7 Unique Attractions In Hawaiʻi Are An Absolute Must-Visit
Posted by Maris on 11th Jun 2024
Featured in Only In Your State, Megan Shute highlights seven must-see sights in Hawaii. Take part in one of our top-notch luxury excursions while visiting the Big Island to see the island's natural beauty and rich culture.
After you've been to the USS Arizona Memorial on Oahu, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, and a luau, there are still a ton of lesser-known, interesting locations in Hawaii that aren't often packed with tourists. These are seven amazing, slightly off-the-beaten-path attractions in Hawaii.
Panaewa Rainforest Zoo
The Panaewa Rainforest Zoo is the first on the list of truly unique locations to visit in Hawaii. This Big Island attraction, the only tropical zoo in the country, is the ideal spot for a day away from the water. In addition to endangered Hawaiian species, visitors can see a variety of rainforest creatures, including lemurs, spider monkeys, White Bengal tigers, and over 80 other animal species. Learn more about the Rainforest Zoo at Panaewa.
Pearl Harbor Historic Sites
There are a number of other historic locations in Pearl Harbor that are less crowded and offer a different perspective, even though the free USS Arizona Memorial is a very popular tourist destination. See the USS Battleship Missouri, which was rebuilt following the attacks on Pearl Harbor and is now available for public tours and exploration.
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
This park, situated on the Big Island, is home to numerous archaeological dig sites and replicas of an ancient Hawaiian "place of refuge." The location offers a self-guided tour and was formerly the residence of Hawaiian nobility and those who broke a la, or vanquished, military. Learn more about the National Historical Park of Pu'uhonua o Honaunau.
Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge
There are 203 acres of protected property on Kauai's north shore.
The Laysan albatross, the Pacific golden plover, and the nene, the state bird of Hawaii, are found there. It's a short stroll from the parking area to the Kilauea lighthouse. Originally lit up on May 1, 1913, it stands as the northernmost point of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands and is a well-liked tourist destination in Hawaii for many excellent reasons.
Pacific Tsunami Museum
The Pacific Tsunami Museum is housed in a bank building that narrowly survived the most recent tsunami to devastate the Big Island. Even though Hilo is a popular tourist destination, staff members work hard to prepare the locals for tsunamis.
Kalaupapa Leper Colony
Kalaupapa is a leper colony located on a remote peninsula on the northern side of Molokai. The government of Hawaii deported and officially proclaimed dead thousands of men, women, and children who were diagnosed with leprosy between 1866 and 1969 and sent them to a colony. Visitors can now take a mule ride to the settlement. Undoubtedly, this is among the most distinctive sights in Hawaii.
Kukaniloko Birthing Stones
The Kukaniloko Birthing Stones are located in Wahiawa, Oahu, about 100 yards from the intersection of Whitmore Avenue and Highway 80. The site has been associated with significant battles and royal births for generations. According to recent research, the stones may have had further astrological significance. Were they possibly akin to a Pacific Islands henge?