Top Things to do in Hawaii
Things to do in Hawaii, United States: The Best Monuments & Statues
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Restaurants in Hawaii
1. USS Arizona Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26,456 reviews
A 184-foot memorial honoring the 2,388 Americans who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Reviewed By lindar1961 - Inverloch, Australia
The Pearl Harbour complex is well set out. Even though the entry fee seems expensive you do get value for money. The entry includes a boat tide to the USS Arizona, exploring the Bowfin submarine, a bus ride to Ford Island (active Naval Base), exploring the Missouri (battleship) and entry into the aviation museums. Very moving and memorable.
2. Pearl Harbor National Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13,333 reviews
A 184-foot memorial honoring the 2,388 Americans who died during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Reviewed By Y6801YCsusanc
This is a memorial every American visiting Hawaii should not miss. Even though I read complaints posted on TripAdvisor about not being able to visit the memorial itself, it still doesn't take away from the SIGNIFICANCE. They show a movie about what led to the attack on Pearl Harbor which was well presented before going onboard a boat that takes you briefly around the harbor. There is a lot to see here. You can visit a museum detailing the history of the events happening in the Pacific at that time and what led up to the attack. You can also visit both the World War II submarine, USS Bowfin and it's accompanying memorial to lost submariners and the submarine museum; next you can visit the battleship USS Missouri and excellent museum and where the Japanese surrendered. There is also an air museum which we didn't have a chance this time to visit. Kids 12 and up would get more out of this than young children and they should be exposed to this history and never forget it. I was lucky to meet a Pearl Harbor survivor, Sterling Cale. He signed his book for us and I had my picture taken with him (no charge), so don't miss this and thank him for his service to our country.
3. Mookini Heiau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 33 reviews
Spiritual place thought to be the birthplace of King Kamehameha.
Reviewed By IndridKolde
My rental Jeep got me to within a short 15 minute walk to the Heiau, there’s one 3’ deep pond I didn’t want to cross even in the Jeep and the Heiau isn’t much farther on foot so I hiked on in. I was the only person there. A very quiet and sublime place where thousands of Hawaiians were sacrificed. Respect was given. Probably one of the less visited sites but well worth the short trip for the history and the incredible view of Maui and breaching whales offshore. A very picturesque place to visit while noting the horror and yet history of the past
4. Pi'lanihale Heiau
5. Royal Mausoleum State Monument (Mauna Ala)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Reviewed By Kittygal - Los Angeles, United States
I visited this lovely mausoleum on a windy and rainy morning. It's a beautiful resting place for Hawaiian royalty and some other notable historical figures. A spot to reflect...remember...and pay respect.
6. Lahaina Jodo Mission
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By Toyota1994 - Chicago, United States
Jodo Mission is a delightful stop in Lahaina to see the Buddhist Temple complex comprising of a large Buddha statue, a Pagoda, a Temple, and a large Bell. The temple was closed when we visited, but we toured the rest of the beautiful complex. A family-friendly beach is adjacent to the Mission, but scenery-wise, there are much better ones in Maui. If interested in walking, there is a cemetery next to the Mission. The mission is a worthwhile stop indeed.
7. Statue of Duke Kahanamoku
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,960 reviews
Reviewed By psudino - Weehawken, United States
Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku was quite a prolific man. A gold medalist swimmer, actor, police officer and probably the most important person in the history of surfing. This impressive statue, usually adorned with the leis of visitors, sits right on the Waikiki beach, a perfect place for a man who loved the beach. An impressive statue.
8. USS Oklahoma Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 363 reviews
Reviewed By journeymaid48 - Fairport, United States
The USS Oklahoma lost 412 men at the attack of Pearl Harbor. This monument which is with walking distance of the USS Missouri is a tribute to these men who died that morning on 7 December 1941.
9. Fagan's Cross
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By Lpfetzer
you will find the trail beginning just off the Hana Maui Hotel parking lot. Approximately 15 minute steady upward walk on a clean manicured trail. View the entire town and harbor. Sometimes there are cows on the path, they were friendly and moved aside with a bit of coaxing!
10. The Captain Cook Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 572 reviews
A monument dedicated to Captain James Cook, who discovered the Hawaiian Islands and ended Hawaiian royalty.
Reviewed By Underwateredd - Amsterdam, The Netherlands
We opted to hike down to the monument to snorkel and the walk down is not difficult but strongly advise wearing hiking boots or sneakers. A pair of long trousers might be preferred by some as the grass can be overgrown in some places and may scratch. It's approx 45-60mins down to the water from the parking area. The path down is 200m from the main junction. Parking is available on the opposite side of the road from the path. (Try to park perpendicularly and off the road - some selfish people took up 3 car spaces by parking parallel to the kerb). As you get down to the water, you'll see a bay infront of you, follow the path to the left and it brings you to the monument and the best entry point to the water which is via a semi submerged wall. It doesnt take a genius to work out that if people sit on the wall then no one can enter nor exit the water...but people still do it! DOH!! The reef extends out to a steep drop but also in both directions left and right and the whole area is worth exploring. Stay away from the large day trip boats with the 100+ snorkelers clinging to the noodles as they will definitely scare away the more interesting things. We saw, green turtles, a hawksbill turtle, white tip reef sharks, moray eels, box fish, needle fish, tangs, different wrasse and dolphins further out. The walk up is not as hard as Waipio road. It's a longer uphill but the gradient is not so severe as Waipio and is mostly shaded. It took 65 mins to walk back up. (Make sure you have sufficient water for the walk up)
