Top sites in Hawaii range from natural to cultural opportunities
National Monuments and Memorials
– World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument (Pearl Harbor) is the most popular attraction in Hawaii, and includes the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and other military history offerings.
– Visitors are invited to explore a dormant volcano at Diamond Head State Monument, during a one-mile hike to the 762-foot summit. The effort brings hikers to dazzling views of southern Oahu including Waikiki and the Pacific Ocean.
– The Battleship Missouri was the last battleship built by the U.S. and the site of the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II. Today, the memorial can be seen at Pearl Harbor.
National Parks and Nature Preserves
– The famous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park brings visitors up-close-and-personal with steaming vents, bubbling lava and dripping caves at the world’s longest continuously erupting volcano.
– Haleakala National Park on the island of Maui offers thirty-seven miles of hiking trails through the park’s crater – or a stunning view of the sunrise from its 10,024-foot summit.
– Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park was once a refuge for lawbreakers. Today, the 420-acre park on the Kohala Coast of Hawaii Island treats guests to the remains of Hawaiian temples, house sites and a cove where sea turtles can be spotted.
Other Attractions
– The Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu is a 42-acre park offering insight into the history and culture of the Pacific Islands through traditional songs, dances, food, shows and hands-on activities.
– The 42-acre Honolulu Zoo is a sure draw for families, with zookeeper talks, demonstrations, special programs and habitats that range from the African savanna to tropical forests and the Pacific Islands.
– At the Dole Plantation on Oahu, visitors get an inside look at the history of pineapples on Hawaii. Other attractions at the plantation include the world’s longest maze and a 20-minute train tour.
