Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour – Honolulu, Hawaii

EXPERIENCE

Uncover the fascinating synergy between the military and entertainment industries in Hawaii‘s Waikīkī neighborhood. This walking tour takes you along part of the Waikīkī Historical Trail where you‘ll see physical traces of these distinct fields, and their development. Hali‘a Tours designed this particular route to help enhance your understanding of this unique Honolulu neighborhood in a fun and flexible way.

Our tour begins at Fort DeRussy Park which hugs the beachfront, then winds along the Ala Wai Canal and ends in front of the historical landmark Helumoa. Along the way, you‘ll hear stories about the military‘s occupation of the Hawaiian Islands before and after the attacks on Pearl Harbor and see locations featured in films like Blue Hawaii and Gilligan‘s Island. I‘ll also show you one of Hawaii Five-0‘s favorite filming locations at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Ilikai Hotel, the resort that the original show made famous. We‘ll then delve into some 20th-century Hawaiian history, zooming in on events that helped propel Hawaii‘s entertainment industry including the Ala Wai Canal‘s construction, the Hawaii Convention Center‘s development, and the building of the Ala Moana Shopping Mall.

On this Honolulu tour, you‘ll have the opportunity to:

• See the Ala Moana Hotel and learn about its initial use as a Chrysler Plymouth automobile showroom
• Hear about the US Military‘s arrival and occupation of Hawaii
• Stroll along picturesque beaches and visit Ala Moana Beach Park
• Learn about iconic scenes from Blue Hawaii, Hawaii Five-0, Lost, and Gilligan‘s Island, and see where they were filmed
• Capture stunning photos of the Diamond Head Crater
• Shop at the world‘s largest open-air shopping center, the Ala Moana Shopping Mall
• Trace Waikīkī’s transformation into a tourist destination

Give yourself two hours, or embrace the island pace and take your time on this walking tour. Waikīkī is filled with restaurants and there are public restrooms at the beaches and parks. If you‘d like to escape the heat or rain or take a quick break, then popping into one of the hotels and shopping malls along the route is always a good option.

Donʻt forget about the free and fun scavenger hunts and quizzes that accompany every tour. There‘s an easy 10-question and a harder version with 25 additional questions to enjoy. Now you don‘t have to worry about pulling the kids off their phones to enjoy the day!

HIGHLIGHTS

Discover Waikīkī’s intertwined military and entertainment heritage
Hear from Kapena, a local guide born and raised in Oahu
Do it all in 120 minutes or linger at stops along the way
Get unlimited use of the tour before your booking date and after it
Use the virtual tour option at home

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