Overview
Manoa and Makiki are two prominent neighborhoods of Honolulu situated in the foothills of the Ko'olau Mountains north of Downtown Honolulu. Along with Nu'uanu, these neighborhoods sit within valleys which extend into the Ko'olau Range, varying in character from unpretentious bungalows, 1960s cinderblock walkup apartments and small businesses in the lower reaches of the neighborhoods to upscale apartment and condo complexes on the hillsides above. Manoa is best known as the home of the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, the main branch of the largest university in the Hawaiian Islands. Makiki sits beneath the Punchbowl crater, home to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, and gained fame as the birthplace and childhood home of former President Barack Obama.
8 sights · 11 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Manoa-Makiki
Liliuokalani Botanical Garden
A 7.5 acre public city park, portions of which were a garden that belonged to Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning Monarch of Hawaii. This is the only one of the five botanical gardens that contain only plants native to…
Honolulu Museum of Art
This museum, founded in 1927 by Anna Rice Cooke, encompasses 32 galleries surrounding six courtyard gardens and houses one of the largest collections of Asian art in the United States, with an impressive Western collecti…
The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Situated in the middle of Punchbowl, an extinct crater, this is the final resting place for over 38,000 personnel from WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. A shrine also commemorates the missing-in-action. It's also the res…
Lyon Arboretum
A massive botanical garden at the top of Manoa that's run by the University of Hawai'i with a wide variety of tropical plants as well as scenic waterfalls and views of Manoa.
Manoa Falls
A 1.5 miles hike to a very tall waterfall. Parking is available a little bit before the trailhead.
Queen Emma Summer Palace
In the Nu'uanu valley is this restored historic building, built in 1847 as the summer retreat of Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV. Self-guided and docent-led tours of the palace are available and offer a glimpse in…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 89°F; winter lows dip to about 67°F. Wettest: Mar and Nov. (climate data from nearby Honolulu)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HNL Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, Honolulu, Oahu — 5 mi away (major hub). Directions
- MKK Molokai Airport, Kaunakakai — 50 mi away. Directions
Manoa and Makiki are bisected by the H-1 freeway, and are easily accessible heading East (from Downtown) via the Punahou or University exits and heading West (from Hawaii Kai) via the University or Wilder exits. You can also follow surface streets into the area, namely King Street (one way heading east) or Beretania Street (one way heading west), which run through the southern end of the Manoa and Makiki area and continue west straight into Downtown. Nu'uanu is located along the Pali Highway (State Road 61), which can be accessed from the freeway or, if coming from Downtown, by heading straight inland on surface streets.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Liliuokalani Botanical Garden, The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu Museum of Art
- Lunch Bangkok Chef Nuuana
- Afternoon Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park, Queen Emma Summer Palace
- Dinner Honolulu Museum of Art Cafe
Day 2
- Morning Lyon Arboretum, Manoa Falls
- Lunch Bangkok Chef Manoa
- Afternoon Nu'uanu Pali Lookout
- Dinner Sushi Company
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
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Map
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Get in
Manoa and Makiki are bisected by the H-1 freeway, and are easily accessible heading East (from Downtown) via the Punahou or University exits and heading West (from Hawaii Kai) via the University or Wilder exits. You can also follow surface streets into the area, namely King Street (one way heading east) or Beretania Street (one way heading west), which run through the southern end of the Manoa and Makiki area and continue west straight into Downtown. Nu'uanu is located along the Pali Highway (State Road 61), which can be accessed from the freeway or, if coming from Downtown, by heading straight inland on surface streets.
If you're coming from Waikiki it's a 15 minute drive. Get on Kalakaua Avenue and head west, towards Downtown. For Manoa, turn right onto Kapiolani Blvd immediately after crossing the canal and continue for about half a mile before turning left onto University Avenue, which will take you straight to the UH campus. For Makiki, stay on Kalakaua Avenue until it ends at Beretania Street, where you make a left, then make a right onto either Keeaumoku Street or Ward Avenue, both of which will cross the freeway and take you into Makiki.
If taking TheBus, both the #2/#13 and #4 routes connect Makiki with Waikiki to the east and Downtown to the west, with the #2/#13 running along King and Beretania Streets and the #4 heading past the UH campus and along Wilder Avenue. The #4 also travels north of Downtown into Nu'uana.
See
See Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)
This museum, founded in 1927 by Anna Rice Cooke, encompasses 32 galleries surrounding six courtyard gardens and houses one of the largest collections of Asian art in the United States, with an impressive Western collection to boot, including Van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin, Cezanne, Monet, Modigliani and other masters. In partnership with the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, the Museum also conduct tours of Shangri La, Doris Duke's architecturally significant Honolulu estate that contains the country's largest private collection of Islamic decorative art, including more than 3,500 items, many of which--elaborate ceilings, doorways, and tiles--are part of the house itself. Parking is $5 for up to 5hrs.
See The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Situated in the middle of Punchbowl, an extinct crater, this is the final resting place for over 38,000 personnel from WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. A shrine also commemorates the missing-in-action. It's also the resting place of Stan Dunham, Barack Obama's grandfather. The rim of the crater offers panoramic views of Honolulu. The memorial contains a series of time-line and map-based wall paintings that tell the story of Japanese advances at the beginning of WWII followed by retreat in the face of Allied advances and, ultimately, victory in the Pacific. The cemetery is open year-round (and is closed only on federal holidays other than Memorial Day).
See Queen Emma Summer Palace (Hānaiakamalama)
In the Nu'uanu valley is this restored historic building, built in 1847 as the summer retreat of Queen Emma, wife of King Kamehameha IV. Self-guided and docent-led tours of the palace are available and offer a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Hawaiian monarchy.
- Walking Tour of Obama's former neighborhood. This is one of the newest attractions in Honolulu; so new that there are no historical markers or signs erected by the city. In the thirty years since "Barry" Obama, as he was known as a youth, attended high school, the neighborhood hasn't changed all that much. Major landmarks along the walking tour, which takes about an hour to complete, include his grandmother's former apartment at the Punahou Circle Apartments, Punahou School (which he attended from 1971-1979), Kapiolani Hospital (where Obama was born on August 4, 1961), the Central Union Church (the site of Obama's baccalaureate), the Baskin Robbins ice cream store where he worked after school, the Washington Middle School Playground (where he learned to play basketball), and his mother's old apartment at 1839 Poki Street. For a route and detailed description of the walking tour check out the maps available on the website.
Scenic
See Manoa Falls
A 1.5 miles hike to a very tall waterfall. Parking is available a little bit before the trailhead.
See Nu'uanu Pali Lookout
One of the more popular scenic vistas on O'ahu and the site of one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, the Pali Lookout provides a panoramic view of Windward O'ahu. Also interesting at this site is the Old Pali Road, formerly the highway connecting Windward O'ahu to downtown Honolulu. A note of caution: due to its location between two high cliffs, the Pali Lookout is often buffeted by high winds.
See Pu'u Ualaka'a State Park
Above Makiki, this park provides a stunning view of southern O'ahu which includes Diamond Head, Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, Punch Bowl Crater and the airport. There are also hiking trails which allow you to completely forget that you are in a city, taking you into a lush rainforest. Tantalus/Round Top Drive is winding mountain road which takes you about 2,000 above sea level to various viewpoints providing panoramic views, including the Pu'u Ualaka'a State Wayside. From Makiki, take Makiki Street from Nehoa Street and make a left on Round Top Drive.
Do
- Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and Rainbow Wāhine. The southern end of the UH campus is home to most of the university's sports facilities. The baseball team plays at Les Murakami Stadium, while the men's and women's basketball and volleyball teams play at Stan Sheriff Center. With the football team's former home of Aloha Stadium in Western Honolulu having been permanently closed in 2020 due to structural issues and set for demolition, the team was forced to move to the university's far smaller on-campus track and field stadium, the Ching Athletics Complex. (A new football stadium is planned for the Aloha Stadium site.) Adjacent to these three facilities are the university's swimming pool, tennis courts, and softball and soccer fields. Note that UH is one of a dwindling number of schools with separate nicknames for men's and women's teams—men are Rainbow Warriors and women are Rainbow Wāhine (the second word translates to "women" in the Hawaiian language).
Buy
Eat
Eat Bangkok Chef
As good and as cheap that an amazing delicious Thai meal can get. The place started as a Thai market, but has grown as a local favorite. The high quality of the food, associated with fresh ingredients and low prices make this spot a must try while in Honolulu.
Eat Chiang Mai Thai Restaurant
While there are many Thai restaurants on Oahu, this is one of the best and most reasonably priced. The Panang Curry is especially good. You have to drive or take a cab if you're staying in Waikiki, but it's well worth it!
Eat Eastern Paradise Restaurant
Basic, decent Korean food at a budget price.
Eat Honolulu Museum of Art Cafe
Situated in an indoor/outdoor setting, it's usually packed with locals. It's the place to go for imaginative salads and sandwiches at a reasonable price. The art isn't bad either.
Eat Sushi Company
Owned and operated by a Japanese couple. They offer high grade take-out sushi at budget prices. You can enjoy lunch or dinner here for well under $10.
Eat Waiola Shave Ice
One of the best places to get shave ice (local equivalent to snow cones). Popular with both locals and visitors. Very long lines during the summer heat, extremely limited parking, but still worth it.
Eat Zippy's
The island equivalent of Denny's, though far more popular with the locals. There's a wide variety of food, including plate lunches at reasonable prices; their signature dish is their chili, which they prepare in many different ways: served over rice, over a burrito, or over french fries, to name a few.
Sleep
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