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Honolulu Harbor

Honolulu Harbor

Honolulu Harbor
4
What people are saying
interceptpubs
By interceptpubs
Great harbor views from historic Aloha Tower
4.0 of 5 bubblesAug 2019
The Aloha Tower opened in 1926. Part clock tower, observation platform, office building, and even maritime beacon (although the light became ineffective in the 1960s as taller buildings began to eclipse the tower, so was removed), this 184 foot Hawaiian Gothic (with some Art Deco mixed in) building is topped with a 40 foot mast. For some 40 years, it was the tallest structure in Hawaii. A seven ton weight driven pendulum clock in the tower drives four large clock faces located on the four sides of the tower just below the observation deck. However, this was just one of the ways the tower provided Honolulu with the time. For many years, the mast had a time ball at the top which would descend every day at noon to provide a time hack for ships in the harbor and citizens on shore. The tower also had a siren that would sound at 7 a.m., noon, and 4 p.m. - although this proved too annoying and was eventually restricted to sounding warnings of tsunamis, fires, and such. However, for most people today, the main draw of the tower is the observation deck. Located on the 10th floor (well, technically the 11th, but the floor containing the clock's machinery is not counted), it is accessed via elevator. Based on our visit, the vistas in all directions are good, but those of the harbor and the ocean beyond to the west are probably the most striking - observers can see larger ships all the way to the horizon. Views of the city are also good, but as the tower is today somewhat height challenged, the city views are no longer as striking as they once were. The remainder of the structure has provided office space for various harbor related workers (customs officials, harbor pilots, etc.). It still provides office space today, e.g., the State Harbors Division offices are located here. Although perhaps slipping into obscurity as air travel has displaced passenger liners for traveling to and from the island, the Aloha Tower is still an important landmark and an important reminder of Honolulu's past.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles119 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
44
Average
30
Poor
2
Terrible
1

Lili0000
Huntington, New York, United States25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2014 • Friends
We were in Honolulu for one day after taking NCL cruise around the islands. We used this service as a private guide and ride to the airport later in the day. Shane, the driver/enthusiastic owner was fantastic. He was prompt, professional and very knowledgable about the island both the city and north shore. We were tight on time so it was great having him since he is familiar with the roads, short cuts, and traffic patterns. We had a quick tour of the city and then lunch on the Northshore with sightseeing in between. He had us to the airport on time after a full day of exploring. I highly recommend.
Written 10 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

interceptpubs
Columbus, IN972 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2019
The Aloha Tower opened in 1926. Part clock tower, observation platform, office building, and even maritime beacon (although the light became ineffective in the 1960s as taller buildings began to eclipse the tower, so was removed), this 184 foot Hawaiian Gothic (with some Art Deco mixed in) building is topped with a 40 foot mast. For some 40 years, it was the tallest structure in Hawaii.

A seven ton weight driven pendulum clock in the tower drives four large clock faces located on the four sides of the tower just below the observation deck. However, this was just one of the ways the tower provided Honolulu with the time. For many years, the mast had a time ball at the top which would descend every day at noon to provide a time hack for ships in the harbor and citizens on shore. The tower also had a siren that would sound at 7 a.m., noon, and 4 p.m. - although this proved too annoying and was eventually restricted to sounding warnings of tsunamis, fires, and such.

However, for most people today, the main draw of the tower is the observation deck. Located on the 10th floor (well, technically the 11th, but the floor containing the clock's machinery is not counted), it is accessed via elevator. Based on our visit, the vistas in all directions are good, but those of the harbor and the ocean beyond to the west are probably the most striking - observers can see larger ships all the way to the horizon. Views of the city are also good, but as the tower is today somewhat height challenged, the city views are no longer as striking as they once were.

The remainder of the structure has provided office space for various harbor related workers (customs officials, harbor pilots, etc.). It still provides office space today, e.g., the State Harbors Division offices are located here.

Although perhaps slipping into obscurity as air travel has displaced passenger liners for traveling to and from the island, the Aloha Tower is still an important landmark and an important reminder of Honolulu's past.
Written 30 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ramjet21
Festus, MO57 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2014 • Couples
When in Hawaii you need to go down to Honolulu Harbor, there or some nice shopping right by the harbor and lots of good eats, if you have a car park at mall (free) and walk around it a great time.
Written 17 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BubbleMarker
Yulee, FL639 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015
I like boats, ships, the ocean - but there is nothing here. You may be lucky and have a few unique boats in, be careful of the barges people make into looking something other than it is (pirate boat)
Written 10 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elnakaz1
251 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
A weekend visit here is best begun at the crack of dawn! Park at the harbor stalls and walk to the nearby Aloha Tower Marketplace, Chinatown, and Restaurant Row. These three areas will be a whole day's worth of viewing some of Hawaii's multitude of cultures. Save room for food, because you will be able to experience some of the more unusual and tasty ethnic foods!
Written 18 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alex B
Toronto, Canada2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2011 • Couples
California buying one way ticket for them!!! Crowd of bums wherever you go((( stinks urine + poo... so, never-ever anymore... now if I want to take a rest - Maui only... quiet + peaceful rest for normal guys
Written 9 March 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Llewellyn53
Melbourne, Australia4,345 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Couples
We always go to the harbour because there is always something to see. This time there was a new sailing ship the Kulamanu. As usual there were plenty of fish swimming amongst the coral alongside the dock.The coast guard dock is across the water and of course there is the Aloha Tower with all of the historic harbour information displayed.
Written 5 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

The World is My Oyster
Orlando, FL21,705 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2016 • Friends
Love that part of Honolulu as it sets you back a few years. The harbor has done beautiful boats and sailboats all around it. The fact that Gilligan's Island boat left from that place is also a pretty cool and fun fact.
Written 9 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

singabob
Honolulu, HI179 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2015
One of many harbors around Honolulu, this harbor is mostly industrial with Aloha Tower being its centerpiece. There are a few restaurants there plus lots of Hawai'i Pacific University students, as well as the two cruise lines that ply the waters three times a day, giving tours and insight.
Written 29 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

QuickWhitTravel
Washington DC, DC3,769 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2015 • Couples
This is a nice place to walk or sit for a while. My husband and I even ran through here a couple of days during our stay in Honolulu. Get a feel for a modern day fishing village!
Written 19 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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HONOLULU HARBOR (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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