Honolulu Attractions

Foster Botanical Garden was established in 1853 and bequeathed to the City of Honolulu as a public garden in 1930. Today it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Of particular interest is the Prehistoric Glen with its ferns and cycads. Other areas include the Lyon Orchid Garden, the oldest section known as the Main Terrace, the Butterfly Garden, the Economic Garden of herbs and spices, the blooming orchid display in the Orchid Conservatory, and a number of "exceptional trees" which are spread throughout the property. The collections of tropical plants and orchids have been added to the garden over the past 15- years from around the world.

Offering European and Oriental art, the Honolulu Academy of Arts is set around a series of garden courtyards.

The fine Oriental collection features fabrics, furniture, porcelain, ceramics and sculptures from Japan, China, Korea and India.

The European collection has strength in Italian Renaissance paintings which came from the Kress Collection.

Aloha tower once greeted a vast array of passenger ships before the airplane became the principle trans-Pacific mode. Now it serves as a viewpoint to see the harbor, the Maritime Center with the four-masted tall ship Falls of Clyde and the modern skyline of Honolulu.

The Tower is also the centerpiece of a Marketplace which bears its name.

Dating from 1843 on the site of an 1827 Catholic mission, Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, is one of the oldest in the U.S. Father Damien was ordained at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

The Chinatown area of Honolulu is quite simple compared to others around the world with a few Chinese restaurants, grocery stores and shops.

The Hawaii Theatre Center opened in 1922, with major renovations leading to it's reopening in 1996. The 1400-seat, state-of-the art performance center features numerous types of productions including theater, dance, music and various other cultural activities.

Honolulu airport is the primary airport of Hawaii. It is located just west of downtown Honolulu.

Moanalua Gardens is a privately owned public park and the site of Kamehameha V Cottage. It used to be the home of Prince Lot Kapua-iwa, who later became King Kamehameha V.

The Pacific Aerospace Museum features exhibits dealing with aviation and aerospace technology and history. The main display is an Apollo Mission Lunar Landing module and a Space Shuttle cockpit mockup. Aviation connected with Pacific flight is featured.

The Saturday Farmer's Market is held in Parking Lot C of Kapiolani Community College. It features all Hawaii grown and produced foods including fruits, vegetables, flowers, beef, tropical jams and jellies, aqua cultured seafood, fresh baked goods, hand made pastas, snack foods, honey, and specialty seasonings.

Shangri La is the estate of Doris Duke, featuring Islamic architectural elements set in a Hawaiian landscape. It now serves as an educational center for Islamic arts and culture.

The estate is significant not only for its collection but also its architecture and lovely location on the Pacific Ocean. It was built in 1937 as a seasonal home for Doris Duke.

Construction of this Episcopal Cathedral was begun in 1862 under the patronage of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma. The royal couple were quite taken with things English so not only does the building resemble an English Gothic country church, but even the stone was imported from England.

The stained glass windows which cover the back and side walls range from traditional to some stunning modern designs.

Washington Place was the former home of Queen Liliuokalani. This colonial mansion is now the governor's residence.

Not far from here is a war memorial in honor of the victims of the Second World War.