Last Updated: 10/05/09
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 Hawaii Deals and Features
Honolulu for Seniors, Couples and Kids
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With a cosmopolitan population of 900,000, Honolulu is Hawaii's largest city. It also is the hub of culture, politics, dining, shopping, business and entertainment in the Aloha State.
 After Captain James Cook put the Hawaiian Islands on the map of the world in 1778, Honolulu became an increasingly important stop for ships traveling between America and Asia. First came fur traders, who made fortunes exchanging otter pelts from the Pacific Northwest for teas, spices and silks from China. Later, fragrant sandalwood became such a prized commodity that island forests were nearly stripped clean of it.
Then came the whalers, who plied the seas relentlessly in search of the gentle giants that were the source of rich oil. Around 1843, recognizing the importance of the harbor to local commerce, King Kamehameha III moved the capital of Hawaii from Lahaina, Maui to Honolulu, and it has held that designation ever since.
Honolulu Harbor bustles with activity every day of the week. Fishing boats, tugboats, tour boats, container ships, cruise liners and barges berth at its piers. Its centerpiece, Aloha Tower Marketplace, is a trendy shopping, dining and entertainment complex that sprawls over 11 waterfront acres. Whether you arrive by air or sea, Honolulu is your jumping-off place for an unforgettable Oahu stay.
What to See
 Patterned after King Kalakaua's boathouse, the Hawaii Maritime Center documents Hawaii's seafaring history. Among its most prized features is Hokulea, an authentic re-creation of a traditional double-hulled Hawaiian sailing canoe.
Star of Honolulu offers memorable excursions off the coast of Waikiki. From December through April, humpback whales are an additional attraction.
Colorful, spice-scented Chinatown is roughly bordered by King, Smith, Beretania and River streets. It's one of Honolulu's most fun neighborhoods to wander, with its open-air markets, historic buildings and mishmash of Asian cultures.
More than 4,000 species of tropical flora thrive in the 14-acre urban oasis known as Foster Botanical Garden, which often is used as a site for weddings and other special events. Some of our favorite spots include the Lyon Orchid Garden and the Butterfly Garden. Guided tours are available.
Select works from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' eclectic collection are displayed in changing themed exhibits at the Hawaii State Art Museum, located on the second floor of the No. 1 Capitol District Building. Admission is free.
Dubbed the "Carnegie Hall of the Pacific," Hawaii Theatre opened on September 6, 1922 as the most lavish venue in Honolulu. Tours, usually offered Tuesday at 11 a.m., include a mini organ concert.
 Reflecting the opulence of the royal courts of Europe, Iolani Palace was the residence of Hawaii's last reigning monarchs, King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. Construction was completed in 1882; 11 years later, the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown. On display in the basement are the Hawaiian crown jewels as well as a collection of ancient Hawaiian regalia. On the upper floors are state apartments and private quarters.
Dating back to 1842, Kawaiahao Church was built with more than 14,000 coral blocks quarried from reefs off Honolulu. This stately house of worship has been the site of numerous notable events, including the marriage of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. Services are held in English and Hawaiian.
Visit the Mission Houses Museum to learn how Hawaii's first missionaries lived. This complex of original 19th-century dwellings includes a white frame house that was precut in Boston, shipped around Cape Horn and assembled in 1821.
World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument -- better known as the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor -- is one of Hawaii's most visited (and most moving) sites. Informative exhibits and a video presentation set the stage for a boat ride out to the wreckage of the USS Arizona, where you can still catch a glimpse of the doomed battleship. A white memorial marks the site.
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