|
The capital of the US state of Hawaii, Honolulu is a major financial centre of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. The most populous state capital, it is the southernmost major US city. The name of the destination refers to the urban area on the south-eastern shore of the island of Oahu.
Honolulu means 'sheltered bay', in the Hawaiian language. The city gained recognition following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941. It has been the capital of the Hawaiian islands since 1845. Unbearable
Original Polynesian migrants were the first settlers in the archipelago, as evident from the oral histories and artefacts. The settlers arrived in the city in the 11th century. Kamehameha I moved his royal court from the Island of Hawaii to Waikiki in 1804, after conquering Oahu in the Battle of Nu’uanu at Nu’uanu Pali. Downtown Honolulu formed the base of his court that relocated in 1809. Kailua-Kona became his capital in 1812.
Captain William Brown of Great Britain sailed to Honolulu Harbour in 1794 and became the first foreigner to arrive on the island. After this, the port of Honolulu became a focal point for merchant ships travelling between North America and Asia. The permanent capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom was transferred to Honolulu from Lahaina on Maui by Kamehameha III in 1845.
With descendants of American missionaries establishing major businesses in downtown Honolulu, it became the centre of commerce in the islands. Waikiki is the centre of the tourism industry in Hawaii. Ranked 29th worldwide in quality of living by the UK consulting firm Mercer in a 2009 assessment, Honolulu is the most populous city of the US state of Hawaii.
The district of Honolulu is located on the south-east coast of Oahu between Makapu'u and Halawa. Residents of the city include non-Hispanic Whites, African Americans, native Americans, Asians, native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and Latinos.
The financial, commercial, and governmental centre of Hawaii is downtown Honolulu. Residential neighbourhoods of the city are Manoa and Makiki. The city is also near the Puowaina and Diamond Head Volcanoes, which are now extinct.
Attractions in the city include the Honolulu Symphony, which is the oldest US symphony orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. The island's Ewa District comprises Aloha Stadium, Pearl Harbour and Hickam Air Force Base.
Honolulu attracts tourists for its beaches and events like Prince Lot Hula Festival (July). This event is celebrated at Moanalua Gardens with crafts, traditional Hawaiian games and hula halau (troupes). The Waikiki Hoolaulea in September, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing (November-December) and Hawaii Food and Wine Festival are major events.
|
