Honolulu

Hawaii's capital

As the capital of Hawaii, the city of Honolulu on the southern coast of Oahu occupies a strange legal position in the state. In addition to being the largest city in Hawaii, it is also, according to a provision in the Hawaii state constitution, the largest city in the world. Based on this law, any island in Hawaii that is not legally considered part of a county belongs to Honolulu. In effect, this means that the entire island of Oahu and all the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (a series of uninhabited islands from Nihoa to Kure Atoll) are a part of Honolulu!

In 2007, the city proper had a population of 375,571, and the island of Oahu itself comprises about 73% of Hawaii’s total population. Honolulu is 1,500 miles (2,414 km) long, which equals the approximate distance from Los Angeles, California to Denver, Colorado. Located near the equator, about 2,551 (4,105 km) west of Los Angeles, the city has a climate controlling mechanism in which ocean currents and steady tradewinds keep it temperate year-round. Translated, its Hawaiian name "Honolulu" means protected bay (“hono” means “sheltered” or “protected” and “lulu” means “bay”).

The city is divided into several distinct districts, some of which are known throughout the world. The iconic military base, Pearl Harbor, which was the site of the infamous 1941 Japanese attack during World War II, is located about 8 miles (12.9 km) west of downtown Honolulu; and the tourist mecca Waikiki is located about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of downtown Honolulu. Honolulu’s largest park, Kapiolani Park, lies on the eastern end of Waikiki Beach, at the foothills of Diamond Head, a volcanic crater that itself is a popular landmark.

Honolulu attractions

Another sight-seeing must in Honolulu is Iolani Palace, which is the only royal palace in the United States. Constructed in 1882 by King David Kalakaua and his wife Queen Kapiolani, the palace served during those days as the seat of government. Funerals for these and other Hawaiian monarchs were held at Kawaiahao Church, which was built in 1841 and is still in operation today.

To learn about Hawaii's culture and heritage, good places to visit are the Bishop Museum, which is known for Polynesian studies, and the Honolulu Academy of Arts, which has an impressive Hawaii and Asia collection.

Honolulu is the tourism capital of Hawaii, and the trickle down effects of this tourism, such as the erection of high-end hotels, apartment buildings and private homes, also make it the state’s business capital. Industries aside from tourism that flourish in Honolulu include publishing, jewelry-making, dining services, clothing and electronics manufacturing and construction.