12 Of The Most Enchanting Man Made Wonders In Hawaii
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Megan Shute
Author
From Kauai’s stunning Waimea Canyon and Hawaii Island’s Thurston Lava Tube to Maui’s Mount Haleakala, there are many majestic natural wonders in Hawaii. But there are also several man-made attractions in Hawaii, including bridges, buildings, and everything in between. Here are the most enchanting man-made landmarks in Hawaii for your bucket list:
The Byodo-In Temple, 47-200 Kahekili Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744, USA
Located on Oahu’s lush windward coast at the base of the Ko’olau Mountains is the Byodo-In Temple, a small-scale replica of a famous temple in Japan that is more than 950 years old. The non-denominational shrine was dedicated in 1968 to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants in Hawaii. The beautiful grounds include stunning statues, a large reflecting pond, meditation areas, and small waterfalls.
Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, 3857 Iona Rd, Hanapepe, HI 96716, USA
This charming swinging bridge is one of the most popular attractions in this small Kauai town. The bridge was built in the early 1900s as a means for residents to cross the river, and was restored after Hurricane Iniki. The simple suspension bridge is anchored only on either side, making it sway with every passing breeze, as well as the movement of those crossing it. The old wood creaks with every step, making for quite the scary trek for some visitors.
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Aloha Tower, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
Located on Pier Nine in Honolulu, the Aloha Tower is both a lighthouse that has guided countless ships to shore, as well as one of Hawaii’s most well-known landmarks. It was built in 1926 at the then astronomical price of $160,000. At 10 stories and 184 feet of height with an additional 40 feet of flag mast, the Aloha Tower was the tallest building in Hawaii for four decades.
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Ford Island Bridge, Hawaii, USA
Formally known as the Admiral Clarey Bridge, this structure provides access to Ford Island, a United States Naval Installation in the middle of Pearl Harbor. The floating concrete draw bridge is more than 4,600 feet in length, with a 930-foot pontoon section that can be retracted under the fixed bridge in order to accommodate the Navy’s largest battleships and aircraft carriers to pass through.
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, 3900 Wailea Alanui Dr, Kihei, HI 96753, USA
With views of the West Maui Mountains across approximately 10 miles of Maalaea Bay, this stunning $9 million infinity pool is the very picture of luxury. A full-service swim-up bar with underwater stools and opulent poolside cabanas make this one of the most picturesque adult retreats on the island – guests under the age of 21 are not permitted in this area.
Interstate H-3, I-H-3, Honolulu, HI, USA
The H-3 Highway connects H-1 near Halawa with Kaneohe, crossing the Ko’olau Mountains along a viaduct and through the 5,165-foot long Tensuo Harano Tunnels that cut through the mountainside. One of the most expensive interstate highways ever built on a cost per mile basis, the final cost of the H-3 was $1.3 billion, or approximately $80 million per mile.
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84-5140 Painted Church Rd, Captain Cook, HI 96704, USA
Known more commonly as the Painted Church, this magnificent piece of art on Hawaii Island is open to the public seven days a week, and holds mass five days each week. The masterpiece was built from 1899 to 1902 under the direction of Catholic missionary Father John Velghe, an untrained folk artist who painted frescoes along the interior ceiling and walls depicting various biblical scenes.
Iolani Palace, 364 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
It’s hard to find a man-made wonder as enchanting as Hawaii’s Iolani Palace, the royal residence for the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1845 to 1893. After the monarchy was overthrown, the building served as the capitol building until 1969, and then in 1978, restored and opened as a museum. The palace features a unique style of architecture known as American Florentine, and is the only official state royal residence on United States soil.
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Dole Plantation, 64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy, Wahiawa, HI 96786, USA
The giant pineapple garden maze at the Dole Plantation was recognized as the world’s largest maze of its kind in 2008 by the Guinness Book of World Records. The maze is housed on more than three acres, and includes nearly 2.5 miles of paths crafted from 14,000 Hawaiian plants. The impressive pineapple maze is one of only a handful of permanent botanical mazes in the county.
Hana Highway, Hana Hwy, Hawaii, USA
While the waterfalls, streams, beaches, and jungles near Maui’s Hana Highway are certainly not man-made, the road itself was brilliantly constructed around the island’s many natural wonders, and is one of the state’s most idyllic drives.
Moanalua Valley Trail Start (Kulana'ahane), 1849 Ala Aolani St, Honolulu, HI 96819, USA
Constructed in order to reach the Haiku Radio Station, a top-secret facility used to transmit radio signals to U.S. Navy ships in the Pacific, the Haiku Stairs became one of Hawaii’s most iconic hikes – even though the grueling 3,922 step climb is both dangerous and quite illegal. While we would never condone any of our readers making this trek, it’s hard to deny that the famous stairs are one of the most enchanting spots in all of Hawaii.
Hilo Harbor, Hilo, HI 96720, USA
Built in the 1920s to protect Hilo Harbor, this 1.5-mile wall is a sleep example of historic engineering. At low tide, a walk along the landmark will offer stunning views of the harbor, the city, and even the slopes of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.
How many of these undeniably enchanting spots have you visited? What other man made landmarks in Hawaii would you add to this list? If you are ready to live the island life, check out our What to Pack for Hawaii Ultimate Guide.
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More to Explore
Man Made Landmarks in Hawaii
What are some beautiful natural wonders in Hawaii?
Volcanoes, wildlife, pristine beaches, waterfalls, bamboo forests... the Aloha State truly is one big, beautiful place of immense wonder. For starters:
- Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, a place where fire and water meet in a violent, earth-shaking spectacle. This earth-shattering event is responsible for creating the Hawaiian Islands, and it's on full display at this national park, which is 523 square miles of jaw-dropping scenery. The park contains some of the world’s most awe-inspiring wonders, not to mention two active volcanoes, offering visitors the once-in-a-lifetime experience to be up close and personal with these fantastic, fire-breathing wonders.
- Another place sure to stoke and fan the flames of your wanderlust is Hawaii's Nāpali Coast. Spanning 17 miles along Kauai’s North Shore, the Nāpali Coast is emerald-hued cliffs and lush forest jungles, gorgeous waterfalls, and endless turquoise waters. Nāpali Coast is defined by its majestic cliffs, some of which rise 4,000 feet above the sea. This is Mother Nature at its purest; a real-life Garden of Eden that seems almost too beautiful to believe.
- Molokini Crater is the state’s only island marine sanctuary; one of just three volcanic calderas in the world; and the very best place to go snorkeling in Hawaii. The experience of exploring Hawaii from the pristine waters of Molokini Crater is truly something you will remember for the rest of your life. A crescent-shaped crag of land rising 160 feet off the west coast of Maui, Molokini Crater is brown and barren from above -- but an entire prismatic planet awaits beneath its rocky shores. Beneath the stunning cerulean waters, a wondrous world awaits, from sea turtles and 38 varieties of coral to hundreds of species of fish!