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Weighted with lei (garlands) and symbolism, this exceptionally life-like bronze sculpture of Hawai’i’s last queen stands on the south grounds of the State Capitol (see Capitol District). In her hand she holds a copy of her evocative composition Aloha ’Oe , the 1893 Constitution, and the Kumu Lipo , Hawai’i’s creation story. Ho’okupu (gift offerings) are often left here by sovereignty activists who revere this queen, who was forced to give up the monarchy under protest.

The historic 1922 movie palace, the interior of which has been fully restored, is a perfect Rococo jewel box and fills a much-needed niche for a smallish, acoustically sound theater facility in Honolulu. The Hana Hou! (Encore!) Hawaiian Music Series offers first-rate traditional and contemporary Hawaiian concerts.

The gravestones of this hillside resting place founded in 1844 read like a who’s who of Hawai’i history, from the humble to the high-class. Nanette Napoleon, “the cemetery lady,” has written a guidebook and leads periodic tours – both are worth seeking out.

The mausoleum is overseen by Hawai’i’s only hereditary state office because the sacred duty to look after the graves is based on genealogy. It contains the bones of post-contact Hawaiian royalty, except for Kamehameha Nui, who was interred in an unknown Hawai’i Island location in accordance with custom, and Liholiho, whose grave is at Kawaiaha’o. A koa -lined coral block chapel dating to 1865 forms the cemetery’s centerpiece, surrounded by the graves and vaults of the various family groups.

Famous as much for its hair-flying winds as for its blood-soaked history, this vantage point is where Kamehameha the Conqueror did final battle with O’ahu warriors (see King Kamehameha I Unites the Islands). The latter either jumped to their deaths or fought until they were pushed over the cliff edge rather than give in. This atmospheric site is sometimes cold and misty, but always spectacular and spooky.

Hānaiakamalama, a modest white, wood-frame house with high ceilings and deep porches, was the perfect warm-weather retreat, just far enough up the Nu’uanu Heights from Honolulu to catch chilly breezes. Queen Emma (née Rooke), who married King Kamehameha IV in 1856, inherited the home from her uncle. It was slated for destruction in the early 1900s, but saved by the Daughters of Hawai’i organization, who now operate it as a historical museum.

Among O’ahu’s most visited sites, the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, spectacularly situated inside a volcanic crater, offers extraordinary views and a humbling sense of the human sacrifice brought about by various Pacific wars.

A gracious family property on Makiki Heights overlooking Honolulu has become a world-class art center, showcasing cutting-edge work. There are delightful gardens, a quirky gift shop, and an exceptional café.

Also known as Gallery Row, this area is a blended community of shops, restaurants, theaters, churches, and bars between downtown and Chinatown proper. The best time to get a sense of its rich life is on the first Friday evening of each month, when galleries and boutiques celebrate Art Night and stay open until 9pm, offering wine and pūpū (snacks), music, and opportunities to meet the artists. Even if your timing is off, you can pick up a Gallery Walk self-guided tour map at any area gallery.

Honolulu’s newest park – in its most-changed neighborhood on the waterfront between Sand Island and Ala Moana Beach Park – offers grassy knolls, views from ’Ewa to Diamond Head, picnic pavilions, a walking path, and a chance to watch the surfers up close at the infamous Point Panic.