Downtown Honolulu

A Metropolis in the Middle of the Pacific

Downtown Honolulu - Old and new coexist among detailed, ornate buildings and glossy towers. Stretch your toes for a lingering look beneath the exterior.

The heart of Honolulu is in its grand royal structures—but its pulse beats in Downtown’s skyscrapers, landmark government buildings, trendy cafes and parks.

CAPITAL DISTRICT: Follow in the footsteps of monarchs and missionaries on King Street when you visit Iolani Palace (pictured above), King Kamehameha’s Statue, Aliiolani Hale, Kawaiahao Church and the Mission Houses Museum. The State Capitol’s architecture reflects islands rising from the sea. Next door is Honolulu Hale (City Hall) with its Spanish Colonial style.

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DOWNTOWN: The main streets—Bishop, King and Alakea—are lined with offices of Hawaii’s big corporations like Amfac, with its twin marble-and-glass towers and Alexander & Baldwin, with its Oriental and Mediterranean styles.

Get on the lively pedestrian walkways that snake among high rises and 19th century structures. Note the Italian Renaissance facade of the Dillingham Transportation Building at Bishop and Ala Moana and the 1843 Our Lady of Peace Cathedral on Fort Street, the oldest remaining downtown building. It’s open to visitors 6:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. daily, (808)536-7036. Find eclectic cafes and galleries tucked into renovated historic buildings on Merchant, Bethel and Nuuanu Streets.

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At the corner of Bishop and King, Tamarind Park has free Friday noon concerts. Call the mayor’s hotline, (808)523-4674.

CHINATOWN: A treat to the senses—open markets, herbalists and noodle shops are filled with the exotic.

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Chinatown Video (602 KB)

TO GET AROUND

• Best Value Travel, (808)924-7717
• Blue Hawaii Limousine Tour Service, (808)366-2222
• E Noa Tours, (808)591-2561
• Sinan Trans, (808)946-4942
• Waikiki Trolley, Red Line, (808)593-2822

WHERE TO PARK

• Downtown: Aloha Tower Marketplace at Fort St.
• Capital District: City Lot, underground entrances at Alapai and Bretania Sts.
• Chinatown: Chinese Cultural Plaza

HAWAII THEATRE
Built in 1922, this historic theatre is at 1130 Bethel St. Monthly tours are the first and third Tuesdays, $5, 528-0506.
Check our news pages for dated performances.

GUIDED TOURS:

• Capital District, (808)586-0178
• Iolani Palace, (808)522-0832
• Mission Houses, (808)531-0481

CHINATOWN:

• Hawaii Heritage Center, 9:30 a.m. Fri., (808)521-2749
• Chinese Chamber of Comm., 9:30 a.m. Tues.