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aerial panoramic views of Waikiki Beach Honolulu Hawaii

City Guide

Honolulu

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The capital city of Honolulu is the gateway to Hawaii and its many islands. Cosmopolitan and diverse, rich culinary and cultural offerings stand alongside breathtaking natural beauty here. Surrounded by lush forests and volcanic cones – including Diamond Head on O’ahu island – the city is also home to Waikiki Beach, one of the world’s premier surfing destinations. Top-flight shopping, luxurious resorts and historic districts (including the country’s only royal palace) combine in this urban paradise.

Book a PAL flight to Honolulu on www.philippineairlines.com

Where to Stay

The Laylow

For a classic Honolulu vibe and a lanai with multiple firepits

The Modern Honolulu

For the lobby installation of champions’ surfboards

Moana Surfrider

For the city’s only beachfront spa

Michael Kleinberg

‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

For cocktails while gazing at a two-story oceanarium

Halekulani

A beachfront property with sweeping views of Diamond Head

The Kahala Hotel & Resort

A favorite of celebrities and dignitaries since it opened in the 1960s

Things to See & Do

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Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum

The leading institution of its kind, the 130-year-old Bishop Museum and its six gallery spaces cover the peoples, cultures and natural history of Hawaii.  Among its most exciting attractions is a “walk-in” volcano exhibit, where you can look inside the mouth of the volcano and see the mock molten lava.

1525 Bernice St, Honolulu

Linny Morris, Courtesy of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art

Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design

The splendor of Islam can be found in Honolulu. Located on the peak of Black Point, beside Diamond Head Crater, the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design is where opulence meets Islamic art and architecture. The former residence of American heiress and art collector Doris Duke houses a collection of over 4,000 objects, including carpets made for a Mughal emperor. The museum accepts only advance reservations.

4055 Pāpū Cir, Honolulu, HI 96816

Brandon Shigeta

Go mural-hopping

Exploring the hip neighborhood of Kaka’ako is like getting lost inside a fantastic universe of murals. See block after block of stunning wall creations by local- and world-renowned street artists, mounted during the annual Pow! Wow! Hawaii festival. Take a stroll and marvel at artworks, from the phantasmagoric bird skull by artist Ekundayo to the ’80s-inspired Mahalo by Eric Marcinizyn.

Ala Moana Center

A five-minute drive from central Waikiki is the world’s largest open-air mall. There are 290 stores, including 80 dining options, more than 40 luxury brand s and three department stores: Macy’s, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, whose rooftop restaurant Mariposa has great ocean views. There is also Shirokiya Japan Village Walk, a sprawling food court with a beer garden.

1450 Ala Moana Blvd, Honolulu

Kipu Ranch, Kauai

Take a short flight to the rainforest-covered island of Kauai for a tour of its rugged Kipu Ranch in an off-road vehicle. The 1,214ha property served as a location for Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Lost World: Jurassic Park.

235 Kipu Rd, Lihue

Atlantis Adventures

Atlantis Adventures offers battery-operated submarine voyages 30 meters below the surface from its dive site near the iconic volcanic cone of Leahi (Diamond Head), providing extraordinary views of green sea turtles, sharks and many other species of marine life.

252 Paoa Pl, Honolulu

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Honolulu Fish Auction

Love poke? Early riser? A Saturday morning visit to America’s only tuna auction might be for you. Tours – by reservation only – begin with viewing the fishing vessels dockside and end by joining fishermen, chefs and international buyers on the auction floor. If you get hungry, local institution Nico’s Pier 38 starts serving poke breakfasts at nine sharp.

1129 N Nimitz Hwy, Honolulu

Where to Dine & Drink

Ethel’s Grill

Ethel’s Grill is one of the city’s best-kept secrets. This small and humble diner serves only breakfast and lunch – mouthwatering meals that even the late Anthony Bourdain had raved about. Start with a platter of sashimi, served with homemade tataki sauce, then order anything on the menu because they’re all so ono-licious (tasty). For those with a big appetite, ask for the sumo wrestler’s portion.

232 Kalihi St, Honolulu, HI 96819

The Myna Bird

Many of the cocktails at this tongue-in-cheek tiki bar are so quirky, they should have their own shows. Take the Mr Tally Man, served in a mermaid-adorned ceramic cup and featuring Real McCoy three-year rum, Zaya Gran Reserva and a host of other ingredients. The final flourish? A banana skin with a drawn-on face.

2330 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu

Bar Leather Apron

This speakeasy-style bar boasts Honolulu’s most extensive whiskey collection. Sure, you can get a Mai Tai, but it’ll be infused with kiawe wood smoke and served in a glass bell. Asian flavors like yuzu, shiso and matcha are incorporated into a variety of drinks, although Japanese whiskeys, Scotches and Bourbons can be sipped unadorned.

745 Fort Street Mall, Suite #127, Honolulu

The Original Roy's in Hawaii Kai

Celebrity chef Roy Yamaguchi now has more than 30 restaurants worldwide – including in Guam, Japan and several in Hawaii. Some are fancier (such as the one in Waikiki) but if you want authenticity, this is the one to visit. Here, everything on the Hawaii fusion menu, from the sushi and sashimi to filet steak, is reliably good, but it is an unwritten island law to save room for the chocolate soufflé.

6600 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Honolulu

Steve Czerniak

Merriman's Honolulu

Peter Merriman is a pioneer of the farm-to-table Hawaii Regional Cuisine movement, and while his Honolulu outpost is situated in a glassy luxury condo, everything on the menu is homely and nostalgic. Locally grown Hau’ula tomatoes and clover sprouts appear in the Moroccan fresh fish sandwich, though their house-ground burger is a classic, too.

1108 Auahi St #170, Honolulu

Paris.Hawaii

Rotating seasonal seafood – Kona lobster, lava rock oyster, Molokai venison and Hawaiian ahi – are served with modern French flair in this casual restaurant with a flashy open kitchen and engaging staff.

413 Seaside Ave #2f, Honolulu

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