24 Hours in Honolulu

For so many around the world, this city’s name is synonymous with a dream come true. You might be saying “Honolulu,” but when you do, people are thinking “paradise.”

And with good reason. You could scarcely design a more beautiful place. Hawaii’s capital and largest city is caressed by the trade winds and situated between lush, green mountains and the blue Pacific Ocean. This city of almost 1 million people (in the metro area) brings together the aloha spirit with the bright lights of Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood. Plus, there are plenty of places to get outside, stretch your legs, and enjoy the natural beauty of these tropical islands. A lot for a single day, but here’s our guide for getting the most out of 24 hours in Honolulu.

Arrival

Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is named for Hawaii’s longest-serving senator, who, incredibly, held a seat in the upper chamber of Congress for half a century. It was built in 1927 as the first full-service airport in the state and once had the longest runway in the world. Before jet technology improved to the point at which planes could fly all the way across the Pacific, HNL served as a refueling stop for flights bound for Asia (or on the way back). Thus, in the 1950s, this was the third-busiest airport in the United States.