13 LGBTQ+ Arts & Culture Venues in Hawaii, HI

Near Hilo, this park offers a rare close-up experience with Kilauea, a shield volcano that erupts mildly instead of explosively. You can drive through in a couple of hours or hike deeper. The park is open 24 hours, and the glow is best seen after sunset. Volcano House on site has a restaurant and lodging.

On December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona sank in Pearl Harbor, killing 1,177 sailors. The memorial now sits atop its hull, accessible only by a short Navy boat ride. At the visitor center, you'll find two movie theaters showing films about the attack, a museum with exhibits and photographs, a bookstore, and a snack bar. The memorial itself is a white structure where visitors can see the sunken ship and visit the shrine room. Lines can get long, especially by mid-morning. Go early to secure your free boat tickets and to meet some of the remaining Pearl Harbor survivors, who often chat with visitors. If you're driving, take the H-1 Freeway exit marked "USS Arizona"—don't use the "Pearl Harbor" exit, which leads to the Naval Station. For more on Hawaii's history, check out the Bishop Museum nearby.

Unlike most volcano parks you've visited, this one is a dormant giant you can drive into: Haleakala National Park on Maui. You'll climb from tropical rainforest past endangered species to a 10,000-foot summit with views that look like another planet. The park is open 24 hours, so you can aim for sunrise or a day hike, but bring warm layers even if it's hot at the beach. Entry costs $10 per vehicle.

Open daily from 9am to 5pm, Bishop Museum fits easily into a Waikiki day trip. Founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his late wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, it's the largest museum in Hawaii and a cornerstone of Polynesian cultural preservation. The museum's Hawaiian Hall explores old Hawaiian gods and legends, while exhibits range from Hawaiian quilts to artifacts of the royal Kamehameha family. It also includes a planetarium for a broader experience. Inside, you'll find millions of artifacts, documents, and photographs that tell the story of Hawaii's indigenous culture. The museum is quite large, so plan for a few hours. For a deeper dive into Polynesian heritage, consider a visit to the nearby Iolani Palace, another historic site.

An African Savanna opens the view to giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and chimps, with elephants nearby. This is the only zoo in the US established by grants from a sovereign monarch, built on part of the 300-acre royal Queen Kapiʻolani Park. The zoo features over 1,230 animals in specially designed habitats. It's a small zoo; you can cover it in under two hours. It's a five-minute walk from Queen's Surf Beach and Hula's. If you have more time, the Bishop Museum offers deeper Hawaiian history.

Crowds here are respectfully quiet, soaking in history and sweeping views. This cemetery sits inside the crater of an extinct volcano, Punchbowl, rising above downtown Honolulu. It opened in 1949 and now holds about 34,000 veterans from World War I through Vietnam. The memorial includes battle tributes and a vista point with spectacular views of the city and Diamond Head. It's a serene, well-kept space listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The hardwood floors gleam underfoot as you slip on protective booties at the entrance. Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States used as an official residence by a reigning monarch. Built for King Kalākaua and completed in 1892, it later became the site where Queen Lili'ūokalani was placed under house arrest after the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. The guided tour is the best way to take in the fascinating history. The basement holds a photographic display of the palace, the Hawaiian crown jewels, and regalia once worn by high chiefs. Out of respect, appropriate attire is requested. Many original furnishings were sold after the overthrow; some have been reclaimed, though many remain missing. You'll find the gift shop and bookstore in the basement, convenient for picking up a memento. The palace is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 am to 4 pm. If you only have time for one guided tour on Oahu, make it this one.

You step into an open-air amphitheater set among the trees of Kapiolani Park. The Waikiki Shell seats 2,400 under cover, with lawn space for another 6,000. It's a cherished spot for balmy evening concerts, hosting everything from local acts to touring performers. Under the same management as the Neal S Blaisdell Center, this venue offers a classic outdoor concert experience. If you're after a bigger show, check the Blaisdell calendar too. The crowd here leans casual, with plenty of people picnicking on the lawn before shows. Smoking is allowed in designated areas, which could affect where you sit. There's no dedicated parking lot, so plan to walk from nearby streets or take a rideshare. It's one of the more relaxed performance venues in Honolulu, perfect for unwinding with live music under the stars.

Most visitors to Pearl Harbor focus on the Arizona Memorial, but the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum offers a closer look at WWII submarine warfare. A self-guided tour of the moored sub shows crew quarters, engines, and torpedo rooms. Outdoors, the waterfront memorial lists 52 submarines and 3,500 lost submariners. The museum also displays a Kaiten torpedo and a 40 mm Quad gun among other artifacts.

This place is best for families with kids who want a quick, low-commitment marine animal experience without the mainland price tag or scale. Sea Life Park Hawaii is a smaller, local alternative to larger marine parks, featuring dolphin and sea lion shows, a 300,000 gallon shark tank, a penguin habitat, and a seabird sanctuary. The highlight for many is the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, which can live up to 80 years. Located about a 30-minute drive from Waikiki, it's a popular spot for local families, especially on weekends. While the dolphin encounter and other programs cost extra, the general admission price is around $29. If you're looking for more Hawaiian-focused attractions, consider the nearby Bishop Museum instead.

This venue is best suited for travelers interested in an educational, family-friendly exploration of Polynesian cultures. The Polynesian Culture Center is a 42-acre theme park owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with simulations of ancient societies and frequent live dance and music shows. Staffed largely by students from BYU-Hawaii, it offers a crash course in the diverse cultures of Polynesia, from New Zealand to Easter Island. Plan a full day to explore the grounds and catch the main stage performances. The center is located on Oahu's North Shore, accessible by car or tour from Waikiki. Note that the Mormon affiliation, while part of the experience, may influence the presentation of cultural elements. If you have extra time, consider pairing your visit with a trip to the nearby Bishop Museum for a deeper dive into Hawaiian history.

The USS Missouri (BB-63) is the actual battleship where World War II formally ended. On September 2, 1945, Japanese officials signed the surrender document on its deck. Now docked at Pearl Harbor, it offers guided tours led by retired military personnel who can show you the exact surrender site. The tour starts at the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, with a shuttle ride to Ford Island. Sliders Grill sells food on-site. This venue is more than a museum. You can choose from three guided tours or wander the ship on your own. The battleship sits near the USS Arizona Memorial. Book a ticket at the visitor center before catching the shuttle. Its location on an active naval base adds an extra dimension. Consider pairing a visit with the nearby USS Arizona Memorial for a complete Pearl Harbor experience.

Hawaii Opera Theatre is one of the largest performing arts organizations in the state, with performances and outreach on all major islands. It's a music hall that hosts well-known opera singers and local charity events, bringing a distinctly aloha spirit to the opera world. The venue is located in Waikiki, making it easy to pair with a beach day. Box office hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm. For a deeper dive into Hawaiian culture, consider visiting the nearby Bishop Museum.