Search hotels near Honolulu Harbor

Honolulu Harbour is the principal port of Hawaii, United States. The city of Honolulu was built up around the harbour following the arrival of merchant ships in the late 1700s. It’s is a vibrant area, with shops, restaurants and bars, and is also home to museums, galleries and memorials dedicated to the country’s military history.

Begin an exploration of Honolulu Harbour by taking a trip to Aloha Tower. Aloha Tower lighthouse has been greeting ships into the harbour since 1926. It became an iconic and welcoming landmark for immigrants travelling to the island to begin a new life. The tower was utilised during the Pearl Harbour era as a defensive tower and was painted in camouflage colours so that it couldn’t be viewed at night. Today, it is a vibrant marketplace with outdoor spaces, shops and dining establishments. Aloha Tower is a few minutes’ walk from the lively Chinatown district, home to herbalists, exotic fruit markets, restaurants and temples. Another worthwhile visit while in the harbour zone is Iolani Palace. This palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian monarchy from 1882 to 1893. European designs influenced the exterior architecture and the palace included the first electric light system and in-house telephones on the island. Honolulu Museum of Art attracts many island visitors. With over 50,000 works in its possession, the museum houses a large collection of Asian and Pan-Pacific artwork. Travellers interested in military history should make the journey to view the USS Arizona Memorial and the Pearl Harbour World War II Valour in the Pacific Monument. The memorials are historic and moving and just a short drive from Honolulu Harbour.

Reaching Honolulu Harbour is easy via bus and trolley bus from the downtown areas of Waikiki. Many of the attractions can also be accessed by bus. Driving to the Pearl Harbour memorials takes approximately 20 minutes by car or just over 50 minutes if making the journey by bus.

The first merchant vessel arrived in Honolulu Harbour in 1786. The harbour was named "Fair Haven" which translates to "Honolulu" in the Hawaiian language. It quickly became the most prominent port of the islands, and the city was deemed the capital of Hawaii. Today, the harbour is still bustling and lively. It has many historical reminders and is home to a multitude of bars, restaurants, shops and waterfront parks.