Simple mention of Honolulu serves to elicit visions of sun-drenched beaches, swaying palms, and grass-skirted hula dancers the stuff of vacation fantasies. Without a doubt, Hawaii's capital city courts this perception, and along tourist-favored Waikiki Beach in particular, the image is reality. However, Oahu's largest city also offers a more profound experience of island life, full of the culture, heritage, and history of Polynesia and the central Pacific. At various times, the city has served as a whaling center, headquarters for Christian missionaries, and home to the Hawaiian royal family. It was also the site where, in 1893, a group of armed American businessmen wrested political control from Queen Liliuokalani, pronouncing the monarchy defunct. In later years, the territory was annexed by the US, and, following an island vote, named a state in 1959. These days, it is a center of politics, economy, culture, and tourism and home to the majority of islanders in the archipelago. The beauty of the island is legendary, and from Diamond Head's peak to the surf-ridden North Shore, lush flora, amazing edenic vistas, and temperate climes conspire to seduce visitors with Hawaii's infinite charms. While you'll want to see the USS Arizona Memorial, which commemorates the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the Bishop Museum's native artifacts merit a visit too, as does the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie. Aloha Tower Marketplace provides a great vantage point of the city and the harbor from its observation deck (and offers great shopping too), and Iolani Palace, home to Hawaii's last native rulers, ranks as the only royal residence in the States. Chinatown, a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and colors, makes for an exciting diversion as well, aptly displaying the cultural mix that gives credence to Honolulu's moniker: "Crossroads of the Pacific."
Honolulu Factoids
Fact 1:While other cultures claim elves, leprechauns, and fairies, Hawaii boasts its own society of little people. Known as menehunes, these small-statured beings are elusive but hard-working. In ancient days, they often appeared in the night and worked tirelessly to construct temples, fish ponds, and other structures for the benefit of islanders. If humans came upon them, the menehunes would scatter, leaving the project undone. Their work allegedly includes the Ulupo Heiau in Kailua on windward Oahu.
Fact 2:Waikiki (which translates as "spurting water") was, in its earliest incarnation, fertile farm land and the domain of island royalty. As a result of Honolulu's rampant development, it has since evolved into Hawaii's most frequented beach destination and one of the country's most populous areas. Its six square miles rank today as one of the nation's most visited locales.
Fact 3:Thanks to a curious legal condition, Honolulu is considered to be the world's most extensive city. Hawaii's constitution cedes to the capital city all territory not included in a specific county. As such, much of the far-reaching archipelago (which stretches northwest of Kauai) comes within its realm. In short, that gives Honolulu a range of some 1500 miles.
Fact 4:Robert Frost claimed that "good fences make good neighbors." He might have said the same about abundant water. Resting quietly in the middle of the North Pacific, Hawaii enjoys an isolated location that's almost 2400 miles from its closest populated neighbor, the US mainland. Runners-up include Japan, at almost 4000 miles, and China, at nearly 5000.
Fact 5:Several of Hawaii's main islands, including Maui and Kauai, are known for their resort opportunities and awe-inspiring beauty. They also offer a measure of seclusion and quiet, which stems in part from their relatively low populations. Oahu, in contrast, entertains the bulk of the populace. In fact, about 75% of the state's residents make their home on Oahu, and the majority of them cluster around Honolulu.
Fact 6:If you're a history buff, you'll be intrigued to visit the burial sites of Hawaii's last monarchs, especially those of Kamehameha II, III, IV, and V and those of David Kalakaua and Likiuokalani. However, you won't find the tomb of Kamehameha I, who united the Hawaiian islands. He was the last ruler to be buried in accordance with ancient religious rites, which insisted on secret interment. If you're intrigued anyway, know that legend places his bones at a site near Kailua.
Fact 7:...And hold the mayo! No, the Sandwich Isles (as the Hawaiian islands were originally known) weren't named after lunchtime fare; they were given the moniker to honor John Montague, the Earl of Sandwich, who served as patron to Captain Cook's Pacific voyages. In a nod to Hawaiian authenticity, the collective name fell out of use by the mid 19th century. And by the way, Montague did invent the sandwich.
Fact 8:For some inexplicable reason, residents of Hawaii consume more Spam (Hormel's spiced ham in a can) than anyone else. Conservative figures claim that each person eats four cans per year and that 10,000 cans go down the gullet each day. You'll even find it incorporated into sushi rolls and appearing on breakfast menus at local McDonald's franchises.
Fact 9:Hawaii is so well-known for its myriad attractions and the allure of what it has that visitors don't often consider what it doesn't have. While you'll be thrilled by sensuous beaches, amazing scenery, and a balmy climate, it's almost certain that you'll never miss snakes, poison ivy, rabies, billboards, and (perhaps) seagulls. You'll also never have to deal with the fluctuations of daylight savings time, which isn't observed.
Fact 10:On the Hawaiian islands, winds sweep the island from east (windward) to west (leeward). Capitalizing on the constant gusts, Oahu maintains the world's largest wind generator, employing it to create electricity for the island. The enormous structure consists of a 20-story upright and 400-foot-long blades.
