United States of America > Hawaii > Honolulu
Overview
Though Honolulu is an absolute wonderland of spectacular beaches, lush rainforests and breathtaking volcanic landscapes, it's far from the quiet and isolated resorts that many associate with the islands. Rather, Hawaii's capital is a bustling city of nearly a million people, where a glorious tropical climate and an intoxicating cosmopolitan energy give travellers plenty of opportunities to play.
The destination is essentially a microcosm of Hawaii. Visitors can spend their morning paddling a kayak or taking a surf lesson, shop 'til they drop in the boutiques of the Ala Moana Center, and attend a luau (a traditional Hawaiian feast featuring Native Hawaiian cuisine and traditional music) or take in a show at the Polynesian Cultural Center in the evening. The city itself has many attractions, and visitors will enjoy visiting the Waikiki Aquarium and Honolulu Zoo (both in Kapiolani Park), peering into Diamond Head Crater, and having fun on one of the many stunning beaches in Waikiki.
Honolulu has many excellent restaurants, a lively nightlife, and enough souvenir shops to satisfy even the most avid bargain-hunter. The hustle and bustle of the city may not be everyone's idea of a romantic holiday in Hawaii, but a few days in Honolulu is a must on any island getaway.
Climate
Honolulu experiences warm, balmy weather all year round as its tropical climate is subject to variations caused by different elevations and geographic exposure rather than seasons. Temperatures vary little throughout the year, averaging between 66ºF (19ºC) and 89ºF (32ºC). Located on the southern side of Oahu, Honolulu is drier than the leeward side, the rain-bearing trade winds blocked by the mountain ranges. The wet season in Honolulu is from October to March, and averages seven to 10 rainy days per month. The water temperature in Hawaii is warm year round, staying between 77°F (25°C) and 81ºF (27ºC).
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rain (cm) | 90.5 | 64.3 | 57 | 35.6 | 37 | 16.3 | 20.2 | 18.3 | 27.7 | 57.6 | 91.2 | 90.5 |
| Rain (inches) | 3.6 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 3.6 | 3.6 |
| Average Temperature (°C) | 21.9 | 21.6 | 21.8 | 22.5 | 23.5 | 24.3 | 24.8 | 25.1 | 25.2 | 24.7 | 23.6 | 22.6 |
| Min Temperature (°C) | 20.3 | 20 | 20.1 | 20.8 | 21.7 | 22.5 | 23 | 23.4 | 23.4 | 23.1 | 22.2 | 21.2 |
| Max Temperature (°C) | 24.2 | 24 | 24.3 | 25 | 26.1 | 26.8 | 27.3 | 27.7 | 27.8 | 27.3 | 25.9 | 24.8 |
| Average Temperature (°F) | 71.4 | 70.8 | 71.2 | 72.5 | 74.3 | 75.7 | 76.6 | 77.3 | 77.3 | 76.5 | 74.6 | 72.7 |
| Min Temperature (°F) | 68.6 | 68 | 68.2 | 69.4 | 71 | 72.5 | 73.5 | 74.2 | 74.1 | 73.6 | 71.9 | 70.1 |
| Max Temperature (°F) | 75.6 | 75.2 | 75.7 | 77 | 79 | 80.2 | 81.1 | 81.9 | 82 | 81.1 | 78.7 | 76.7 |
Getting Around
Getting around Honolulu, and Oahu in general, involves becoming familiar with local directions. Visitors may be told to go makai (toward the sea) or mauka (toward the mountain); the famous Diamond Head crater is also an important landmark and reference for the east, and the town of Ewa stands in for the west. The main public transport system is simply called The Bus, and serves Honolulu and most of Oahu. The bus network is comprehensive, with about 100 fixed routes and more than 4,000 stops allowing travellers access to all parts of the island. The most popular route runs between Waikiki and Ala Moana Center every 10 minutes. The Waikiki Trolley is also a fun way to get around Honolulu, as it loops around 12 key locations every 40 minutes with commentary by the driver. Taxis are also available and provide a good means of getting around at night; they're locally regulated so fares are standard across all companies. Uber and Lyft are also options.
Restaurants & Nightlife
Restaurants
Honolulu offers diners anything and everything from the local and delightful to exquisite international cuisines. If home-grown and unassuming cuisine is what travellers are after, they'll find it in and around the city without too much effort.
Classic dining spots offering regional food at its best are the likes of Helena's Hawaiian Food, which is a famous eatery in and around Honolulu. Established in 1946, it still produces firm favourites for tourists and residents alike. Another popular spot in Honolulu is Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha. Friendly staff, a relaxed atmosphere and original snow cones are what keep people coming back.
If travellers want a truly luxurious experience, Honolulu happily caters to that too; many high-end restaurants are always abuzz in the city. Sushi Sasabune offers visitors a unique and upmarket sushi experience while La Mer ensures a breezy and romantic oceanside evening in a restaurant known for its impeccable service and French cuisine.
Nightlife
While many tourists think of Hawaiian nightlife as resort luaus (traditional Hawaiian feasts) with hula dancers and roast pigs, Honolulu offers a much more diverse experience for the adventurous visitor. Waikiki has a number of bars and restaurants ranging from friendly pubs to upscale nightclubs, and some host live music on various nights of the week. Chinatown is also a bustling neighbourhood after dark where there are a number of underground bars. Other great nightlife hubs in Honolulu include The Aloha Tower Marketplace, which has more than 60 restaurants and bars, and the Ala Moana Shopping Centre.
Sightseeing
Sightseeing
Sunning and surfing on beautiful beaches, exploring the lively nightlife and shopping in a rich variety of neighbourhoods are among the many fun things to do in Honolulu, which is made up of the Waikiki, Downtown and Pearl Harbour areas.
Waikiki is a main tourist hub that draws travellers with its exquisite stretch of beach and picturesque shoreline. While visiting Waikiki, a stop at the Waikiki Aquarium is a must; not only is it one of the oldest aquariums in the US but it's also home to more than 3,500 plants and animals.
The Downtown neighbourhood is geared more towards history and culture, as its range of good museums, historic buildings and landmarks provides interesting sightseeing fodder. The USS Arizona Memorial is a must-see when in Honolulu as it allows for a look back in time to the tragedy of Pearl Harbour and America's entry into World War II. Another unique attraction, of a very different sort, is the Diamond Head Crater; this extinct volcano is one of the most famous landmarks in Hawaii.
Exploring Honolulu's Chinatown is a novel option and illustrates just how multi-cultural the Hawaiian islands are. Markets and restaurants in this vibrant neighbourhood sell all sorts of delicacies and visitors can view art, a dragon procession or even make an offering at a Buddhist temple.