- 6.
Kewalo Basin
- Just beyond Ala Moana Beach Park and right next to it is Kewalo Basin, a small boat harbor protected by land
on all four sides except for an opening to the ocean. Commercial and charter fishing boats, sightseeing and dinner
cruise boats, and similar commercial operations are located here. It's a colorful, active place and only five or
ten minutes from both downtown Honolulu farther ahead and Waikiki where we started.
- Scenes at the boat harbor.
- Ticket and check-in buildings. The street is very close to the water where the boats dock, so the small
buildings actually hang out over the water.
- 7.
Ward Shopping Center
- 8.
Waterfront Park
- A new park along the ocean is Waterfront Park. It stretches along the ocean for maybe a quarter mile. A
wide walkway runs the length of it, and there are covered picnic areas, restrooms, etc. The shoreline itself is
very rocky and unsuitable for swimming, but the park affords great views of the ocean and shoreline.
- At the Diamond Head end of the park we can look back at Ala Moana Beach where we were just five minutes ago.
Waikiki is in the distance. Diamond Head is in the far distance at the right.
- 9.
Immigration Center
- 10.
Waterfront Towers
- A little farther Diamond Head on Ala Moana Boulevard is Waterfront Towers. The two towers that look a
little bit like giant Kirby vacuum cleaners are currently the tallest buildings in Hawaii. Residents of the
condominium towers have wide unobstructed views of the ocean,
mountains, downtown skyline, Diamond Head, etc.
Nice place to live? I'm not certain what prices are there right now, but some time ago condominium apartments
in the buildings were starting at $250,000.
- 11.
Waterfront Plaza
Straight ahead on Ala Moana Boulevard is the "makai" end of downtown Honolulu. Aloha Tower and Marketplace is
directly to the left of that, and we'll be there in just a few minutes.
- 12.
Aloha Tower and Marketplace
- Aloha Tower, one of the most prominent landmarks on the island (along with Diamond Head), was for a long
time the tallest building in Hawaii. Sailing ships embarked and disembarked here. For quite a while it was
maintained well but had become less than a main attraction. A few years ago, however, the surrounding warehouses
that had been neglected were converted to shops and restaurants, and the tower has regained some of its prominence.
- In the picture at the right, there is a long low building on the right side of the tower. It extends all of
the way forward to Nimitz Highway (part of which is Ala Moana Boulevard) that we are traveling on. On the right
of that is the place where large cruise ships berth. Most of the cruise ships are huge, and they tower way
above the building. An event quite recently restored is the greeting of passenger ships with music, dancing,
tossing of flower petals, etc. For more information, visit the Aloha
Tower and Marketplace web site.
- The Falls of Clyde docked to the left of the Aloha Tower and Marketplace (left). A tour boat berthed at the
Marketplace (center). A view of the Marketplace showing the base of the tower (right).
A cruise ship moored next to Aloha Tower and Marketplace looms above nearby buildings and attracts a lot of
attention from Nimitz Highway that passes about as close as the photographer of the picture at the right. You
can see the very top of Aloha Tower over the building. Nimitz Highway, by the way, is more or less Ala Moana
Boulevard that has changed in name at Bishop Street opposite Aloha Tower.
- 13.
Harbor Court
- Harbor Court very close to Chinatown, Aloha Tower and Marketplace, and the business center of downtown
Honolulu is a fairly new landmark building in the city. Its distinctive glass facades and Egyptian(?) motif
make it one of a kind. Located close to the waterfront, it also stands out in any view of the downtown area
from the water or from Sand Island in the distance. We'll see it again from farther away, and it'll be instantly
distinguished from the other tall buildings in the area.
- 14.
Passing Chinatown
- This Chinatown building attached to Marin Tower is prominent on the right. We'll see it from a greater
distance when we turn left toward a pier just a little way ahead and then look back at the city. Chinatown, by
the way, is included on the Downtown Honolulu Tour. We're passing just a corner of it. When we cross the bridge
immediately ahead, we will have already passed Chinatown.
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