A beautiful courthouse right across the street from Winward Community College. Feral chickens road…read morefree and they ask us not to feed them. Pay tickets and fines here.

Wow, this is a must-visit place on Oahu. For years Manoa Valley has been a favorite place to walk…read moreand explore; the Manoa Heritage Center is right in the middle but surprisingly hidden unless you know where to go. The center is on the property of the prominent Cooke Family, with their house, gardens, and heiau as the main draws to exploring. The Heritage Center itself is a modern open-air building with offices and a classroom for lectures and workshops, including Hawaii art & crafts. On our visit, we took the garden tour. Our docent was gentle and super knowledgeable about the grounds, plants, and family history of the property. It was slow and intentional, this is not a place to rush so plan on spending time here. Our tour took a ring around the property including the heiau, stories of the native Hawaiians that lived here, the respect of the family in the building of the home and maintaining the land, the plants themselves. It's a nominal fee to book and well worth the price, see online. At the conclusion of the tour we had tea made from plants grown on the property. They have a little nursery for plants as well. While you cannot go inside the house at this time due to ongoing repairs, it's well worth a visit to enjoy the natural beauty of this island.

If you're curious about lovely Mānoa Valley, a docent led tour of the Mānoa Heritage Center is an…read moreedutaining (educational and entertaining) way to experience its geology and cultural history. Reservations were easily made online and paid, a month ahead. An email reminder with instructions popped up on my email the day before our party of five joined the tour. We couldn't have picked a more perfect day with the sun baked skies gleaming above the mountains flushed green from recent rains. Our tour around the sustainable gardens included a peek into the former home of the grounds' owners. It will one day be open to view but for now outside is where trees, shrubs and flowering plants sprawl in wild abandon. Our knowledgeable docent was to quick to name them and share tidbits of their meaning. As our docent also weaved stories of the past with Hawaiian archaeological footnotes and cultural references, we basked in the cool Mānoa breezes enchanted with the views and just relaxing in the soothing ambience. It's a 70-minute tour so dress appropriately for meandering across lawns and some rocky terrain, including a peek into the on property heiau. Check it out!

On the last night of 2015 I find myself with friends heading to Barbers Point to get on the United…read moreStates Coast Guard grounds. It's a good thing the driver was our sponsor to get on base. Regular civilians would not be able to get in. Just before entering the base the driver and passengers need to present their valid identification cards to the guard. The driver would then have to fill out a paper asking about name and address of the sponsor plus the guests. Once that is done it is off to the next destination. On our way to our final destination I noticed few planes parked near a hangar. We made our way to The Hideaway Club. A sports bar with patrons ranging in ages of early 20's to early 40's. After showing our ID to the bouncer at the entrance we went straight to the full bar. I for one was playing tourist for the night. I was snapping pictures of what looked interesting to me. As I explored the premises of The Hideaway Club I noticed the basketball court, a tennis court, an outdoor pavilion, as well as a sandy volleyball court. There was even a couple bean bag toss games. We stayed to welcome 2016 with the rest of the patrons. Admiring the aerial fireworks from a distance. Enjoying late night drinks and pupus. My friends even got up to dance the Wobble Wobble and the Cupid Shuffle. I wish I could explore the entire grounds of the United States Coast Guard. At least to take pictures of the planes up close. Someday I will I just need to find a sponsor to get back on base. 2/200

The Mayor's Office of Culture & the Arts sponsored the 2016 Mango Jam here. This Civic Center…read morerefers to a grassy area between City Hall and the tall Municipal Building on the left side of King Street in Honolulu. At Christmas time, the grounds transform into a festive site for Honolulu City Lights with vendors and rides for the keiki. This past July 2016, Angel, her son, her husband, and I happened to come here because the restaurant we wanted to dine at was closed due to Tropical Storm Darby. We had already paid for metered parking on South Street, so we thought - since we're here, let's check it out!! Otherwise, there is free street parking on Sundays. There were all kinds of booths at the Mango Jam (which is similar to Spam Jam in Waikiki, but smaller of a production) with clothing, jewelry, crafts, and food items such as Mango jam in jars! There was an area like a Beer Garden, a stage with cultural music and dancing, and a food truck section. We tried the Mango Chicken which was tasty! We sat on folding chairs and watched the live performances while other people sat on mats/towels on the ground. While we were walking back to our cars, we passed the Sky Gate sculpture and the Liberty Bell of Aloha. We'll probably return for some other festival at this venue - there are different ones year round. All of them have free admission!

Located near the east end of Honolulu's Financial District, this civic center features many Hawai'i…read moreCity and County and State Government buildings. The park is bordered by Punchbowl Street, South King Street, Alapai Street and South Beretania Street. There is a large municipal parking structure to its northeast corner. As I wandered through this civic center, I noticed these Governmental buildings that we, as residents, might have had occasion to take care of some business at. - Honolulu Hale (official seat of Hawai'i City & County and Mayor's chambers) - Mission Memorial (City Hall Annex) & Municipal Reference and Records Center - Frank F. Fasi Municipal Building - Early Education Center above the municipal parking structure - State Kalanimoku Building (Department of Accounting and General Services HQ). Ah, but this park is not "all business". Its manicured landscape also features a paved concrete pathway and several art pieces and memorials interspersed throughout. These are the pieces that I noticed: - LIBERTY BELL OF ALOHA: I'd like to point out that it is HERE where I found the SECOND replica (without its familiar crack) of the Liberty Bell. The replica is located on the front lawn (South King Street) of the Mission Memorial Building. It is called the "Liberty Bell of Aloha" as it was gifted to the people of Honolulu by the Nichiren Shoshu Soka Gakkai of America. The plaque reads in part "This Liberty Bell of Aloha is presented to the people of Honolulu as a symbol of our wish for peace...That there be no more Pearl Harbor, no more Hiroshima and no more war". - SKYGATE: This sculpture was controversial/notorious when famed sculptor Isamu Noguchi installed it. As a piece of public art, most people look at it as an "eyesore" and see it as a sewer line gone amok! But, Isamu Noguchi's sculptures are World-renown for spare aestheticism and organic shapes. It is Hawai'i's SOLE sculpture by Noguchi. At certain times of the day, the shadow from the top organically shaped ring creates a perfect circle around the inner concrete base. - NANA I KE KUMU (LOOK TO THE SOURCE): Sculptor's Michael Wiendenbach's stone sculpture of Indiana limestone of a Hawaiian woman carrying a gourd. The orientation of the sculpture has the figure looking towards Tahiti in recognition of early migrations to Hawaii. Located on the grounds of the Mission Memorial Auditorium. - 9-11 ETERNAL FLAME: This eternal flame honors the victims of the attacks on NYC's World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. This small memorial sits in front of Honolulu Hale. There is a small dedication plaque next to the base of the flame. Honolulu's Capitol District is full of interesting local history, architectural styles that exhibit our history, memorials and art work. I'm glad that I have taken the time to walk about to enjoy the beauty that surrounds me and to not just look at these places as just normal everyday workplaces.

The front of this building is on Beretania. It is currently undergoing a little bit of construction…read moreon the entry/doors, but otherwise it's pretty cool. There are multiple floors and they are mostly state department offices that are using them. There, supposedly, according to John N, is a parking lot somewhere around there for this, but I've never been able to find it. I generally just park near the State Capitol, and Walk. Parking in downtown stinks, but that's just the way it is. Everyone I've talked to who works at this location has been extremely friendly. The first time that I went up to this building, I was, in my normal fashion, looking confused and taking pictures. I was asked multiple times if I needed help or knew where I was going. That's pretty cool. I've been going here recently to visit the satellite elections office, which the state or city or someone graciously opens so that we don't have to drive out to the middle of nowhere. Staff have been friendly and super helpful, including making me extra copies of things when they didn't have to. On the second floor, the handicap stall is out of order in the women's bathroom, but other than that it's pretty nice. My favorite thing is the beautiful mural inside. Step through the doors and you'll see it. Enjoy!

Cyndy's Bottom Line: Excellent customer service and professionalism…read more Located next to the YWCA Laniakea building. Address is 1010 Richards Street in the Princess Victoria Kamamalu building, 1st Floor, RM 118 on the right side as you enter the building. Street parking if you are lucky or there is a small metered lot in front of the Post office. Nicky was extremely helpful and provided excellent instructions. Nicky went over and beyond to provide the assistance that I needed for my mom. Mahalo nui loa!