DK Travel : Honolulu & O’ahu

O’ahu is the most populous of the Hawaiian islands, and its conjoined hubs are the city of Honolulu and the world-famous Waikīkī Beach. The vast majority of visitors make Waikīkī their base, venturing out on day trips to take in Honolulu’s many cultural attractions, Pearl Harbor, and other parts of the island. The family-friendly beaches and parks of the South hore and Kāne’ohe District are in striking distance of Honolulu, while diehard surfers head for the North Coast. The Polynesian Cultural Center is also an easy day trip from the city.

Holiday Inn Waikīkī

This 17-story high-rise hotel is at the gateway to Waikīkī and is a short two blocks from the beach. There’s a pool and sundeck and a fitness facility; the Chinese Buffet Restaurant offers affordable, bountiful Asian fare.
Honolulu Academy of Arts

Arts of the Islamic and Oriental worlds are strong points of this museum, as well as 15,000 works by American and European artists. Polynesian works are displayed, too.
Honolulu City Lights

Children of all ages look forward anxiously to the evening in early December when the switch is flipped that lights up the city Christmas tree, signals the start of the Honolulu City Lights Electric Light Parade, illuminates the entire civic center area, and, of course, marks the beginning of the holiday season. The light displays, which adorn all city department buildings, are truly magical.
Honolulu Marathon

Each December some 25,000 international runners enjoy O’ahu’s scenic course.
Honolulu Walking Tours

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) leads two-hour Saturday tours of downtown Honolulu, taking in examples of more than a dozen architectural styles. Chinatown tours are led by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce on Tuesdays and by the Hawai’i Heritage Center on Fridays; Mission Houses Museum hosts a tour of the Capitol district on Thursdays.
Honolulu Zoo

The venerable zoological garden in Waikīkī incorporates savanna and tropical forest areas, birds and reptiles of the Pacific islands, and a children’s zoo. A summer concert series is hosted on the grounds.
Hula Implements

The implements used by hula dancers and their accompanying chanters have changed little over hundreds of years. Though some enthusiasts still craft their own implements, hula supply shops on all the islands now allow dancers with busy 21st-century lives to purchase many of the items needed (though the materials used may not always be traditional these days).
Hula Kahiko

In this famous art form, hula dancers are accompanied by percussive instruments made from natural materials and the intonations of one or more chanters. Ancient hula began, it is believed, as a male preserve and as religious ritual.
Hula ’Auana

When the practice of hula was revived during the reign of the Merrie Monarch, King David Kalākaua, a new dance style took center stage. Known as hula ’auana (modern hula), it is accompanied by instruments like the ’ukulele, guitar, standing bass, and singing voices. It is more flowing in style than hula kahiko , and dancers generally wear western clothes.
Humupapa

Flowers are sewn onto plant material such as dried banana leaves (lau hala ).

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Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under $100
- $100–$200
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- over $400