Legends of Waikiki Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour of Honolulu

Framed by palms beside the Hilton Hawaiian Village, this shimmering manmade lagoon honors Hawaiʻi’s most legendary waterman. Once part of Waikīkī’s mid-century reinvention, it remains a peaceful place to watch paddleboarders glide and glimpse how modern Waikīkī took shape.

Once a coastal military outpost, Fort DeRussy has transformed into one of Waikīkī’s most peaceful open spaces. Wide lawns, shady palms, and gentle surf now fill the grounds where artillery once stood—a reminder of how this shoreline evolved from defense to leisure.

Set within a former World War I coastal fortification, the U.S. Army Museum of Hawaiʻi tells the islands’ military story from ancient warriors to modern times. Inside Battery Randolph, exhibits showcase artifacts from Pearl Harbor, Japanese American regiments, and Hawaiʻi’s long connection to the Pacific. Once built for defense, this concrete stronghold now preserves history—and honors those who served. Admission is free, and the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday. You’ll find the most up-to-date details on their website.

Blending shopping, art, and culture, Waikīkī Beach Walk reimagines two city blocks as a vibrant open-air promenade. Built in the 2000s by Outrigger Resorts, its design honors Hawaiian traditions through native landscaping, public art, and performances that connect modern Waikīkī to its deep cultural roots.

Nicknamed the “Pink Palace of the Pacific,” the Royal Hawaiian has been a symbol of Waikīkī glamour since 1927. Built on land once tied to Hawaiian royalty, its coral-pink façade and Moorish-inspired arches welcomed Hollywood stars, world leaders, and generations of travelers—embodying both Hawaiʻi’s allure and its evolving story.

Anchored by a centuries-old banyan tree, the International Market Place blends modern design with Waikīkī’s eclectic past. Once a lively bazaar created by tiki pioneer Donn Beach, today’s open-air mall honors its roots with architecture that curves around the historic tree—linking Hawaiʻi’s mid-century charm to its contemporary style.

Standing near the site of her former home, this bronze statue honors Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani—the beloved heir to Hawaiʻi’s throne. Poised and dignified, she represents courage and hope during the turbulent years surrounding the Hawaiian monarchy’s overthrow, her outstretched hand a lasting gesture toward the future she never saw.

Tucked amid Waikīkī’s bustle, the Lucoral Museum is a hidden gem devoted to coral, pearls, and stones shaped by the Pacific. Founded by Flora and Joseph Lu in the 1970s, this family-run space blends art, science, and culture—inviting visitors to explore Hawaiʻi’s natural beauty through hands-on exhibits and sparkling displays. Free of charge, open Monday through Friday

Tucked between hotels and the beach, this narrow corridor hums with Waikīkī’s surf culture. Lined with brightly colored boards and echoing with ocean sounds, it’s where generations of Beach Boys have carried on the legacy of Duke Kahanamoku—keeping Hawaiʻi’s spirit of aloha alive, one wave at a time.

Opened in 1901 as Waikīkī’s first beachfront hotel, the Moana Surfrider—“The First Lady of Waikīkī”—blends timeless elegance with island history. Its grand verandas and iconic banyan tree have welcomed queens, aviators, and travelers for over a century, standing as a graceful witness to Hawaiʻi’s changing tides.

Set within a small enclosure near Kūhiō Beach, the Kapaemahu Stones honor four legendary healers from Tahiti whose spiritual energy, or mana, is said to reside here. Revered for centuries and nearly forgotten in modern times, these sacred stones now stand restored as a powerful reminder of Hawaiʻi’s enduring cultural heritage.

Facing the waves he once surfed, this bronze statue honors Duke Kahanamoku—Olympic champion, surfing pioneer, and beloved ambassador of aloha. Born in Honolulu in 1890, Duke shared Hawaiʻi’s ocean culture with the world, blending grace, humility, and pride in a legacy that continues to define Waikīkī today.