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Sports & Recreation

Although Honolulu has no professional sports teams, its year-round mild weather and varied environment makes the area perfect for a variety of sports and other recreational events, whether you are hoping to sit on the sidelines or participate yourself.

For spectators interested in professional sports, Honolulu is host to the National Football League Pro Bowl, which is held at the end of the NFL season and features that season’s best players from across the country.

Honolulu’s climate lends itself to year-round fitness activities and spectator sports. Fan favorites include the football, volleyball, basketball, and baseball programs of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and high school sporting events.

Spectator Sports

College Sports

  • University Of Hawaii at Manoa, www.uhm.hawaii.edu, or the Warriors, has a major NCAA sports program including men’s and women’s basketball, swimming and diving, tennis and volleyball, men’s baseball, football and golf, and women’s cross-country, sailing, soccer, softball, track and field and water polo.
  • Interscholastic League of Honolulu, www.ilhsports.com, consists of twenty-seven athletic programs, twenty co-ed schools, two schools for boys and four schools for girls.

High School Sports

Roller Derby

Almost as fun to watch as it is to play, roller derby is a fast growing, high adrenaline sport. With two leagues on the island, wheeled action is never in short supply.

The Aloha City Rollers – featuring a certain LallyGagHer (aka Adrienne Lally) – are a flat track league open to men and women over the age of 18. You can show up for their bouts if you want to watch or even join up. http://www.alohacityrollers.com/

Pacific Roller Derby is an all-female flat track league that skates at Kamiloiki Community Park. Check out their web page for schedules and more details. http://www.pacificrollerderby.com

Participant Sports and Activities

Parks and Recreation Departments

The Department of Parks and Recreation maintains and manages all parks and recreational facilities throughout Honolulu County. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life of Oahu residents through active and passive recreational opportunities.

Pools

Hours of operation, free swim, lap swim, classes, closures due to inclement weather and costs vary. For specific information, call the number listed beside the pool.

  • Kanewai, 808-733-7365
  • Kapaolono, 808-733-7369
  • Manoa, 808-988-6868
  • Palolo, 808-733-7362
  • Booth, 808-522-7037
  • Kalihi Valley, 808-832-7814
  • Makiki, 808-521-4803
  • Moanalua, 808-831-7106
  • Salt Lake, 808-831-4377

Recreational Gardening

A city program started in 1975, this program provides people living in the Honolulu’s densely populated communities access to garden
plots. The program consists of 10 gardens. Interested residents apply for
a plot in one of the gardens, and then pay a small fee for each year they use it. For complete information about locations and fees, visit www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/crgp.htm.

Hiking

The varied terrain surrounding Honolulu awaits residents with a wide variety of places for treks of all types, long or short, from an easy stroll to more strenuous hikes. Here are a few popular routes for hikers:

  • Aihualama Trail to Nuuanu Overlook, 5.6 miles
  • Alapena Pool and Falls, half a mile
  • Foster Botanical Garden, one mile
  • Judd Memorial Trail to Jackass Ginger Pool, one mile
  • Makiki Valley Loop, two miles
  • Manoa Cliff – Kalawahine Loop, 4.8 miles
  • Manoa Falls, 1.6 miles
  • Moleka and Ualakaa Trails, two miles
  • Nuuanu Trail to Nuuanu Overlook, 5.6 miles
  • Oahu: The Koolaus, 20 miles
  • Oahu: The Pali Lookout, one mile
  • Puu Ohia – Pauoa Flats Loop, three miles
  • Puu Pia Trail, 1.8 miles
  • Waahila Ridge Trail, 3.5 miles

Multi-Sport Groups

Some area employers may offer a chance to play sports through corporate teams, so be sure to ask your employer if there are existing teams – or if you might start one. These independent groups also offer several sports each.

Adventure Racing

City Solve Urban Race is a one-day, Honolulu amazing race. This scavenger hunt will take you to answer trivia questions, complete challenges and take on other activities as you unfold the puzzle. The adventure game takes you through many exciting neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, The Arts District and some cool places you might not even know about. On this urban adventure, you’ll solve clues ranging from pop culture to math to American history and much more. Along the way you’ll face exciting challenges like bowling a strike, building a house of cards or identifying a flavor of ice cream. For all the fun details, check out www.citysolveurbanrace.com.

Baseball

Basketball

Paintball

Soccer

Bicycling

BMX Bicycle Racing

Beaches

Boating/Sailing

Bowling

Gymnastics/Cheerleading

Crossfit

Dance

With 46 dance studios, Honolulu, www.honolulu.gov, provides dance opportunities such as Hula, ballroom, Chinese, country, folk, belly dancing and many more.

Equestrian

Fishing/Hunting

Disc Golf (Frisbee)

Golf

Honolulu is a golfer’s paradise, with dozens of golf courses on the island. You can find a full listing of courses at www.golflink.com/golf-courses/city.aspx?dest=Honolulu+HI. Here is just a sampling of what’s available for golfers in Honolulu.

  • Ala Wai Golf Course, 808-733-7384, www.honolulu.gov/des/golf/alawai.htm, is a municipal, flat, sporty course with views of Diamond Head, the Koolau mountain range and the Waikiki skyline.
  • Hawaii Kai Golf Course, 808-395-2358, www.hawaiikaigolf.com, is a public, championship course and executive course. The Pacific Ocean can be seen from every hole, and tropical winds blowing from the ocean are both pleasant and challenging.
  • The City and County of Honolulu, www.honolulu.gov/des/golf/index.htm, 808-733-7381, operates six public golf courses on the island.
  • Ko’Olina Golf Club, www.koolinagolf.com, 808-676-5300, is a challenging 18-hole course on the Western part of the island. Designed by Ted Robinson, this championship course boasts exceptional water features.
  • Honolulu Scuba Company, 808-220-0577, classes, boat dives, beach dives, day and night dives
  • AAA Diving, 808-617-2822, www.aaadiving.com, daily dives and certification classes
  • Hanauma Bay Snorkeling, 808-373-5060, www.hanaumabaysnorkel.com
  • Hawaii Nautical, 808-255-5170, www.hawaiinautical.com, snorkeling, scuba diving, snuba
  • Waikiki Diving Company, 808-922-2121, www.waikikidiving.com, group diving
  • Aquazone, 808-923-3483, beginner diving
  • Ice Palace Hawaii, 808-487-9921, www.icepalacehawaii.com, skate school, hockey school and public skating
  • Skating Fitness, 808-487-9921, www.skatingfitness.com, ice skating, hockey, in line skating and skateboarding
  • Island Lacrosse, 808-384-6701, www.islandlacrosse.com, gear
  • Hawaii Lacrosse International, www.hawaiilacrosse.com, teams for men, women and children, tournaments

Scuba Diving/Snorkeling

Skating

Lacrosse

Martial Arts

Adult or child, amateur or pro, you can find a place to learn and practice judo, karate and other martial arts in Honolulu.

  • Martial Arts in Honolulu, 808-377-5040, www.martialartshonolulu.com, adult and children classes and a free trial period
  • Ultimate Fight School, 808-626-5283, www.ultimatefightschool.com, private lessons available
  • Traditional Taekwondo Center, 808-949-1090, www.taekwondohonolulu.com, classes available for men, women and children
  • Hawaii Karate Association, 808-551-9405, www.hkadojo.com, classes for men, women and children
  • Universal Kempo Karate, 808-454-0444, www.universalkempo.com, classes for all ages
  • Honolulu Marathon., 808-734-7200, www.honolulumarathon.org, is the world’s sixth largest marathon with about 25,000 runners competing each year. The race is open to anyone who can pay the entry fee, with no qualifying standards to meet and no time limit to finish the course. All runners receive an official time and certificate.
  • Great Aloha Run, www.greataloharun.com, Hawaiian name “Ke kukini me ke aloha pau‘ole”; This race is recognized nationally as one of the top “100 Great Road Races.” The 8.15-mile foot race begins at Aloha Tower and finishes in the Aloha Stadium. It features age group divisions, wheelchair and hand cycle competitors and walkers.
  • Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club, 808-561-4663, www.hscbulls.com, tournaments and events
  • Honolulu City Football (soccer) Club, www.honolulucityfc.com, boys and girls teams
  • AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization), www.aysosoccer.net; Region 178 of this national group with boys and girls teams is in Honolulu.
  • US Tennis Association, 808-955-6696, www.hawaii.usta.com
  • Diamond Head Tennis Center, 808-971-7150, 10 courts
  • Ala Moana Tennis Courts, 808-592-7031, 10 courts
  • Girls who Surf, 808-371-8917, www.girlswhosurf.com, lessons and rentals
  • Waikiki Beach Services, 808-542-0608, www.waikikibeachservices.com, lessons
  • Hawaiian Fire, 808-737-3473, lessons and photos
  • Beach Boy Hale, 808-382-4524, www.beachboyhale.com, private, semi private and group lessons
  • Aloha Surf Guide, 808-223-0482, lessons, gear, breaks and tides
  • Affordable Fitness, 808-348-2145, www.myaffordablefitness.com
  • Bodytune Hawaii, 808-951-7677
  • Club 50 Fitness Center, 808-593-9292, wwwclub50fitness.com
  • Evolutionary Fitness Institute, 808-587-8443
  • Fitness Together, 808-988-3959, www.fitnesstogether.com
  • Gold’s Gym, 808-533-7111, www.goldsgym.com
  • 24 Hour Fitness, www.24hourfitness.com, has 7 locations on Oahu

Running

Soccer

Tennis

Surfing

Health Clubs and Gyms

Honolulu YMCAs

Honolulu has eight locations offering sports, fitness activities and more. Most locations have pools and programs such as summer camps for children, as well as daycare. For more information on programs, rates and membership, go to www.ymcahonolulu.org or call 808-536-3556.

Testimonials

“Last year my wife and I came to Hawaii for a quick to buy a house for our impending move to the islands. Cherrie worked hard and helped us to get under contrsct and then close the deal. Hats off to the Lally Team”