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Downtown Honolulu to Waikiki – Along the Shopping Corridor

© Lottie Tagupa

While waiting at the stop light on the corner of Vineyard Boulevard and Pali Highway, one can easily see the looming high-rises of downtown Honolulu. The financial center of the Pacific as well as the capitol of the State of Hawaii, Honolulu is a county of almost 900,000 people and the downtown area is quite small in comparison to many major cities, but in the several blocks that lie between Beretania Street and Ala Moana Boulevard, you'll find the home of Hawaii's two major banks, city hall, state, county and federal courthouses and a small, but thriving Chinatown community. Continuing across Vineyard Blvd to the next intersection is the beginning of Bishop Street. Up ahead in the distance are Honolulu Harbor and the Aloha Tower. However, before we continue to the Aloha Tower and Marketplace, turn left from Bishop to King Street. Continue along King for another block and you will see on your left the Iolani Palace on the right. On the left will be the King Kamehameha Statue. On the left just past the Palace are the State Archive Building and the Hawaii State Library. On the right are the Hawaii State Supreme Court and Kawaiaho Church up ahead. Prepare to turn left at the intersection of Punchbowl. On the right, you will see City Hall and on the left, you will find the State Capitol Building. Prepare to turn left again onto Beretania and you will pass Washington Place or the Governor's residence. Prepare to turn left again and you will find that you have returned to Bishop Street with the Aloha tower ahead. At the base of Bishop Street is the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Shops, restaurants and entertainment are found here on weekends and holidays and on "Boat Days" when cruise ships arrive at the harbor and passengers are greeted with song, dance and flower leis.

Once at the end of Bishop Street, turn left onto Ala Moana Boulevard. This road will take you along the coastline and eventually into Waikiki. There has been a significant amount of development in this area of Honolulu recently. On the left is the Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Building. Yes, the same person for which the highway is named. Across the street is Restaurant Row. This plaza has many dining and dancing establishments, and is particularly popular with the young local crowd.

As you continue along Ala Moana Boulevard, you will see the Victoria Ward shopping complexes on the left. Ward Warehouse and Ward Centre has recently been joined by the Ala Moana Farmer's Market to offer the shopper many different shopping experiences. Ward Warehouse has restaurants, boutiques and other fine establishments, while Ward Centre is more upscale and trendy. Farmer's Market is full of fruit and vegetable stands and fish markets for those who like the very freshest.

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