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Beaches
Waikiki is busy but bustling, and the North Shore draws surfers and gawkers with its wild waves. Locals also recommend Kahala Beach to watch the sun rise and Waimea Bay for a chance to see a green flash.
Ihilani Spa
At 35,000 square feet, this spa on Oahu’s west coast is one of the biggest on the island and one of the prettiest. It is spread over three floors with mosaic-tiled Roman-style pools and a needle shower pavilion. Hawaiian touches are everywhere, from the private hula-aerobics workout class with a personal trainer to thalasso hydrotherapies, lomi lomi massages and island flora herbal wraps. It’s well worth the half-hour drive from Honolulu.
Iolani Palace
America’s only royal residence, the palace was built in 1882 for King Kalakaua. After the monarchy was overthrown in 1893, it became the capitol, first for the republic, then for the state of Hawaii. The building undergoes regular renovations, and now operates as a state museum. Don’t miss the throne room, where King Kalakaua’s and Queen Liliuokalani’s thrones are on display; the downstairs galleries hold the royal jewelry.
Pearl Harbor Memorial
If you have time for only one side trip while on Oahu, this should be it. The site of Japan’s attack on the American naval fleet in Pearl Harbor in December 1941, propelling the U.S. into World War II, is memorialized with the U.S.S. Arizona monument, where the sunken ship—the tomb of 1,177 crewmen—is visible beneath forty feet of water. More than 1.6 million people each year (many of them Japanese) come to pay their respects. Also moving is the U.S.S. Missouri, the battleship where Japan surrendered in 1945. The Pearl Harbor Memorial contains two museums that recount the attack and US involvement in World War II. TIP: The lines to get into the memorial can be very long, particularly in summer. To escape the crowds and be assured of getting in, reserve tickets online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Visitors cannot bring in any bags whatsoever and you must check everything in rented lockers by the parking lot.
Waikiki Plantation Spa
The Plantation Spa, which is located in the seventeen-story Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, is on the hotel’s roof, making for incredible ocean views in every direction. The unique treatments combine ancient Hawaiian techniques with contemporary therapies.
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