Kings, a queen's song and a clock tower: Hawaiian history in riddles
The Honolulu scavenger hunt is a self-guided city game you play on your phone: you follow a route through downtown, solve a riddle at each landmark and then unlock its stories, local legends and fun facts. Between the cathedral and the harbour the walking itself takes only about 37 minutes over 2.7 km, so most of the roughly 2 hours goes on riddles and stories, and the clock starts whenever you choose.
Highlights include ʻIolani Palace, the only royal palace in the United States, the Hawaii State Capitol, Kawaiahaʻo Church and the King Kamehameha statue. Most stops lie close together in the historic civic district, so the route is comfortable to walk and gives a picture of the kingdom's history.
- Durationabout 2 hours
- Walkingabout 37 min · 2.7 km
- Stops10
- LanguagesEnglish
How the game plays out between Saint Andrew's and the harbour
Palm-tree columns and a coral church
Each riddle hides in a detail you can see from the sidewalk: the Capitol's columns shaped like royal palms, the coral blocks of Kawaiahaʻo Church, the stonework of a cathedral that was shipped from England in prefabricated pieces. Sharp eyes and a little logic are enough, and no knowledge of Hawaiian history is assumed.
A palace, an overthrow, a farewell song
Answers unlock the stories of the islands' kingdom: King Kalākaua's ʻIolani Palace, completed in 1882, the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893, and the song Aloha ʻOe by Queen Liliʻuokalani that gave the hula dancer statue its name. If you would rather stay in the shade with your eyes up, the audio narration can read each one to you.
A 2.7 km loop round Hawaii's seat of government
The walking adds up to about 37 minutes: from the cathedral past the Capitol and the palace, along to Honolulu Hale and Kawaiahaʻo Church, then down past the Kamehameha statue to the waterfront at Aloha Tower. Google Maps finds the way, and most stops are only a few minutes apart.
Shade breaks and a harbour finish
Nothing is timed, so rest under a tree near the palace or cool off with a drink by the harbour, and leave the last stops for another day if the afternoon heat builds. Tips for island food and shopping near the route are part of the app too.
See the route and attractions →
How it works
- Book online Choose the number of players. Your booking reference arrives by email straight away.
- Get the app Download the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your booking reference.
- Play when you like Start whenever you are ready, walk at your own pace and pause any time. No guide, no fixed schedule.
Cruise passengers, families and first-timers on Oʻahu
A port day or a break from the beach
In about 2 hours you see the only royal palace in the United States, the Capitol and the Kamehameha statue, and you end at Aloha Tower beside the harbour. It fits a few hours ashore or a morning before heading back to Waikīkī.
Children and a king in gold
Kids like finding the volcano shapes in the Capitol, looking up at Kamehameha I with his golden cloak and checking the time on the big clock of Aloha Tower. A grown-up joins every team, and the short distance suits younger walkers.
Groups and conference teams
Teams of up to 5 play side by side, every person on a separate phone, and can leave the cathedral a few minutes apart. Aloha Tower at the finish is an easy spot by the water to gather the whole group again.
Good to know
- Bring a charged smartphone with mobile data; a power bank helps.
- No entry tickets needed: everything happens outside the buildings. Going inside is optional and paid separately.
- Family friendly; children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Not suitable for wheelchair users and difficult with strollers.
- Teams of up to 5 work best; bigger groups split into several teams, one ticket per player.
- Every purchase helps support stray cats and dogs in Greece.
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