Cultural Pursuits on Oahu in Hawaii

Bishop Museum and Planetarium—This state history museum contains Hawaiian art and costumes as well as hands-on exhibits. (808) 847-3511
Hawaii State Art Museum: The Hawaii State Art Museum is dedicated to presenting the largest and finest collection of work by Hawaii artists. The museum honors and inspires artistic excellence and promotes education and cultural enrichment. (808) 586-0900
Honolulu Academy of Arts —The Asian collection at the museum is said to be among the finest in the nation. (808) 532-8701 or (808) 532-8700
Polynesian Cultural Center: Seven native villages give visitors the rare chance to participate in the daily adventures of Hawaiian and other South Pacific cultures. Meet, learn about and interact with the people of Hawaii, Samoa, Maori New Zealand (Aotearoa), Fiji, Tahiti, the Marquesas and Tonga. (808) 293-3333 or 800-367-7060.
Mission Houses Museum: Step into 19th century Hawaii as you are taken on a guided tour of one of the Islands' most fascinating museums.
Hawaii's Plantation Village: Experience "real Hawaii." Journey back to the early 1900s, come explore a sugar plantation village and botanical garden featuring historic homes and plants reflecting the cultural diversity of the islands. ( 808) 677-0110
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor: The Pacific Aviation Museum, located in Hangars 37, 54 and 79 of Pearl Harbor's Ford Island, offers visitors a chance to relive the heinous Pearl Harbor attack in a safe and comfortable museum setting. An introductory film depicts the event in graphic (albeit black and white) detail. Then revelers are ushered into row upon row of dioramas and other exhibits that shed more light on the intricacies of what actually happened on that fateful day. Outside, the experience continues. A replica debris field, complete with smoking wrecks, is on view, as well as actual shrapnel marks and an actual bomb crater. A stable of historical aircraft completes the museum's collection. (808) 441-1000
The Byodo-In Temple showcases a replica of a 900-year-old Japanese temple, a detailed architectural treasure, situated against the backdrop of the majestic Ko'olau mountains. Here in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, you can enjoy beautiful Japanese gardens, tranquil koi ponds, flowing streams and a garden gazebo. Built in 1968, the Temple was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. It is located on Oahu's Windward coast in Kaneohe. (808) 239-5570
Chinatown: As the first Chinese immigrants started arriving in Oahu in 1852, they began moving into urban Honolulu and established a community in the area that is now known as Chinatown. This section of downtown Honolulu offers art galleries, open-air markets, upscale Pacific Rim restaurants and traditional noodle shops, giving Chinatown its own distinct flair. For a historical walking tour of Chinatown, contact the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
(808) 533-3181