Must See Sights and Landmarks in Oahu Area

"The USS Missouri Battleship Memorial is also worth visiting while you are in Pearl Harbor. If you’d like more military and history insights of Pearl Harbor, you might consider visiting the USS Bowfin and the Pacific Aviation Museum."

"Together with the Arizona Memorial, the USS Missouri' s presence in Pearl Harbor perfectly bookends America's World War II experience,…"

"After that, make your way to the Polynesian Cultural Center. It’s a bit expensive, but I highly recommend the tour that includes the luau and night show."

"Visit Oahu’s number one paid attraction, where you’ll experience the food, fun, and adventure of six Pacific islands, all in one place."

"Nicknamed ‘Westminster Abbey of Hawaii,’ Oʻahu’s oldest church was built on the site where the first missionaries constructed a grass thatch church shortly after their arrival in 1820. The original structure seated 300 Hawaiians on lauhala mats, woven from hala (screwpine) leaves. This 1842 New England Gothic–style church is made of 14,000 coral slabs, which divers chiseled out of Oʻahu’s underwater reefs – a weighty task that took four years."

"Choose between Cinnamon’s, Eggs ’n’ Things or Cream Pot for an early morning breakfast, then go for a drive through Downtown Honolulu to take photos at the Kamehameha Statue, Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church and the state Capitol. There’s no rush, because you booked your USS Arizona Memorial tour two months in advance for 3 p.m."

"Pro tip #1: if you’ll be spending 5 days in Oahu, I recommend starting the fifth day with a visit to the Pearl Harbor Museums, followed by either a walking tour of downtown Honolulu (Chinatown, Aloha Tower, Kawaiahao Church, Aliiolani Hale, Iolani Palace, St. Andrew Cathedral and Punchbowl) or a road trip up the more remote west coast of Oahu (Makaha Beach Park and Kaneana [Makua] Cave). Early risers can start with a guided visit to the Honolulu Fish Auction."

"King Kamehameha IV, attracted to the royal Church of England, decided to build his own cathedral and founded the Anglican Church in Hawaii in 1861. The cathedral’s cornerstone was laid in 1867, four years after his death on St Andrew’s Day – hence the building's name. The architecture is French Gothic, utilizing stone and stained glass shipped from England."

"Byodo-In Temple near Kaneohe Bay is a nice restful stop with picturesque grounds featuring a replica Japanese temple. If you skip Kualoa Ranch, you might have time to drive a little further north to Ahupua’a ‘O Kahana State Park, where you’ll find hiking trails in a landscape stretching from sea to mountains. The Polynesian Cultural Center from day 2 is also just 12 miles north of Kualoa Ranch, so if you skipped it before, you can incorporate it here."

"Tucked away in the back of the Valley of the Temples cemetery is a replica of the 11th-century Temple at Uji in Japan. A 2-ton carved…"

"The Lanai Lookout is where we spent more time on Oahu than any other Instagram spot we had highlighted. There were so many opportunities for landscapes photos, lifestyle snaps, drone captures, and most importantly, WHALE WATCHING!. Regardless of what type of content your Instagram account features, you will find opportunities limited only by your creativity at the Lanai Lookout."

"You can find this just past the Lanai Lookout (park in that car park). Take the road to the right and go over the barricade on the left side. It looks as though there’s nothing there but just keep going. Walk 10m down a small hill, most likely covered in rubbish then turn to your left and you should find a small narrow hole leading right out to the ocean."

"Built by Queen Liliuokalani’s father in the 1840’s, the Washington Place served as the Hawaii State governor's mansion before getting converted to the present day museum. This place became Queen Liliuokalani’s home after she married John Dominis. She died here in 1917."

"Named in honor of the first president of the United States, Washington Place was built in 1847 by wealthy sea captain John Dominis, but later became the home of Queen Lili'uokalani."

"Known as Mauna ʻAla, or Fragrant Hills, in Hawaiian, this is the final resting place of Hawaii's two prominent royal families, the Kamehamehas and the Kalakauas. Completed in 1865 for Prince Albert, it's adjacent to the public Oʻahu Cemetery. The mausoleum is home to the remains of almost all of Hawaii's monarchs, their consorts, and various princes and princesses."

"The Royal Mausoleum of Hawaii is the final resting place for members of the Kamehameha Dynasty and the Kalakaua Dynasty. These 2.7 acres, completed in 1864, house the somber tombs of the royal families as well as a small chapel in the Gothic Revival. Located in the lush Nuʻuanu Valley, it’s just next to the public O’ahu Cemetery."

"La Palme D’or is located within Ala Moana Center but it deserves a solo post. This slightly fancy Japanese bakery is popular for beautiful drinks. Remember our obsession with the Coffee Jelly drink?"

"Located in the tropical garden setting of Royal Hawaiian Resort, Abhasa offers its treatments amidst nature in a tranquil environment. The spa offers variety of treatments from traditional to tropical facials, cocoons and many more. The quality of their services is unparalleled and worth a visit."

"Abhasa Spa stakes claim to being the only spa in a tropical garden setting in Honolulu. Massages and treatments at Abhasa take place under tropical trees and plants. The spa is nestled in the sanctuary Royal Grove Courtyard of the world famous Royal Hawaiian Resort in Waikiki."

"I can literally spend hours in the Nohea Gallery, perusing the endless creations made by over 400  Hawaiian community artist being represented in this special Oahu shopping gallery. I’ve personally taken a liking to the Norfolk Pine wood bowls that illuminate beautifully in the light. I personally bought a few of these wooden bowls for my own home."

"4 km from city center 49 out of 58 places to visit in Honolulu. Sprawled over 5 acres on the Pali Highway of Honolulu, Queen Emma Summer Palace was built in 1848 and served Queen Emma of Hawaii as their summer retreat. Known as a historic landmark, Queen Emma Summer Palace is an aesthetic museum displaying the ancestral possessions of Queen Emma and the Hawaiian royal family."

"Built in 1847, the summer palace and home of Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV has been restored and offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Hawaiian monarchy."