'''Downtown Honolulu''' is the commercial, governmental, and cultural center of the Hawaiian Islands. However, unlike many cities on the U.S. Mainland, most hotels are not located downtown (there is only one in the entire area). Nevertheless, Downtown Honolulu has many attractions for the tourist to see.
Get in
Taking Nimitz Highway west will take you to the waterfront section of downtown, Aloha Tower, and Chinatown. To get to the Capital District from Waikiki, take Ala Wai Boulevard west, turn right on Kalakaua Avenue and follow it until it ends at Beretania Street. Beretania Street will lead you into downtown.
If you plan on driving to downtown Honolulu, be sure to bring a lot of quarters. Parking meters are easy to find, but the charge is 10 minutes per quarter. Many parking garages and parking lots are only equipped with parking meters. These include the ones underneath the state capitol building and at the Iolani palace. Without coins, it is extremely difficult to find a place to park.
Get around
Downtown Honolulu is about one mile across; all the major attractions are within walking distance of each other.
See
'''Bishop Street''' is Honolulu's equivalent of Wall Street. It is home to most of Honolulu's skyscrapers, including the '''First Hawaiian Center''', the tallest building in the Hawaiian Islands (450 feet tall).
Some buildings to look out for are:
'''Aloha Tower and Aloha Tower Marketplace''', 1 Aloha Tower Drive (''one block oceanside of Nimitz Highway between Bishop and Fort Streets''). [http://www.alohatower.com] Tower observation deck open every day 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Stores open M-Sa 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Su to 6:00 PM, restaurant hours vary. Completed in September 1926, the Aloha Tower was for a long time the tallest building in Honolulu and was the first thing that tourists arriving by ship would see. Today it still serves as the control center for Honolulu Harbor; a public observation deck provides panoramic views of downtown and the harbor. The area surrounding the harbor was redeveloped in the 1990s to recreate the feeling of "boat days." Free admission.
'''Hawaii Maritime Center''', Pier 7, Honolulu Harbor (''right next to the Aloha Tower Marketplace''), [http://holoholo.org/maritime/]. Every day, 8:30AM-5PM (closed Christmas day). A huge museum with exhibits on maritime history in Hawaii including Polynesian voyagers, European explorers, and whalers. A complete Humpback Whale skeleton hangs from the ceiling. Attached to the museum is the world's only surviving four-masted, full-rigged sailing ship, the ''Falls of Clyde'', as well as a famous reconstructed Polynesian voyaging canoe, the ''Hokulea''. $7.50 adults, $4.50 children, under age 6 free.
'''Hawaii State Public Library''' at the corner of South King and Punchbowl Streets.
'''Hawaii State Capitol Building'''. 415 South Beretania Street (between Punchbowl and Richard Streets). [http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov] Open every day. Completed in 1969, the State Capitol has a modern, open-air design, with pillars reminiscent of palm tree trunks, and two conical structures symbolizing volcanoes containing the House and Senate chambers, all surrounded by a moat of water representing the ocean. Free admission.
The gracefully aging modern fenestration of the '''Honolulu Board of Water Supply''' on Beretania
'''Washington Place''', private home of Hawaii's last monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, and presently the governor's mansion.
'''Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew''', seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaii. Commissioned by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma and completed by King Kamehameha V in 1867.
'''`Iolani Palace''', 364 South King St. (corner of King and Richards St.), ''+1 808'' 522-0822, [http://www.iolanipalace.org]. Open Tuesday through Saturday. Iolani Palace dates back to 1882 and was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs. As a result of careful restoration and continued preservation, today's visitors to this National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu can experience one of the most precise historic restorations and learn much about Hawaiian history and heritage.
'''`Iolani Barracks''', a small fortress-like building on the palace grounds.
'''Ali'iolani Hale''', the seat of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Across King Street from '''`Iolani Palace'''.
'''Kamehameha the Great Statue''', in front of Ali'iolani Hale.
'''Kawaiahao Church''', the Westminster Abbey of Hawaii, historic church of Hawaiian royalty, constructed between 1836 and 1842.
'''Honolulu Hale''', in the Hawaiian language, literally "Honolulu House", Honolulu's city hall.
'''Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace''' seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu, the orignal structure dates to 1843.
'''Hawaii State Art Museum'''. 250 South Hotel St., occupies the second floor of a beautifully restored historic building near Iolani Palace and the state capitol. Funded by the Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
'''The Honolulu Academy of Arts'''. 900 South Beretania St (corner of Beretania St. and Ward Ave.), ''+1 808'' 532-8700, [http://www.honoluluacademy.org]. Tu-Sa, 10AM - 4:30PM, Su 1PM - 5PM, M closed. This museum, founded in 1927 by Anna Rice Cooke, encompasses 32 galleries surrounding six courtyard gardens. The Honolulu Academy of Arts houses one of the largest collections of Asian art in the United States, with an impressive Western collection to boot, including Van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin, Cezanne, Monet, Modigliani and other masters. In partnership with the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, the Academy also conduct tours of Shangri La, Doris Duke's architecturally significant Honolulu estate that contains the country's largest private collection of Islamic decorative art, including more than 3,500 items, many of which--eaborate ceilings, doorways, and tiles--are part of the house itself. Adults $7.00; seniors (62+), students (13+), and military $4.00; children 12 and under free; 1st Wednesday of each month free.
'''Mission Houses Museum'''. 553 South King St., ''+1 808'' 531-0481, [http://www.missionhouses.org]. Open Tuesday through Saturday. Its three restored houses, temporary exhibition gallery, and research library provide a unique glimpse into 19th century Hawaii.
The area around Nuuanu and Pauahi is filled with art galleries and antique shops. Indigo restaurant is also here, credited with starting the gentrification process. The First Friday of every month is a downtown festival into the evening and all the galleries are open late.
Do
There are signs of gentrification in Hotel St., west of Nuuanu Ave., with numerous art galleries popping up, with many adult businesses closing in what was the traditional red light district.
Boat charters are available from Kewalo Basin, with [http://www.yachtchartershawaii.com numerous operators] offering short cruises.
Buy
'''Aloha Tower Marketplace''', near Aloha Tower on the downtown Honolulu waterfront is best known for several well-known restaurants, such as Gordon Biersch and Don Ho's Island Grill. This is also where cruise liners are received.
'''China Town''' Some will advise staying out of China Town. That may be good advice after dark, but it is an extremely interesting place to visit and shop during the day, if you like to walk. The food and seafood markets are full, on many corners you will find women manufacturing "Lei's" (the ornamental flowered necklace), so popular on the island. And, you can have one made to your specifications, usually fresher and for far less money than you can find them in other places.
Eat
In Hotel St., west of Nuuanu Ave. Vietnamese restaurants and coffee houses are opening up. It is rumored that the coffee houses are fronts for gambling operations.
'''Cassis''', Harbor Court, Mezzanine Level, 66 Queen St, ''+1 808'' 545-8100. <Closed Fall 2008>
'''Ruth's Chris Steak House''', Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd.
Drink
O'Toole's. n a small brick building across the street from Aloha Tower. 02 Nuuanu Avenue. ttp://www.irishpubhawaii.com/otooles/index.html. This excellent little pub has good beer, good booze, and Irish friendliness without going overboard on the imported (or fake) Irish crap. Live music (try to catch Doolin' Rakes, they kick ass!). They serve sandwiches though they are nothing to write home about.
Brew Moon. ard Center. Great microbrew beer, good food too. Try the pupus. <closed Feb 09>
'''Smith's Union Bar''', and old stalwart, reopened after closure due to fire or flood awhile ago.
Sleep
'''ResortQuest Executive Centre Hotel''', 1088 Bishop St., Honolulu, HI 96813, 1-877-997-6667 or (808) 539-3000. [http://www.resortquesthawaii.com/hawaii/propertyOverview.do?propertyGroupId=25560#overview] Located on the top 10 floors of the 40-story Executive Centre skyscraper in downtown Honolulu. 116 suites. $150-300.
Contact