Below is a list of the top and leading Landmarks in Honolulu. To help you find the best Landmarks located near you in Honolulu, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.
Honolulu’s Best Landmarks:
The top rated Landmarks in Honolulu, HI are:
- Aloha Tower – was the highest structure on the island for forty years
- Iolani Palace – was the home of the monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawaii
- Queen Emma Summer Palace – was the summer residence and private mountain hideaway of Queen Emma of Hawai’i
- Kapiʻolani Regional Park – is Hawaii’s biggest and second-oldest public park
- Lyon Arboretum – is both a public botanical garden and a portion of the University of Hawaii
Aloha Tower
Aloha Tower was the highest structure on the island for forty years, giving breathtaking views of the port from its top-floor observatory and harbor pilot observation station. The Aloha Tower, a decommissioned lighthouse, is regarded as one of Hawaii’s icons in the United States. Established on September 11, 1926, at Honolulu Harbor’s Pier 9. It has served as and still serves as a guiding beacon welcoming ships to Honolulu County and City. Similar to how the Statue of Liberty welcomed countless numbers of immigrants to New York City every year.
Products/Services:
Lighthouse
LOCATION:
Address: Aloha Tower, 155 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-544-1453
Website: www.alohatower.com
REVIEWS:
“Very iconic place to visit. They still have the original elevator indicator on the top floor. U can view 360 degrees of downtown Hawaii harbor. On a day like today. Every photo shot looks amazing.”
Iolani Palace
Iolani Palace was the home of the monarchs of the Kingdom of Hawaii, from Kamehameha III of the Kamehameha Dynasty until Queen Lili’uokalani of the Kal’kaua Dynasty, which was established by her brother King David Kal’kaua. It is situated in the Hawai’ian state capital’s downtown Honolulu area. On the National Register of Historic Places, it is currently designated as a National Historic Landmark.
The structure served as the capital of the Provisional Government, Republic, Territory, and State of Hawaii when the monarchy was toppled in 1893 and remained in use until 1969. In 1978, the palace underwent restoration and was made public as a museum. The only royal palace located in the US is Iolani Palace.
Products/Services:
Palace
LOCATION:
Address: 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-522-0822
Website: www.iolanipalace.com
REVIEWS:
“This was a beautiful place to visit, full of history and culture which I loved learning about on the audio tour. Lots of rooms to visit and learn about the different family members that lived in the Palace. Highly recommend booking a tour in advance, and arriving early to familiarise yourself with where to go as it can be confusing as a tourist. Incredible to see how much of the furniture and rooms have been refurbished and restored in certain places to create a wonderful museum/monument to part of Hawaii’s history.”
Queen Emma Summer Palace
Queen Emma Summer Palace was the summer residence and private mountain hideaway of Queen Emma of Hawai’i, her husband King Kamehameha IV, and their son Prince Albert Edward from 1857 to 1885. The royal family utilized the house as a refuge to get away from Honolulu’s terrible heat. It was located in the cool Nu’uanu Valley.
The Daughters of Hawai’i bought the house in 1915, just in time to stop it from being demolished and turned into a baseball field. The house had been erected in 1847. The Daughters are given permission to utilize the house and its 22,750 square feet of grounds by the territorial government as long as they kept it in good condition as a museum. The National Historic Registry has information about Haiakamalama.
Products/Services:
Museum
LOCATION:
Address: 2913 Pali Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96817
Phone: 808-595-3167
Website: www.queenemmasummerpalace.com
REVIEWS:
“Queen Emma’s Summer Palace was a great follow-up to the other pieces of history around Oahu. We did the self-guided tour. Kind of wished we did the Docent-led tour. I feel like you get a little more info. I enjoyed the extra insight into the monarchy of Hawaii. Especially in all the efforts Queen Emma made to better her island for her people. Highly recommend. Would happily support Daughters of Hawaii and their efforts to preserve important landmarks in the history of Hawaii.”
Kapiʻolani Regional Park
Kapiʻolani Regional Park is Hawaii’s biggest and second-oldest public park. The Waikiki Shell and the Honolulu Zoo are located within the 300-acre park that bears Queen Kapiolani’s name. She was the queen consort of King David Kalākaua. The park regularly hosts numerous international rugby and lacrosse competitions.
It has a bandstand that is used for entertainment. Its two-mile circle is also a well-liked route for joggers. The Honolulu Cricket Club, the sole cricket club in the Hawaiian Islands, is also located in Kapiolani Park. It was established in 1893, making it, according to Guinness World Records, the oldest sports club in the Pacific. The park itself also acts as a physical separation between the areas of Waikiki and Diamond Head.
Products/Services:
Park
LOCATION:
Address: 3840 Paki Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Phone: 808-768-4623
Website: www.park.com
REVIEWS:
“Wide parc with a stunning view of Diamond Head.” – Sonia S.
Lyon Arboretum
Lyon Arboretum is both a public botanical garden and a portion of the University of Hawaii. They are located five kilometers from the busy Waikiki Beach in the back of Mnoa Valley. On nearly 200 acres, the more than 6,000 taxa of tropical and subtropical plants at Lyon Arboretum are spread out over more than seven miles of hiking pathways. Agriculture developed after early Hawaiian farmers had altered the forest.
Cattle grazing in the open moved up the valley. The native forest had suffered significant damage in Mnoa and other watersheds across the Hawaiian Islands by the early 1900s. Without a healthy forest cover, rainwater ran off into the sea instead of replenishing the groundwater table, which is Hawaii’s main source of potable water.
Products/Services:
Arboretum
LOCATION:
Address: 3860 Manoa Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: 808-988-0456
Website: www.hisamhawaii.com
REVIEWS:
“Amazing place. Incredible plant and tree life to enjoy and soak up. Very healing environment. I’m in awe of the inspiration point and everything else. Being an Ohioan and getting to enjoy places like this is really a blessing.” – Will G.
Sarah has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications online. As a business expert, Sarah reviews local and national businesses.