Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour

Tours Culture & history Walking tours Things to do for adults Sightseeing Tours Cruises & boat tours History & heritage Self-guided Audio Guides Brooklyn Walking Tours

Hear the unusual story of two industries that created a top tourist destination in this self-guided audio tour. Experience the magic of GPS-playback on this immersive stroll through Waikiki.

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Highlights

  • Discover Waikīkī's intertwined military and entertainment heritage
  • Hear from Kapena, a local guide born and raised in Oahu
  • Do it all in 120 minutes or linger at stops along the way
  • Get unlimited use of the tour before your booking date and after it
  • Use the virtual tour option at home

Description

Uncover the fascinating synergy between the military and entertainment industries in Hawaii‘s Waikīkī neighborhood. This walking tour takes you along part of the Waikīkī Historical Trail where you‘ll see physical traces of these distinct fields, and their development. Hali‘a Tours designed this particular route to help enhance your understanding of this unique Honolulu neighborhood in a fun and flexible way. Our tour begins at Fort DeRussy Park which hugs the beachfront, then winds along the Ala Wai Canal and ends in front of the historical landmark Helumoa. Along the way, you‘ll hear stories about the military‘s occupation of the Hawaiian Islands before and after the attacks on Pearl Harbor and see locations featured in films like Blue Hawaii and Gilligan‘s Island. I‘ll also show you one of Hawaii Five-0‘s favorite filming locations at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Ilikai Hotel, the resort that the original show made famous. We‘ll then delve into some 20th-century Hawaiian history, zooming in on events that helped propel Hawaii‘s entertainment industry including the Ala Wai Canal‘s construction, the Hawaii Convention Center‘s development, and the building of the Ala Moana Shopping Mall. On this Honolulu tour, you‘ll have the opportunity to: • See the Ala Moana Hotel and learn about its initial use as a Chrysler Plymouth automobile showroom • Hear about the US Military‘s arrival and occupation of Hawaii • Stroll along picturesque beaches and visit Ala Moana Beach Park • Learn about iconic scenes from Blue Hawaii, Hawaii Five-0, Lost, and Gilligan‘s Island, and see where they were filmed • Capture stunning photos of the Diamond Head Crater • Shop at the world‘s largest open-air shopping center, the Ala Moana Shopping Mall • Trace Waikīkī’s transformation into a tourist destination Give yourself two hours, or embrace the island pace and take your time on this walking tour. Waikīkī is filled with restaurants and there are public restrooms at the beaches and parks. If you‘d like to escape the heat or rain or take a quick break, then popping into one of the hotels and shopping malls along the route is always a good option. Donʻt forget about the free and fun scavenger hunts and quizzes that accompany every tour. There‘s an easy 10-question and a harder version with 25 additional questions to enjoy. Now you don‘t have to worry about pulling the kids off their phones to enjoy the day!

Includes

Lifetime access to this tour in English VoiceMap app for Android and iOS Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Important Information

  • You need to install the VoiceMap smartphone app.
  • You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
  • This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
  • When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
  • This tour is only available in English.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Gallery

Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour
Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour
Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour
Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour
Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour
Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour
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