Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Waiʻanae Range. A lighthouse, coral reefs and surfers waiting to catch a wave are visible
below.
From Waikiki, take TheBus 23 or 24, which run once or twice hourly; from the closest
bus stop, it's a 20-minute walk to the trailhead. By car, take Monsarrat Ave to Diamond
Head Rd and turn right immediately after passing Kapiʻolani Community College.
Shangri La
HISTORIC BUILDING
(
532-3853;
www.shangrilahawaii.org
;
2½hr tour incl transportation $25; tours usually 9am,
10:30am & 1:30pm Wed-Sat, closed early Sep-early Oct)
Once called 'the richest little girl in
the world,' heiress Doris Duke (1912-93) had a lifelong passion for Islamic art and ar-
chitecture that was first inspired by a visit to the Taj Mahal during her honeymoon voy-
age to India in 1935. You can only visit her former estate on a guided tour departing from
downtown's Honolulu Museum of Art (
Click here
)
.
During her honeymoon, Doris stopped on Oʻahu, fell in love with the island and de-
cided to build a private seasonal residence on Black Point. She made Shangri La into an
intimate sanctuary rather than an ostentatious mansion. Over the next six decades, she
traveled the globe from Indonesia to Istanbul, collecting priceless Islamic art and ship-
ping it back to Hawaii.
One of the true beauties of Shangri La is its harmony with the natural environment.
Finely crafted interiors open to embrace gardens and fountain courtyards. Artworks
blend with architecture to represent a theme or region, like in the restored interior of an
18th-century Syrian merchant's house. Duke's extensive art collections also include
gemstone-studded enamels, glazed ceramic paintings and silk
suzanis
(intricate needle-
work tapestries).
Children under eight years old are not allowed on tours. Advance reservations are re-
quired.
Sleeping & Eating
Kahala Hotel & Resort
RESORT $$$
$$$
(
800-367-2525, 739-8888;
www.kahalaresort.com
;
5000 Kahala Ave; r from $495;
)
On a secluded beach, this luxury resort is a favorite of celebs, royalty and other A-list
types who crave an escape from the paparazzi. The hotel is classic without being at all
trendy, and staff welcome guests with a flower lei. Some of the cheapest rooms lack
