Honolulu 4 Day Itinerary

Honolulu 4-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Exploring Downtown Honolulu

  • Morning: Arrive at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Check into your hotel in the Waikiki area.
    • Hotel Recommendation: The Modern Honolulu, Sheraton Waikiki, or Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort
  • Afternoon: Visit Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on US soil. Nearby, explore the Hawaii State Capitol and King Kamehameha Statue.
    • Lunch: Grab a bowl of traditional Hawaiian food at Helena’s Hawaiian Food or The Pig & The Lady.
  • Evening: Stroll around Waikiki Beach, enjoy the sunset, and try some local shave ice (e.g., Matsumoto Shave Ice).
    • Dinner: Dine at Morimoto Asia Waikiki or Duke’s Waikiki for seafood.

Day 2: Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial

  • Morning: Visit Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Be sure to get tickets in advance as they sell out quickly.
    • Lunch: Eat at the Pearl Harbor Cafe or Watanabe’s Restaurant, located near the USS Arizona Memorial.
  • Afternoon: Explore the Battleship Missouri Memorial, Pacific Aviation Museum, and USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park.
  • Evening: Return to Waikiki and relax on the beach or explore Kalakaua Avenue’s shopping and dining scene.
    • Dinner: Have dinner at Roy’s Waikiki or Top of Waikiki for a romantic sunset view.

Day 3: Diamond Head & North Shore

  • Morning: Hike Diamond Head Crater for stunning views of Honolulu and the ocean. Remember to bring water, sunscreen, and wear proper footwear.
  • Afternoon: Drive to the North Shore (approx. 1 hour) and visit the historic town of Haleiwa. Have lunch at Haleiwa Joe’s or Ted’s Bakery.
    • Activities: Swim at Waimea Bay, explore the Dole Plantation, or watch surfers at Sunset Beach or Banzai Pipeline.
  • Evening: Return to Waikiki and have dinner at Orchids restaurant at Halekulani or Beachhouse at the Moana Surfrider.

Day 4: Luau & Departure

  • Morning/Afternoon: Spend your last day relaxing on the beach, shopping for souvenirs, or exploring more of Waikiki.
    • Lunch: Have a final meal at Alan Wong’s Honolulu or The Veranda restaurant at Sheraton Waikiki.
  • Evening: Attend a traditional Hawaiian Luau, such as Paradise Cove or Polynesian Cultural Center. Enjoy local music, hula dancing, and a feast of Hawaiian dishes.
    • Tips: Learn some basic Hawaiian words, be respectful of the culture during the luau, and remember to tip service staff.
  • Departure: Check out from your hotel and head to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) for your flight home. Aloha!

Transportation: Rent a car or use TheBus, Honolulu’s public transportation system, to get around the island. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available.

Things to Know: Hawaiian time is HST (Hawaii Standard Time), which is 3 hours behind the East Coast and 6 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time. The official language of Hawaii is English, but Hawaiian is also spoken.