12 Hours in Honolulu

Before you venture into the rest of Honolulu, stop to reflect at the iconic Pearl Harbor for a couple of hours. Built from the remains of a sunken battleship, the USS Arizona memorial is a must see and so is the USS Missouri-- the last battleship built before the Japanese surrendered at the end of WWII.

Stretch out your legs and get some fresh air. At Diamond Head, you can catch a panoview of the pacific ocean and the rest of the city from a 762 foot elevation. Best of all, it only takes about an hour to walk the trail. (Out-of-state visitors must have an advanced reservation to enter Diamond Head State Monument)

You’ve earned some R&R. Spend a few hours relaxing on postcard-famous Waikiki beach. Dip your toes in the blue ocean while you view the iconic Diamond Head, or take a quick one hour surf lesson with Hans Hedemann Surf School at Park Shore Hotel.

Grab a delicious bite in Chinatown at one of its of-the-moment fusion-cuisine restaurants. Then, browse its eclectic art galleries and unique boutiques. If you want to be immersed in even more art, Hawaii State Art Museum has a 5000 piece collection that includes contemporary works with an Hawaiian influence.

Have dinner in Waikiki at Mahina & Sun's located in the Surfjack Hotel & Swimclub. Taste authentic Hawaiian cuisine in an array of seafood dishes, with locally-sourced ingredients, all while you enjoy trendy decor and live music.