Honolulu Port Guide

HONOLULU (OAHU), HAWAII

Hawaii’s capital since 1845, Honolulu is a meeting point of many cultures – indigenous and immigrant. Located on the south-east shore of Hawaii’s third-largest island, Oahu, Honolulu is the most-visited destination in the whole State, with parks, museums, natural beauty, and monumental history.

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KEY INFO

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PORT LOCATION AND FACILITIES

Honolulu Harbor has two docks for cruise ships: Pier 2, and Aloha Tower Cruise Terminal (Pier 11). Pier 2 is marginally closer to Downtown Honolulu. Both are roughly a 10-15 minute drive.

Facilities: Toilets, taxis

Port Address: Pier 2/11 Cruise Terminal, 521 Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu, HI 96813

Getting Around: It is possible to walk around the city, though the public bus system is reasonably priced and easy to use (approx. $3 single/$8 day ticket). For something geared towards tourists, the Waikiki Trolley includes over 30 stops, with four different routes (approx. $30 single-line/$60 all-lines). Bike rentals are available around the city via the Biki smart phone app.

Public Transport: Local buses and minibuses cost BBD 3.50 (approx. USD 1.75) per journey (exact change required). Routes connect the port area with beaches and suburbs. For more: www.transportboard.com

Taxis: Taxis are supposed to use meters, though many will tell you a set rate. If you think you’re being ripped off, you can insist they turn on their meter – all registered taxis display driver ID and a website for reporting unethical business. Cost from cruise port to Ala Moana Shopping Mall is no more than $15.
Uber is also prevalent.

Tourist Bus: The Waikiki Trolley has over 30 stops and four routes, on open-sided trolley buses.

For more information: Visit https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/oahu/regions/honolulu

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HONOLULU HIGHLIGHTS

Pearl Harbor Historic Sites: Struck in December 1941, Pearl Harbor remains an active military base to this day. Free to visit, this important historic site includes the USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Allow 6 hours to see all four sites. Wear comfortable shoes. No bags are allowed ($7 storage per bag).
Open daily (7a-5p) | free entry | 10-minute drive or bus line 42 (50 minutes) | www.pearlharborhistoricsites.org

Diamond Head: The famous volcanic mountain overlooking the bowl of Downtown Honolulu and the expanse of glittering Pacific Ocean makes for a fantastic half-day hike. 475 volcanic acres to explore! Reserve entry in advance – card payment only.
Open daily (6a-6p) | $5 per person | https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead

Iolani Palace: The only royal palace in the United States of America. Iolani Palace was the official residence of the final two Hawaiian monarchs, and the site of the final deposition of the monarchy in 1893.
Open Tue-Sat (9a-4p) | Entry $30 (approx.) | 5-minute drive | www.iolanipalace.org

The Bishop Museum: Explore the world’s largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts. Also home to the Honolulu Planetarium ($3 extra).
Open daily (9a-5p) | Entry $30 (approx.) | 15-minute drive or bus line 60 (30 minutes) | www.bishopmuseum.org

Ala Moana Center: The largest open-air shopping mall in the United States of America (some say in the world) with over 400 stores. Plus a food hall. Opposite the center is a public park which leads onto a beach.
Open daily | 8-minute drive or bus line 65 (20 minutes) | https://www.alamoanacenter.com/en/

Waikiki Aquarium: Third-oldest public aquarium in the United States of America.
Open daily (9a-4:30p) | Entry $12 | 15-minute drive or bus line 14/19/20/22 (30 minutes) | www.waikikiaquarium.org

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TIPPING CUSTOMS

Tipping is expected in Honolulu. It’s not uncommon to be asked to tip around 20% in restaurants. Taxi drivers also expect tips; rounding up to a round number is acceptable.

FOOD & DRINK

Don’t only think about restaurants in Honolulu – also check out the many hole-in-the-wall eateries. These casual grab-and-go options serve up some of the best street food going

Lucky Belly: Head to Honolulu’s 200-year-old Chinatown neighborhood for galleries, unique boutiques and great Asian food. Lucky Belly started life as a food truck and exploded in popularity. It’s famous, in particular, for its Belly Bowl ramen

Tropical Ice Creams: Ditch your vanilla scoop and embrace your inner tropical flair by sampling some of Honolulu’s more adventurous flavors, such as a pickled green mango OnoPops ice pop

Spam: Hawaii is obsessed with the tinned once-upon-a-time-meat product. You can get it cooked up in all sorts of dishes… they even do spam sushi! At certain times of year, you’ll find collector’s editions of spam in the supermarkets.

Pineapple: Yes please! Hawaii’s pineapples are some of the sweetest around. Apple bananas are also delicious, if you happen to see a farmers’ market.

SOUVENIR TOP TIPS

Hawaii is famous for its leis – a traditional custom of welcome and community. You can pick up a fresh flower lei from a florist, or buy leis made of shells and other local materials if you want to take one home. Of course, Hawaii’s famous Aloha Shirts make an excellent wearable gift or keepsake too. You’ll see plenty of macadamia nut goodies too (from bags of nuts, to cookies, flavoured coffees and even soaps) – Hawaii is home to the first (and therefore oldest) commercial macadamia nut farm in the world.

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LOCAL LINGO