Beautiful! A misty day is THE TIME to visit! It lets you see the swirling winds (using the mist)…read moreas they come up the ridge line. Its is really cool! (No really, you'll need a jacket.) The views are incredible! The park is quite beautiful! (Tip: Understand the historical significance of the warring Hawaiian tribes and thus park before you come to see it.)

We had family visiting from the mainland and since their hotel wasn't ready and they never went to…read morePali decided to take them there which they really enjoyed also because they are watching the Hawaii series with Jason Mamoa. The Park is well kept and they have parking meters self pay for visitors, if you're kamaina or military no parking fee. No restrooms

If you're heading there on the H3 you'll be going through the Tetsuo Harano tunnel. As kids we'd…read moreonly have access via the Pali and it was a challenge who could hold their breath the entire distance through the mountain tunnel. You will need to turn on your lights then turn them off once out of the tunnel. The view of the mountains with lush vegetation and a chance sighting of a waterfall if it's been raining is always a thrill. Proceed through part of Kaneohe and follow the signs. Some folks like to go to Lanikai Beach or have shave ice where Barack Obama gives it a thumbs up. For us we just go for a joyride and end up at a delicious breakfast place as there are several on the Windward side of the Island. Hopefully you won't be in need of one but Castle Hospital is close by. Some people dream of living in Kailua but to purchase the real estate be prepared to dish out multi millions of dollars and more.

Touristing on the Island of Oahu…read more.. Kailua is a trendy town on the Windward side of the island. Most visitors stay in Honolulu which is on the South Shore. Kailua is north of Honolulu and Waikiki... about a half hours drive away... The most direct route would be through the Pali Tunnels. Some Hawaii residents think that Kailua is a tourist town. There are many things here that would attract out-of-towners - such as Kailua Beach and its ocean activities such as Stand Up Paddie Boarding and Kayaking. (Lanikai Beach is also beautiful and secluded.) Shopping would be another positive aspect of Kailua since there are many cute boutiques, big stores like Target; and necessities such as the US Post office, Foodland, Safeway, and Times Supermarkets, and credit unions like Aloha Pacific. As a resident, I enjoy Kailua for its foodie adventures. Besides Pieology, Over Easy, Uproll, Mahaloha Burger, Mother Bakery, and Boots and Kimos, there are small businesses like Agnes' Portuguese Bakery with fresh, hot malasadas; Baci Bistro with fine Italian cuisine; and Wilson Store with yummy snacks and refreshing shave ice. The Beet Box has healthy, delicious vegetarian options while Kaohao County Store serves deli sandwiches using Boar's Head quality products. Don't forget to go to the Farmer's Market on Sunday mornings at Pali Lanes and Thursday evenings at Kailua Town! It's really fun to go to Kailua. Sometimes it reminds me of Pasadena, California - especially areas where there's metered street parking... lol! Kailua usually has sunny and warm weather with cooling trade winds. It's no wonder why President Obama enjoys vacationing in Kailua!

What an honor to be able to witness this place! It's a sacred place for Hawaiian history and…read moreculture and I am so honored i got a glimpse of it. One hundred yards from the intersection of Whitmore Avenue and Highway 80 on the island of O'ahu lie a group of rocks known as the Kukaniloko Birthing Stones. This site has witnessed Hawai'i's royal births and powerful struggles for centuries, and which may have also served an astronomical function. When a new chief was to be born, the mother would be brought to the rocks and, under the watch of anywhere from 36 to 48 chiefs, the birth would take place. Most of the leaders were there to observe the births for the oral historical record, but a small number may have assisted with the birth. When the birthing was complete, the child would be swept away, not to be seen by the mother until they had reached maturity. This was practiced to reduce the chance of murder from rival chiefs. The important spot was also home to a number of battles between tribes that would decide the fates of their entire communities. Children born at Kukaniloko would learn leadership and the traditions of their ancestors at the sacred site and its surrounding lands. While the stones have been thought to have served a largely ritual purpose to native Hawaiians, recent research has uncovered patterns on the rocks that could have served an astrological purpose. It is now believed that the stones may have acted as a sort of Pacific Island henge.

A co-worker pointed out this sacred landmark as we were driving by one day. I took my mom's visit…read moreas an opportunity to see something other than the touristy stuff so we made it a stop while in the area. It's easy to drive by without noticing given the closed gate with "no parking" signs. One has to know to park safely on the road and walk past the closed gate to experience the birthing stones. There are no signs to indicate the history of the area which is a downside so one has to Google and read about it. As you walk down the dirt path you eventually run into a landscaped area bordered by rocks that contains the birthing stones and trees. There's nothing really to see beyond scattered stones while using your imagination in curiosity about what has occurred at this location. A site mentions a temple with a bell that would ring to announce the birth but it's nowhere to be found. A quick visit to see a piece of Hawaiian history. I give it three stars because while it's a landmark, it could do a better job at educating visitors. No signage, description, or images of what happened hinders the appreciation and knowledge of why it's a sacred landmark.

Background On The Duke: He was known as "The Father of Modern Surfing" and "The Big Kahuna." The…read moreMan, The Myth, The Legend! Statue Type: A 9-foot bronze sculpture by artist Jan Gordon Fisher. Statue Significance: Honors his legacy. He won five Olympic medals (three gold, two silver) in swimming between 1912 and 1920. and is Hawaii's official Ambassador of Aloha. He was also a surfing god and actor. He was also the Sheriff of Honolulu, Hawaii from 1935 to 1961. What a PRIMO! Background On Visit: Saw pictures of Kahanamoku online/social media, but really wanted to see him in real life. Visitation Rights: Had to see him twice. The last time there was a nice sunset. Might've pulled some strings with Kahanamoku to make it happen. :) Location: Located at Waikiki Beach near the police station Ambiance/Decor: Neat statue with a lovely backdrop of the beach and palm trees. Visitors would hang lei's on him. Duke Paoa Kahanamoku Statue For Thought: The main attraction besides people watching, swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, tanning, and watching the sunrise/sunset at Waikiki Beach. It is quite fitting to have a tribute to the "Kahuna"!

It's located in the center of Waikiki beach, and the most iconic statue honors the father of modern…read moresurfing and Olympic gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku. You won't miss it, where you see most tourists pile up and take photos. I would say it's hard to not associate it with Waikiki memories.

Have you played Animal Crossing: New Horizons?…read more Stay with me here. Because while this wasn't the first place I'd ever seen the iconic statue of King Kamehameha I (also known as Kamehameha the Great), my brain absolutely went, "Oh hey, my island museum decor!" the second I saw it in real life. Yes, I'm that person who unknowingly recreated a culturally significant landmark next to Blathers. I hadn't plan to see this statue while I was on Oahu but shoutout to my waifu Sheryl M. for the spontaneous detour. She hadn't seen it in person either, so it turned into one of those unexpectedly wholesome "Wait, this is actually kind of special" moments. Bonus: I also got introduced to a Hawaiian plover (tiny, adorable, and clearly the main character of the day). The statue stands proudly in front of Aliʻiōlani Hale, and here's where things get interesting: - The statue you see there is actually a replica. - "There are four Kamehameha Statues: One on Oahu, two on the Big Island - in HiIo & North Kohala, and another one in Washington DC at the US Capitol." - As per Bruddah Fran C. (go add him)! - The original statue had a whole dramatic backstory: It was cast in Europe, lost in a shipwreck, then later recovered (yes, ocean salvage arc), and eventually placed elsewhere in Hawaii. - The statue wasn't designed to accurately reflect Kamehameha's true appearance. It was westernized, which... yeah. A little side-eye moment. Even with that context, there's something undeniably powerful about seeing it in person. The stance, the gesture, the presence... It hits differently when you're standing right there. Would I recommend stopping by? Honestly, yes. It's quick, it's meaningful, and it's one of those spots that sneaks up on you. Embrace life and spontaneity.

Beautiful and amazing statueKing Kamehameha Statue. A must see and take a photo and memories with…read moreyou back to mainland

Formerly known as Hawaii State Art Museum. Located between Honolulu City and the State Capitol and…read moreIolani Palace. The venue often showcases local art installations highlight Polynesian and Asian themes. Frequent live music and event nights make this a museum to frequent often.

The Capitol Modern Art Museum on Richards Street in Honolulu is an amazing experience! Best of all,…read moreit's free to attend and offers a wonderful mix of art, music, dancing, and community. I enjoyed exploring the art exhibits and seeing the creativity of local artists. There were also vendors selling local products, jewelry, hats, clothing, and other unique items. If you'd like, you can also grab a drink or food while enjoying the event. The museum hosts special First Friday events every month, creating a fun and vibrant atmosphere where people can gather, socialize, and appreciate art and culture. For convenient parking, I recommend the Aliʻi Place parking garage, where parking is very affordable. It's a great way to spend an evening in downtown Honolulu, whether you're a local or a visitor.

Review #1,800 "Some…read morepeople unpack when they first arrive in a city. Me, I look for Chinatown." ― Bonnie Tsui, from American Chinatown I wasn't originally going to review Chinatown but I saw my review count and I couldn't resist. I want the milestone 1,800th to be about Chinatown, Honolulu edition. Did you know that Honolulu's Chinatown is one of the oldest in the United States, having been established in the 1840s to accommodate whaling ships docking at Honolulu Harbor? Today, it spans 25 acres and is renowned as a vibrant, multicultural hub featuring fresh markets, eclectic Pan-Asian eateries, and a thriving arts district. From hidden gems to delicious eateries, stopping by Chinatown is an adventure. Clothing boutiques, lei shops, and bakeries with freshly baked goods, you can find a little bit of everything here. Come with your paycheck and leave with a lighter wallet. "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." ― Walsh, from the 1974 film Chinatown

We took the trolley to Chinatown and then Uber back to our hotel. If you know how Chinatown was 10…read moreyears ago, this is not the same place. Not the hustle and bustle it used to be. We thought we might eat lunch on this visit but after shopping a bit and stopping so the kiddos could get Boba, we decided to head back to the hotel. While in Chinatown we visited several shops and bought a Lucky cat, sunglasses, 2 wallets, a tote bag, and a few other little things. The prices are right!

Queen Kapi'olani was an influential Hawaii royal during the late 1800's. Her love for children and…read morepeople, led her to establish a women's and children's medical facility that, today, carries her name and has grown into the largest women's/children's hospital in Hawaii. The Queen also initiated endeavors to ensure native Hawaiian children had access to education. Several schools in Hawaii carry her name. A statue to honor her memory stands in the 100 acre park also named for her, Queen Kapi'olani Regional Park. The statue is the work of Hawaiian artist, Holly Young. Young, who studied chemistry and philosophy on the mainland, and had become a world renowned artist. Visitors to the statue cover the Queen with leis. The queen stands regal wearing a blue dress of the period. She looks out towards the ocean. The Queen's story is told on a plaque behind the statue. Worth a visit. There is paid parking around the park near the statue.

You will find this statue in Kapiolani Park across the street from and overlooking Waikiki Beach…read more This statue is the work of Holly Young and it was dedicated on December 31, 2001, the Queen's birthday. This bronze statue stands 6'6" tall and sits on a one and a half foot black granite pedestal. You will find a couple of bronze plaques on its pedestal that provides viewers with some brief information on this treasured queen. Queen Kapiʻolani was the wife of King David Kalakaua and was known for her compassion and care for her people. The statue depicts the queen at the age of 40, in "street costume" . Her face has a warm, subtle smile and one of her arms is slightly extended with an open palm, as if to welcome someone into her home. It is normal to see the statue adorned with a flower lei around her neck and/or in her hand. It is in great condition and has been given periodic face-lifts. From what I learned about Queen Kapiʻolani, she is more than deserving of having a statue dedicated in her honor. It is definitely worth a visit, but like most all statues that I reviewed, it is not a long stop and you should consider making it park of a larger itinerary with a few of Waikiki's many nearby attractions.