By Rachel Puryear

Honolulu is Hawaii’s largest city, and its capital, and it’s on the coast of the island of Oahu. It’s also the world’s most remote major city of its size, located thousands of miles from the nearest other large cities. Its isolation shapes the local culture and economy.

There’s plenty to see and do here, and it’s a great city to explore. Unlike so many large cities, the air feels so fresh and clean here by comparison, probably due to the abundant flora around the islands. This state is like one big garden!

Here are some of the favorite highlights of Honolulu:

Foster Botanical Garden

Located in downtown Honolulu, Foster Botanical Garden offers a huge and stunning array of beautiful flowers, trees, and plant life; found in the Hawaiian islands. There’s also a butterfly garden! You can easily spend a few hours here, strolling the gorgeous grounds, and it’s huge. Even though you’re in downtown, it feels very relaxed inside. There’s also a decent parking lot. Plus, it smells wonderful all around in here!

Pu’u Ualaka’a State Park

This park offers spectacular panoramic views of the southern Oahu coast, and downtown Honolulu. There are also trails for hiking, which feature lush plant life and native species. There are also roads that are gorgeous to drive through.

See here for more about visiting Pu’u Ualaka’a State Park.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

Pearl Harbor’s National Memorial site is quite moving, whether or not you’re a military or history buff. The site commemorates those killed in the attack on December 7, 1941, and – interestingly – also honors the survivors. I like that they do both of those things.

Reading the narratives of those who survived the attack, a major theme for so many was survivors guilt – that’s a humbling thing to see, that those who lived to tell about a horrific event were thinking the most about others. Many brave people also risked their own lives to save others.

It’s also quite humbling to read about the Japanese Americans who served in World War II following the Pearl Harbor attack; even though they and their civilian counterparts faced intense discrimination, suspicion, and injustice. They were also instrumental during the war due to their knowledge of the language and culture of Japan. They made up a large percentage of service members from Hawaii during the war – including those killed – and are credited with shortening the war and saving many lives.

See here for more about visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace, situated in downtown Honolulu, is the historical residence of the Hawaiian Royal Family.

It’s a grand old building, and you can either check it out from the outside, or take a tour inside.

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