Posted on: Thursday, December 23, 2004
Even if it's raining, there's still plenty to do in Hawai'i on a holiday weekend
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Staff Writer
Raining? No problem. There's plenty to do in Hawai'i whatever the weather.
Advertiser library photo • 2004 Waikiki's avid tourists are making the best of their visit despite dripping skies.
Over at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, a stock of 300 umbrellas available for loan had all been taken out by mid-morning yesterday, with visitors heading out to attractions, shopping and even the beach, said concierge Wendy Nagaishi.
"When you're from New York, where it was 10 degrees, or from Chicago, where it was even colder, a lot of rain doesn't hurt them," the concierge said.
When it rains, as it's expected to throughout the weekend, Nagaishi said the hotel anticipates a rash of inquiries about how best to spend a wet day.
"So I direct them to Bishop Museum and 'Iolani Palace," she said. "Our reservations for both destinations were up."
The docents at 'Iolani Palace can vouch for our cultural curiosity. Yesterday, they added two extra tours — 14 instead of 12 — because of demand, said Cindy Grace, visitor service coordinator: "For us, rain is wonderful."
Here are some indoor options for visitors and locals alike:
Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Christmas Day); $14.85 general, $11.95 for youths 4-12; $7.95 kama'aina; $6.95 for kama'aina youths 4-12 and military with ID. 847-3511. Bishop Museum at Kalia, Kalia Tower of the Hilton Hawaiian Village, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day); $7 general, $5 for military, kama'aina and Hilton guests. 947-2458. Chuck E Cheese, 'Aina Haina Shopping Center (373-2151) and 850 Kamehameha Hwy. (455-1448), 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve. Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Hawai'i Children's Discovery Center, 111 Ohe St., Kaka'ako Waterfront Park, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to noon Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day; $8 adults, $6.75 students 2 to 17. 524-5437. Hawai'i State Art Museum. 250 S. Hotel St., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day); free. 586-0900. Honolulu Academy of Arts, 900 S. Beretania St., 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays (closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day); $7 general, $4 for students, seniors and military, free for children under 12 and academy members. 532-8700. 'Iolani Palace, guided tours 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays (closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day); $20 adults; $15, kama'aina and military; $5 youths 5 through 17; children under 5 are not permitted in the palace. 522-0832. The Contemporary Museum, 2411 Maikiki Heights Drive. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Sundays (closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day). 526-0232. Waikiki Aquarium, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily (closed Christmas Day); $9 general, $6 for kama'aina, seniors and military; $4 for youths 13-17; $2 for youths 5-12; free for keiki 4 and under. 923-9741.
We've put together a few suggestions for rainy day fun, whether you're a tourist or a local looking to amuse your family over the holiday weekend.
Among the things to see at the Bishop Museum: "If These Walls Could Talk: An Exhibit About Buildings." The exhibit, from the Minnesota Science Center, has 20 interactive components and an object theater.
