New and improved: All New RED LINE
Starting on April 1, 2018 Waikiki Trolley is adding stops along the Historic Downtown Tour on the Red Line. The 3 additional stops are the Bishop Museum, Queen Emma’s Summer Palace, Royal Mausoleum and Pali Lookout.
The new Red Line route runs for 2 hours and arrives every 40 minutes. Riders will enjoy brand-new air conditioned mini buses. The route highlights Hawaii’s rich history, especially of the royal family. Each tour is fully narrated and available on a first come, first served basis.
Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum
The Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Princess Bernice was the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family. The Bishop Museum holds an extensive collection of Hawaiian artifacts and royal family heirlooms of the Princess. It also houses a spectacular planetarium that hosts shows every hour.
Right now you can get a special admission for $7 at Bishop Museum when you ride the Waikiki Trolley.
Queen Emma Summer Palace
Paying honor to Hawaii’s royal family, Waikiki Trolley now stops at the Queen Emma Summer Palace, or Hanaiakamalama. During Hawaii’s warm summers, royalty would retreat to the cool and breezy Pali Valley. Queen Emma would spend her summer months here ruling the Kingdom of Hawaii alongside her husband, King Kamehameha IV, and their son, Prince Albert Edward.
The Summer Palace is open 9am to 4pm. Self Guided tours for adults are $8, seniors $6, and the keiki (children) are just $1. If you would like one of their guided tours, adults are $10, seniors $8 and keiki are just $1. Admission fees and money from the gift shop help with the preservation of this landmark.
Tip: Show your Waikiki Trolley ticket for a discount upon entering!
Royal Mausoleum
The Royal Mausoleum is a Hawaii State Monument and is the burial place of Hawaiian royalty. It includes members of the Kamehameha and Kalakaua Dynasties. The Royal Mausoleum is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm. The Mausoleum is one of the three places in Hawaii where the flag of Hawaii can officially fly alone without the American flag. The other two places are Iolani Palace (another stop on the Red Line) and the Puʻukoholā Heiau (on Big Island of Hawaii).
Pali Lookout
Not far from Queen Emma’s Summer Palace is the Pali Lookout. This popular stop is the site of the battle of Nuʻuanu Pali, where Kamehameha I defeated the forces of the King of Oahu, uniting the Hawaiian Islands. From this lookout you can see all of the windward side of Oahu, the sight is breathtaking.
Taking the Waikiki Trolley is really the best way to see the Pali Lookout. If you choose to drive, parking can be extremely challenging. There are 12 parking spots, which are metered and monitored. When you ride the Waikiki Trolley, you skip the hassle!
