DK Travel : Honolulu & O’ahu : Capitol District

Capitol District

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If you had but one day to spend in Honolulu, there’s an argument to be made for spending it right here. Concentrated within a few misshapen blocks is a clutch of historic landmarks, a toothsome Asian marketplace, a neighborhood of fragrant lei stands, and alluring shops, galleries, and restaurants. And when it’s time to sit and contemplate, there’s also an ample store of shady mini-parks and cool retreats on hand.

Top 10 Sights

1. Washington Place

1. Washington Place

This elegant mansion in a gracious garden setting has been turned into a museum for Hawai‘i’s last queen, Lili‘uokalani, the abode’s most famous resident.
2. Hawai’i State Capitol

2. Hawai’i State Capitol

The airy structure of 1969 is imbued with symbolic references to Hawai’i. Pools represent the sea, the columns reach up like tall trees, and the conical roofline recalls the volcanoes that formed these islands. In front of the building is a statue of Queen Lili’uokalani.
3. Hawai’i State Museum of Art

3. Hawai’i State Museum of Art

In 1967, Hawai’i became the first U.S. state to have an annual budget for art purchases. But it wasn’t until 2002 that the collection found its permanent home to showcase solely the work of island artists.
4. Coronation Pavilion

On the grounds of ’Iolani Palace is an ornate pavilion, erected especially for the coronation of King Kalākaua and Queen Kapi’olani in 1883. The octagonal, copper-roofed structure, which is emblazoned with the Hawaiian royal seal, serves as a bandstand for the Royal Hawaiian Band. They perform free concerts at noon each Friday and for gubernatorial inaugurations.
5. King Kamehameha Statue

5. King Kamehameha Statue

During King Kamehameha Day Celebration each June, the King Street statue is decorated with thousands of flowers, strung into exuberant lei (garlands).
6. Ali’iōlani Hale

The “House of Heavenly Royalty” is the site of the Hawai’i Supreme Court, and it also houses the free Judiciary History Center. Here, there are exhibits and multimedia presentations on Hawai’i’s legal history and landmark cases.
7. Hawai’i State Library

The Hawai’i State Library building, with its colonnaded façade and mullioned windows, is a cool oasis amid the bustle of downtown. The Pacific section is especially worth a visit, as is the attractive enclosed courtyard.
8. Mission Houses Museum

8. Mission Houses Museum

This living history museum includes one of the earliest examples of American domestic architecture, the coral-block Chamberlain House (1830), as well as two other missionary buildings. There is an excellent gift shop.
9. Kawaiaha’o Church

Built by volunteers out of 14,000 hand-cut coral blocks, “Hawai’i’s Westminster” offers religious services in Hawaiian and English. Its name has a double meaning, referring to a legend about a sacred chiefess who caused water to flow here so she could bathe, and also to a Biblical reference about “living waters”.
10. Chinatown

10. Chinatown

This 15-block historic district should more properly be called Southeast Asia town. Cohabiting amicably are food purveyors, farmers’ markets, gift shops, lei stands, and an area of art galleries and eateries.

Izumo Taisha Shrine, Chinatown

Practical Information

For Chinatown tours (see Honolulu Walking Tours). Re-energize at Cafe Laniakea in the historic YWCA building (1040 Richards St., 524 8789), or the Tea Parlor at Mission Houses Museum. Museum of Art, 250 S. Hotel St. 10am–4pm Tue–Sat 586 0900 free Ali’iōlani Hale, 417 S. King St. Mon– Fri guided tours by appt. 539 4999 Library, 478 S. King St. Tue–Sat 586 3500 Kawaiaha’o Church, Punchbowl and King Sts. 8:30am–4pm Mon–Fri Mission Houses Museum, 553 South King St. 9am–4pm Tue–Sat 531 0481 Adm $10