Called Pūowaina in Hawaiian, the volcano erupted some 75,000 to 100,000 years ago. Pūowaina (which can be translated as “Hill of Sacrifice”) has deep religious significance for the Hawaiian people. Long before Europeans arrived, it was a place where people who had committed certain crimes or “kapu” were put to death. The lava formed an oval, bowl-shaped crater, alluding to the English name, "punchbowl". Today, the site is commonly referred to as … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Pūowaina aka “Punchbowl” (National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific)
Attractions & Museums
Oʻahu: FREE Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM) in downtown Honolulu
Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM) showcases contemporary works by artists who have a connection to Hawaiʻi. View some of the best contemporary art from across the state of Hawaiʻi in HiSAM exhibits. Exhibitions are curated from the Art in Public Places Collection and student exhibitions. HiSAM has four galleries, a Sculpture Garden, classroom, activity and lecture room, and a front lawn for both museum and private events. Located adjacent to the State … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: FREE Hawaii State Art Museum (HiSAM) in downtown Honolulu
“Eddie Would Go™” invitational big wave surfing at Waimea Bay
The biggest surfing event in the world returns for the 2022-23 Season. Officially known as the Quicksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, "The Eddie" invites surfers, alternates, and legends to showcase their high-performance surfing at Waimea Bay on the North Shore of Oʻahu. As in year’s past, the contest will run when surf heights consistently reach 20-feet any day between December 14, 2022 through March 23, 2023. Jan 11, 2023: the initial … [Read more...] about “Eddie Would Go™” invitational big wave surfing at Waimea Bay
How to get free admission or discount tickets to HoMA
Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) holds one of the largest single collections of Asian and Pan-Pacific art in the United States, along with works from America, Europe, Africa, and Oceania. The museum has more than 50,000 works of art, spanning 5,000 years of history and representing all of Hawaii’s cultures.HoMA collections include paintings, decorative and traditional arts, woodblocks, and textiles. Located in downtown Honolulu near Blaisdell Center, HoMA is … [Read more...] about How to get free admission or discount tickets to HoMA
Oʻahu: Wet’n’Wild Hawaii Water Park in Kapolei
Opened in May 1999, Wet’n’Wild Hawaii is one of Oahu’s most popular family attractions with many options for adults, teens, kids and families of all ages. Located in Kapolei on 29-acres lush tropical acres set against natural cliffs the water park boasts more than 25 attractions offered on a rotating schedule. There are "chill" attractions for keiki and adults who want to simply relax on the water, slides and wave pool for a little more action, and pay-to-play … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: Wet’n’Wild Hawaii Water Park in Kapolei
Oʻahu: How to get free admission & discount tickets to Bishop Museum
Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, known simply as the Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the state of Hawaii. It is the premier natural and cultural history institution in the Pacific. It's primary purpose is to represent and serve the interests of Native Hawaiians. The Bishop is recognized worldwide for its cultural collections, research projects, consulting services, and public educational programs. The collections include millions of objects, documents, and … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: How to get free admission & discount tickets to Bishop Museum
Oʻahu: inaugural Waimea Valley Mai‘a ‘Ho‘olaule‘a (Banana Festival)
Most of us are familiar with local apple bananas and the ubiquitous Central American Chiquita. Few of us know about or have eaten a Hawaiian banana or enjoyed bananas in a savory dish. The Waimea Valley Banana Festival is a fun exploration of Hawaiian banana: its botanical and culinary history, as well as how to successfully grow and use bananas. Banana varieties brought as canoe plants to Hawaiʻi by Polynesian voyagers include many varieties that have … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: inaugural Waimea Valley Mai‘a ‘Ho‘olaule‘a (Banana Festival)
Free and cheap things to do today
This is the best Hawaiʻi event calendar if you are looking for affordable fun. We seek a variety of fun, free, and cheap things to do today and every day across the Hawaiian Islands, including Hawaiʻi (Big) Island, Kauaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, and Oʻahu. We include virtual and in-person events—affordable fun things to do and the best places to go. In today's calendar listed below, the events listed first each day highlighted in GRAY are FEATURED EVENTS. … [Read more...] about Free and cheap things to do today
30 stunning botanical gardens you can visit in Hawai’i
One of the more relaxing and affordable ways to enjoy the outdoors in Hawai’i for residents or tourists is to spend time in one of the many botanical gardens or arboretums throughout the islands. Whether you desire a leisurely garden stroll, are a home gardener, or serious botany student, there is a garden for you to visit. Most of the gardens in the lists below are privately owned. All are open to visitors. Most have free admission, but a few have an admission … [Read more...] about 30 stunning botanical gardens you can visit in Hawai’i
Oʻahu: All about visiting the Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo is the wildest place in Waikīkī. Situated in the shadow of Diamond Head crater at the corner of Kapahulu and Kalākaua Avenues, the zoo was stablished in 1877. In fact, it is the only zoo in the United States that originated in a King’s grant of royal lands to his people. History of the Honolulu Zoo In 1876, King David Kalākaua, Monarch of Hawai‘i, made lands of the Leahi Crown Holdings available to the people of Hawai‘i. One a year later, King … [Read more...] about Oʻahu: All about visiting the Honolulu Zoo
Treasured heiau you can visit on every Hawaiian island
Listed below are heiau throughout the Hawaiian Islands that are open to the public. If you don’t know what heiau are, or wonder why you would want to visit these ancient sites, we provide a brief description of their cultural value, followed by tips for visiting these historical treasures to make the most of your time. If you are looking for the “real” Hawai'i, this is a good place to be. What are heiau? Heiau are remnants of sites used in ancient Hawai'i for … [Read more...] about Treasured heiau you can visit on every Hawaiian island
Waikīkī: history, beaches, and things to do
Waikīkī is a bustling urban neighborhood on the south shore of the island of O’ahu in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. The district is bordered on the north and west by the manmade Ala Wai Canal, on the east by Kapiʻolani Regional Park, and on the south by the Pacific Ocean. The iconic Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) volcanic crater rises at the edge of Kapiʻolani Park. The neighborhood is surprisingly small, about 1.5 square miles. However, among the high-rise hotels and … [Read more...] about Waikīkī: history, beaches, and things to do
14 points of interest in Waikīkī are a fascinating self-guided walking tour
Among the high rises in the famous Waikīkī tourist mecca, there is much fascinating Hawaiian history to uncover about the once royal and rural area. Use the following list of tour stops, all located on Kalākaua Avenue for a self-guided tour. At each tour stop, you will be directed to statues, historic sites, and other points of interest that can enhance your knowledge of Hawai’i and the history of the area. The list is followed by a Google map of the tour stops … [Read more...] about 14 points of interest in Waikīkī are a fascinating self-guided walking tour
History of Pu‘uloa and visiting Pearl Harbor today
When someone says "Pearl Harbor", it can refer to many different things. Historically, it was a large freshwater lagoon known to ancient Hawaiians as Ke-awa-lauo-Pu‘uloa or simply Pu‘uloa. It was a key site for harvesting shellfish and loko ʻia (fish ponds). Today, Pearl Harbor is surrounded by suburban neighborhoods. Along her shores, there is also a National Memorial Park and an active U.S. military base. When people visit Pearl Harbor today, it is often to … [Read more...] about History of Pu‘uloa and visiting Pearl Harbor today
27 Popular Free Attractions on O’ahu (tours, history, art, hikes, and beaches)
Our list of free things to do on O’ahu includes a fresh take on some popular spots and a few hidden gems. Most of the following attractions, historical sites, nature trails, parks, and beaches are open every day of the year. All are free to visit and many offer a priceless experience you won't fine anywhere else. Whether you live here or are on vacation, Hawaiʻi can be an expensive place. Our suggestions will help you make the most of your leisure time without … [Read more...] about 27 Popular Free Attractions on O’ahu (tours, history, art, hikes, and beaches)
Coming soon: Free museums
We're working on this article and will publish it soon. Our list of free museums will include those with always free admission, plus a list of free admission days at popular museums throughout the Hawaiian islands. Here’s how our list is shaping up so far: Big Island: Mokupapapa Discovery Center Maui: Plantation Museum Maui: Pioneer Mill Co. Smokestack & Locomotives Exhibit Maui: Lahaina Heritage Museum Maui: Old Lahaina Prison Maui: Old … [Read more...] about Coming soon: Free museums
Coming soon: Must see attractions & tours
We're working on this article and will publish it soon. Our list will include tours and attractions with an entrance fee that we feel are money well spent. There will be one or more attractions featured on every major Hawaiian island. Recommended Oʻahu tours & attractions Ali'i Agriculture Fishing Farm Foster Botanical Garden He’eia Fishpond Tours Hawaiʻi Plantation Village Queen Emma Summer Palace Waiahole Poi Facotry in Kanehoe … [Read more...] about Coming soon: Must see attractions & tours
17 must-see museums in Hawai‘i (best bang for your buck)
Hawai‘i is home to a variety of world-class and local interest museums. Listed below are some of the best museums in Honolulu, as well as on the outer islands. These popular museums offer a wide range of ways you can explore Hawaiian art, culture, and history. To guide your choices, we include general admission and the kama‘āina discount price, as well as any free days. Discount admission tickets may also be available to seniors, children, and members of the … [Read more...] about 17 must-see museums in Hawai‘i (best bang for your buck)
