Hawaii Q & A: Going beyond the tourist haunts on Oahu to gardens, museums and art exhibits

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Q: My husband and I are going to Oahu for the first time and wonder if there are any must-sees, must-dos beyond the usual tourist haunts.

A: If you like gardens, nature, history, art or shopping, you'll find many choices.

For art lovers, Cedar Street Galleries (808-589-1580, www.cedarstreetgalleries.com) features the works of more than 300 Hawaii artists.

Art on the Zoo Fence is a local artists' showcase set up on the Honolulu Zoo fence on Monsarrat Avenue in Waikiki from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Zoo information: 808-971-7171, www.honoluluzoo.org

Nature lovers have their pick of parks and hikes. Lyon Arboretum (808-988-0456, www.hawaii.edu/lyonarboretum) is a 194-acre rain forest overseen by the University of Hawaii. It's open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., for self-guided tours, with public tours on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 1 p.m.

The Real Hawaii Eco-Cultural Excursions (877-597-7325, www.therealhawaii.com) is among companies offering short hikes that highlight the island's cultural heritage.

Hawaiian history is showcased in many locations, including:

• Bishop Museum (808-847-3511, www.bishopmuseum.org), has an extensive collection of Hawaiian cultural artifacts and natural-history displays.

• Hawaii's Plantation Village (808-677-0110, www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org), tells the story of life on Hawaii's sugar plantations.

• The Iolani Palace (808-522-0832, www.iolanipalace.org), was the official residence of King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani, the last monarchs of Hawaii. (See the story on K 5.)
 
There's good shopping at the giant Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (808-486-6704, www.alohastadium.hawaii.gov/events/swapmeet.html), held Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

— Seattle Times news services