travelgasm®

2023 Travel Update: As of 2023, Hawaii is open for tourism by both vaccinated and unvaccinated US citizen travelers without Covid-specific documentation or testing. It also essentially is open to vaccinated non-US citizen travelers with proof of vaccination but no additional testing although some exceptions apply. Nevertheless, be sure to double check the official state of Hawaii requirements and national CDC requirements for up-to-the minute details.

The Hawaii Capital Historic District — sometimes misspelled as the Hawaii Capitol Historic District — is among the oldest sections of Honolulu. Because this district is both the seat of government for Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii, and is focused around the architecturally distinctive Hawaii State Capitol building, this confusion certainly is understandable.

This area has been the center of political power in Hawaii since at least 1882, but it was "reconfigured" beginning in 1959 when Hawaii became a US state. This reconfiguration of the area was implemented in a Modernist style, characterized by buildings placed in green park-like space separated from the street.

This type of Modernist development tends to make today's Western architecture critics bristle, and some of the changes to the area were for the worse — like the wide, high-speed, one-way surrounding streets — but the park space itself, largely separate from vehicles and their fumes, provides a pleasant stroll.

Because of its structure, travelgasm.com suggests that the Hawaii Capital Historic District presents an interesting contrast to the tight grids in Downtown Honolulu and Waikiki as well as the opportunity to see a smattering of dramatically different architectural styles in close proximity to one another.

Distinctive Architecture in the Hawaii Capital Historic District

Seven noteworthy architectural gems follow, organized on our map below:

1. Hawaii State Capitol - Completed in 1969 and officially New Formalist architecturally, it is distinctive among US capitol buildings. Love it or hate it, it definitely is unique. You may take a self-guided tour any time Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
2. Iolani Palace - Opened in 1882, once the residence of the Hawaiian monarchy. Tickets can be booked directly for US$26.95 and up.
   You also might consider buying the Go City Pass Honolulu, which includes entry to the Iolani Palace as well as Diamond Head, several Pearl Harbor attractions, the Bishop Museum, a number of boat tours, water activities, bike rental, and more.
3. YWCA Laniakea - Completed in 1927 in a beautiful Beaux-Arts style, this was the first reinforced concrete building in Hawaii.
4. Ali'iolani Hale - Finished in 1874, and originally used by the Legislature, now the home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court. Its gilded statue of King Kamehameha — the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii — is a popular photo op.
5. Honolulu City Hall - Built in 1928, this Spanish Colonial Revival style building is the turf of the Mayor and City Council.
6. Kawaiaha'o Church - Finished in 1842, this small, but unique, church is made entirely out of blocks cut from from coral reefs.
7. Hawaiian Mission Houses - Built by missionaries starting in 1821, this modest collection of houses are the oldest Western-style structures in Hawaii. Guided tours are available on Tuesday and Friday at 11 AM and 1 PM and Saturday at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM; US$20 for adults and US$15 for students.

If you have time, the walking path through the park continues past Punchbowl Street. This area is not quite as architecturally diverse, but it definitely provides a pleasant space for a bike ride or a picnic.

Where to Eat in the Hawaii Capital Historic District

Because the Hawaii Capital Historic District largely is a collection of government buildings, the food options are limited. In the area, the convenient choice is Café Julia in the YWCA Laniakea. Named after the building's architect — Julia Morgan — and popular with political types, it offers "New American fare" with entrees in the US$20-US$30 range. If you are on a tighter budget, you may prefer instead to head to the nearby Fort Street for more choices.

Below, we have mapped out a largely pleasant loop walk from a convenient bus stop through the green space in addition to the selected architecture.

How to Get Here: The Hawaii Capital Historic District is well served by TheBus; just about all routes in the city have a stop in the area. There are 32 bus routes that reach our our suggested starting point at S. Beretania Street and Punchbowl Street (Stop 45), but convenient options from Waikiki include routes 2, 2L, 13, 20, 23, and 42 from Kuhio Avenue. Stand on the mauka side of the street — toward the mountains — to go toward the Hawaii Capital Historic District.

travelgasm.com's Hawaii Capital Historic District Map (Full Screen)

Cities > Honolulu > Honolulu Best 7 > Next: (7) Follow the Fort... >>

Like the Capital Historic District? Tell your friends and frenemies on social media that you discovered it first:

Intelligent and good-looking readers of travelgasm.com like you also sign up for our free monthly-ish mailing list.

Live in Honolulu? What tourist attraction do you most like to share with visitors? Spotted anything out-of-date or inaccurately translated? Please tell travelgasm.com. Mahalo! Thanks!