Honolulu
Sheltered Bay
General Information
Other Name: Crossroads of the Pacific, District: Hawaii, State: West, United States of America
Area: 0 -
Languages Spoken: English, Tagalog,
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: - to - and -
International Access: -Description
Honolulu is the capital and most populous census-designated place in the U.S. state of Hawaii.In the Hawaiian language, Honolulu means "sheltered bay" or "place of shelter."If you visit Honolulu simply for the wide Pacific beaches, the striking views of Ko''''olau''''s pali (cliffs) and the laid-back "aloha" feeling, you''''ll be missing out on much this city has to offer. Explore stunning Oahu landscapes and tropical rain forests, take in the vibrant downtown arts scene and visit the Bishop Museum and the memorial at Pearl Harbor for a bit of history. But don`t skip the surf! Dive into the deep blue waters, take a night stroll on the tiki-torch-lit beach or hang ten on the waves.Location
It lies along the southeast coast of the island of Oahu and of the City & County of Honolulu.Climate
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On December 7, 1941, the battleship USS Arizona was sunk, taking 1,100 sailors with it. In 1961, a solemn white monument was erected above the midsection of the ship. The deck of the Arizona lies now six feet below the surface of Pearl Harbor and is clearly visible from the monument. Take the shuttle launch from shore to the monument and view the dark shape of a once-great ship with its silent crew.
Aloha tower once greeted a vast array of passenger ships before the airplane became the principle trans-Pacific mode. Now it serves as a viewpoint to see the harbor, the Maritime Center with the four-masted tall ship Falls of Clyde and the modern skyline of Honolulu.The Tower is also the centerpiece of a Marketplace which bears its name.
This crater of an extinct volcano got its name when Western explorers mistook calcite crystals they found there for diamonds. The historic trail to the 761-foot summit starts inside the crater and is an easy, but steep, 45-minute hike to the top. Stay on the trail, wear appropriate footgear and sunscreen, take along water and bring a flashlight to light your way through the tunnels. Those who reach the summit are rewarded by a spectacular 360-degree view of O''ahu. The tunnel gates close promptly at 6p.
This beautiful horseshoe bay is Oahu''s best snorkeling destination. The beach and crystal clear waters are excellent for sunbathing and swimming. There is also a visitor center here covering marine life and safety information on tides and the area.
An attractive flamingo pond greets you at the entrance of this 42-acre municipal zoo in Waikiki. Rare wildlife inside the lush park includes the Hawaiian nene goose, Francois monkeys and Galapagos tortoises. There is a children''s petting zoo with llamas and a retired milk cow. Just before, during, and after a full moon, the zoo''s special "Zoo by Moonlight" guided tour offers an uncommon glimpse of the habits of nocturnal animals.
Iolani Palace is an impressive neo-classical building completed in 1882 for King Kalakaua. The palace was the residence of Hawaii''s royalty until they were deposed by American settlers in 1893. It then served as the state capitol until the modern one was constructed in 1969.The restored interior boasts elaborate wood paneling and carving of native woods like Koa and several imported species. The throne room still has the original carved throne and chandelier. Stained glass and elaborate decorations grace the façade. The grounds boast a quaint bandshell.
If the idea of a calm, elegant dinner cruise bores you, this might be the kind of marine excursion that you like. The sleek, 44-foot craft is the fastest in all the islands, thanks to its custom-designed mast. It cuts through the waves at speeds of up to 20 knots—though not without a little splashing. In the daytime, the Maita''I takes passengers on a 90-minute cruise to Diamond Head, while the evening cruise sails straight into the sunset.
Today the three houses dating from the beginning of the times of the missionaries, are protected as a national historic landmark and have been opened to the public as a museum. They are the oldest buildings standing which were created in a western style and comprise the Mission House (1821), the Chamberlain House (1831), built by Levi Chamberlain for himself and his family of eight when they came to Honolulu from Vermont in 1823, and the printing works (1841). It was here that books in the Hawaiian language, used by missionaries as a written language, were first printed.
For an experience that will give you chicken skin, take the Pali Highway to this spectacular lookout, one of the windiest spots on Oahu. Historians hotly debate the legend that says that in 1795, King Kamehameha I, the unifier of the Hawaiian Islands, forced thousands of his opponents to jump from the cliff to their deaths. From the lookout point high among the eerie spires of the Koolau Mountains, you can see a panoramic view of Windward Oahu.
The tragic occurrences and subsequent world-changing events associated with this naval base make it a crucial part of American history and heritage. While the harbor is quite large, the Visitor''s Center and Arizona Memorial are the hubs of tourism. Both places are free to enter, and both draw huge crowds. Several tours are available through activity brokers or tour companies. To reach Pearl Harbor from Waikiki Beach, take Nimitz Highway past the airport to Highway 99, and continue past the naval community.
Established in 1854 by some of the original Hawaiian settlers, this magnificent edifice stands out among the high rises and condos of Waikiki. It is obviously a building with a history—you can tell even before reading the placard above the entryway. If the church is imposing and majestic from the outside, it is awe-inspiring from the inside. Full-length stained glass windows and a tiered ceiling ornament the vast interior. Behind the church is the Father Damien museum and a group center for disadvantaged Tongan youth.
Never has a beach been as fabled as Waikiki. Since the 1950s, this beach has been a tourist destination extraordinaire. While much of it has been eroded, trampled by millions of feet, or encroached upon by towering skyscrapers, hints of its original beauty can still be seen in the crashing waves and the warm sand. Come night time, the hipsters strut their clubwear on the beachwalk, and lovers find peaceful little nooks under the cover of sweeping palm trees.