Landmarks and Architecture Tour of Oahu

Just arrived and don’t know what to see first? Take a relaxing 3-hour ride to Honolulu’s most iconic landmarks followed by jaw-dropping views as the venture continues across Southern O‘ahu’s mountainous highways.

Stops on your tour will include:

WAIKĪKĪ

• Kalākaua Avenue – Waikīkī’s main passage is home to several historic hotels, iconic statues, and landmarks. From its shopping to its breathtaking beaches, there is something for everyone.

• Diamond Head Road – Breakaway from sea level on a trip around the steep southern face of Diamond Head State Monument. Have your camera ready for a beautiful view down the rocky cliffs into the crystal clear ocean.

• I‘olani Palace – Built at the request of King David Kalakaua in 1879, this royal palace was completed in 1882. He spared no expenses. For the time, it had it all. It featured the world’s latest innovations, including indoor plumbing, telephone, and electric lights (before the White House even had electricity). To this day, it remains the only royal residence in the United States.

• Kawaiahaʻo Church – Early missionaries not only brought Christianity to the Islands, but Neoclassical-Mediterranean Revival architectural influences as well. Being O‘ahu’s oldest church (completed in 1842), it was originally built as a place of worship for the royal family. Its main walls are made from 1,000-pound slabs of coral.

• Aliʻiolani Hale – This former seat of government of the Kingdom of Hawaii and Republic of Hawaii, Aliʻiolani Hale (“House of the Heavenly Kings”) is now the home of Hawaii’s Supreme Court. Completed in 1874, it was originally designed by Kamehameha V to be the royal palace. He would later recommission it for his expanding Hawaiian government. More recently (2010-2020), it was featured as Honolulu’s Police Headquarters in the TV show, “Hawaii Five-0.”

• Kamehameha V Statue – Front and center in the Aliʻiolani Hale Courtyard stands the gold-leafed statue of “Kamehameha the Great.” This statue’s history is unlike any other. The king’s ionic statue is a must-see for many tourists and heavily featured in print, television, and movies.

UP AND OVER Mountain passes, Tunnels, and lookouts

• Nu‘uanu Pali Lookout – Breathtaking coastal, cliffs, and mountain views steeped in History and folklore. The site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history

• Interstate H-3 – Hawaii’s newest highway and the Island’s main Eastside-Westside thoroughfare through the Ko‘olau Mountain Range. One might pinch themselves to make sure it’s not a dream after exiting the 5,165-foot-long Tetsuo Harano Tunnel onto O‘ahu’s Windward side. Extremely rugged, yet beautiful...‘Have your camera ready.