Traditional hale pili in the main hall.
So youʻre on O’ahu (or want to come) and you realize just how much you can really do and enjoy here in Hawai’i. From beaches, to endless food experiences, hikes, and gorgeous drives around the island. But you are actually curious about the real Hawai’i, the part that you don’t really get to fully understand through the airplane tv screen or muddled hotel brochures of booze cruises.
Well, I am going to share my TOP 3 FAVORITE places to learn about the REAL HAWAIʻI.
Disclaimer: These favorites are in fact the top recommendations of actual Native Hawaiians for malihini (tourists) to actually learn about Hawaiian history and culture to benefit.
I Ka Nana No A ‘Ike.
By Observing, One Learns.
3) Polynesian Culture Center
Also known as PCC, is one of the top rated tourist experiences on Oʻahu. And the reason why itʻs ranked in the top three is because itʻs not just a tourist attraction to enjoy “island activities”. Here you actually get the chance to fully be immersed in Pacific Island cultural activities. Not just of Hawai’i, but of four other Polynesian cultures:
Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, & Aotearoa (New Zealand).
Is it a TRUE experience?
Initially when I went, I was concerned about it being overly touristy and not reflecting of the true cultures. And while it was over the top with shakes and ʻalloooohaaa”, island depictions are very much accurate and on point with what life is like on these islands.
Credit: TripAdvisor
That is because the people portraying these lifestyles are in fact mostly Pacific Islanders from their respective nations. Sprinkle some Filipinos, Indians, and Taiwanese in there who learn from their Island counterparts and you have a full cultural immersion experience into the Pacific Islands.
5 Islands including Hawai’i? talk about a full Polynesian package deal!
There are plenty of tour operators out there to book because PCC is on the opposite side of the island at Laie (assuming most people stay Waikiki), but to keep it simple you can click here to go directly to their site to book.
2) Iolani Palace
The only Royal Palace in the 50 states is one of the most elegant and beautiful buildings in Hawai’i and significant to Hawaiian hearts. That is because this was and still is the home to Hawaiian leadership and royalty. Also the heartbreaking location where American businessmen overthrew the queen, ending Hawaiian sovereignty.
Inside the Palace, you will find just how ahead of time Hawaiians were with a plumbing system and electricity. Here you get the chance to learn about Hawaiiʻs royalty, how they lived, and ran a nation over 100 years ago. What they stood for, how they represented their people even during the hardest of times in history. It is also said that Iolani palace is built over a heiau (ancient Hawaiian temple) which add more to the spiritually of this palace.
Tickets must be reserved! Click here to book your tickets to Iolani Palace.
1) Bishop Museum
Above hikes and beaches, this is my absolute favorite place in Hawai’i. Bernice Pauahi Bishop was an aliʻi (noble) of Hawai’i and played a HUGE role in establishing Kamehameha schools, an educational institutions that exists today for Native Hawaiians. But after her passing, she left a legacy behind for the world to enjoy, the establishment of Bishop Museum.
Hawaiian Main Hall | Credit: Best of O’ahu
Bishop Museum is Hawaiis largest collection of artifacts, data, and information of just about all of Hawaiiʻs history. Artifacts collected via donations across the archipelago are displayed in the massive main hallway telling Hawaiis story in chronological order and organized in the best way to understand. From astronomy, gods, weaponry, farming methods, to the rise and fall of the kingdom.
Click here to plan your visit.
Learning about the “Real Hawai’i” is something a journalist or someone living here for years would have the opportunity to fully understand. Itʻs complicated and a very heartbreaking situation. Over 100,000 tourists visit Hawai’i and sadly never learn anything about this culturally rich archipelago. But to learn about Hawai’i at least on a surface level, is definite the greatest thing you can do for both Hawai’i and yourself.
Also check out. my ongoing Youtube playlist on Hawaiʻi.
