Cultural Trip

Spend a week seeing the sacred sites from ancient Hawaii -- where priests once healed people -- to the spot where members of royalty were born, to the days of the missionaries and old plantations, to World War II -- where Pearl Harbor was attacked. Below are the highlights of Oahu's cultural and historic sights and activities, including: Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, Central Oahu, and other places that give us a vivid reminder of history.

Day 1: Arrive in Hawaii & Head for Waikiki Beach

To get an overview of Waikiki's history, start off with the 2-mile Waikiki Historic Trail, marked by a 6-foot talk-surfboard explaining the history of today's favorite resort area. Next, hop on a Segway Personal Transporter with Glide Ride Tours and Rentals. After a lesson to make sure you are competent, head off for a tour of Waikiki, Kapiolani Park, and Diamond Head. At sunset, wander along the sand at Waikiki Beach and listen to the Hawaiian music coming from every hotel. Plan dinner at either Hula Grill or Duke's.

Day 2: World War II

Unfortunately, no trip to Honolulu would be complete without a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, where 1,177 U.S. sailors died in a bombing attack by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. Get there early, preferably by the 7:30am opening -- otherwise face long lines (waits up to 2 hr.). After spending a couple of hours here, go next door to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, one of just 15 World War II submarines still in existence. If you're ready for more, wander down to the USS Missouri Memorial, where the Japanese signed the surrender agreement on September 2, 1945, ending World War II. Definitely take the tour to get the full impact of this historic vessel. Finish with the Pacific Aviation Museum, where you can sit behind the controls of a simulated plane that flew in World War II. To get a feel for that fateful day in 1941 that propelled the U.S. into the war, sign up for the unforgettable Island Seaplane Service's tour of the entire island. Finish the day by wandering through the (Punchbowl) National Cemetery of the Pacific to see the true cost of any war.

For an evening activity to cheer you up, try a stand-up comedian or a show in Waikiki.

Day 3: Hawaiian Royalty & Missionaries

If you really want to "understand" Hawaii, take the 45-minute tour of the Iolani Palace, where you'll see how Hawaiian royalty lived. When sugar planters and descendants of missionaries overthrew the Kingdom of Hawaii on January 17, 1893, Hawaii's last queen, Liliuokalani, was put under house arrest and this palace also became a jail. Next, wander down the street to the crowning achievement of the missionaries, Kawaiahao Church, which holds its Sunday service in Hawaiian at 10:30am. To learn more about the missionaries who traveled from New England to Hawaii (via Cape Horn) to spread the gospel, stop by the Mission Houses Museum. Make one last call at the Royal Mausoleum, the final resting place of both royalty and missionaries, and then relax over dinner at Cassis Honolulu, which offers views of the harbor.

Day 4: Hawaii's History on the Land & Sea

Plan to be at the opening of the Hawaii Maritime Center at 8:30am, to spend at least an hour wandering through this fascinating reproduction of Hawaii's history from the ancient journey of Polynesians to the days of the four-masted schooners to today. Next, head out of Honolulu, stopping by Hawaii's premier cultural and historical museum, the Bishop Museum, where you could spend days but should limit this visit to a couple of hours before heading out to the North Shore via Haleiwa town. Grab a terrific burger or sandwich at Kua Aina, or sit down for lunch at Cafe Haleiwa, and then head over to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Try to get there as close to the 12:30pm opening time as possible to avoid crowds. Allow at least 2 hours to tour this 42-acre lagoon park (and more time if you have kids). It's pricey to get in (tickets start at $50), so stay as long as you like. At sunset, drive back towards Haleiwa and watch the sun set behind the mountains at the Hawaiian sacred temple, Puu O Mahuka. Plan to enjoy a leisurely dinner at Haleiwa Joe's.

Day 5: Plantation Days in Hawaii

At Hawaii's Plantation Village, take the hour-long tour of this restored 50-acre village that depicts what life was like on the plantations of 1852 to 1947. The chief mode of transportation at that time was the railroad. You can experience the Old Oahu Railway trains at the Hawaiian Railway. And to see what a plantation looks like today, stop by the Dole Pineapple Plantation. Take the afternoon off and go to a beach.

Day 6: Chinese & Asian History in Honolulu

Spend the day seeing a different side of Hawaii by walking the streets of Honolulu's Chinatown. You can choose to take a formal tour (offered by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce) for just $10. Plan to have lunch in this exotic part of Oahu; try Little Village Noodle House.

Day 7: Shop

Culture hounds will be mesmerized by the Contemporary Museum Gift Shop, the Honolulu Academy of Art's Shop, and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center's Little Hawaiian Craft Shop. Artists and collectors could spend an entire day at Native Books & Beautiful Things, Nohea Gallery, and Bishop Museum's Shop Pacifica. So many things to buy and so little time. Start planning your next trip to Hawaii.