| 208th | Top red-light districts |
| 6th | Top U.S. communities with Asian American majority populations |
| 221st | Top diplomatic missions of Japan |
| 101st | Top diplomatic missions of Australia |
| Honolulu, Hawaii | |
|---|---|
| — CDP — | |
 |
|
| Nickname(s): Crossroads of the Pacific, Sheltered Bay | |
 |
|
  Honolulu, Hawaii
|
|
| Coordinates: 21°18′32″N 157°49′34″W / 21.30889°N 157.82611°WCoordinates: 21°18′32″N 157°49′34″W / 21.30889°N 157.82611°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Hawaii |
| County | Honolulu |
| Area | |
| - CDP | 105 sq mi (272.1 km2) |
| - Land | 85.7 sq mi (222.0 km2) |
| - Water | 19.3 sq mi (50.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 0 ft (Sea Level 0 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - CDP | 371,657 |
| - Estimate (July 2006[1]) | 377,357 |
| - Metro | 909,863 |
| Time zone | Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (UTC-10) |
| Zip Code | 96801-96825 |
| Area code(s) | 808 |
| FIPS code | 15-17000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0366212 |
Honolulu is the capital of and the most populous census-designated place (CDP) in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Although Honolulu refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and the county are consolidated, known as the City and County of Honolulu, and the city and county is designated as the entire island. 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."
Contents |
Evidence of the first settlement of Honolulu by the original Polynesian migrants to the archipelago comes from oral histories and artifacts. These indicate that there was a settlement where Honolulu now stands in the 12th century.[citation needed] However, after Kamehameha I conquered Oʻahu in the Battle of Nuʻuanu at Nuʻuanu Pali, he moved his royal court from the Island of Hawaiʻi to Waikīkī in 1804. His court later relocated, in 1809, to what is now downtown Honolulu.[citation needed]
In 1795, Captain William Brown of Great Britain was the first foreigner to sail into what is now Honolulu Harbor.[citation needed] More foreign ships would follow, making the port of Honolulu a focal point for merchant ships traveling between North America and Asia.[citation needed]
In 1845, Kamehameha III moved the permanent capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from Lahaina on Maui to Honolulu. He and the kings that followed him transformed Honolulu into a modern capital[citation needed], erecting buildings such as St. Andrew's Cathedral, ʻIolani Palace, and Aliʻiōlani Hale. At the same time, Honolulu became the center of commerce in the Islands, with descendants of American missionaries establishing major businesses in downtown Honolulu.[citation needed]
Despite the turbulent history of the late 19th century and early 20th century, which saw the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, Hawaiʻi's subsequent annexation by the United States, and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Honolulu would remain the capital, largest city, and main airport and seaport of the Hawaiian Islands.[citation needed]
An economic and tourism boom following statehood brought rapid economic growth to Honolulu and Hawaiʻi. Modern air travel would bring thousands and, as of 2007, 7.6 million visitors annually to the Islands.[2] Of these, about 62.3% in 2007 entered the state at Honolulu International Airport. Today, Honolulu is a modern city with numerous high-rise buildings, and Waikīkī is the center of the tourism industry in Hawaiʻi, with thousands of hotel rooms. The UK consulting firm Mercer, in a 2009 assessment "conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments", ranked Honolulu 29th worldwide in quality of living; the survey factored in political stability, personal freedom, sanitation, crime, housing, the natural environment, recreation, banking facilities, availability of consumer goods, education, and public services including transportation.[3]
| Great Honolulu Chinatown Fire of 1900 | |
|---|---|
| Location | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Date | January 20-February 6, 1900 |
| Burned area | 38 acres |
| Land use | urban |
| Fatalities | 40 (all from plague) |
Witnesses said that a batch of bubonic plague was introduced to Honolulu on October 20, 1899 by an off loaded shipment of rice which had been carrying rats from the America Maru. At that time, Chinatown’s residences were in close proximity to each other were subject to poor living standards and sewage disposal. Plague infected 11 people. The response by the Board of Health included incinerating garbage, renovating the sewer system, putting Chinatown under quarantine, and most of all burning infected buildings. 41 fires were set, but on January 20, 1900 winds picked up and the fire spread to other buildings which was undesired.[4] The runaway fire burned for seventeen days and scorched 38 acres (15 Ha) of Honolulu. The fire campaign continued for another 31 controlled burns after the incident. The 7,000 homeless residents were housed in detention camps to maintain the quarantine until April 30. A total of 40 people died of the plague.
Critics accused the government of being driven by Sinophobia; regardless of the fire most likely being an accident, an exodus occurred. While the people rebuilt, they began to live in suburbs while continuing to work in Chinatown, to avoid going homeless if another disaster occurred. In addition the post-fire architecture began using masonry rather than wood, since the stone and brick buildings proved much more fire resistant during the fire.
Honolulu is located at 21°18′32″N 157°49′34″W / 21.30889°N 157.82611°W (21.308950, -157.826182).[5]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 105.1 sq mi (272 km2). 85.7 sq mi (222 km2) of it is land and 19.4 sq mi (50 km2) of it (18.42%) is water.
The closest location on the mainland to Honolulu is the Point Arena, California Lighthouse, at 2,045 nautical miles (2,353 statute miles) or 3,787 kilometers.[6] (Nautical vessels require some additional distance to circumnavigate Makapu'u Point.) However, part of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska are slightly closer than California.
Honolulu is in a Wet and Dry Tropical zone (Köppen classification As) with a dry summer season. Nonetheless, its annual precipitation is low, bordering on a semi-arid climate, and the city receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year.[7] Despite its location in the tropics, the climate (temperature, precipitation and humidity) is moderated by Hawaii's mid-ocean location.
Temperatures vary little throughout the months, with average high temperatures of 80-89°F (27-32°C) and lows of 65-75°F (19-24°C) throughout the year. Temperatures rarely exceed 90's°F (32°C), with lows in the upper-50's°F (~15°C) occurring once or twice a year. Waters off the coast of Honolulu average 82°F (27°C) in the summer months and 77°F (25°C) in the winter months.[8]
Annual average precipitation is 18.3 inches (460 mm), which mainly occurs during the winter months of October through March, with very little rainfall during the summer. Honolulu has an average of 270 sunny days and 98 wet days a year.[9]
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record high °F (°C) | 88 (31) |
88 (31) |
89 (32) |
91 (33) |
93 (34) |
92 (33) |
94 (34) |
93 (34) |
95 (35) |
94 (34) |
93 (34) |
89 (32) |
95 (35) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 80.4 (26.9) |
80.7 (27.1) |
81.7 (27.6) |
83.1 (28.4) |
84.9 (29.4) |
86.9 (30.5) |
87.8 (31) |
88.9 (31.6) |
88.9 (31.6) |
87.2 (30.7) |
84.3 (29.1) |
81.7 (27.6) |
84.7 (29.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 73.0 (22.8) |
73.0 (22.8) |
74.3 (23.5) |
75.6 (24.2) |
77.2 (25.1) |
79.5 (26.4) |
80.8 (27.1) |
81.8 (27.7) |
81.5 (27.5) |
80.2 (26.8) |
77.7 (25.4) |
74.8 (23.8) |
77.5 (25.3) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 65.7 (18.7) |
65.4 (18.6) |
66.9 (19.4) |
68.2 (20.1) |
69.6 (20.9) |
72.1 (22.3) |
73.8 (23.2) |
74.7 (23.7) |
74.2 (23.4) |
73.2 (22.9) |
71.1 (21.7) |
67.8 (19.9) |
70.2 (21.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 52 (11) |
53 (12) |
55 (13) |
56 (13) |
60 (16) |
65 (18) |
66 (19) |
67 (19) |
66 (19) |
61 (16) |
57 (14) |
54 (12) |
52 (11) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) | 2.73 (69.3) |
2.35 (59.7) |
1.89 (48) |
1.11 (28.2) |
0.78 (19.8) |
0.43 (10.9) |
0.50 (12.7) |
0.46 (11.7) |
0.74 (18.8) |
2.18 (55.4) |
2.27 (57.7) |
2.85 (72.4) |
18.29 (464.6) |
| Avg. precipitation days | 8.8 | 7.9 | 9.0 | 8.6 | 7.3 | 5.8 | 7.2 | 5.4 | 6.9 | 7.3 | 9.1 | 9.7 | 93 |
| Source: The Weather Channel[10] September 2008 | |||||||||||||
The municipal offices of the City and County of Honolulu, including Honolulu Hale, the seat of the city and county, are located in the census-designated place.[11] The Hawaii state government buildings are also located in the CDP.
The Honolulu District is located on the southeast coast of Oahu between Makapuu and Halawa. The district boundary follows the Koolau crestline, so Makapuu Beach is in the Koolaupoko District. On the west, the district boundary follows Halawa Stream, then crosses Red Hill and runs just west of Aliamanu Crater, so that Aloha Stadium, Pearl Harbor (with the USS Arizona Memorial), and Hickam Air Force Base are actually all located in the island's Ewa District.
The United States Postal Service operates post offices in Honolulu CDP. The main Honolulu Post Office is located by the international airport at 3600 Aolele Street.[12] Federal Detention Center, Honolulu, operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is in the CDP.[13]
Several countries have diplomatic facilities in Honolulu CDP in the City and County of Honolulu. The Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu is located at 1742 Nuuanu Avenue.[14] The Consulate-General of South Korea in Honolulu is located at 2756 Pali Highway.[15] The Consulate-General of the Philippines in Honolulu is located at 2433 Pali Highway.[16] The Consulate-General of the Federated States of Micronesia in Honolulu is located in Suite 908 at 3049 Ualena Street.[17] The Consulate-General of Australia in Honolulu is located in the penthouse of 1000 Bishop Street.[18] The Consulate-General of the Marshall Islands in Honolulu is located in Suite 301 at 1888 Lusitana Street.[19]
Most of the city's commercial and industrial developments are located on a narrow but relatively flat coastal plain, while numerous ridges and valleys located inland of the coastal plain divide Honolulu's residential areas into distinct neighborhoods: some spread along valley floors (like Manoa in Manoa Valley) and others climb the interfluvial ridges. Within Honolulu proper can be found several volcanic cones: Punchbowl, Diamond Head, Koko Head (includes Hanauma Bay), Koko Crater, Salt Lake, and Aliamanu being the most conspicuous.
As of the census[21] of 2000, there were 371,657 people, 140,337 households, and 87,429 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,336.6 people per square mile (1,674.4/km2). There were 158,663 housing units at an average density of 1,851.3/sq mi (714.8/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 19.67% White, 1.62% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 55.85% Asian, 6.85% Pacific Islander, 0.89% from other races; and 14.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.37% of the population.
There were 140,337 households out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size is 3.23.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.2% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,112, and the median income for a family was $56,311. Males had a median income of $36,631 versus $29,930 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,191. About 7.9% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those 65 and older.
As of the 2008 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, White Americans made up 22.2% of Honolulu's population; of which 20.5% were non-Hispanic whites. Blacks or African Americans made up 2.3% of Honolulu's population; of which 2.2% were non-Hispanic blacks. American Indians made up 0.2% of Honolulu's population; of which 0.1% were non-Hispanic. Asian Americans made up 52.3% of Honolulu's population; of which 51.6% were non-Hispanic. Pacific Islander Americans made up 5.9% of Honolulu's population. Individuals from some other race made up 0.8% of the city's population; of which 0.2% were non-Hispanic. Individuals from two or more races made up 16.3% of the city's population; of which 15.0% were non-Hispanic. In addition, Hispanics and Latinos made up 4.5% of Honolulu's population.[22]
Go! Mokulele,[23] Hawaiian Airlines,[24] Island Air,[25] and Aloha Air Cargo are headquartered in the CDP.[26][27] Prior to its dissolution, Aloha Airlines was headquartered in the CDP.[28]
Located on the western end of the CDP, Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is the principal aviation gateway to the state of Hawaii. Kalaeloa Airport is primarily a commuter facility used by unscheduled air taxis, general aviation and transient and locally-based military aircraft.
Honolulu has the nation’s second highest metropolitan travel time during peak commute hours, second from Los Angeles. The following freeways, part of the Interstate Highway System serve Honolulu:
Interstate H-1, which, coming into the city from the west, passes Hickam Air Force Base and Honolulu International Airport, runs just north of Downtown and continues eastward through Makiki and Kaimuki, ending at Waialae/Kahala. H-1 connects to Interstate H-2 from Wahiawa and Interstate H-3 from Kaneohe, west of the CDP.
Interstate H-201—also known as the Moanalua Freeway and formerly numbered Hawaii State Rte. 78—connects two points along H-1: at Aloha Stadium and Fort Shafter. Close to H-1 and Aloha Stadium, H-201 has an exchange with the western terminus of Interstate H-3 to the windward side of Oahu (Kaneohe). This complex of connecting ramps, some directly between H-1 and H-3, is in Halawa.Other major highways that link Honolulu proper with other parts of the Island of Oahu are:
Like most major American cities, the Honolulu metropolitan area experiences heavy traffic congestion during rush hours, especially to and from the western suburbs of Kapolei, Ewa, Aiea, Pearl City, Waipahu, and Mililani.
There is a Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project (HEVDP).[29]
Established by former Mayor Frank F. Fasi, Honolulu's TheBus system has been twice honored by the American Public Transportation Association bestowing the title of "America's Best Transit System" for 1994–1995 and 2000–2001. TheBus operates 107 routes serving Honolulu and outlying areas on Oahu with a fleet of 531 buses, and is run by the non-profit corporation Oahu Transit Services in conjunction with the city Department of Transportation Services. Honolulu is ranked 4th for highest per-capita use of mass transit in the United States.[30]
A ferry linked to TheBus began service in September 2007 known as TheBoat. Fare for TheBoat is $2.00, and ran from Barber's Point to Aloha Tower Marketplace daily. But on July 1, 2009, TheBoat service was discontinued.[31]
Currently, there is no urban rail transit system (whether a subway/elevated line or suburban commuter trains) in Honolulu. Electric street railways were once used during the early days of Honolulu's history. The first major attempt to establish a rapid transit line was called the Honolulu Area Rail Rapid Transit (HART) project. Originally proposed in 1968 by Mayor Neal S. Blaisdell and supported by his successor, Frank Fasi, HART was originally envisioned as a 29-mile (47 km) line from Pearl City to Hawaii Kai. By 1980, however, the project's length had been shorten to just an 8-mile (13 km) segment between the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Honolulu International Airport.
In the wake of proposed budget cuts by President Ronald Reagan, newly elected Mayor Eileen Anderson cancelled the project in 1981 and returned grants and funding to their sources,[32][33] arguing the project would break her vow of fiscal responsibility.[34][35]
After defeating Anderson in 1984 to regain the mayorship, Fasi started plans to revive the HART project. Funding avenues that Fasi explored included a substantial (66 percent) increase in the gasoline tax and diversion of money earmarked for then-stalled Interstate H-3 to be used for the project. In 1990, Governor John Waihee proposed allowing counties to collect a 0.5% increase in the excise tax to be used for transportation projects, and the state legislature approved the plan in May 1990. The counties would have until October 1, 1992 to enact the increase.
In October 1991, the Fasi administration chose Oahu Transit Group to develop the rail line, which was based on cars by AEG Westinghouse similar to those used in the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit system. The U.S. House amended a transit bill to include $618 million for Honolulu's project, about one-third of the cost, and the Council in November entered into a joint funding agreement with the state.
On September 23, 1992, the city council voted 5-4 against enacting the tax increase, which effectively destroyed the project. Fasi made unsuccessful attempts to have a rail referendum (which was struck down by the courts), and to have private investors fund part of the line. The House revoked funding for the project on May 11, 1993, citing lack of guaranteed local funding.
In 2005, under the administration of Mufi Hannemann, the city, county and state approved development of an action plan for a unspecific rapid transit system, known as the "Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project", to be built in several phases. The initial line proposed linking Kapolei in West Oahu to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Then on December 22, 2006 the city council approved a fixed-guideway system meant to accommodate a rapid transit system of rail or buses, running from Kapolei in West Oahu to Ala Moana, with spurs into Waikiki and Manoa.[36]
Opponents of the proposed rail system attempted to place a measure on the Honolulu ballot which would have prohibited any rail system from being used, but failed to gather the required signatures in time. In response, the Honolulu City Council voted to put a question on the Honolulu ballot which would direct the city transportation department to create a steel-wheel-on-steel-rail transit system.
On November 4, 2008, the residents of Honolulu voted to allow the process of developing the rail project to continue. The trains will be approximately 200 feet (61 m) long, electric, steel wheel to steel rail technology and will capable of carrying more than 300 passengers each.[37][38] The measure passed with 52% of the vote.[39]
The line is scheduled to open in five phases between 2012 and 2018:[40]
The rail line, as currently planned, will be built starting from suburban areas in Kapolei and Ewa, and progressing towards the urban center in Honolulu. This is because the first phase includes a baseyard for trains, and a planning decision by the city to delay the major infrastructure impacts associated with construction in the urban center to later phases of the project.[41]
Established in 1900, the Honolulu Symphony is the oldest US symphony orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. Other classical music ensembles include the Hawaii Opera Theatre. Honolulu is also a center for Hawaiian music. The main music venues include the Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall, the Waikiki Shell, and the Hawaii Theatre.
Honolulu also includes several venues for live theater, including the Diamond Head Theatre.
There are various institutions supported by the state and private entities for the advancement of the visual arts. The Honolulu Academy of Arts is endowed with the largest collection of Asian and Western art in Hawaii. It also has the largest collection of Islamic art, housed at the Shangri La estate. The academy hosts a film and video program dedicated to arthouse and world cinema in the museum's Doris Duke Theatre, named for the academy's historic patroness Doris Duke.
The Contemporary Museum is the only contemporary art museum in the state. It has two locations: main campus in Makiki and a multi-level gallery in downtown Honolulu at the First Hawaiian Center.
The Hawaii State Art Museum is also located in downtown Honolulu at No. 1 Capitol District Building and boasts a collection of art pieces created by local artists as well as traditional Hawaiian art. The museum is administered by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
The Bishop Museum is the largest of Honolulu's museums. It is endowed with the state's largest collection of natural history specimens and the world's largest collection of Hawaiiana and Pacific culture artifacts.[citation needed] The Honolulu Zoo is the main zoological institution in Hawaii while the Waikiki Aquarium is a working marine biology laboratory. The Waikiki Aquarium is partnered with the University of Hawaii and other universities worldwide. Established for appreciation and botany, Honolulu is home to several gardens: Foster Botanical Garden, Liliuokalani Botanical Garden, Walker Estate, among others.
Honolulu's climate lends itself to year-round fitness activities. In 2004, Men's Fitness magazine named Honolulu the fittest city in the United States.[42] Honolulu is also home to three large road races:
Ironman Hawaii was first held in Honolulu, it was the first ever Ironman and is also the World Champs.
Fans of spectator sports in Honolulu generally support the football, volleyball, basketball, and baseball programs of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.[citation needed] High school sporting events, especially football, are especially popular.
Honolulu has no professional sports teams. It was the home of the Hawaii Islanders (Pacific Coast League, 1961–1987), The Hawaiians (World Football League, 1974–1975), Team Hawaii (North American Soccer League, 1977), and the Hawaiian Islanders (af2, 2002–2004).
The NCAA football Hawaii Bowl is played in Honolulu. Honolulu has also hosted the NFL's annual Pro Bowl each February since 1980, though the 2010 Pro Bowl was played in Miami.[43] From 1993 to 2008, Honolulu hosted Hawaii Winter Baseball, featuring minor league players from Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, Korea Baseball Organization, and independent leagues.
Venues for spectator sports in Honolulu include:
Aloha Stadium, a venue for American football and soccer (football), is located in the Halawa CDP.[44]
Honolulu is served by two daily newspapers, Honolulu Magazine, several radio stations and television stations, among other media.
Colleges and universities in the Honolulu CDP include Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Chaminade University, and Hawaii Pacific University.[27]
Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools in Honolulu. Public high schools within the CDP include Wallace Rider Farrington, Kaimuki, Kalani, Moanalua, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt.[27]
Private schools such as Hawaii Baptist Academy, Iolani School, Kamehameha Schools, Mid-Pacific Institute, and Punahou School also exist.
Hawaii State Public Library System operates public libraries. The Hawaii State Library in the CDP serves as the main library of the system,[45] while the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, also in the CDP, serves handicapped and blind people.[46]
Branches in the CDP include Aina Haina,[47] Hawaii Kai,[48] Kaimuki,[49] Kalihi-Palama,[50] Manoa,[51] McCully,[52] Salt Lake-Moanalua,[53] and Waikiki.[54]
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Honolulu [1], on the island of Oahu, is the capital and largest city of the state of Hawaii. It is the center of government, transportation, and commerce for the state; home to a population of nearly one million people in the metro area (80% of the state's population) and Hawaii's best know tourist destination, Waikiki Beach.
The majority of visitors to Hawaii enter through this city, meaning this is definitely not the place to go for a "get-away-from-it-all" Hawaiian vacation - It is as fast-paced and dynamic as any city, with all its problems such as heavy traffic, drugs, crime, and homelessness. But Honolulu still has the charm of the Islands' laid-back atmosphere and culture.
Honolulu extends inland from the southeast shore of Oahu, east of Pearl Harbor to Makapu'u Point, and incorporates many neighborhoods and districts. You'll most often hear people refer to these districts by name -- Waikiki, Manoa, Kahala, Hawaii Kai and so on -- as though they're not part of the same city. Technically, they are. In fact, the municipal government of Honolulu covers the entire island of Oahu, including its outlying suburbs.
This guide focuses on attractions and accommodations located in Honolulu proper; for more information on Oahu's outlying communities, see the Oahu article.
For a closer look at a couple popular destinations:
The name Honolulu means "sheltered bay" or "peace of shelter" in Hawaiian, and its natural harbor catapulted this humble village to importance when, in 1809, shortly after King Kamehameha I conquered Oahu in order to unite the Hawaiian Islands under the Kingdom of Hawaii, that he moved his royal court from the island of Hawaii to Oahu. Eventually, in 1845, Kamehameha III officially moved the kingdom's capital from Lahaina on Maui to Honolulu.
Honolulu's ideally located port made the city a perfect stop for merchant ships traveling between North America and Asia, and through the 1800s, descendants of missionaries who arrived in the early 1800s established their headquarters in Honolulu, making it the center of business and the main seaport for the Hawaiian Islands.
The late 1800s and early 1900s brought the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy and subsequent annexation by the United States. Under American rule, Honolulu saw the rise of tourism and the first hotels were constructed in Waikiki. American rule also brought the U.S. military, which built numerous bases in the islands, not least of which was nearby Pearl Harbor; now famous for the surprise attack by the Japanese in 1942, which brought the U.S. into World War II.
Statehood for the islands brought rapid economic growth to Honolulu, with all the state's major businesses headquartered in the city, the Honolulu airport as the primary entrance point for visitors, and Waikiki as the center of the island's tourism industry.
Honolulu has a very moderate climate, with very little change of temperature throughout the year - the average high is 80-90°F (27-32°C) and the average low is 65-75°F (19-24°C) any time of the year. Water temperature averages 82°F (27°C) in the summer months and 77°F (25°C) in the winter months.
The only noticeable variation in seasons is in terms of rainfall. Honolulu is on the sunny, leeward side of the island, and where you are in the city will affect the chances for rain - areas like Waikiki, downtown, and the western side of the city will usually be sunny, while the hills or eastern side of the city may get some passing clouds and very brief rainfall. On average, Honolulu gets less than half an inch of rain in the summer months to almost three inches in the winter months.
Honolulu International Airport (IATA: HNL), [2] is the main aviation gateway for the Hawaiian Islands. The main terminal is served by most major American airlines from the mainland U.S., and by many international airlines from other countries around the Pacific Rim. Its Inter-Island Terminal is the home base of Hawaiian Airlines [3] which offers frequent local service to the other Hawaiian islands. It is quite a walk between terminals, so be sure to take the free Wikiwiki Shuttle that runs every few minutes. It's easy to miss it so be sure to ask somebody where it is.
The Airport Waikiki Express provides shuttle service to hotels in Waikiki every half hour ($9/$15 one-way/round-trip). City buses #19 and #20 ($2.25 per adult and $1 per child or senior, exact change required, bills and coins accepted) also come to the airport once every half-hour, going through downtown and on to to Waikiki. You can catch them on the outside second level of the international and domestic departure terminals.
The best way to get to Waikiki by rental car is to follow signs for H-1 east, then follow H-1 east about 2 miles to exit 18A (Waikiki/Nimitz Highway). Follow Nimitz Highway (which turns into Ala Moana Boulevard past downtown Honolulu) straight into Waikiki. You will pass through Honolulu's industrial district, along Honolulu Harbor, and past downtown Honolulu and the Ala Moana Shopping Center. You can also follow H-1 east into downtown Honolulu, take either exit 22 (Kinau Street) or 23 (Punahou Street), and follow signs to Waikiki.
Cruise ships frequently link Honolulu with the US mainland. These voyages are designed for tourists, and are rarely used as one-way passenger service.
Unlike many cities on the U.S. mainland, Honolulu is not laid out in a strict compass-point grid. Its street system conforms in large part to the shorelines, valleys, and ridges, with lots of twists and turns. It can be confusing for people used to straight grid systems. However, at the same time, it is not that difficult to navigate in, as long as you are familiar with the major arterials and terminology below.
Because it is difficult to differentiate north and south on an island, directions are normally given in terms of local landmarks. The most common terms that you will run into are mauka (MOW-kah) meaning "toward the mountain" and makai (mah-KAI) meaning "toward the sea". In the case of Honolulu, which is on Oahu's south shore, "mauka" is a rough north, and "makai" roughly south. You will also hear Ewa (Ee-vah) and Diamond Head used a lot, in relation to downtown Honolulu, the former roughly means "west" (toward the town of Ewa on the southwest shore of Oahu) and the latter roughly means "east" (toward the famous landmark crater on the southeast shore).
Highway signs, however, will use standard compass directions, so if you are asked to go Ewa-bound on the freeway, look for the on-ramp to H-1 west.
It is a very good idea to invest in a good map of Honolulu before doing extensive driving. Members of the American Automobile Association (AAA) can request fold-out maps for free from their local office. Rand McNally paper fold-out maps are available in many stores; for more extensive coverage you can also purchase Bryan's Sectional Maps (a popular choice among locals) at most bookstores for about $9.50.
Most major streets in Honolulu run Ewa–Diamond Head (as described in the preceding section, roughly east-west). There are two main highways in Honolulu: Nimitz Highway (Hawaii 92) which runs from Pearl Harbor past Honolulu Airport to downtown Honolulu and Waikiki; and Interstate H-1 which runs mauka (mountain-ward) of downtown and runs the entire length of the south shore of Oahu.
H-1 is some distance away from Waikiki itself and you need to go onto surface streets to and from Waikiki. If you need to access H-1 west from Waikiki to go someplace outside of the city, there are three main routes:
To get back to Waikiki from H-1 east, take any of these routes:
There are also several routes from H-1 to downtown and back. To get to downtown from H-1 east, use one of these routes:
To get to H-1 west from downtown, use one of these routes:
In central Honolulu, the two main streets are King Street and Beretania Street. The two streets are one-way for most of their route; King Street runs from 'Ewa to Diamond Head, and Beretania Street from Diamond Head to 'Ewa. Both streets run through downtown Honolulu. Despite their rough west to east orientation, addresses on these streets are designated North and South respectively (the streets form an S curve, running north-south through downtown). The dividing line between North and South designations is Nuuanu Avenue in downtown Honolulu, which runs mauka-makai. Ala Moana Boulevard is a key route leading out of Waikiki to Downtown Honolulu. Past Honolulu Harbor, Ala Moana becomes Nimitz Highway and runs all the way to the airport and beyond. Tree-lined Kapiolani Boulevard is another major thoroughfare traversing east-central Honolulu, linking the Waikiki district and points east with downtown Honolulu.
In Waikiki, the three main streets, from makai to mauka, are Kalakaua Avenue (one way Ewa to Diamond Head, along Waikiki Beach), Kuhio Avenue (two-way), and Ala Wai Boulevard (one way Diamond Head to Ewa, along the Ala Wai Canal).
Traffic in Honolulu, and on Oahu in general, is a persistent problem. With almost one million people living in a relatively small space, and only a few main routes serving the major populated areas on the island, a single traffic incident has the potential to induce gridlock across the entire island. You are unlikely to encounter a traffic jam of that magnitude, but someone visiting Oahu and traveling during a weekday should be aware of traffic problems. Honolulu traffic during rush hour has been ranked among the worst in the nation.
Normal weekday rush hour in Honolulu is 6AM to 8AM going inbound and 4PM to 7PM going outbound. Expect heavy traffic on Interstates H-1 and H-2, Nimitz Highway/Ala Moana Boulevard, and the surface streets in downtown Honolulu and Waikiki. Traffic is less heavy during the summer and over the holidays when the University of Hawaii at Manoa is not in session. All in all though, driving on Oahu is pleasurable once you get off of the Interstates. Having a car on Oahu gives a visitor a chance to visit the whole island in just a few days. Once you get a little ways inland the traffic is not too bad and in the agricutural areas, there is little traffic. Unless you are familiar with this climate, convertible tops should be up when the sun is intense, or you will soon burn to a crisp. Locals will look at you and shake their heads and warn you about this. Heed their advice.
The local bus service in Honolulu is called, with remarkable succinctness, TheBus [4]. Fares are $2.25 for adults, $1 for children and seniors (no change given). TheBus runs intercity services to other parts of Oahu as well. Ask for a free transfer ticket, good for two hours, if you are continuing on another bus or returning on the same route. Monthly bus passes are available at 7-Elevens and supermarkets. Monthly bus passes begin on the first of each month and cost $50 (all-you-can-ride) regardless of which day of the month you purchase the pass. A $25 4-day Discovery Pass [5], can be purchased at an ABC Store. You scratch off the Month and day of your first use and each subsequent day (up to four total days) and enjoy unlimited rides. You can use the pass to take any bus including the Circle Island route and see the entire island. Yearly bus passes are also available for $550. All buses in the fleet are equipped with bike racks that can hold two or three bikes. Buses are also wheelchair accessible. Larger groups may want to tour the city via charter bus; there are several chartering companies available on the island.
A taxi ride from Honolulu International Airport to Waikiki will cost around $30 to $40 plus tip. Taxis are locally regulated, so fares will be the same regardless of the company. Some taxi companies also offer tours around the island of O'ahu.
Also see Oahu for details on attractions located outside Honolulu proper.
Hawaii's year-round tropical weather provides perfect running weather all year, so bring your running shoes. Kapiolani Park and Ala Moana Regional Park are where most joggers in Honolulu congregate; the 4-mile loop around Diamond Head is a popular and scenic route. If you're up for a challenge, Tantalus Drive is a windy, two-lane road that is relatively safe for joggers.
Honolulu is also home to one of the world's largest marathons. The Honolulu Marathon [13], held annually on the second Sunday in December, has become a huge event that attracts from 20,000 - 25,000 runners annually. Niketown Honolulu, 2080 Kalakaua Ave., has group runs on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:00 a.m.
Cycling around Honolulu's streets and bike paths can be a great way to see the city and stay in shape while on vacation. There are several bike shops in the city that rent various types of bikes (Google "Honolulu bike rental"). You can also take Highway 72 to Waimanolo, east of Honolulu, if you want to get out on the open road. Check out MapMyRide.com for popular routes.
An ice rink is probably the last thing you'd expect to find in a tropical city, but at least it makes for the perfect getaway if the hot climate is too much for you. The Ice Palace [14] (4510 Salt Lake Boulevard, 808-487-9921) offers instruction in figure skating and hockey. The rink is an affiliate of the Ice Skating Institute.
If you're ready to see more of the island and learn its history, Ravenchase Adventures [15] offers unique treasure hunts and adventure races on each of the islands.
Great surfing beaches around Ala Moana and Waikiki area. For lessons, beach boys give private surfing lessons daily at Waikiki Beach. One hour lesson includes dry land and in-the-water instruction. Instructors teach paddling, timing and balance skills. No reservations required, just sign up at the stand on the beach located Diamondhead of Waikiki Police Station. You can also try one of the many surfing schools in Waikiki.
Searching for entertainment in Honolulu? In addition to the traditional luaus and hula shows, Hawaii has a thriving scene of art, theatre, concerts, clubs, bars, and other events and entertainment. The Honolulu symphony is the oldest US symphony orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. Honolulu is a center for Hawaiian music. Find a well-maintained list of upcoming shows and weekly events online at HNLnow.com [16]. If you're already out and about, you can access a daily digest on your mobile phone at m.HNLnow.com [17]
Go back in time to the days of the cowboys and enjoy a tour while horesback riding. Enjoy the beautiful views of lush mountain valleys, luscious jungle or spectacular coastlines. Some stables even include transporation from your hotel to the stable. [18]
Currently, Hawaii's below-average unemployment rate and high number of service and hospitality industry employers make finding an entry-level job in Honolulu easier than in much of the rest of the US. The State of Hawaii Employment [21] has comprehensive information for job seekers. Keep in mind though the higher cost of living in relation to an entry level job's salary compared to many other areas on the mainland.
Many of the chain grocers provide discount cards to the regulars and will give you one if you request it. It will save you over 20%.
For other shopping malls, also see the Buy section under Oahu.
For general information on the kind of food available in Hawaii, see the Eat section in the Hawaii article.
There are several places open till 2AM. Some are open until 4AM. Most of Honolulu's bars and night clubs can be found from Kuhio Ave. and are covered in the Waikiki article.
Not surprisingly, most hotels in Honolulu are found in Waikiki or its vicinity. Generally Hawaii is most popular when the weather is the worst on the U.S. mainland. High season in Hawaii is mid-December to March (high rates and tight booking), and June to September (high rates but somewhat easier booking). Low season is from spring (April to June) and fall (September to mid-December), when the best bargains are available.
Although Honolulu is relatively safe as far as violent crime goes, the risk of property crime is much greater. Take particular care when parking vehicles in popular tourist spots, especially Diamond Head and the Halona Blowhole near Sandy Beach; always lock your vehicle; and do not leave ANY valuables in your car. Keep all valubles within sight and within reach at all times. Your car is not a safe place to store anything: Thieves have commonly dismantled locks and broken into vehicles, or conversely will just bash open your window to get in. Use extra caution when visiting less savory parts of town, including the Chinatown district after dark, but during the day you should have no problem.
Don't spend all your time on Waikiki Beach; the whole island of Oahu, with more secluded beaches, hiking opportunities, and the sight of huge waves in the winter, awaits you. Most of the island's major attractions can be seen in a day trip, or spread out over several days.
| This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow! |
Category: Usable articles
| Honolulu, Hawaii | |
|---|---|
| — CDP — | |
| Nickname(s): Crossroads of the Pacific, Sheltered Bay | |
| Coordinates: 21°18′32″N 157°49′34″W / 21.30889°N 157.82611°WCoordinates: 21°18′32″N 157°49′34″W / 21.30889°N 157.82611°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Hawaii |
| County | Honolulu |
| Area | |
| - CDP | 105 sq mi (272.1 km2) |
| - Land | 85.7 sq mi (222.0 km2) |
| - Water | 19.3 sq mi (50.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 0 ft (Sea Level 0 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - CDP | 371,657 |
| - Estimate (July 2006[1]) | 377,357 |
| - Metro | 909,863 |
| Time zone | Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (UTC-10) |
| Zip Code | 96801-96825 |
| Area code(s) | 808 |
| FIPS code | 15-17000 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0366212 |
Honolulu is the capital city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is also the largest city in Hawaii and it has the most important harbor. It is on the south-east shore of the island of Oahu.
Honolulu means "sheltered harbor" in the Hawaiian language. No one knows for sure when Honolulu was first settled or when the name was first used.
Honolulu harbor was called Kulolia before foreigners came. The first foreigner was Captain William Brown of the English ship Butterworth, in 1794. He named the harbor Fair Haven. Other foreign captains started calling it Brown's Harbor. The name Honolulu was used some time after that.
Honolulu quickly became the most important harbor of Hawaii. At that time, sandalwood was a big export. Honolulu was also an important supply point for whalers.
Kamehameha III made Honolulu the capital city of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1850. It was also the capital of the Republic of Hawaii and the Territory of Hawaii. It stayed the capital when Hawaii became a state in 1959.
| |||||
| |||||||||||
   | City & County of Honolulu official Web site - City and County of Honolulu, Official Web Site for The City and County of Honolulu |
| | ''Honolulu Advertiser'' - HonoluluAdvertiser.com | Honolulu Local News - Honolulu Hawaii Local and National News | The Honolulu Advertiser |
| | City & County of Honolulu - City and County of Honolulu, Official Web Site for The City and County of Honolulu |
| | National Weather Service Honolulu office - National Weather Service Forecast Office - Honolulu, Hawai`i |
| | Hawaii Vistors and Convention Bureau - Hawaii's Official Tourism Site -- Travel info for your Hawaii vacation |
| | Honolulu Traffic Information Center (includes camera links) - Honolulu Traffic Central |
| | official site - Hawaii State Foundation Cultural and the Arts |
| | Hawaii Community Theatre Web Index - Leeward Community College | Start Here Today. Get Ahead Tomorrow. |
| | The Arts District Honolulu - Arts District Honolulu-Home |
| | Honolulu: trains at last? - Honolulu: trains at last? | Railway Age | Find Articles at BNET |
| | Honolulu's mayor ends proposal for rail line in downtown area - HONOLULU'S MAYOR ENDS PROPOSAL FOR RAIL LINE IN DOWNTOWN AREA - Free Preview - The New York Times |
| | link title - Example Web Page |
|
|
Top topics
Wikis
Facts
Search
