Where is Honolulu, Hawaii?

Honolulu is located in the southern part of the Hawaii, United States. It is the most populous city of the state Hawaii Island.

Location Map of Honolulu, Hawaii

Where is Honolulu Located?

Honolulu is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is located in the Pacific Ocean. It situated along the southeast coast of the island of Oʻahu. It covers an total area of 68.4 square miles (177.2 sq km), of which 7.9 square miles (20.5 sq km) is water. The population of Honolulu was 345,064 according to the 2019 Population and Housing Unit Estimates. Honolulu is a major hub for finance, hospitality, international business, and military defense in both the state and Oceania.

Honolulu, Hawaii Quick Facts

FactDetails
CityHonolulu
CountyHonolulu County (City and County of Honolulu)
StateHawaii
State CapitalHonolulu
US RegionWest
Latitude21.3069° N
Longitude157.8583° W
Elevation19 ft (6 m)
Land Area68.4 sq mi
Water Area8.5 sq mi
Total Area76.9 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)350,964
Population DensityApproximately 5,131 per sq mi
ZIP Codes96801, 96802, 96803, 96804, 96805, 96806, 96807, 96808, 96809, 96810, 96811, 96812, 96813, 96814, 96815, 96816, 96817, 96818, 96819, 96820, 96821, 96822, 96823, 96824, 96825, 96826, 96828, 96830, 96839, 96850
Area Code808
Time Zone StandardHawaii Standard Time (HST, UTC-10)
Time Zone DaylightHawaii Standard Time (HST, UTC-10)
CurrencyUS Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code15-17000
Congressional DistrictHawaii 1st Congressional District

Location and Surroundings

Honolulu is located on the southeastern coast of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. It lies between the Pacific Ocean and the Koʻolau Mountain Range, serving as Hawaii's capital and largest city. The city is known for Waikiki Beach, Pearl Harbor, its multicultural heritage, tourism industry, and role as the economic center of Hawaii.

Nearby Cities to Honolulu, Hawaii

  • Waipahu, Hawaii - 14 mi West
  • Pearl City, Hawaii - 11 mi West
  • Aiea, Hawaii - 9 mi West
  • Kaneohe, Hawaii - 12 mi Northeast
  • Kailua, Hawaii - 14 mi Northeast
  • Mililani, Hawaii - 18 mi Northwest
  • Ewa Beach, Hawaii - 21 mi West
  • Kapolei, Hawaii - 23 mi West
  • Wahiawa, Hawaii - 24 mi Northwest
  • Waianae, Hawaii - 33 mi West

Honolulu, Hawaii Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January80662.8
April82691.3
July88740.6
October87732.1
Annual847117.0
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate Classification (Köppen)Tropical Semi-Arid (BSh)
Annual RainfallAbout 17 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysApproximately 271 days
Hurricane/Tornado RiskLow hurricane risk
SnowfallNone

Driving Distances from Honolulu, Hawaii

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
AieaHawaii915 min
Pearl CityHawaii1120 min
KaneoheHawaii1220 min
KailuaHawaii1425 min
WaipahuHawaii1425 min
MililaniHawaii1830 min
Ewa BeachHawaii2135 min
KapoleiHawaii2335 min
WahiawaHawaii2440 min
WaianaeHawaii3355 min

Transportation and Connectivity in Honolulu, Hawaii

CategoryDetails
Airport NameDaniel K. Inouye International Airport
IATA CodeHNL
PortPort of Honolulu
Major HighwaysH-1, H-2, H-3, Nimitz Highway, Kalanianaole Highway
Train/Amtrak ServiceNo Amtrak service; Skyline rail transit system available
Local Bus/Transit ServiceTheBus and Skyline Rail
  • Interstate H-1 - Main east-west freeway connecting Honolulu with western Oahu communities.
  • Interstate H-2 - Connects central Oahu with the North Shore region.
  • Interstate H-3 - Scenic route linking Honolulu with Kaneohe and Windward Oahu.
  • Nimitz Highway - Major roadway connecting downtown Honolulu with the airport and Pearl Harbor.
  • Kalanianaole Highway - Coastal route serving eastern Honolulu neighborhoods.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Honolulu, Hawaii

Landmark NameType
Waikiki BeachBeach
Diamond Head State MonumentNatural Landmark
Pearl Harbor National MemorialHistoric Site
Iolani PalaceHistoric Landmark
Hanauma Bay Nature PreserveMarine Preserve
Bishop MuseumMuseum
Honolulu Museum of ArtMuseum
Koko Crater Railway TrailHiking Attraction
Ala Moana Beach ParkBeach Park
Nuʻuanu Pali LookoutScenic Viewpoint

Waterbodies in Honolulu, Hawaii

Pacific Ocean, Mamala Bay, Keʻehi Lagoon, Ala Wai Canal, Honolulu Harbor, Hanauma Bay, Pearl Harbor, Maunalua Bay, Kuapa Pond, Waikiki Beach Waters

Golf Courses in Honolulu, Hawaii

Ala Wai Golf Course, Honolulu Country Club, Waialae Country Club, Hawaii Prince Golf Club, Royal Hawaiian Golf Club, Ko Olina Golf Club, Hawaii Kai Golf Course, Ewa Beach Golf Club, Coral Creek Golf Course, Pearl at Kalauao

Economy and Major Employers in Honolulu, Hawaii

SectorMajor Employer or IndustryNotes
TourismHospitality and Resort IndustryLargest contributor to the local economy.
MilitaryU.S. Pacific Fleet and Defense InstallationsMajor federal employment sector.
HealthcareThe Queen's Health SystemsLeading healthcare provider in Hawaii.
GovernmentState of HawaiiSignificant public-sector employer.
EducationUniversity of Hawaii SystemSupports research and workforce development.
TransportationDaniel K. Inouye International AirportKey gateway to the islands.
FinanceBanking and Financial ServicesRegional business and finance hub.
RetailShopping and Commercial CentersSupports tourism and local commerce.

Colleges and Universities in Honolulu, Hawaii

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
University of Hawaii at ManoaPublicUniversityFlagship research university
Hawaii Pacific UniversityPrivateUniversityInternational and marine-related studies
Kapiolani Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeHospitality and healthcare programs
Honolulu Community CollegePublicCommunity CollegeTechnical and workforce education
Chaminade University of HonoluluPrivateUniversityLiberal arts and education programs
University of Hawaii - West OahuPublicUniversityPublic administration and business studies

Honolulu, Hawaii - Key Historical Facts

  • Honolulu became an important Pacific port during the nineteenth century and later served as the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
  • Iolani Palace in Honolulu was the official residence of Hawaii's monarchs and remains the only royal palace in the United States.
  • Hawaii was annexed by the United States in 1898, with Honolulu continuing as the governmental and economic center of the islands.
  • The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, brought the United States into World War II.
  • Tourism expanded rapidly after Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state in 1959.
  • Today, Honolulu serves as Hawaii's largest city, principal seaport, and cultural center.

Sources

Related Hawaii Maps of Info

Hawaii MapHawaii County MapMap of Hawaii With Cities
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Hawaii Physical MapHawaii Road MapWhere is Honolulu
Hawaii County MapHonolulu, City and County of County MapKalawao County Map
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Written and fact-checked by | Last Updated: January 11, 2025, 11:50 PM ET