Are you looking for a historical and scenic experience while golfing in Hawaii? Moanalua Golf Course is in a gorgeous location in Honolulu, and it’s one of the country’s oldest golf courses.
Finding the Best Golf Courses on Oahu
I started golfing a few years back, starting at the playful par-3 Executive Course at Hawaii Kai. I’ve since moved on to Oahu’s big courses and have been delighted, challenged, and ultimately frustrated by all of the courses I’ve played. I think I’m up to about a dozen courses played on Oahu (and two on the Big Island).
But there is one course that has become a sort of “home course” for me. It’s the Moanalua Golf Club, a semi-private course on the outskirts of Honolulu proper, located in a quiet residential neighborhood. I’m not a member. Yet. But now that it’s my new go-to course, a membership might be in my future.
The History of Moanalua Golf Course
Golf itself dates back to the 1400s, but it didn’t see much popularity in America until the late 1800s. In 1894, the United States Golf Association was established, and golfing became a beloved sport across the country.
You might find it surprising how quickly golf was brought to Hawaii, and how the islands’ first golf course has endured throughout the decades.
In 1898, businessman Samuel M. Damon created Hawaii’s first golf course on ahupuaa of Moanalua, a piece of land left to him by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.
The Moanalua Golf Course still remains today. It’s the oldest course west of the Mississippi River and one of the country’s earliest golf courses.
Your Visit to Moanalua Golf Course
Moanalua is a scant five- to ten-minute drive from Downtown Honolulu. It’s a nine-hole course, so the back nine is easy to settle into after playing it as the front nine. The green fees are practically a steal, considering the course’s proximity to town.
This is a 9-hole golf course that’s great for beginners, though expert golfers will come to get in good practice rounds. The environment at Moanalua Golf Course is relaxed and friendly. The staff is helpful and cheerful, and non-member walk-ons are always welcome.
The course itself is well maintained and offers challenging holes that feature trouble for errant tee shots, but the course is by no means punitive. Holes four and five are uphill par fives that favor long hitters, but as with any course, those who can find the fairway off of the tee will do just fine at Moanalua.
It’s possible for duffers to lose a ball on every tee shot. My favorite hole is the par three eighth . It’s an elevated tee at about 150 yards, with out of bounds running the length of the right side. Hitting the spare green from eighty feet up with a five iron is one of the highlights of my otherwise tragic golfing history.
It can get desert hot at Moanalua, so it’s a good idea to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. And if your game resembles mine, don’t forget an extra sleeve or two of golf balls.
E Ohi Restaurant
The restaurant at Moanalua Golf Course is open to the public. It’s called E Ohi Restaurant, and it serves late breakfast, lunch, and dinner – plus it’s open late with drink specials and regular events.
You don’t have to golf at Moanalua Golf Course to visit its restaurant, so it might be worth stopping in if you want to enjoy the scenic area without having to putt around.
Golf During Your Hawaii Vacation
Will you be visiting Moanalua Golf Course during your next trip to Hawaii? Whether you like swanky, professional-level golf courses or something a little more relaxed (like Moanalua), Hawaii Aloha Travel can help you plan it! Get in touch with us to learn more about our vacation planning options.
