Hawaii Attractions

Big Island

Captain Cook Monument
The monument is located near the town of Captain Cook, and is named after the British explorer who was the first European to make it to the Hawaiian Islands.

Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center
http://www.planet-hawaii.com/astronautonizuka
The Ellison S. Onizuka Space Center is located at the Kona International Airport. The facility commemorates Colonel Onizuka who was in the United States Air Force. Onizuka lost his life, along with six others, on the Space Shuttle Challenger in January 1986. The center also helps children and adults understand science and space via interactive exhibits and experiences.

Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens
http://www.htbg.com
Some think the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens is one of the most beautiful areas in all of Hawaii. The spot is nearly nine miles north of Hilo, and is full of natural trails in a tropical rain forest. The gardens also have streams, waterfalls, and views of the ocean. In the garden, visitors will see palm trees, gingers, bromeliads, and other rare and exotic plants. In fact, the garden has more than 2,000 different species of plants. There is also a nature preserve, a plant sanctuary, a seed bank, and a study center for trees and plants.

Pacific Tsunami Museum
http://www.tsunami.org
This is a living museum that pays tribute to those who have lost their lives in tsunamis. It uses scientific research, as well as witness accounts to explain tsunamis. Since more people in Hawaii die in tsunamis than any other group of people, the museum's mission is to make people more aware of the natural phenomena to prevent deaths. The Pacific Tsunami Museum has a permanent exhibit, the Pacific Tsunami Warning system, and an exhibit that examines the myths and folklore about tsunamis.

The Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
http://www.hilozoo.com
The Paneawa Rainforest Zoo is the only zoo in the United States that is in a tropical rain forest. Located in Hilo, the zoo is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Christmas and New Year's Day.

Puako Petroglyph Archeological District
The Puako Petroglyph Archeological District has more than 3,000 petroglyphs or ancient Hawaiian stone carvings. The district is on 233 acres, and is on the Kona Coast.

Kauai

Hanalei Valley Lookout
This is one of the most famous views in Hawaii. Tourists can see the valley that is the home of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge. The valley is also where most of Hawaii's taro is grown.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
In this park, visitors can see how volcanoes formed Hawaii. The park shows off the region's topography from sea level to the volcano, Mauna Loa - the world's most massive volcano. Another volcano, Kilauea, the world's most active volcano is also open to visitors. Guests can hike and camp here. The park was honored as the International Biosphere Reserve, and a World Heritage site.

Kaua'i Heritage Center for Hawaiian Culture & Arts
This arts center has works by Hawaiian artists, and features lei-making demonstrations. TheKaua'i Heritage Center for Hawaiian Culture & Arts is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Koke'e Natural History Museum
The purpose of the Koke'e Natural History Museum is to exhibit Kaua'i's environment. The museum is open year-round.

Lanai

Garden of the Gods
The Garden of the Gods isn't a garden. It's a bunch of rocks that were shaped by the wind and water over the years. You can only get to this site using a four-wheel drive vehicle. It's also best to visit here during sunset when the sun's rays distort the colors and shapes of the rocks.

Hulopoe Bay
Situated on the southern coast of Lanai, Hulopoe Bay is a great beach where visitors can have a picnic, swim, and body surf.

Keomuku Village
This village is the former site of the Manualei Sugar Company, but turned into a ghost town after the local freshwater became contaminated.

Lanai City
Lanai City has all the charm of a New England village with its Norfolk pine trees and pineapple fields. The Dole Company has its offices here.

Maui

Enchanting Floral Gardens
http://www.flowersofmaui.com
The Enchanting Floral Gardens has more than 2,000 tropical and semi-tropical flowers from around the world. There are no guided tours, allowing visitors to tour this site at their own pace.

Haleakala National Park
http://www.nps.gov/hale
According to Hawaiian legend, the sun's home is at Haleakala National Park. Haleakala means, "House of the Sun." The spot is more than 10,000 feet above sea level, and many people travel here to watch the sunrise above the crater. You should only tour this site with an experienced guide, and only hike with a group in heavily trafficked areas.

Ka'ahumanu Center
http://www.kaahumanu.net
The Ka'ahumanu Center is one of the most popular shopping spots. It is an open-air mall with boutiques, shops, and restaurants. This is also the site where Maui's largest movie theater is located.

Maui Ocean Center
http://www.mauioceancenter.com
The Maui Ocean Center is also called the "Hawaiian Aquarium." The aquarium and marine park are state-of-the-art. Marine animals are shown in habitats that resemble their natural environments, and visitors have more than 60 interactive exhibits to explore.

Old Lahaina Luau
http://www.oldlahainaluau.com
Get a taste of traditional Hawaiian cuisine, music, dancing, and crafts at the Old Lahiana Luau. Shows run seven days a week, and guests can take home souvenir photographs.

Molokai

Kalaupapa
http://www.nps.gov/kala
This is the site of the famous leper colony where Father Damien once ministered. Kalaupapa is now a National Historic Park, which guests can tour either by air or by mule.

Kamakou
Kamakou is the highest elevation on Molokai at 4,970 feet. There's a nature conservancy here that has rare plants and birds.

Molokai Ranch
http://www.molokai-ranch.com
The ranch is actually the historic plantation town of Maunaloa. The ranch's purpose is to preserve Molokai's natural environment and cultural history. Visitors can lodge at the ranch and enjoy various activities.

Pukuhiwa Battleground
At this site, canoes where lined up for miles when Kamehameha I battled to unite all the islands. Piles of sling stones from the battle are still found here.

Purdy's National Macadamia Nut Farm
http://www.molokai.com/eatnuts
Visitors can learn how macadamia nuts are grown and made into different products at this 5-acre farm. You can walk through the grove, and even taste the product. The nut farm has been in operation for 70 years.

Oahu

Dole Plantation
http://www.dole-plantation.com
You won't just learn everything there is to know about the pineapple when you visit the Dole Plantation, you can also sample some of the fruit, stroll through the plantation's gardens, and visit the company's pond. Visitors can also attempt to find their way through the World's Largest Maze. The Guinness Book of World Records awarded the Dole Plantation's Pineapple Garden Maze as the largest maze in 2001. The maze covers 2 acres and is nearly 2 miles in length. It's made of more than 11,000 Hawaiian plants.

Hawaii Waters Adventure Park
http://www.hawaiianwaters.com
This is the only water park in Hawaii. Hawaii Waters Adventure Park is on 25 acres, and is 30 minutes west of Waikiki.

Iolani Palace
http://www.iolanipalace.org
Iolani Palace is the only royal residence on American soil. King Kalakaua started building the palace in 1879 at a cost of $350,000. His sister, Queen Lili'uokanlani lived here until 1893 when she was forced to abdicate the throne, eliminating Hawaii's monarchy. She remained confined to the second floor under house arrest until her death in 1917. The palace was used as government offices, and remained in disrepair until it was renovated to its former splendor in 1978. Tours are conducted from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. You must make tour reservations in advance.

Polynesian Cultural Center
http://www.polynesia.com
Visitors get a glimpse into the life and culture of different Polynesian people around the world, by taking guided tours at this spot. There are seven different lands that the Polynesians originated from, and each section can be visited at the center. IMAX films detail Hawaii's environment, and there's an authentic luau each night.

Sea Life Park Hawaii
http://www.sealifeparkhawaii.com
Sea Life Park Hawaii is 15 miles from Waikiki near Makapuu Point and the Koolau Mountain Range. You can see dolphins, sea lions, and penguins dance, sing, and play. Visitors can either observe animal trainers with the animals, or get in the water and play with some of the creatures themselves.

USS Arizona Memorial
This is just one of several Pearl Harbor memorials in Hawaii. The remains of the USS Arizona still rests on the bottom of the harbor, where it sank on December 7, 1941. Oil still leaks from the submerged vessel. This is a floating memorial that sits over the wreck. The names of the loss crewmembers are carved on one of the memorial's walls. More than 1 million people visit this site annually.