Queen Kapiʻolani Statue

Waikiki

LoginSave

This bronze statue depicts Queen Kapiʻolani, the wife of King David Kalakaua – his statue sits at the other end of Waikiki. The Queen was a beloved philanthropist, known as the queen who loved children. Among other accomplishments, she founded a maternity home in 1890 for disadvantaged Hawaiians and today you'll hear her name often – the park, a hospital, a major boulevard and a community college are named for her.

She had two homes near the statue, including her favorite on the waterfront. The near-lifesize statue is always covered with fresh lei.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Shangri La

    Shangri La

    1.93 MILES

    In the shadow of Diamond Head, the former mansion of billionaire tobacco heiress Doris Duke is a sight to behold for art-lovers and celebrity hounds…

  • The Stones of Life - four stones on Waikiki Beach that were placed there as tribute to four legendary mahu.

    Stones of Life of Kapaemahu and Kapuni

    0.51 MILES

    Near the police substation at Waikiki Beach Center, four ordinary-looking volcanic basalt boulders are actually sacred and legendary Hawaiian symbols…

  • There is a fisherman about to cast his line in the water over a tall cliff. Spitting Caves Hawaii is a hidden gem of East Oahu.

    Spitting Cave

    7.38 MILES

    This impressive, little-known viewpoint is at the end of Lumahai St in Portlock, makai (toward the sea) from the traffic lights at the Koko Marina Center…

  • The USS Arizona Memorial straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it.

    USS Arizona Memorial

    10.58 MILES

    This somber memorial is one of the USA's most significant WWII sites, commemorating the Pearl Harbor attack and its fallen service members with an iconic…

  • Interior of Bishop Museum, main gallery with sperm whale hanging from ceiling.

    Bishop Museum

    5.44 MILES

    Hawaii’s version of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, the Bishop Museum showcases a remarkable array of cultural and natural history exhibits…

  • iolani palace honolulu hawaii usa

    ʻIolani Palace

    3.53 MILES

    No other place evokes a more poignant sense of Hawaii’s history. The palace was built under King David Kalakaua in 1882. At that time, the Hawaiian…

  • The Honolulu Museum of Art

    Honolulu Museum of Art

    2.96 MILES

    This exceptional fine-arts museum is among the best of its kind anywhere. The collection is effectively a 'best of' summary of major art movements…

  • The USS Arizona Memorial straddles the sunken hull of the battleship without touching it.

    Pearl Harbor National Memorial

    10.14 MILES

    One of the USA’s most significant WWII sites, this National Park Service (NPS) monument narrates the history of the Pearl Harbor attack and commemorates…

View more attractions

Nearby Waikiki attractions

1. Kapi'olani Regional Park

0.12 MILES

In its early days, horse racing and band concerts were the biggest attractions at Waikiki's favorite green space. Although the racetrack is long gone,…

2. Queen's Surf Beach

0.13 MILES

Just south of Kuhio Beach, the namesake beach for the famous surf break is a great place for families as the waves are rarely large when they reach shore…

3. Honolulu Zoo

0.14 MILES

Honolulu Zoo displays tropical species from around the globe. There are 42 acres of tropical greenery, over 1200 animals and a petting zoo for kids…

4. Surfer on a Wave Statue

0.15 MILES

Opposite the entrance to Honolulu Zoo and right on the beach, the Surfer on a Wave statue celebrates surfing as a major part of the culture of Waikiki…

5. Kapiʻolani Beach Park

0.17 MILES

Where did all the tourists go? From Kapahulu Groin south to the Natatorium, this peaceful stretch of beach, backed by a green space of banyan trees and…

6. Makua and Kila Statue

0.18 MILES

A bronze charmer, this warm-hearted public art sculpture shows a young surfer (Makua) sharing a moment with a monk seal (Kila). It's inspired by the…

7. Waikiki Aquarium

0.2 MILES

Located on Waikiki’s shoreline, this university-run aquarium recreates diverse tropical Pacific reef habitats. You’ll see rare fish species from the…

8. Prince Kuhio Statue

0.31 MILES

This statue of Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaʻole fronts Kuhio Beach. It celebrates the man who was prince of the reigning House of Kalakaua when the…