Things to do / Travel Guide
Pearl Harbor is the most visited historic site in Hawaii and one that still stirs emotions and memories for many visitors. The visit focuses on the USS Arizona Memorial, over the sunken battleship and the accompanying tour and presentations. Arrive early.
Other sites to visit at Pearl Harbor are the USS Missouri Memorial, which was safe in Brooklyn during the attack and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. Both ships have played very significant roles in US naval history. The USS Missouri was the site of the surrender of Japanese forces in 1945 and almost 50 years later, participated in the 1991 Gulf War.
Ancient Hawaii
Puu O Mahuka Heiau State Monument marks the remains of an old Hawaiian temple. The temple used to be the largest and oldest Hawaiian shrine on Oahu and it is located on the cliffs above the Waimea Valley on the North Shore.
Hawaiian Monarchy
To see where King Kamehameha the Great sealed his conquest of Oahu, thus uniting all the islands under his rule, go to the Pali lookout. It was here that Kamehameha drove Oahu's native warriors over the cliffs. In addition to being a historical site, the view here is absolutely fantastic.
Many missionaries came to Oahu in the 1800s. Some of the historic sites from this period are the Mission House Museum and Kawaiahao Church, both located in Honolulu.
The most famous historic site and building from the Hawaiian monarchy period is the world-famous Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu. It has the distinction of being one of only two royal palaces in the U.S. Another site from the monarchy period is Queen Emma's Summer Palace, located along the Pali Highway.
U.S. Territorial Hawaii
To get a glimpse into the plantation era of Oahu, you can visit Hawaii's Plantation Village in Waipahu and the Hawaiian Railway at Ewa Beach.
Before the 1960s, Oahu was basically dependent on ships for tourism, commerce, food staples, and most other things. The Hawaii Maritime Center at Honolulu Harbor gives you the chance to explore this era in Hawaiian history.
The Honolulu Academy of the Arts is both a registered national historic site as well as a famous art museum. It was started in 1927 and features an impressive collection of Oriental and European art, especially Italian Renaissance paintings.
Historical Sites in Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu, Hawaii
Historical-Sites
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