Dog Friendly City Guide: Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu does the outdoors with a dog as well as anywhere in America, just with better weather. The Waikiki and Kaka'ako waterfronts run for miles on foot, the craft-beer scene has taken root downtown, and the aloha spirit extends to the dog on the patio.

The beaches themselves keep dogs at arm's length, but the seafront paths, the parks and the year-round warmth more than make up for it.

Everything below comes from our own verified data, not the booking-site badges that pass for research elsewhere. Each place has been checked as genuinely dog friendly, and the hotels at the end are ranked against the Roch Dog Friendly Standard.

Where to Walk

The walking is on the water. The Kaka'ako Waterfront loops the regenerated harbour-front park, and the Waikiki path runs past the aquarium and Queen's Surf. Downtown, the Capitol and Palace grounds give you the historic stroll around Iolani Palace, and Beretania Park the neighbourhood green.

For the longer flat miles, the Nimitz Bike Path, Sand Island and the Ke'ehi Lagoon loop carry you along the working waterfront.

The Breweries and Beach Bars

Honolulu drinks island-made. Aloha Beer Company and Waikiki Brewing lead the craft end, Brew'd Craft Pub does the gastropub, and the Harbor Pub & Pizza and the old-school Arnold's Beach Bar keep it casual near the sand. And the dog has its own counter: Hula Dog does the Hawaiian take on the hot dog in Waikiki.

The Hawaiian Table

For the plate, the island flavours lead. Mud Hen Water and Kapa Hale do the acclaimed modern Hawaiian, PAI Honolulu the fine end, and L&L Hawaiian Barbecue the plate lunch. Honolulu Burger Company and Teddy's Bigger Burgers do the patty, and no Honolulu afternoon ends without shave ice: the famous Waiola and Island Vintage are the ones.

Where to Stay

Which leaves the bed. The hip, surf-themed SurfJack Hotel leads Honolulu's certified list on an A, a Waikiki boutique rated and reviewed so you know what the welcome is worth before you book.

The full list of certified dog friendly hotels in Honolulu shows how every one was ranked, and what that ranking buys you and your dog.

This guide was first published on 1 June 2023 and updated on 8 June 2026.