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Page last modified:
4/17/2008 9:50:33 PM
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• MORE SIGHTSEEING!
DIAMOND HEAD CRATER
PARK
 The
475-acre Diamond Head State Monument is a tuff cone
that was created by an explosive eruption of steam and
ash over 100,000 years ago. It features a 0.7-mile trail
leading from the crater floor to the lookout at the
760-foot summit offering panoramic views of Honolulu.
The Diamond Head Crater trail is fairly easy and some
of it is paved. Although the hike is easy, about an
hour, note that there is a long, steep flight of stairs
near the top. As on any hike, wear sunscreen, appropriate
clothing and shoes; take water and refreshments; stay
on marked trails; and do not smoke–the area is
a fire hazard zone. From Kalakaua
Avenue, turn left onto Monsarrat Avenue at the Honolulu
Zoo. On the left at the top of the rise is Kapi‘olani
Community College, watch for the park entrance on your
right just past the college. Diamond Head Crater
Park is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A $5
parking and $1 per person user fee is charged. For more
information, call (808) 587-0285.
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HANAUMA BAY NATURE
PRESERVE
 This
marine sanctuary on the southeastern portion of O‘ahu
is home to approximately 420 species of tropical reef
fish. Known as one of Hawai‘i’s premiere snorkeling
spots, Hanauma Bay is very popular with residents and
visitors alike because of its clear and calm waters.
The Hanauma Bay Marine Education Center in the upper
area houses interactive exhibits, a gift shop and a
small theatre where first-time visitors are required
to view a seven-minute educational video that shows
Hanauma Bay’s marine life and how to protect and care
for the preserve. There are restrooms and a food concession
in the upper lot. At beach level there is a snorkeling
equipment concession, dressing rooms, restrooms and
an information kiosk. Hanauma Bay is closed all day
Tuesday and open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. the
rest of the week. (Open until 10:00 p.m. on the second
Saturday of the month.) There is a $1 parking fee and
$5 admission fee for non-residents. For details, call
the 24-hour information line at (808) 396-4229.
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HAWAIIAN TEMPLE IN
LAIE
 In
this culturally diverse state, the North Shore town
of La‘ie is the most multi-cultural community
of all, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Without a
doubt, the Hawaiian Temple, built in 1919 by the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the beacon
responsible for such diversity. The roots of the Polynesian
Cultural Center and nearby Brigham Young University
Hawai‘i are in Laie’s cultural diversity, and it
all started with the striking, white temple often called
the Taj Mahal of the Pacific. The Temple’s glowing
exterior is the result of volcanic rock and coral rock
pulverized together into a fine powder for concrete.
The four exterior walls of its upper story contain hand-sculpted
panels depicting dramatic events in scriptural history.
Access to the interior is restricted to Church members,
but non-members may tour the Visitor’s Center and the
impeccably manicured gardens, accented with flowing
fountains, gentle waterfalls, a reflecting pool, exotic
flowers and stately palm trees, free of charge. The
Visitor’s Center features a 10-foot marble replica of
Thorvaldsen’s “Christus” statue. Inside, you can learn
about the pioneers and history of this unique Hawaiian
community. The Gardens and Visitor’s Center are open
daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For details, call
(808) 293-9297.
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IOLANI PALACE TOURS
 ‘Iolani
Palace, in downtown Honolulu, is the
only royal palace on United States soil. Built
in 1882, it remained a royal residence until Queen
Lili‘uokalani was deposed and the Hawaiian monarchy
overthrown in 1893. The palace served as the capitol
of the Territory and State of Hawai‘i until 1969. Guided
and self-guided tours are available Tuesday through
Saturday. The guided 90-minute Grand Tour begins every
30 minutes from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., reservations
recommended, call (808) 522-0832 or 522-0823.
(Note: Children under 5 years are not allowed
on the Grand Tour.) The self-guided Galleries Tour is
available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., no reservations
are needed. Pick up tickets at the Ticket Office in
‘Iolani Barracks, the building adjacent to ‘Iolani Palace.
Wheelchair access and Japanese-language tours are available.
For recorded information, call (808) 538-1471.
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NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF THE PACIFIC AT PUNCHBOWL
 The
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific and the Honolulu
Memorial are set in an extinct volcano known to O‘ahu’s
residents as “Punchbowl.” Among the
first remains to be interred, on Jan. 4, 1949, were
776 casualties from the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl
Harbor. Punchbowl is now filled to capacity with 33,143
grave sites. The impressive Honolulu Memorial on the
northwest wall of the crater was dedicated on May 1,
1966. It honors the achieve-ments of American Armed
Forces in the Pacific during World War II, the
Korean Conflict and the Vietnam Conflict.
Park your vehicle behind the Memorial and explore the
map galleries and the ten Courts of the Missing. From
the back of the Memorial, walk towards the ocean on
the Outer Drive and follow the Memorial Walk up to the
overlook area. You’ll be rewarded with one of the best
views of Honolulu and most of the south shore, from
Diamond Head to ‘Ewa. The National Memorial Cemetery
of the Pacific is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30
p.m., March 2 through Sept. 29; to 5:30 p.m., Sept.
30 through March 1. Call (808) 532-3720 for details.
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U.S. ARMY MUSEUM OF HAWAII
 Located
in Battery Randolph at Fort DeRussy, the U.S.
Army Museum of Hawai‘i is a hidden gem for military
buffs in Waikiki. From ancient Hawaiian warriors to
today’s fighting men and women, the museum’s exhibits
honor them all. See the kinds of weapons and canoes
Kamehameha the Great used to conquer rival kings
and bring the islands of Hawai‘i into one great nation.
There are displays of how the Army planned to defend
O‘ahu with shore batteries, such as the Battery Randolph
that houses the museum. An actual Cobra helicopter used
in Vietnam is also part of the museum’s extensive display
of the story of the U.S. Army in Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
Other exhibits emphasize the role Hawai‘i and its citizens
played in military actions from World War II
through the Vietnam Conflict. The General
Eric K. Shinseki Exhibit showcases the military
career of the Kaua‘i native and American of Japanese
Ancestry who became the Chief of Staff of the United
States Army. The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:15
p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. FREE;
donations accepted. (808) 955-9552.
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