Most people planning a vacation in Hawaii do so with one thing in mind, some much needed R & R. Filled with palm trees, lush greenery, and crystal clear water lined with miles incredibly beautiful beaches, it’s no wonder the Aloha state is known as the “Paradise of the Pacific”.
Thanks to our gorgeous year-round climate, there is no shortage of outdoor activities for tourists in Hawaii. Between snorkelling, hiking, swimming, surfing or simply lounging pool / beachside, you’re sure to get your fair share of sunshine while on vacation in Hawaii, but what’s a tourist to do when it rains? Fear not friends for Hawaii has got plenty of indoor activities as well and we’ve assembled a list of some of the best below.
Bishop Museum – Located in Honolulu, the Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by the husband of Princess Pauahi Bishop. The princess was the last descendant of the Kamehameha family and after she passed the museum was established to showcase her collection of family heirlooms. With its collection of photos, documents and ancient artefacts, the museum provides visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the history of Hawaii and its culture. It has come a long way since its humble beginning and is now home to the largest natural history collection in the Pacific and even includes a Sports Hall of Fame paying tribute to the athletes of Hawaii. You can learn more about the museum and its collections by visiting their website: http://www.bishopmuseum.org
Waikiki Aquarium – Opened in 1904, the Waikiki Aquarium is the second oldest aquarium in the country. What started with only 35 tanks and 400 species of marine life has since grown to include an impressive collection of coral, turtles, monk seals and tropical fish. To learn more, visit their website at: http://www.waikikiaquarium.org
Maui Ocean Center – The Maui Ocean Center receives more than 400,000 visitors every year thanks to their vast collection showcasing Hawaii’s unique marine life. All of the center’s inhabitants are collected from Hawaiian waters and many of them are rotated in and out between the center and the ocean. If you are particularly adventurous, you might be interested in the center’s popular shark dive. Guests who are over the age of 15 and scuba certified can enter the center’s 750,000 gallon tank to swim with more than 20 sharks, stingrays and thousands of tropical fish, many of which are endemic to Hawaii. To learn more, visit their website at: http://www.mauioceancenter.com
Honolulu Museum of Art – Dedicated to the preservation of the arts in Hawaii, the Honolulu Museum of art prides itself on its collection of more than 50,000 pieces of art, sculpture, textiles and film. The museum houses pieces from centuries past, right up to more modern pieces from local Hawaiian artists. The museum also offers public programs supporting its passion for arts education. Those looking for an evening affair will want to check out ARTafterDark. You can learn more about the ARTafterDARK event from one of our recent blog posts here: /2013/11/artafterdark-honolulu-with-a-dash-of-nyc/
For more information on the Honolulu Museum of Art, visit their website at: http://honolulumuseum.org
Iolani Palace – If you are interested in learning more about the history of Hawaii’s monarchy, a tour of Iolani Palace is a definite must. Built in 1882, this is the only royal palace to have ever stood on US soil. After the fall of the Hawaiian monarchy, Queen Lili’uokalani was imprisoned here. Palace contents were eventually sold at auction and have ended up all over the world. Over the years the “Friends of Iolani Palace” organization has been locating and returning these artefacts to their rightful home within the palace walls. You can read more about Iolani Palace by reading our recent blog post: /2014/01/embrace-the-history-of-hawaiis-monarchy-at-iolani-palace
You can also visit the Iolani Palace website here: http://www.iolanipalace.org
Shopping – Indulging in a little retail therapy is the perfect way to spend a rainy day and we’ve got some fabulous shopping here in Hawaii. For a list of Hawaii’s best shopping spots, check out this recent post from our blog: /2014/03/hawaiis-best-shopping
As you can see from the activities listed above, a few showers need not “rain on your parade” so-to-speak since there is still plenty to see and do regardless of the weather. Keep in mind though that most of the time the rain in Hawaii is pretty short lived. The sun will reappear eventually allowing you to get back outside to bask in its glory and soak up the rays you came here to enjoy!
