Explore History and Enjoy Hawaii Sense At Aloha Tower
The History of Aloha Tower, Waikiki
Aloha Tower, completed in 1926 and reaching 184 feet tall, was the highest structure on the island for four decades, providing magnificent views of the harbor and containing an observatory and lookout post for harbor pilots on its top floor. Its lighthouse functioned as a navigational marker visible from 15 miles out at sea, and its clock was one of the biggest in the United States. When the only way to get to Oahu was by water, the tower served as a welcome beacon for tourists, with the words "ALOHA" engraved on its walls greeting thousands of ship passengers as they entered Honolulu Harbor.
In the days before air travel, all visitors to Hawaiʻi arrived by sailing ships until a steamboat first docked in 1844. "Steamer Days" or "Boat Day's" celebrated this event which gathered large crowds comprised of those welcoming passengers and curious onlookers; entertainment was often provided for them with other entertainments like leis at booths nearby as well.
Following the Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States Navy took control of Aloha Tower, restricting public access, turning off its beacon, and painting the formerly white structure camouflage to reduce detection. A high degree of security was established as a control center for American military convoys in the Pacific, with monitoring by Army sentries continuing until 1947, when the camouflage paint was sandblasted off and the facility was restored to civilian management.
Aloha Tower Marketplace
Today, Aloha Tower houses the harbor operators for the Hawaii Department of Transportation's Habors Division and serves as a welcome landmark for locals and tourists alike. Piers 10 and 11 are still used by cruise ships to dock in Oahu. This historic location has also been renovated as the Aloha Tower Marketplace, a mixed-use area with a variety of restaurants, activities, and community meeting places.
Aloha Tower Observation Deck
The observation deck on the 10th level of Aloha Tower is still open for business. It's the ideal location to take in the stunning views of the harbor on one side and Honolulu's metropolis on the other. The observation site is available to use and open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (weather permitting).
Views of the city are available from all four sides of the Aloha Tower Each side offers a different perspective, with one side providing views of the city and port, another of downtown Honolulu and Kaka'ako, and still another of the Kapalama Channel and Waianae Mountain Range. Take a photo of the panoramic vistas of Kaka'ak and downtown Honolulu.
Before you go to the Aloha Tower, remember that it's important to wear sunglasses and sunscreen as well as comfortable walking shoes. Most of the vendors accept credit card payments but some may not so make sure you have some cash on hand in case their payment options aren’t available.
