101 FREE* THINGS TO DO ON O‘AHU
* Or under $10 per
person
O‘AHU –
O‘ahu is an affordable, family-friendly tropical destination with over a
hundred things to do, see and experience for FREE or under $10 per person. Discover the sights, sounds, art, culture,
history, nature, and adventure of the island of O‘ahu. Find all the family fun without all the
spending.
Art,
Culture and History
1. Visit the Hawai‘i State Art Museum
(HiSAM), one of the few state sponsored art museums in the country, and view the
finest collection of works from Hawai‘i’s best artists.
2. Learn about the history of Waikīkī on the Waikīkī Historic Trail walking
tour.
3. Explore Hawai‘i’s maritime history, from
voyaging canoes to the Matson steamships, at the
Hawai‘i Maritime Center.*
4. Visit
“Hyatt’s Hawai‘i” at the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Resort & Spa to
see displays of Hawaiian
arts and crafts and memorabilia.
5. Discover the history of surfing through
photos and memorabilia on the walls of Duke’s
Canoe Club at Outrigger Waikīkī
on the Beach.
6. Walk through Chinatown
for a fascinating look at noodle factories, herbal shops, markets and
gift shops or take a guided walking
tour hosted by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
7.
Attend one of the many arts and craft fairs held
at Thomas Square,
Kapi‘olani Park
and Ala
Moana Beach
Park.
8. Witness the culture
and beauty of the islands as you watch a traditional torch lighting and hula
performance on the beach of Waikīkī near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at sunset.
9. Stop in at the lei stands that line Maunakea Street in
downtown Honolulu
and see firsthand how these intricate lei are created.
10. Explore the history of
Waikiki through old pictures and collectibles that line
the grand
staircase
in the lobby of the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort.
11. Learn about Princess Ka‘iluani, Hawai‘i’s
last and most beloved Princess, on the Princess
Ka‘iulani Historical tour at Sheraton Princess
Ka‘iulani Hotel.
12. Visit Hilo Hattie, The Store of Hawai‘i, and enjoy
free juice, entertainment, food samples, and craft demonstrations.
13. Experience the tranquility of the Valley
of the Temples
and watch the peacocks show off their colors.
14. Take a scenic drive over the Pali Highway
stopping at the historic site with panoramic views at the Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout.
15. Visit the ancient fishponds in He‘eia and
Kahaluu on the windward side.
16. Learn about the colorful history and
diverse culture of Hawai‘i in a contemporary, family-friendly format at the Native Hawaiian
Arts Culture
Center at Kalia in the Hilton Hawaiian
Village Resort &
Spa.*
17. Travel around the world through the
diverse art exhibits at the Honolulu
Academy of Arts.*
18. Walk through the Mission Houses
Museum to see how the
first missionaries lived when they came to Hawai‘i.*
19. Learn more about taro and enjoy
storytelling, music, dancing, arts and crafts, and a farmer’s market at the
Pacific Island Taro Festival at Windward
Community College in
August.
20. Visit Pearl Harbor
and the USS Arizona Memorial, a monument built to honor the men who died on the
USS Arizona the day before World War II began.
21. Discover the people and faces of Hawai‘i
and the plantation era at the Hawai‘i Plantation
Villages.*
22. Learn how to make
traditional Hawaiian quilts and lei using fresh tropical flowers at the Royal Hawaiian
Shopping Center.
23. Visit The Contemporary
Museum on the third Thursday of every month for free admission.
24. Honor soldiers from the Spanish American
War to the Vietnam War at the Memorial of the Pacific National
Memorial Cemetery,
formerly known as Punchbowl.
25. Step back in time to the Waikīkī
of yesteryear on a historical tour of the Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort, Waikīkī’s oldest hotel, dating back to 1901.
26. Visit the Father Damien
Museum and discover the
history of Kalaupapa, Moloka‘i.
27. Learn about the history of pineapple in
Hawai‘i through the multimedia “James Dole Story” at Dole Cannery Square.
28. Ascend to the top of Aloha
Tower, Honolulu
Harbor’s famous clock tower, which at
one time was the tallest building in Honolulu.
39. Take a self-guided tour of O‘ahu’s historic
heiau (places of worship).
30. Visit ‘Iolani Palace,
the only royal palace on American soil, or visit Queen Emma’s summer palace.*
31. Visit Fort DeRussy Beach where in addition
to picnic tables, volleyball courts and excellent surf, you’ll find Battery
Randolph Museum on the military grounds.
32. On the first Friday of
every month, art galleries in downtown Honolulu open their doors from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at no
charge. This event is wildly popular
with art-enthusiasts of all ages.
33. Find inner peace at the Byodo-In Temple,
which houses a 900-foot Lotus Buddha. Be
sure to ring the Peace Bell before entering the temple for happiness and
longevity.
Nature
and Adventure
34. Tour the Waikīkī Aquarium and discover the marine
life of the Hawaiian waters and the South Pacific.*
35. Snorkel among the brightly colored reef fish of Hanauma Bay
and look for Hawaii’s
state fish, humuhumunukunukuāpua‘a.*
36. Meet the komodo dragon and other
inhabitants of the Honolulu
Zoo.*
37. Race through the “World’s Largest Maze” at
Dole Plantation on the way to the North
Shore and afterwards
enjoy their signature Dole Whip.*
38. Keep your eyes open for humpback whales
off Makapu‘u on O‘ahu’s South Shore or Ka‘ena Point on the northwest side of
the island from November through April.
39. Boogie board at the local favorite spot in
Waikīkī called “The Wall” or at Waimānalo Beach
on the windward side of the island.
40. Hike to Mānoa Falls
beneath the canopy of the tropical rainforest.
41. Count the waterfalls along Highway 3 (H-3)
after a beautiful refreshing rain.
42. In the summer, snorkel at Shark’s Cove on the North Shore,
a marine conservation zone with a cove filled with fish, coral formations and
lava caves.
43. Hike to the top of Diamond
Head, Hawai‘i’s most famous landmark.*
44. Sit under a tree at Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park and watch the ships and surfers go
by or roll down the hill with childlike abandon.
45. Nap under towering trees at Fosters Botanical Garden.*
46. Hike up to the Makapu‘u lighthouse passing
Madame Pele’s chair and following the dramatic cliff-lined coast.
47. Drive to the windward side of the island
to the charming towns of Kailua
and Lanikai to discover why the soft, white sand of these beaches makes them
two of the world’s best beaches over and over again, according to Dr. Beach.
48. Visit the Oceanarium Restaurant at Pacific
Beach Hotel, where an incredible three-story, 280,000-gallon saltwater fish
tank holds hundreds of Hawai‘i’s tropical fish.
49. Swim alongside the honu (turtle) in front
of the Sheraton Waikīkī, at the Turtle Bay Resort or at many of
O‘ahu’s 125 beaches.
50. Wear reef shoes and in low tide walk to Goat Island in Lā‘ie to explore the tide pools
teeming with life.
51. Hike the Maunawili Trail on the Pali Trail
or one of many other well-marked trails throughout O‘ahu.
52. Pick wild ginger, hibiscus and plumeria
along the side of the road and wear them in your hair.
54. Feel the awesome power of Waimea Bay
in the winter months as you watch the magnificent winter waves, and in the
summer as you swim in the calm turquoise waters.
55. Explore the knee-deep tide pools and the
wonders of the snorkeling of Shark’s Cove, named for its shape not its
inhabitants!
56. Build sand castles for fun family
competition or watch as the University
of Hawaii at Manoa’s School of Architecture
hold their sand castle building contest in February.
57. View world-class surfing competitions at
Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach or Waimea
Bay on the North Shore.
58. Watch the sunset from high atop Tantalus
as Honolulu
city lights begin to twinkle in the dusk.
59. Watch the windsurfers at Kailua Beach.
60. Enjoy views from Magic
Island of boats and outrigger canoes with
Diamond Head and Waikīkī as the
backdrop.
61. Feel the sea spray from the blast of the
Hālona Blowhole, just around the bend from Sandy Beach.
62. Watch the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach
Resort & Spa’s wildlife specialists feed the animals, including the hotel’s
very own penguins and flamingos.
63. Take a walk along the beach at sunrise and
see the ocean come to life with early morning surfers and swimmers.
64. Explore the USS Bowfin, a World War II
submarine and imagine what life on board must’ve been like for her 80-man
crew.*
65. See the daredevil hang gliders make their
way off Makapu‘u Point.
66. Trek up to the summit of Koko Head at
sunset for sweeping views of the South
Shore.
67. Keep your eyes and ears out for Hawai‘i’s
colorful birds in Kapi‘olani Park, Moanalua
Gardens and other parks throughout the
island of O‘ahu.
68. Drive into the heart of Mānoa Valley
and hike along the trails of the Lyon Arboretum.
69. Catch a ride on an outrigger canoe with
the Waikīkī beach boys.*
70. Hike above the leeward side along the
‘Aiea Heights Loop Trail overlooking Pearl Harbor.
71. Learn about the different varieties of
pineapple at the Dole Varietal Garden
located outside of Wahiawā.
72. Find the four Wizard Stones on Waikīkī Beach and learn about the legend behind
them.
73. Stroll along the new Waikīkī Beach
Walk to take in breathtaking views of Waikīkī Beach.
Sights and Sounds
74. Learn about Hawai‘i’s
culture while listening to popular local musicians as part of Waikīkī
Beach Walk’s Hawaiian music concert series, Na Mele No Na Pua, “Music
for the Generations.” The Embassy Suites
will host the concert series, as well as a permanent, extensive exhibit
showcasing Hawai‘i’s rich music history.
75. Listen to the Royal Hawaiian Band at ‘Iolani Palace
on Fridays from 12 - 1 p.m. and at Kapi‘olani Park
on Sundays from 2 - 3 p.m.
76. Relax harborside at Aloha Tower
Marketplace and listen to the island’s most popular entertainers from the
marketplace’s waterfront stage as boats, barges and cruise ships float past.
77. Fly a kite or eat a plate lunch at Kapi‘olani Park
in Waikīkī. Then stroll through the park and see all of
the activities from soccer games to craft fairs to live entertainment.
78. Enjoy “Sunset on the
Beach,” as Kapahulu Pier is transformed into an outdoor movie theater, with
live entertainment, food booths, and free blockbuster movies shown on a 30-foot
screen.
79. Take a stroll through International Market
Place, a bazaar of clothes, jewelry and souvenirs from the island’s colorful
merchants set under the shade of a large banyan tree.
80. Stop by Ala Moana Center’s Center Stage, the hub for more
than 500 performances annually, from keiki (children) hula to rock, from
chorale music to street dancing.
81. Close your eyes and relax to the Honolulu
Symphony Orchestra during its pre-season concerts around the island.
82. Take ukulele or hula
lessons at the Royal Hawaiian
Shopping Center.
83. Stroll
Kalākaua Avenue and enjoy live Hawaiian
entertainment and food from several Waikīkī restaurants at “Waikīkī by Moonlight,” a street fair that
occurs each summer.
84. Enjoy the colorful parades that float down
the streets of downtown Honolulu and Waikīkī during the Aloha Festivals, King
Kamehameha Celebration, Honolulu Festival, and Chinese New Year celebrations.
85. Marvel at the “Honolulu City Lights” which
illuminate the sky from the financial district to downtown celebrating the
holidays in December and then stop in Honolulu Hale to enjoy the display of
decorated Christmas trees.
86. Listen to Hawai‘i’s best local
entertainers performing in the hotels and on the streets of Waikīkī.
87. Take a self-guided tour through
Mānoa, Kapahulu and Kaimukī, some of Honolulu’s oldest and most charming
neighborhoods.
88. Pick a team to root for at a polo match at
Waimānalo Polo Grounds.
89. Meet Hawai‘i’s local
fishermen at the early morning Honolulu Fish Auction at Kewalo Basin, where the
fresh catch is displayed and auctioned off to the island’s chefs and merchants
daily at 5 a.m.
90. Enjoy one of over 100
festivals and events throughout the year that celebrate culture, community,
music, and art, such as the Hawai‘i Dragon Boat festival, Chinese new year lion
dances, Hawaiian rodeo, ukulele, slack key guitar, and hula festivals just to
name a few.
91. Cheer on the runners competing in the
annual Honolulu Marathon.
92. Watch top local, national and
international athletes compete in any of the dozens of sporting events such as
the Hawaiian Mountain Tour, Tin Man Biathlon, Waikīkī Roughwater Swim
and Tour O’ Hawaii Cycle Classic.
93. Catch upcoming Major League Baseball
players in action at the University of
Hawai‘i’s Les Murakami Stadium and
Hans L’Orange Field (Waipahu)
during the fall Hawai‘i Winter Baseball season.* Ichiro Suzuki, Jason Giambi and Michael
Barrett are a few of the notable Hawai‘i Winter Baseball alumni.
94. Spend a day at the Children’s Discovery Center in Kaka‘ako.*
95. Learn more about Hawai‘i’s melting pot of
cultures at any of the Chinese, Okinawan, Japanese, Filipino, Portuguese, and
Korean festivals held throughout the year.
96. View the work of local artisans at the Art
on the Zoo Fence along the fence of the Honolulu Zoo.
97. Experience the fun and excitement of the
Aloha Festivals’ Downtown and Waikīkī Ho‘olaule‘a Celebrations each
fall.
98. Sit in on a Sunday service conducted in
the Hawaiian language at Kawaiaha‘o Church.
99. Admire the architecture and say a prayer
at any of Honolulu’s many spectacular
churches: St. Andrews Cathedral, Central Union, St. Clements, and Lutheran Church of
Honolulu.
100. Watch in awe as fireworks explode into
beautiful colors on Friday evenings in remembrance
and celebration of King Kalākaua’s
Jubilee at Hilton
Hawaiian Village.
101. Drive to the North Shore
for Matsumoto’s famous shave ice, a juicy Kua ‘Āina hamburger
and garlic shrimp from a roadside shrimp
truck.*
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