5 Must-See Historic Sites in Downtown Honolulu

Downtown Honolulu isn’t just for the 9-to-5 crowd. Alongside its contemporary offices and retailers, fascinating historic landmarks bring the past to life, offering depth and meaning to an Oahu visit.

Increasing numbers of travelers are looking for the heart of Hawaii, and time spent in its capital city can help them achieve that goal. The following downtown Honolulu highlights do their part to tell the destination’s backstory in lively fashion. 

Aloha Tower
Making its debut in 1926, this 184-foot-high charmer was the tallest building in Honolulu, and its clock was one of the largest in the U.S. In the ‘30s and ‘40s, it presided over Boat Days, when ships full of tourists were greeted by bands and well-wishers with flower leis.

Today, Aloha Tower is surrounded by a mixed-use marketplace with restaurants, shops, event spaces and a branch of a local university. Still, it remains the quintessential symbol of Hawaii’s welcoming spirit. Clients can ride the elevator up to its 10th-floor observation deck and stand on the balcony for inspiring views of the mountains, city and sea.

www.alohatower.com

Foster Botanical Garden
This 14-acre sanctuary proves that downtown Honolulu is more than sidewalks and skyscrapers. Flanking one edge of the commercial neighborhood, it’s an oasis of trees, flowers, lawns and glens where visitors can relax.

Foster’s roots dig back to 1853, when a Hawaiian queen leased the land to a young botanist who planted some of the flora now on display. Guests enjoy a world-class collection including orchids, palms, heliconia, ginger, ferns and herbs. A butterfly garden attracts winged wonders, while a Bodhi tree draws deep thinkers. Whether explored during a guided or self-guided tour, this peaceful park represents the restorative power of Hawaii’s natural world.

www.friendsofhonolulubotanicalgardens.com

Hawaii Theatre
In the 1920s, Honolulu residents who wanted to see vaudeville acts, plays, musicals and films went to the Hawaii Theatre. A full orchestra accompanied its performances, and a massive pipe organ played along with silent movies.

Fast forward and this vintage gem — which completed a major renovation in 2004 — has earned a spot on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. On docent tours, clients can ogle its Art Deco marquee, Beaux Arts design, Corinthian columns and arched windows, all meticulously restored to their original splendor. The theater now hosts a range of shows, including live appearances by high-profile stars. 

www.hawaiitheatre.com

Hawaiian Mission Houses
Missionaries from New England arrived on Oahu in 1820, forever changing island lifestyle with their religion, language, medicine and education. Three of their first homes are still standing, including two of Hawaii’s oldest dwellings. 

Quietly hugging busy South King St., these humble abodes shine a light on the simple and steadfast lives of the newcomers, giving clients an intimate look at 19th-century Honolulu. One home has a replica of Hawaii’s first printing press, which created documents written in Hawaiian. Along with tours, the attraction sometimes presents crafts fairs or events with island musicians, enlivening the grounds and conjuring up days gone by.

www.missionhouses.org

Iolani Palace
This regal residence transports clients to the late 19th century, when King Kalakaua entertained dignitaries and threw lavish parties. Beautifully renovated, the palace showcases the glory days of the monarchy, from swords with the king’s monogram to a magnificent staircase made from Hawaiian koa wood.

Clients also revisit a painful chapter in Hawaii’s history. They see the palace bedroom where Queen Liliuokalani — Kalakaua’s sister and successor — was imprisoned in 1895 following the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. A tour of Iolani Palace provides dramatic insights into Hawaii’s rich past and a better understanding of the love which today’s Hawaiians feel for their homeland.

www.iolanipalace.org