A cultural guide to Honolulu, Oahu

Even if you’ve never been to Oahu, you’ve likely seen the North Shore’s monster waves and the Koolau Mountains’ rippled cliffs in films like Jurassic Park and TV series such as Lost. But this island is more than a backdrop: With traditions and cuisine rooted in ancient culture, museums showcasing historic artifacts and contemporary works, and concert halls and outdoor spaces playing host to festivals, Oahu has some serious main-character energy.  

Formed by volcanic eruptions, the island is an easily explorable 44 miles long and 30 miles across—but packs in a lot of history. Settled by Polynesians around 500 C.E., conquered by King Kamehameha I in 1795, annexed by the U.S. in 1898, and attacked by Japan during the Second World War, it has had a tumultuous journey.

Today, in a place where hula and the Hawaiian language were once outlawed, Oahu is experiencing a cultural resurgence. From Grammy award-winning Hawaiian music to menus highlighting taro and other culturally significant foods, to signage displaying original Hawaiian place names, you’ll find symbols of resilience—and resistance.

Art & architecture

Honolulu’s open-air airport terminal greets visitors with an amuse-bouche of sculptures, murals, and gardens—a celebration of the environment and cultural diversity that you’ll see across Oahu. 

Traditional Hawaiian hale (houses) were made of wood and other natural materials, and designed to allow natural air circulation. Today, you can feel the breeze blowing through open-air lobbies and halls of historic hotels, like The Royal Hawaiian, and the world’s largest open-air shopping center at Ala Moana. You’ll find native koa wood incorporated into modern buildings, such as the Hawaii State Capitol, which also features a sky-framing, open-air atrium. 

Temples, shrines, churches, chapels, and heiau (Hawaiian sacred sites) sprinkled around Oahu reflect the variety of spiritual practices and structures, and some, like the Byodo-In Temple in Kaneohe, modeled after a larger Buddhist temple in Japan, invite visitors of all faiths to pause for a contemplative moment.     

In Kaka`ako, you’ll find an al-fresco gallery of murals, credited with transforming this monochrome industrial neighborhood into a colorful cultural hub. Nearby, `Iolani Palace, a restoration of the royal residence, stands as a symbol of Hawaiian heritage and the only building in the world designed in American Florentine style.  

Time your trip for a First Friday, and go gallery-hopping around Chinatown after browsing the Honolulu Museum of Art’s collection of more than 50,000 artifacts and works of art from around the globe. For some of the best contemporary Hawaiian artists, check out Capitol Modern, formerly known as the Hawaii State Art Museum. Engage with Oahu’s living arts with a theater performance at Kumu Kahua Theatre or through hula and ukulele lessons offered at the Royal Hawaiian Center and to guests at `Alohilani Resort and many other hotels. 

Food & drink 

If there ever was a recipe for flavorful eats, Oahu’s tropical climate, mineral-rich soil, bountiful ocean, and multicultural influences could be it. You can take a global tasting tour without leaving the island: Sample `ulu (breadfruit) and other island-grown superfoods at KCC Farmers Market, nibble Portuguese malasada pastries at Leonard’s Bakery, slurp spicy tofu soup at hole-in-the-wall eateries like O’Kims Korean Kitchen, sip sake at Japanese izakayas tucked along South King Street, and indulge in a five-course French-inspired dinner at La Vie.  

While relaxed vibes are the norm—yes, your sundress and slippahs (sandals) are adequate attire for many restaurants—casual dining doesn’t mean low quality. Whether you refuel with South Shore Grill’s fish tacos after a surf sesh, try a plantation era-inspired “plate lunch” of kalua pork served with poi and lomi-lomi salmon at Waiāhole Poi Factory, or sit down to a multicourse fine-dining meal featuring hyper-seasonal ingredients at Mugen, you’ll get a taste of Oahu’s terroir and heritage. If you’re unsure where to start, join the Aloha Plate Food Tour and let local chef Lanai Tabura lead the way.  

Even the umbrella drinks get an upgrade on Oahu; savor sunset mai tais made with local rum at Hau Tree and The Mai Tai Bar, or slip behind The Lei Stand storefront to try craft cocktails infused with pineapple, Hawaiian chili, and other island ingredients at this chilled speakeasy. Then there’s the iconic Hawaiian shave ice: a colorful, ice-based treat that makes for a fun way to beat the heat.

Music 

Turn on the radio or drop by a beach bar (perhaps joining the crowds singing along with Henry Kapono at Duke’s on Sunday), and you’re likely to hear a mix of reggae, pop, rock, and traditional and contemporary Hawaiian and “island” music featuring slack-key, ukulele, and guitars. Oahu’s favorable weather sets the stage for outdoor music celebrations, including the Hawai`i `Ukulele Festival, concerts under the stars at open-air venues like the Waikiki Shell, and more intimate shows at beachside spots such as House Without a Key.

Catch a performance by the Honolulu Symphony or the Hawaii Opera Theatre at The Blaisdell Center, or experience a creative blend of local culture, symphonic music, and celebrated artists like singer Paula Fuga and ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro, through the HapaSymphony Series at Hawaii Theatre. 

Those who watch Hawaii Five-O will recognize the Diamond Head lookout, the Rainbow Tower at Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the Battleship USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor. To reach the latter, head to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites’ visitors center where a Navy boat will shuttle you to the offshore memorial dedicated to crewman lost in the 1941 attack.