The Aloha Tower was built in 1926 at Pier 9 of Honolulu Harbour as a lighthouse and landmark for arriving ships. For decades it was the first sight of Honolulu for passengers arriving by sea — the ten-storey tower, inscribed "ALOHA" on all four sides, greeted arrivals with lei sellers, hula dancers, and the Royal Hawaiian Band. At 56 metres it was briefly the tallest structure in Hawaii.
The surrounding Aloha Tower Marketplace now hosts restaurants, bars, and shops in a pleasant open-air setting on the waterfront. The tower itself is open and free — an elevator takes you to the observation deck on the eighth floor, which has genuine harbour and city views. The setting has a nostalgic quality, and the cruise ships that still dock here in the style of an earlier era add to the atmosphere. Worth visiting if you're already in the downtown historic district.