 |
dancing lessons from god |
Home
|
unusual travel arrangements for independent travellers
|
|
HonoluluHonolulu'''Honolulu''', on the island of Oahu, is the largest city in the state of Hawaii. It is the government, transportation, and commercial center for the state, and home to its best known tourist destination, Waikiki Beach. ==Understand== ==Districts== Honolulu extends inland from the south shore of Oahu, incorporating many neighborhoods and districts. You'll most often hear people refer to these districts by name -- Waikiki, Manoa, Kahala, Hawaii Kai and so on -- as though they're not part of the same city. Technically, they are. For a closer look at a few popular destinations: *Honolulu/Waikiki|Waikiki *Honolulu/Manoa|Manoa *Honolulu/Downtown|Downtown ==Get in== Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. with Interstate Highways that don't connect to another state. They are H-1, H-2, and the newest one H-3, all located on the island of Oahu. ===By plane=== [http://www.hawaii.gov/dot/airports/oahu/hnl/index.htm Honolulu International Airport] is the main aviation gateway for the Hawaiian Islands. The airport's Main Terminal is served by most major American airlines from the mainland U.S, and by many international airlines from other countries around the Pacific Rim. Its Interisland Terminal is the home of Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines, both of which offer frequent local service to the other Hawaiian islands. The '''Airport Waikiki Express''' provides shuttle service to hotels in Waikiki every half hour for $8 per person. City buses #19 and #20 ($2 Adult/ no change given/ $US bills and coins accepted) also come to the airport once every half-hour, going through Aala Park downtown and on to to Waikiki. You can catch them on the outside second level of the international and domestic departure terminals. The best way to get to Waikiki by rental car (where your hotel is most likely to be) is to follow signs for H-1 east, then follow H-1 east about 2 miles to exit 18A (Waikiki/Nimitz Highway). Follow Nimitz Highway (which turns into Ala Moana Boulevard past downtown Honolulu) straight into Waikiki. You will pass through Honolulu's industrial district, along Honolulu Harbor, and past downtown Honolulu and the Ala Moana Shopping Center. ==Get around== ===Navigating=== Unlike other cities on the U.S. Mainland, Honolulu is not laid out in a strict north-south grid. Its street system conforms in large part to the shorelines, valleys, and ridges, with lots of twists and turns. It can be confusing for people used to straight grid systems. However, at the same time, it is not that difficult to navigate in, as long as you are familiar with the major arterials and terminology below. Because it is difficult to differentiate north and south on an island, directions are normally given in terms of local landmarks. The most common terms that you will run into are '''mauka''' (MOW-kah) meaning "toward the mountain" and '''makai''' (mah-KIE) meaning "toward the sea". In the case of Honolulu, "mauka" is a rough north, and "makai" roughly south. You will also hear '''Ewa''' (EH-vah) and '''Diamond Head''' used a lot...the former roughly means "west" (toward the town of Ewa on the southwest shore of Oahu) and the latter roughly means "east" (toward the famous landmark crater on the southeast shore). It is a very good idea to invest in a good map of Honolulu before doing extensive driving. Rand McNally paper fold-out maps are available in many places; for more extensive coverage you can purchase Bryan's Sectional Maps (a popular choice among locals) at most bookstores for about $9.50. ===Major arterials=== Most major streets in Honolulu run Ewa–Diamond Head. There are two main highways in Honolulu: '''Nimitz Highway''' (Hawaii 92) which runs from Pearl Harbor past Honolulu Airport to downtown Honolulu and Waikiki; and '''Interstate H-1''' which runs mauka of downtown. H-1 is some distance away from Waikiki itself and you need to go onto surface streets to and from Waikiki. If you need to access H-1 west from Waikiki to go someplace outside of the city, there are two main routes: # Go mauka to Ala Wai Boulevard and follow it Ewa-bound to McCully Street. Follow McCully mauka for about 1 mile; it will take you over H-1. At the foot of the bridge, turn left on Dole, then left again onto Alexander to the freeway onramp. # Follow Kuhio or Kalakaua Avenue Diamond Head-bound to Kapahulu Avenue. Follow Kapahulu mauka for about 1 mile, it will take you under H-1 and lead you to the freeway onramp. To get back to Waikiki from H-1 east, take either of these routes: # Take exit 23 (Punahou Street). Turn right on Punahou, and stay in lane #3 from the left. This lane is right-turn only onto the left side of Beretania. Take an immediate left onto Kalakaua Avenue from Beretania. Follow Kalakaua into Waikiki. # Take exit 25A (King Street). After merging onto King Street, stay to the right. Take the second right onto Kapahulu Avenue (follow signs to Waikiki). Follow Kapahulu into Waikiki. In central Honolulu, the two main streets are '''King Street''' and '''Beretania Street'''. The two streets are one-way for most of their route; King Street runs from Ewa to Diamond Head, and Beretania Street from Diamond Head to Ewa. Both streets run through downtown Honolulu. Despite their rough west to east orientation, addresses on these streets are designated North and South respectively; the dividing line between the two is '''Nuuanu Avenue''' in downtown Honolulu, which runs mauka-makai. In Waikiki, the three main streets, from makai to mauka, are '''Kalakaua Avenue''' (one way Ewa to Diamond Head, along Waikiki Beach), '''Kuhio Avenue''' (two-way), and '''Ala Wai Boulevard''' (one way Diamond Head to Ewa, along the Ala Wai Canal). ===By bus=== The local bus service in Honolulu is called, with remarkable succinctness, [http://www.thebus.org/ TheBus]. Fares are $2 for adults, $1 for children and seniors(no change given - dollar bills accepted). TheBus runs '''intercity services''' to other parts of Oahu as well. Ask for a free transfer ticket if you are continuing on another bus. Monthly bus passes are available at 7-Elevens and supermarkets. Monthly bus passes begin on the first of each month and cost $40(all-you-can-ride) regardless of which day of the month you purchase the pass. Yearly bus passes are also available for $400. Most buses are equipped with bike racks that can hold two bikes. ==See== ===Beaches=== *'''Waikiki Beach'''. ===Military Memorials=== *'''Battleship Missouri Memorial'''. On Ford Island, Pearl Harbor. See Arizona Memorial below for directions. (808) 423-2263. Every day 9AM - 5PM (ticket window closes at 4PM). Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. A perfect companion to the USS Arizona Memorial, this battleship is best known the site where World War II ended when the Japanese military surrendered to the Allied forces. Adults $16.00, children under 12 $8.00. Tickets may be purchased near the Arizona Memorial (below) and visitors board buses to the USS Missouri itself. No private non-military vehicles can cross the Clarey Bridge to Ford Island without a pass. http://www.ussmissouri.com *'''USS Arizona Memorial'''. 1 Arizona Memorial Place. From Waikiki, H-1 west to exit 15A (Arizona Memorial, Stadium), onto Kamehameha Hwy. (Hawaii 99). Every day, 7:30AM - 5PM. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. This memorial, built over the hull of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, commemorates the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which brought the U.S. into World War II. Visitors view an interpretive film, then board ferry boats which run from the visitor center to the memorial. Free admission; tickets are given out on a first-come-first-served basis and are limited; tickets may run out by noon on busy days. http://www.nps.gov/usar/ *'''The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific'''. Located at the top of Punchbowl and open daily from 8:00am-5:30 pm. ===Museums and Galleries=== *'''Bishop Museum'''. 1525 Bernice St. (H-1 west from Waikiki to exit 15B Houghtailing St., right on Houghtailing, then left on Bernice), (808) 847-3511. Every day (except 12/25), 9AM - 5PM. This non-profit institution seeks to "...record, preserve and tell the stories of Hawai`i and the Pacific, inspiring our guests to embrace and experience our natural and cultural world." They have an excellent permanent collection of Hawaiian artifacts, as well as a number of science-based exhibits. The museum also features a planetarium. Adults $14.95, seniors (65+) $11.95, children 4-12 $11.95, children under 3 free. Discounts: local residents (ID required). http://www.bishopmuseum.org *'''The Contemporary Museum'''. 2411 Makiki Heights Dr., (808) 526-1322 or (866) 991-2835, info@tchmi.org. T-Sa 10AM - 4 PM; Su noon - 4PM. This museum is devoted exlusively to contemporary art. In addition to the galleries, including a permanent installation by David Hockney, visitors are encouraged to spend time outside in the museum's garden area. http://www.tcmhi.org *'''Hawaii State Art Museum'''. 250 South Hotel St., on the second floor. Funded by the Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Located at *'''The Honolulu Academy of Arts'''. 900 South Beretania St (corner of Beretania St. and Ward Ave.), (808) 532-8700. Tu-Sa, 10AM - 4:30PM, Su 1PM - 5PM, M closed. This museum houses one of the largest collections of Asian art in the United States. Adults $7.00; seniors (62+), students (13+), and military $4.00; children 12 and under free; 1st Wednesday of each month free. http://www.honoluluacademy.org *'''The Workspace'''. 3624 Waialae Ave. Suite #201. For those looking for contemporary art produced by local artists, the Workspace is a must see. http://www.iloveworkspace.com ===Scenic=== *'''Pali Lookout'''. 6 miles NE of downtown Honolulu on Hawaii 61 (Pali Highway), right at the Pali Lookout exit. Every day, 7 AM - 7:45PM Apr. 1 - Labor Day; 7AM - 6:45PM Labor Day - Apr. 1. One of the more popular scenic vistas on Oahu, the Pali lookout provides a panoramic view of Windward Oahu. Also interesting at this site is the Old Pali road, formerly the highway connecting Windward Oahu to Downtown. A note of caution: due to its location, the Pali lookout is often buffeted by high winds. Free. ==Do== ==Learn== *'''Learn to surf''', beach boys give private surfing lessons daily at Waikiki Beach. One hour lesson includes dry land and in-the-water instruction. Instructors teach paddling, timing and balance skills. No reservations required, just sign up at the stand on the beach located Diamondhead of Waikiki Police Station. ==Work== Hawaii's below average unemployment rate and high number of service and hospitality industry employers make finding an entry-level job in Honolulu easier than in much of the rest of the US. The State of Hawaii Employment Web page has comprehensive information for job seekers. [http://www.hawaii.gov/portal/employment/index.html eHawaii.gov Employment] ==Buy== *'''International Market Place''', 2330 Kalakaua Ave. A virtual warren of over 100 market stalls and shops laid out amongst a jungle-like backdrop of banyan trees. All tourist goods and local shlock (mumus, aloha shirts, shell jewelry) available. Prices are not much better or worse than anywhere else, but worth a trip just to look at the trees and tourists. *'''Last Sanctuary''', 1485 Kapiolani Blvd, 955-2440. One of the best comic book and role-playing game stores anywhere. It's in a shopping center near Waikiki, on the second story, in the back. It's easy to miss, but if you're a total nerd and despise the sun, this is a primo spot to go. ==Eat== *[http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/9874/index.html '''Ono Hawaiian Foods'''], 726 Kapahulu Ave, 737-2275. Easily the best place to get Hawaiian food in the islands -- popular with ''kama'aina'' and the savvy traveler willing to venture beyond the tourist track. Get the combination plate for a sampling of both ''kalua pig'' and ''lau lau'' (with some ''pipikaula,'' ''lomi salmon'' and ''poi'' on the side). ==Drink== ==Sleep== ==Contact== ==Stay safe== ==Get out== ==External links== *[http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/menu/visitors/ Honolulu official visitors' Web site] {{stub}} WikiPedia:Honolulu First page | Prev | Next | Last page |
if you like cool drinks you may be interested in:
Hope you enjoyed reading about Honolulu |
|
