The Neal S. Blaisdell Center has been a gathering place for community members of Honolulu since 1964. The multi-purpose arena has an excellent reputation for bringing in top entertainers, sports events and exhibits. Recently remodeled and expanded in 1994, the complex is essentially a circular facility that is perfect for concert and sporting events, and can seat up to 8,800. Setting a record for his time, Elvis Presley sold out concerts at the Blaisdell Center in the 1960s and 1970s. A bronze statue of The King has been erected outside. Recent performers have included Metallica, Days of the New, Rage Against the Machine, America, Pearl Jam, Elton John, George Michael, Van Halen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Motley Crue, No Doubt, Fleetwood Mac, Celine Dion, Ricky Martin, 'N Sync, LeAnn Rimes, Jimmy Buffett, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Nine Inch Nails, Gwen Stefani, Akon and Journey, among others. The Blaisdell Center keeps thing interesting with other types of events, like the WWE, Disney on Ice, American Idol Live!, Sesame Street Live, college basketball and volleyball, and international gymnastics.
The Pacific Aviation Museum stands on hallowed ground, in the area that signifies the thousands of lives lost at Pearl Harbor and the resulting demonstration of American strength and might that finally ended World War II. In fact, the museum on historic Ford Island occupies hangars from Wold War II and is ranked as the No. 8 aviation attraction in the nation.
Known as the "Pride of the Pacific," the Hawaii Theatre Center began as a classical downtown venue in 1922, where vaudeville, plays, musicals and silent films were the standard of the day. Eventually, the theater fell into disrepair and was abandoned in 1984. But an energetic local group of activists saved the historic venue from the wrecking ball, and the theater reopened its doors in 1996 as a 1400-seat performance center.