Welcome to Honolulu!

Honolulu Culture and Sports

I, Honolulu, am not only the political and business heart of Hawaii, but with the many sights and museums, I am also the cultural center of Oahu. Whether it's the Hawaii State Art Museum or the Waikiki Aquarium, I have something for everyone. In my museums and exhibitions you will learn more about my people and the nature of Hawaii. You think, except surfing we are not interested in sports? On the contrary, every year the Honolulu Marathon takes place and soccer, American soccer, baseball, basketball and volleyball are played in my stadiums.

Museums and other cultural institutions in Honolulu

The largest museum in Hawaii is the Bishop Museum in the west of the city. More than 24 million unique pieces tell you about the Polynesian culture and nature of my islands: paintings of my native people, original documents and photos, and also one of the largest insect collections in the world are waiting for you. Learn more about our art in the Hawaii State Art Museum.

Works by local artists and collections of older art are exhibited here. Larger is the Honolulu Museum of Art. Here you will find Islamic, Asian and Western art. For contemporary art, the Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House is the place to go. Discover my musical side as well. For classical music and other concerts, there's the historic Honolulu Symphony and the Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall. Musical events are also held at the Hawaii Theatre and the Waikiki Shell in my beach district. My wildlife and plants are unique and you will learn about them in the Honolulu Zoo know. Queen Kapiolani Park is home to the 17-hectare zoo with more than 1,200 animals. You can get to know my species-rich underwater world at the Waikiki Aquarium. My exotic plants you will discover in the oldest botanical garden of Hawaii, the Foster Botanical Garden. Other gardens include the Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden and the grounds of the Walker Estate.

Sporting: stadiums and sporting events

Fortunately, Honolulu is warm and sunny all year round. So sporting events can be held here at any time of the year. In February, runners compete in the Great Aloha Run and they help charitable causes at the same time, because the proceeds are donated. More than 30,000 athletes take part in the Honolulu Marathon. The 42-kilometer race always takes place on the second Sunday in December.

If you're in Hawaii in May, you can be at the Honolulu Triathlon watch. During the competition, participants get to know my beautiful landscapes while running, swimming and cycling. Of course, American football and baseball are also played in Honolulu.

The big events take place in the Aloha Stadium in Western Honolulu. Other major stadiums include my university's Les Murakami Stadium and the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena. You can watch basketball and volleyball games locally at the Stan Sheriff Center.

Experience Honolulu: From flight to accommodation

No matter which Hawaiian island you're vacationing on, you'll rarely pass by my airport. Most international flights land and depart from Honolulu. If you are coming from Germany, you will probably change planes at a US airport. From major cities like Los Angeles, New York or San Francisco, you can fly to the Hawaiian capital in just a few hours. There are also direct flights to Asia and Australia.

The Honolulu International Airport. is only 5 km from the city center and you can reach it quickly from the hotel via the highway or by bus. Besides the international terminal, Inter Island flights are offered at the second terminal. You can quickly get from Honolulu to Maui, Kauai and hop over to the other Hawaiian Islands. Unlike in the rural areas of the island, I don't recommend a car in Honolulu. You can easily get to all destinations in Honolulu by bus and train.

Honolulu hotels

You can probably guess: Most of Honolulu's hotels are located in the Waikiki district. Behind the beach promenade, the hotel towers of Hilton, Outrigger, Aston or the Pacific Beach Hotel rise. The popular hotels and resorts have a well-maintained pool where you can relax after a day out.

In addition to a balcony, the rooms can be booked with a breakfast buffet. From two to five stars such as the luxurious Royal Hawaiian Hotel all categories are available at Waikiki Beach. With us you can find an overview of popular hotels in Waikiki and compare the accommodations with each other. For questions about the hotels in Honolulu, our team is always available.

Instead of the 5 star hotel with luxury and all inclusive you prefer to stand on your own feet on vacation? In Honolulu there are a lot of Apartments and hostels. You can always get help with accommodation from our experienced team. We will check if the accommodation is available and book the hotel until the departure date.

On the road in Honolulu by bus and car

In Honolulu, you should not expect strictly laid out road networks like in the US cities on the mainland. Especially if you are in Hawaii for the first time, you will quickly need help with orientation by car. Some of the roads here are also very hilly and narrow. If you drive with the rental car we recommend a good map of Honolulu. You get your rental car directly at the airport and you can return it at different stations in Waikiki if you want.

It's easier to get around Honolulu by public transportation. "The Bus" takes locals and tourists through Honolulu's district and is very popular. Besides single rides, you can buy a bus ticket for several hours or days. The buses were both to destinations nearby and to other regions on Oahu. For this you can comfortably use the Circle Island Route. Especially for tourists there is also the Waikiki Trolley. Three buses take you to Diamond Head, Honolulu's major malls, or downtown attractions. Alternatively, you can take a cab through Oahu's metropolis. The prices are fixed by law and the rides are charged uniformly.

From burgers to sushi: restaurants

Hawaiian cuisine today is a delicious mix of Asian, Portuguese and traditional Polynesian recipes. In the quarter Kapahulu you will find especially many regional restaurants. In Helena's Hawaiian Food in downtown Honolulu or at the Pig and the Lady, you can try the delicious dishes at a reasonable price. They are also at the top of the list on Tripadvisor 2015 and 2016 and receive very good reviews from vacationers.

Hawaii's cuisine is incredibly versatile and here in Honolulu you can experience every facet: delicious Fish dishes You can get your fill at the seafood restaurants in Waikiki or in the harbor areas. In Chinatown, you can feast on Asian buffets or enjoy fresh sushi. Easier is the Zippy'sa restaurant chain on Oahu that you may know from other U.S. states. You can eat here at any time of the day.

A Hawaiian vacation naturally includes a cool shaved ice. In Honolulu, you can get Hawaiian ice cream on Waiola Street or Mokihana Street. Even Barack Obama likes the Shaved Ice here - you can't miss it! Honolulu also has some great burger restaurants. We're happy to give you the addresses of our favorite restaurants in Honolulu!

Well, do you feel like visiting Honolulu? Our team will be happy to plan your vacation on O'ahu with all the activities. We will look for the right flight for you at the desired arrival date and we will create a stay according to your ideas. Without any obligation you will get from us more information on all topics around Honolulu and the island of Oahu.