Children

On December 7, 1941, the battleship USS Arizona was sunk, taking 1,100 sailors with it. In 1961, a solemn white monument was erected above the midsection of the ship. The deck of the Arizona lies now six feet below the surface of Pearl Harbor and is clearly visible from the monument. Take the shuttle launch from shore to the monument and view the dark shape of a once-great ship with its silent crew. Free guided tours are offered 8am-3pm daily. Visit the Battleship Missouri Memorial afterward.

In addition to owning and operating the popular Navatek I and Atlantis Submarines, this company works in conjunction with several major Honolulu attractions to provide guests with deeply discounted tour packages. Visit Sea Life Park, splurge on a dinner cruise/show package, or take a ride in one of the submarines. Call or check the website for more details.

Stand on the deck of this imposing old structure that has been painstakingly cared for and extensively renovated. The "Mighty Mo" is where General Douglas MacArthur proclaimed the end of World War II in September of 1945 in Tokyo Bay. The great vintage battleship now sits at permanent anchor across from the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Admission: USD16 Adults, USD7 Children ages 4-12. Adult admission for guided tours starts at USD22. Visit the Arizona Memorial first to get a sense of the complete story.

This crater of an extinct volcano got its name when Western explorers mistook calcite crystals they found there for diamonds. The historic trail to the 761-foot summit starts inside the crater and is an easy, but steep, 45-minute hike to the top. Stay on the trail, wear appropriate footgear and sunscreen, take along water and bring a flashlight to light your way through the tunnels. Those who reach the summit are rewarded by a spectacular 360-degree view of O'ahu. The tunnel gates close promptly at 6p. Admission: USD1 per person, USD5 per vehicle.

Located inside the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel, this dolphin habitat draws visitors from up and down the island of Oahu. Dolphin Quest offers a variety of programs and encounters for everyone from children to couples. Guests and visitors have the chance to learn about these extraordinary creatures through fun and educational programs. To learn more, visit their website.

For a brief hiatus from city life, duck into this garden. It is the oldest of the five Honolulu Botanical Gardens. The mission of the organization is "to plan, develop, curate, maintain and study documented collections of tropical plants in an aesthetic setting." Highlights include a palm collection, Lyon Orchid Garden, a prehistoric glen and a number of trees rated "exceptional" for their beauty and rarity. Pick up a souvenir at the Foster Garden Gallery and Bookshop. General admission is USD5.

Famed for its beautiful horseshoe-shaped sandy beach and clear, calm turquoise waters, this natural marine sanctuary is home to thousands of colorful tropical fish. The waist-deep water inside the reef is perfect for novice snorkelers to explore. More experienced snorkelers might want to check with the lifeguard before venturing beyond to deeper waters to see sea turtles and other marine life. The Bay is least crowded in the early morning or late afternoon. Admission: non-resident adult visitors USD3, free to all others. Parking fee is USD1 per vehicle.

Children are encouraged to learn about a diverse range of subjects at this busy, colorful facility. It offers a number of fanciful interactive displays and learning toys. Every subject from physiology to sociology is explored. Tour the 'Global Village' or play a game of volleyball...with a robot! The 37,000 square foot space offers several hours of entertainment for kids and parents. The center has been open since late 1998. It's geared toward children aged 3-13.

Established in 1981, this non-profit organization has the sole purpose of spreading the environmental gospel to residents and visitors of the Hawaiian Islands. Almost entirely volunteer-operated, the Center facilitates hands-on environmental education for school children, families and the general public. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of educating children. Hopefully, with a change in the attitudes of youth toward nature, the future of the environment stands a chance. Admission is free. There is a gift shop onsite.

Splash-happy activities at this popular attraction include a beach volleyball court, an arcade, a huge wave pool and an adults-only whirlpool and bar area. Slide fanatics have a few heart-stopping rides to enjoy, among them the free-fall Cliffhanger and the Wild Waianae Coaster. Admission is USD34.99 for adults, USD24.99 for children between 3-11 and USD14.99 for seniors.

On this lush 400-acre preserve, all of the world's foremost tropical regions are grouped geographically. A staggering variety of rare and endangered plants thrive here, with particular emphasis placed on native Hawaiian flora. Facilities include hiking trails, campgrounds, a visitor center and a 32-acre (non-swimming) lake. A variety of educational programs such as guided nature hikes are offered. Camping is allowed on weekend nights (Friday through Sunday). Admission: free.

An attractive flamingo pond greets you at the entrance of this 42-acre municipal zoo in Waikiki. Rare wildlife inside the lush park includes the Hawaiian nene goose, Francois monkeys and Galapagos tortoises. There is a children's petting zoo with llamas and a retired milk cow. Just before, during, and after a full moon, the zoo's special "Zoo by Moonlight" guided tour offers an uncommon glimpse of the habits of nocturnal animals; call for schedule. Admission: USD6 adults, USD4 kama'ainas, USD1 children 6-12 years old.

This patch of wetlands is home to four of Hawaii's endangered waterbirds and an essential wintering ground for many migratory species. It is open to visitors during the non-breeding season for the endangered Hawaiian Stilt approximately October thru Februaryirds. During this time, visitors can participate in a free, 90-minute guided tour of the fresh water marsh. This protected fresh water marsh has benefited from volunteer projects which assist staff in improving the habitat for the endangered birds that nest here. It's also a popular destination for school field trips. The refuge is located about two miles southeast of the Turtle Bay Resort.

The Keiki Aloha Program of the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel is an opportunity for all children to try their hand at the art of hula. The hotel organizes hula lessons for the 5-12 age group. Parents take a break from baby-sitting and relax, as children are in the safe hands of the expert staff. The program is exclusively for guests of the Sheraton Hotel. Reservations need to be made at least 24 hours in advance.

This 200-acre stretch of Koko Crater was set aside in 1958, with a long-term (as yet only partially realized) plan of turning it into a botanical garden. Eventually, it will be a landscape where endangered plants suitable to this desert-like region can survive and flourish. Even in the early stages of development, visitors can find collections of plumeria and other flowers. A two-mile loop trail leads through dryland plant collections from around the world. No visitor facilities (restrooms, drinking fountains, etc.) have yet been constructed. Entrance to the garden is free.

This 4,000-acre, former working ranch in Windward Oahu has been turned into a giant outdoor activities park. Facilities include horseback riding, jet skiing, canoeing and kayaking, windsurfing, freshwater fishing and a shooting range. You can tour the movie sets used in filming Jurassic Park and Godzilla, or relax on Secret Island, a secluded fantasy beach. There's even a petting zoo for the kids. Activities start as low as USD16 per person. Various full-day packages start at USD65 for adults, USD39 for children ages 3-11. Reservations are required.

North Shore Shark Adventures will fulfill your thrill-seeking fantasies. After an initial safety instruction briefing, the tour sets sail. If you're lucky, you might spot Hawaiian Green Sea turtles, humpback whales and dolphins. Then the piece-de-resistance, being lowered in the water from the safety of a cage and getting a glimpse at sharks ranging from 5 to 15 feet in length. It's also a good leap of faith for those who have a phobia of sharks. Tourists are encouraged to bring their snorkels, masks and underwater camera. As safety is a priority, the boats are limited to 6 passengers, so make your reservations early. They have variable rates and discounts. And if you notice the word Kailolo on the boat, it just means "water crazy"!

As far as Waikiki Artfest events go, this one takes the cake as the big daddy of them all. The location boasts an abundance of demonstrators of fine arts, as well as a feast of tasty food for all the hungry art-lovers. Craft aficionados can participate in the many demonstrations that teach such skills as making haku leis, the little tykes can get their first Polynesian tattoos (temporary, of course), and the parents can dance to the delightful musical offerings of Ms. Kuuipo Kumukahi and the Halau Hawaii.

Dolphin and sea lion shows, a Hawaiian monk seal center, a sea turtle lagoon and a seabird sanctuary are a few of the highlights at this 62-acre ocean theme park on the coast of East O'ahu. The park's newest attraction is Pirate's Lagoon, a themed play area for kids. Serious marine biology takes place at the rehabilitation center for endangered marine life. Other facilities include eateries and gift shops. Admission: adults USD25; USD12.50 children age 4-12. Children 3 and under free. Interactive dolphin programs and reef walks are also available.

Owned by former U.S. Senator Hiram Fong, this 725-acre site on Windward O'ahu is the largest private botanical garden in Hawai'i. Learn about the several hundred varieties of indigenous plants and wildlife from a knowledgeable guide. A tram takes visitors through the plantation's lush valleys and rainforests. There are snack and gift shops onsite, and you can learn to make a lei at the cultural center. Admission: $14.50 Adults, $13 Seniors, $9 Children (5-12). Call for tram departure times.

This steel and concrete structure was constructed as a coastal artillery installation in 1911. It sits unobtrusively in the middle of a lush beachfront park in Waikiki. The fort's Battery Randolph has been converted to an exhibit hall that chronicles the Army's past in Hawai'i. The place is full of interesting exhibits, and the small theater shows a 50-minute film on the U.S. Army that concentrates on Pacific Theater actions during World War II. The film plays on the hour from 10a to 3p. Admission is free to the public.

This is the perfect activity for hyperactive children and energetic adults. Players are divided into teams and sent on a mission to capture the base camp of the opponent. Laser guns are the weapons, and light and sound effects intensify the experience. The facility is smoke, drug and alcohol-free and is open till midnight on weekends. It welcomes birthday parties as well as corporate parties. A snack bar serves food and soft drinks. You need to make reservations if you are planning a visit on a Monday.

Nestled between two mountain ranges—the Waianae and Ko'olau—this 27-acre garden is considered the "tropical jewel" of Honolulu's botanical gardens. Its history dates back to a 1920s attempt by sugar planters to create an experimental arboretum. Tours through the garden reveal a stretch of land devoted to plants that thrive in a humid, cool tropical climate. Both guided and solo tours are available. Explore a magical, lovely, sweet-smelling rainforest, in which exotic tropical blooms flourish. Entrance to the garden is free.

Located just a few short blocks from Waikiki Beach, this is a great place to learn about Hawaii's amazing ocean world. You can see 400 different species at this small but mighty museum, including monk seals, sharks and sea turtles. A knowledgeable staff is on hand to narrate tours and answer questions. The aquarium has a good gift shop where you can ask about special events and excursions. It offers some terrific educational and community outreach programs.