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The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
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Athenaeus described various kinds of Greek drinking vessels, like the deep, rounded skyphos and wide, flat kylix.
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All the United States Hawaii Honolulu

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Honolulu

20 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Honolulu, Hawaii

Updated January 10, 2025

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Unusual Attractions in Honolulu

Koko Crater Trail.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Koko Crater Trail

Climbing this abandoned railway leads to breathtaking vistas of O‘ahu.
The Bishop is the Hawaiʻi State Museum of Natural and Cultural History

Honolulu, Hawaii

Bishop Museum

This museum of Hawaiian and Polynesian culture is the legacy of the last descendant of the Kamehameha Dynasty.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Shangri La

Doris Duke's lasting collection of Islamic Art, hidden in a Hawaiian paradise.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Nisshodo Candy Store

This mom-and-pop Japanese sweets shop has been serving cloud-light mochi for almost a century.
Iolani Palace

Honolulu, Hawaii

Iolani Palace

The only royal palace on U.S. soil has been a territorial capitol, a military headquarters, and a prison for a queen.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Spitting Caves

A unique set of caves that spits waves back out into the ocean.
It can occasionally get sort of crowded.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Corsair Plane Wreck Dive Site

This WWII plane died a quiet death, and is now a garden eel playground.
Ali’iolani Hale

Honolulu, Hawaii

Ali’iolani Hale

Once the site of the Hawaiian monarchy, this building was originally designed as a palace.
See All 20 Things To Do in Honolulu

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Honolulu

Honolulu, Hawaii

Nisshodo Candy Store

This mom-and-pop Japanese sweets shop has been serving cloud-light mochi for almost a century.
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Itineraries

8 Watery Wonders in Hawaiʻi, Without Setting Foot in the Ocean

Yes, we know, Hawaiʻi is surrounded by water—the state is a watery wonder in and of itself. But the ocean is only the beginning. The volcanic islands' dramatic topography, unpredictable coastlines, and high rainfall mean that water in and around the Paradise of the Pacific cavorts in all sorts of stunning ways: waterfalls, blowholes, pools, and more. (Plus rainbows. Lots and lots of rainbows.) And you can enjoy all of these natural showstoppers without having to get your feet wet.

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Explore Honolulu, Hawaii

A
Architecture 4
Architectural Oddities 3
World War Ii 3
Memorials 2
Museums 2
Indigenous 2
Military 2
Palaces 2

Honolulu Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Charles Fowler
    3
  2. Dark Nebula Deluxe
    2
  3. lockhartpreston
    2
  4. RobertPakko
    1
  5. Jackieacosta
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Honolulu.

Places Edited

  1. calysa14
    6
  2. marileeski
    5
  3. AFJAGExplores
    3
  4. aitosimpsonsteele
    3
  5. Charles Fowler
    3
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. mmmyoso
    17
  2. HoboPal
    17
  3. makspitzer
    15
  4. siewch
    15
  5. robstrippin
    14
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Honolulu.

Recent Honolulu Activity

  • summermaddux

    has been to The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu

    about 16 hours ago
  • staceydeloose 6202fada

    wants to go to The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu

    about 14 hours ago
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    has been to The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu

    about 13 hours ago
  • malloryS

    wants to go to The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu

    about 13 hours ago
  • ArbutusWD

    wants to go to The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu

    about 5 hours ago

Stories About Honolulu

The map included grocery stores, bakery, and a Japanese-Korean restaurant and hotel.

Tour Honolulu's Japanese Food Scene With This 1906 Map

More than a century ago, Takei Nekketsu mapped Japanese-owned businesses for recent immigrants.
by Reina Gattuso
November 15, 2019

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