St. Andrew’s Cathedral
St. Andrew’s is one of four cathedrals on Oahu. Designed in a Gothic style, it was built with fabricated pieces shipped from England.
King Kamehameha IV and his wife, Queen Emma, both members of the Church of England, had the cathedral specifically built in a Western style of architecture to show their appreciation for the Anglican Church.
>> Location: 229 Queen Emma Square, Honolulu
>> Information: 524-2822
Sandy Beach
This South Shore beach is ideal for experienced bodyboarders and swimmers, but beginners beware. Sandy Beach can be dangerous when the surf is up, due to the shorebreak and rip tide currents.
The beach is a favorite of President Barack Obama who is often seen here on his visits to Hawaii.
>> Location: South Shore, on Kalanianaole Highway, beyond Hawaii Kai
>> Amenities: Lifeguards, lots of free parking, picnic areas, restrooms, showers
King Kamehameha the Great statue
Standing 81⁄2 feet tall and cast in bronze with a granite base, the statue of King Kamehameha the Great was created by sculptor Thomas R. Gould.
Gould, commissioned by the legislature of the Kingdom of Hawaii, depicted Kamehameha with a spear in his left hand while his right extends in a welcoming gesture.
>> Location: 417 S. King St., Honolulu
North Shore beaches
The North Shore features a string of beaches, including Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach and Ehukai (Banzai Pipeline). During the winter these beaches are home to prime surfing competitions such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. November through February is the best time to spot big waves, with surf swelling to 30 feet or higher.
Make sure to stop in the town of Haleiwa to visit some of its shops, boutiques and galleries or just to grab a shave ice.
>> Location: North Shore
Nuuanu Pali Lookout
This scenic spot offers views of Kaneohe, Kailua, the Koolau Mountains and the Windward coast. The lookout is also known for its strong gusts of wind that blast through the point.
The Pali Lookout is also where the Battle of Nuuanu ended in 1795. King Kamehameha I and his army drove more than 400 of Kalanikupule’s soldiers off the cliff to their deaths below.
>> Location: Off Pali Highway between Kailua and Honolulu
>> Admission: Free
Hawaii State Capitol
The Capitol building replaced Iolani Palace as Hawaii’s statehouse in 1969, housing the offices of the governor and lieutenant governor, state legislators and the chambers of the state House and Senate.
The structure’s design symbolizes Hawaii’s volcanoes, with a great central court open to the sky. Forty pillars around the building represent native royal palms. A glass mosaic called “Aquarius,” on the floor of the atrium, suggests underwater formations in shades of blue and green.
>> Location: 415 S. Beretania St., Honolulu
>> Information: 274-3141