Hawai`i {What to See}

12/28/2018

Hawai`i was my home for 5.5 years. The Aloha State is abundantly gorgeous, the weather is nearly perfect, and the aloha spirit is truly unique.

My nieces are visiting Hawai`i for the first time next week so I'm finally gathering my thoughts and photos to create something useful for them, and for you, if you're planning a visit to Hawai`i. Enjoy this post on Hawai`i {What to See}, the previous post on Hawai`i {What to Say}, and keep an eye out for the third and final post on Hawai`i {What to Eat}.

There are three very specific things that I want you to see while you're visiting Hawaii. It doesn't matter if this is your first and only trip or your 90th, each visit to the islands is different and these three specific categories are always relevant.

Of course you'll see all of the gorgeous sun, sand, creatures, and nature, but I challenge you to take a look into the past of Hawai`i and to learn a thing or two about the United States' history there as well as Hawai`i's own unique history.

The three specifics that you should see in Hawaii`i are:

See the history of the US in Hawai`i
See the unique history of Hawai`i
See as much of Mother Nature's offerings as you can

Lani Kai beach on Oahu, my favorite beach

See the history of the US in Hawai`i

I begin with this because you probably have some understanding of US history in Hawai`i. When I first visited Hawai`i at age 18 I knew this much: it's the 50th and newest state and that the attack on Pearl Harbor, on Oahu, propelled the US into WWII.

What I didn't realize is that the Pearl Harbor attack happened even before Hawaii became a state, and that currently every branch of the US Military has a base on Oahu. There are so many ways to see the history of the US in Hawai`i and I encourage you to do so! Chose any/all of the below options for your US History Tour in Hawai`i:

Go spend a day at Pearl Harbor. This is the experience that you absolutely do not want to miss. I think that every American who visits Oahu should go see Pearl Harbor. The site of the infamous attack is just over 10 miles from Waikiki so you'll need to plan ahead for a visit.

Pick a day to visit and plan to spend at least 3 - 4 hours at Pearl Harbor. It's an emotional visit so prepare for some downtime and food afterward.
Solve for how to get to Pearl Harbor: either driving yourself, taking an uber [$40+ each way] or a bus, or hiring a tour company.
Decide on what to see while you're at Pearl Harbor. There are four Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. I recommend, at the very least, visiting: 1. the USS Arizona Memorial, which is the National Park/Memorial that is just above the sunken USS Arizona ship from the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It's incredible to stand above the sunken ship and see the oil still leaking out. Over 1,000 people lost their lives there immediately and it's our duty to pay them respect.A visit there will move you, you'll be glad you went and you'll never ever ever forget it. 2. the Battleship Missouri Memorial, which is the America's last battleship and the site of the official surrender ending WWII on September 2, 1945. That surrender ceremony took place in Tokyo Bay, Japan, and the ship is now in Pearl Harbor to commemorate the bookends of WWII: where the war begin for the US and where it ended for the whole entire world. If you're not into warships and history, which you may not be, see the ship for the other human and/or celebrity elements. Nearly 2,400 people lived on board and there's post office, a bakery complete with donut scent, and tons and tons of different bunks and rooms depending on rank. Finally, the Battleship Missouri is the ship you know from Cher's "Turn Back Time" video, the movies Battleship, Under Siege, and so many more. If you have time and/or interest, the 3. Bowfin Submarine and 4. Pacific Aviation Museum are also spectacular. Each attraction has different hours of operation.
Get reservations and/or tickets. The USS Arizona Memorial is a National Park and admission is free. At the time I'm writing this, in December 2018, the memorial is CLOSED. It's expected to open in March 2019. The Battleship Missouri Memorial sells tickets here, you'll save time if you buy them online in advance.
Arrive prepared: Plan to get to bed early the night before and select a comfortable outfit and shoes. Lather up on sunscreen, bring a water, and wear a hat! Eat breakfast before you start your adventure.
You cannot bring a bag to Pearl Harbor. I repeat: you cannot bring a bag to Pearl Harbor. Not a purse, fanny pack, camera bag, or backpack. Pack lightly, bringing that camera, without its bag, and your ID, cash/credit card, chapstick, and other necessary items in your pockets. This policy is because the historic sites are all located on an active military base

Visit the Army Museum at Fort Derussy. The Army Museum at Fort Derussy is within walking distance of Waikiki and admission is free. It's a great warm-up for your day in Pearl Harbor or a small serving of US history. Even if you're not into history you'll appreciate this gem of a museum. The parts of this little museum that stand out to me were the Looney Toons cartoons that helped civilians understand how to conserve and ration during WWII, the tiki bar refuge for Vietnam Veterans, and the impact of women in the military. It's a 15 minute walk from the heart of Waikiki and it's right on the beach.

Visit the "Punchbowl Cemetery" and pay your respects to our Veterans. It's official name is the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and it's actually located inside the Punchbowl Crater. It began as a burial ground for American Soldiers killed in WWII in the Pacific Theater and how is home to 50,000+ Veterans from both World Wars, the Korean War, and Vietnam. The grounds are gorgeous and overlook Honolulu, there are maps, information, a chapel, and information all around to help you understand the sacrifice of those who are buried onsite. You can visit any day between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. A drive from Waikiki is just about 15 minutes and a visit will be about 30 minutes to an hour.

Inside the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor which sits above the sunken ship (USS Arizona)

The Battleship Missouri Memorial, in Pearl Harbor, the ship on which WWII formally ended

The site of the official surrender of WWII, aboard the Battleship Missouri, now in Pearl Harbor

See the unique history of Hawai`i

Before Hawai`i became a state it was thriving as a kingdom of it's own. The Kingdom of Hawai`i had it's own class system, military, language, Kings and Queens, religious traditions, storytelling and musical (think ukuleles and hula) traditions, sports (hello surfing!), food and agriculture, and more. Let's talk technology: Hawaii`i's `Iolani palace, on Oahu, had electricity and a telephone before the White House did! You'll be amazed by the Hawaiian traditions and lifestyle.

The intersection of the US and Hawai`i is not a pleasant one, but an oppressive overthrow which resulted in the imprisonment of the Queen inside her own home. There is so much to learn about what we call the 50th state and how it came to be "ours" as Americans. Please visit one of Hawai`i's historic sites and see what your high school history book never told you.

In more recent news, Hawai`i now has two Catholic Saints of it's own: Saint Damien (ordained in 2009) and Saint Marianne (ordained in 2012).

Chose any/all of the below options for your Hawai`ian History Tour:

See Duke Kahanamoku's legacy - Hawai`i's famous waterman, olympian, and mayor. See his statue in the heart of Waikiki then visit his namesake restaurant, Duke's Waikiki, for a delicious meal, a mai tai, an ocean view, and a good chance of live music.
See a hula show in Waikiki (it's free and very crowded) or go to a luau for dinner, music, dancing, and drinks (never free).
See any of the more specific museums: the Bishop Museum (focused on culture and great for kids and adults alike), `Iolani Palace (focused on Hawai`i's Royalty and is geared toward adults), the Mission Houses Museum (focused on the first Christian Missionaries and their impact on Hawaii`i, good for all ages), and/or the Queen Emma Summer Palace (the summer retreat for Hawai`i's Royals, more for adults).

The Duke Kahanamoku statue, right in the center of Waikiki

The hula show in Waikiki, free and so beautiful but crowded

Hawai`i's `Iolani Palace, where the Hawai`ian Royalty lived, where there was electricity and telephone before the White House, and where the last Queen of Hawai`i was imprisoned

Part of the Mission Houses Museum, with the seal of the Republic of Hawai`i in the foreground

See as much of Mother Nature's offerings as you can

This is the easy part! Before you run outside, remember that the sun in Hawai`i is more powerful than what you're used to. Always ALWAYS wear sunscreen and stay hydrated, then GET OUTSIDE!

See the beach, but go to a different one every day! There are 8+ different beaches, just in Waikiki. If you're mobile, visit the North Shore of Oahu to see turtles, giant waves, and/or jump off the giant rock at Waimea Bay into the ocean. There are different beaches all around Oahu, and each island.

Don't be discouraged by rain! In the summer months, the rain won't last long at all so don't even bother packing up your camp to take cover. If you're visiting in winter and stuck in a rainfall, you can always find sun someplace on the island where it isn't raining. Plus, HELLO, rainbows in Hawai`i are pure magic.

Swim, snorkel, scuba dive, learn to surf, or rent a stand up paddle board or boat. Get into that warm and salty ocean water that surrounds you. If the waves and water aren't your speed, at least get your feet wet and see some fish or turtles by the shore. A word of caution: you'll hear folks in Hawai`i say "when in doubt, don't go out." That means YOU because the ocean is very, very powerful. Heed all signs and warnings when it comes to waves and currents, people can and do drown.

Find a hike or two near you and start your day off with a brisk walk or a tough climb. Even if hiking isn't your cup of tea, get out of town and into the wild to see a waterfall, forest, or a spectacular view that isn't from a hotel room lanai! A few of my favorite Oahu hikes are: Diamond Head, Manoa Falls, the Lani Kai Pill Boxes, Makapu'u Lighthouse, and Judd Trail.

The wildlife in Hawai`i is unique, too. You'll see Nene Birds, Hawaiian Monk Seals, honus (turtles), and colorful fish like you've never seen before.

Catch the sunrise and/or sunset as many times as you can.