Honolulu is the capital of and the most populous city in thestate of Hawaii. Although Honolulu refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of O‘ahu, the city and the county are consolidated in one government, known as the City and County of Honolulu, and the city and county is designated as the entire island of Oahu. The City and County of Honolulu is the only incorporated city in Hawaii, as all other local government entities are administered at the county level. The population of the CDP was 371,657 at the 2000 census, while the population of the City and County was 909,863. In the Hawaiian language, Honolulu means "sheltered bay" or "place of shelter.""
Honolulu is Oahu’s center of art, history, and culture. Here you will find historic buildings, museums, and royal palaces blocks away from a bustling Chinatown and a vibrant downtown night scene with sleek bars and lounges, restaurants and art galleries.
Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Hawaii and walk through Historic Honolulu and visit the Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil, peruse local artwork at the Hawaii State Art Museum, and listen to the church bells ringing from the beautiful coral foundations of Kawaiahao Church. Explore further and take a short drive out to the Nuuanu Pali Lookout for a panoramic view of the Koolau Mountains and then make your way to the Bishop Museum which houses the historical, cultural and natural treasures of Hawaii and the Pacific.
When the sun goes down, find your way back to Hip Honolulu. During the day, Chinatown is a colorful marketplace alive with fragrant lei stands, delicious noodle and dim sum factories, bustling open-markets, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants but at night, Downtown Honolulu transforms into a chic art and dining district with galleries, jazz clubs, and epicurean delights from trendy wine bars, to Cuban, Indo-Eurasian to Chinese fusion restaurants.
Places to visit in and around Honolulu
Ala Moana Beach Park — Known in Hawaiian as "The Path to the Sea", this is a beautiful 76-acre park located along the south shore just west of the famous Waikiki beach area. This park has a wide gold-sand beach that is over a half-mile (800 m) long. It is noted for its excellent swimming, surfing, and body boarding. There are also lovely shaded picnic facilities and grassy areas perfect for family outings. Lifeguards are on duty there is a conncession stand, restrooms, showers, phones ample free parking and BBQ grills.
Cautions: The beach is protected by a reef that provides a safe area for swiming but Ala Moana's ocean bottom drops quickly, so novice swimmers should use caution. Watch for tidal changes and winds that may create strong currents. There may be sharp coral, jagged rocks and wave action near the reef area. Please DO NOT swim in the boat channels on either side of the beach park.
Aloha Tower — is a lighthouse that is considered one of the premier landmarks of the state of Hawaii in the United States. Opened on September 11, 1926, the Aloha Tower is located at Pier 9 of Honolulu Harbor. It has and continues to be a guiding beacon welcoming vessels to the City and County of Honolulu. Just as the Statue of Liberty greeted hundreds of thousands of immigrants each year to New York City, the Aloha Tower greeted hundreds of thousands of immigrants to Honolulu. At 10 stories and 184 feet (56 m) of height topped with 40 feet (12 m) of flag mast. It was built in the Hawaiian Gothic architectural style. The tower also served a practical function, as the observation deck doubled as a maritime communications and harbor control center.
When it was originaly built in 1926, the 10-story Aloha Tower was the tallest structure in all of Hawaii and it remand the tallest structure for four decades. The slender, square-shaped tower was topped by a domed cupola with balcony openings on all four sides, providing sweeping views of Honolulu. The large clocks (one facing the harbor, the other facing inland) serves as a distinguishing element, along with the letters "A-L-O-H-A." The tower is topped by a 40-foot flagstaff.
Iolani Palace — The 'Iolani Palace is the only true royal palace in the United States and the last official residence of the kings and queens who ruled Hawaii. King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani completed the palace in 1882. The design of the palace was influenced by King Kalakaua's world travels and was the first to be equipped with telephones and electric lights. It served as the monarch residence until the dethronement of Queen Lili'uokalani in 1893.
The overthrow of the the Hawaiian monarchy was orchestrated by the Committee of Safety, who along with the support of the American Minister to Hawai`i, established a new provisional government. The Queen surrendered to the United States to prevent the bloodshed of her people and hence, Hawaii became a territory of the U.S. The building then served as the Capitol, first for the Territory and then the State. The new State Capitol was built in 1969 and the palace was restored to its royal grandeur. The palace grounds include the 'Iolani Barracks, Royal Tomb, Coronation Pavilion, and gift shop.
Kawaiaha‘o Church is a historic Congregational church located in Downtown Honolulu on the Hawaiian Island of O‘ahu. The church was built in 1836-42 and is Honolulu's oldest church. The church plus associated Mission Houses comprise Kawaiahao Church and Mission Houses, a U.S. National Historic Landmark (NHL), so designated in 1962. In 1966 it and all other NHLs were included in the first issuance of the National Register of Historic Places.
At one time the national church of the Hawaiian Kingdom and chapel of the royal family, the church is popularly known as Hawai‘i's Westminster Abbey. The name comes from the Hawaiian noun phrase Ka wai a Ha‘o (the water of Ha‘o), because its location was that of a spring and freshwater pool in the care of a woman chief named Ha‘o. The courtyard within the church grounds contains the Mausoleum of King Lunalilo.
Today, Kawaiaha‘o continues to use the Hawaiian language for parts of the service. It is one of the oldest standing Christian places of worship in Hawai‘i, although four thatched churches stood at or near the present site before construction of the stone church.
King Kamehameha Statue — This replica of Hawai‘i's first ruler is located directly across from the 'Ionani Palace on King Street. He is the most beloved and illustrious of Hawaii's heroes, Kamehameha unified the Hawaiian Island. His government maintained peace and traditional values even under intense Western influence. This statue is one of three cast in Paris from a model made by American artist T.R. Gould. The statue, located in front of Ali'Iolani Hale, was dedicated in 1893 as part of King Kalakaua's coronation ceremony. It is one of three statues of King Kamehameha I. One statue is located in Kohala on the Big Island and one is in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. Every year on King Kamehamaeha Day, June 14th, the statue is traditionally dressed in large flower lei's that drap the statue from head to toe.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve — Is one of the most spectacular natural resources in Hawaii, the presevre is reaping from the benefits of over a decade of moves to re-establish its pristine marine ecosystem. Recognizing the damage that had done by years of neglect and abuse by allowing some three million visitors annually, the City and County of Honolulu in 1990 laid out a plan to restore Hanauma to a clean, healthy state by reducing the number of visitors, establishing an education program, and instituting supportive restrictions.
The culmination of the protection and preservation efforts are the major upper and lower bay facility improvements, the heart of which is the award-winning Marine Education Center, that opened in August 2002. Hanauma now has a site where its education program flourishes. A short video welcomes residents and visitors, encouraging them to join staff and volunteers as stewards of this precious gift of Hanauma and other living reef environments they may visit. When you visit you can enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the islands. You can swim among colorful reef fishes including the trigger fish, known as "Humuhumunukunukuapua’a," as spoken - in Hawaiian Language, this fish is the unofficial state fish of Hawaii. Please obseve the rules and don't stand on the reef so it can be preseved for future generations to enjoy.
Honolulu is Oahu’s center of art, history, and culture. Here you will find historic buildings, museums, and royal palaces blocks away from a bustling Chinatown and a vibrant downtown night scene with sleek bars and lounges, restaurants and art galleries.
Ala Moana Beach Park — Known in Hawaiian as "The Path to the Sea", this is a beautiful 76-acre park located along the south shore just west of the famous Waikiki beach area. This park has a wide gold-sand beach that is over a half-mile (800 m) long. It is noted for its excellent swimming, surfing, and body boarding. There are also lovely shaded picnic facilities and grassy areas perfect for family outings. Lifeguards are on duty there is a conncession stand, restrooms, showers, phones ample free parking and BBQ grills.
Aloha Tower — is a lighthouse that is considered one of the premier landmarks of the state of Hawaii in the United States. Opened on September 11, 1926, the Aloha Tower is located at Pier 9 of Honolulu Harbor. It has and continues to be a guiding beacon welcoming vessels to the City and County of Honolulu. Just as the Statue of Liberty greeted hundreds of thousands of immigrants each year to New York City, the Aloha Tower greeted hundreds of thousands of immigrants to Honolulu. At 10 stories and 184 feet (56 m) of height topped with 40 feet (12 m) of flag mast. It was built in the Hawaiian Gothic architectural style. The tower also served a practical function, as the observation deck doubled as a maritime communications and harbor control center.
Iolani Palace — The 'Iolani Palace is the only true royal palace in the United States and the last official residence of the kings and queens who ruled Hawaii. King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani completed the palace in 1882. The design of the palace was influenced by King Kalakaua's world travels and was the first to be equipped with telephones and electric lights. It served as the monarch residence until the dethronement of Queen Lili'uokalani in 1893.
Kawaiaha‘o Church is a historic Congregational church located in Downtown Honolulu on the Hawaiian Island of O‘ahu. The church was built in 1836-42 and is Honolulu's oldest church. The church plus associated Mission Houses comprise Kawaiahao Church and Mission Houses, a U.S. National Historic Landmark (NHL), so designated in 1962. In 1966 it and all other NHLs were included in the first issuance of the National Register of Historic Places.
King Kamehameha Statue — This replica of Hawai‘i's first ruler is located directly across from the 'Ionani Palace on King Street. He is the most beloved and illustrious of Hawaii's heroes, Kamehameha unified the Hawaiian Island. His government maintained peace and traditional values even under intense Western influence. This statue is one of three cast in Paris from a model made by American artist T.R. Gould. The statue, located in front of Ali'Iolani Hale, was dedicated in 1893 as part of King Kalakaua's coronation ceremony. It is one of three statues of King Kamehameha I. One statue is located in Kohala on the Big Island and one is in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. Every year on King Kamehamaeha Day, June 14th, the statue is traditionally dressed in large flower lei's that drap the statue from head to toe.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve — Is one of the most spectacular natural resources in Hawaii, the presevre is reaping from the benefits of over a decade of moves to re-establish its pristine marine ecosystem. Recognizing the damage that had done by years of neglect and abuse by allowing some three million visitors annually, the City and County of Honolulu in 1990 laid out a plan to restore Hanauma to a clean, healthy state by reducing the number of visitors, establishing an education program, and instituting supportive restrictions.