Home : 50 Ways to Love Oahu : Art, History, and Culture

Oahu’s historic homes, palaces, and museums reveal the rich and diverse artistic and cultural legacy of Hawaii.

Pay a visit to Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States and the official residence of the last Hawaiian monarchs, King Kalākaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani. This beautifully restored National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu provides visitors with an opportunity to learn much about Hawaiian history. You will be transported to the 19th century as your guide describes the lives and times of Hawaii’s royal family. www.iolanipalace.org

The natural and cultural history of Hawaii and the Pacific region are on vivid display at Bishop Museum. Charles Reed Bishop built the museum as a tribute to his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. The Bishop Museum is renowned for an impressive collection of Hawaiian and Pacific region artifacts, royal memorabilia, the planetarium, the Science Adventure Center, the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, and world class research facilities. 2009 exhibits include Animation (February 14-May 10) and Backyard Monsters (June 13-September 7). www.bishopmuseum.org

Shangri-La is a stunning seaside home filled with extraordinary Islamic art collected by Doris Duke during 60 years of international travel. Duke built the Honolulu home in 1937 after honeymoon travels through the Islamic world. Shangri-La combines Islamic architectural and artistic elements world within a uniquely Hawaiian landscape with sweeping ocean views, exotic gardens, and a 75-foot saltwater pool. Massive painted ceilings, elaborately carved doorways, intricate mosaic tile panels, and colorful textiles and ceramics along with the sounds of crashing waves, fountains, and bird calls, make Shangri-La a one-of-a-kind environment. Tip: Children under 12 years are not allowed on the tour. www.shangrilahawaii.org

Mission Houses Museum connects the story of the American Protestant missionaries from New England who arrived in Hawaii in 1820 with the people, history, and culture of Hawaii. The three mission houses, built between 1821 and 1841, are the oldest Western style buildings in Hawaii. Clothing, furnishing, books, household items, quilts, and a printing press are all on display. 2009 exhibits include Alphabet Soup: Literacy, Language & Learning (February 13-June 13), Hawaiian Flag Quilts: Legacy of Patriotism (July 9-September 12), and Take a Seat (October 16, 2009-January 2, 2010) www.missionhouses.org

Catch a live show at Hawaii Theatre, an historic, fully restored performing arts showcase dating back to 1922 and situated between Chinatown and the financial district of Honolulu. A year-round calendar of entertainers makes this a lively destination. LINES Ballet of San Francisco (February 21), Defending the Caveman (March 31-April 5), and Iona Contemporary Dance Company (April 10-11) are just of a few of the 2009 performances. Tip: Before or after the show, you can enjoy a sumptuous meal at one of the many great restaurants in downtown Honolulu and if it happens to be the First Friday of the Month, there’s a fun monthly celebration of great food and fantastic art to enjoy as well. www.hawaiitheatre.com

The natural and cultural history of Mānoa Valley is preserved through the efforts of private citizens at Mānoa Heritage Centre. Here you can discover the lovingly restored Kūkaō Heiau (temple) and Native Hawaiian gardens blooming with endemic and indigenous plants, many of them endangered species. You can tour the grounds, admire the views, and learn how ancient Hawaiians lived in this valley. www.manoaheritagecenter.org

The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu is well known for innovative and compelling exhibits featuring works by celebrated international and local contemporary artists. This former residence is set amidst scenic grounds and gardens in the residential neighborhood of Makiki Heights. Upcoming 2009 shows include 20 Going on 21: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, Looking to the Future, An Exhibition of Hawaii Artists (March 19-June 21) and Yoshiro Suda’s delicate carved and painted wooden plant life (July 11-October 25). The museum’s downtown galleries at First Hawaiian Center present changing exhibits of Hawaii artists. www.tcmhi.org

The Hawaii State Art Museum presents the largest and finest collection of work by Hawaii artists that reflects the state’s rich ethnic and cultural traditions. Accession: Recent Acquisitions from the Art in Public Places Collection highlights recent purchases, commissions, and gifts that demonstrate the exceptional work collected by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (through July 18, 2009) http://hawaii.gov/sfca/

Find time for the magnificent galleries and lovely courtyards of Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii’s only comprehensive fine arts museum. Along with an impressive Asian collection, the museum is notable for its European, Asian, and American art. Imperial Korean Painting (February 18-May 17, 2009) showcases splendid Korean folding screens while Artists of Hawaii displays outstanding local talent in a regional juried exhibit (May 14-August 16, 2009). www.honoluluacademy.org

A visit to Oahu is an opportunity to step back in time to December 7, 1941, the day of the bombing of Pearl Harbor which marked the United States’ entry into World War II. You will be moved when you visit the USS Arizona Memorial, the final resting place for over 900 victims of that fateful day, and the USS Oklahoma Memorial where 429 men lost their lives December 7. Make time for the USS Missouri Battleship, where the Japanese surrendered; the USS Bowfin Submarine and Museum which features a memorial to submariners killed in action during World War II; and the Pacific Aviation Museum which showcases aviation history. www.nps.gov/usar/