the tower provided Honolulu with the time. For many years, the mast had a time ball at the top which would descend every day at noon to provide a time hack for ships in the harbor and citizens on shore. The tower also had a siren that would sound at 7 a.m., noon, and 4 p.m. - although this proved too annoying and was eventually restricted to sounding warnings of tsunamis, fires, and such.

    However, for most people today, the main draw of the tower is the observation deck. Located on the 10th floor (well, technically the 11th, but the floor containing the clock's machinery is not counted), it is accessed via elevator. Based on our visit, the vistas in all directions are good, but those of the harbor and the ocean beyond to the west are probably the most striking - observers can see larger ships all the way to the horizon. Views of the city are also good, but as the tower is today somewhat height challenged, the city views are no longer as striking as they once were.

    The remainder of the structure has provided office space for various harbor related workers (customs officials, harbor pilots, etc.). It still provides office space today, e.g., the State Harbors Division offices are located here.

    Although perhaps slipping into obscurity as air travel has displaced passenger liners for traveling to and from the island, the Aloha Tower is still an important landmark and an important reminder of Honolulu's past.
    Review of: Honolulu Harbor
    Written August 30, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • ITRT
    Virginia38,444 contributions
    Provided 20-Minutes of Service
    Remnants of the USS Utah can be seen off Ford Island. It sank and rolled over when it was hit with torpedoes at the beginning of the Pearl Harbor attack. Sixty-two crew members were killed, most of whom were trapped when the shipped rolled over. An attempt to salvage the wreck failed. Of note, the Utah service in the war was about 15 minutes. A memorial to the remains of the Utah is at Pearl Harbor. Although once a battleship, the Utah was not classified as a battleship during the Pearl Harbor attack. The ship’s contribution to the Pacific Fleet that it deflected torpedo hits at other US warships.
    Review of: USS Utah Memorial
    Written April 2, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • W S
    4 contributions
    True gem in Honolulu
    This is my third time touring the Liljestrand House. It is as good as the past visits. Each time gave me new and fresh perspectives. We love to bring our friends or guests out of town to this amazing architecture tour. Everyone really enjoyed the tour and the unexpected. Lisa was our docent this time. She was amazing, very kind, great sense of humor and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend.
    Review of: Liljestrand House
    Written February 5, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Goingplaces1234
    New York City, NY10 contributions
    Knowledgeable Guide, Interesting history
    Our guide at Washington Place was knowledgeable and answered all of my questions. Throughout the house there are QR codes that lead to videos to help you learn more (though our guide, Zita, was extremely thorough!) My favorite part of the tour was upstairs where we could go in different rooms to see exhibits curated by Washington Place. I learned a lot about Liliuokalani and her life and amazing legacy. Additionally, the tour was small (15-20 people), which allowed for a better experience.
    Review of: Washington Place
    Written March 18, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Tracy F
    635 contributions
    Site seeing.
    Cool place to visit however not a lot going on. The tower has been closed since COVID and they don't have an expected opening date. We toured the market place but shopping was spotty
    Review of: Aloha Tower Marketplace
    Written February 25, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lwj
    San Jose, CA6,885 contributions
    Glimpse Into Hawaii's Royal Past
    Located on the grounds of the Iolani Palace, the Iolani Bandstand was formerly known as the Coronation Bandstand and was constructed in 1883 for the coronation of King Kalakaua. It is still used today.
    You can visit the bandstand before or after touring the Iolani Palace.
    The Royal Hawaiian Band plays free concerts on the grounds at noon on Fridays.
    The Iolani Palace and grounds is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
    Review of: Iolani Bandstand
    Written November 4, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Lisa F
    Corpus Christi, TX386 contributions
    Another of the Army posts on Oahu with a storied history!
    While most people think of the beautiful Palm Circle on Fort Shafter, there are other areas of interest on this Oahu Army post. Of significance is the ongoing construction of the new headquarters for US Army Pacific. Many of the old wooden buildings along Palm Circle will eventually vacate while folks transition over to the new HQ building. The golf course on Shafter is undergoing renovations but the thrift shop is one of the best on the island. The exchange continues to stock the necessities but it is hoped that they will enlarge to accomodate the new HQ building as well. Fort Shafter was established in 1907 and is a lovely post to see when on Oahu.
    Review of: Fort Shafter
    Written December 11, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • colorado
    Denver, CO158 contributions
    Historic
    Passed this up numerous times while on the Bus. Had to stop and check out the 60's building. Good use for local displays.
    Review of: Historic IBM Building
    Written May 9, 2017
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PBPG
    Yorkshire, UK5,630 contributions
    Great memorial
    The Eternal Flame on Beretania Street is a metal sculptured torch that burns endlessly as a tribute to all men and women from Hawaii who served with the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy in the major and minor conflicts in which the United States was engaged.
    Review of: Eternal Flame Memorial
    Written November 22, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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