Honolulu: Hawaiian Hotspot

	Areial view of Waikiki Beach Photo courtesy Joe Solem

ORIENTATION

Anchored on the south side of Oahu, Hawaii's third largest island, Honolulu is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and is located over 2,000 mi (3,219 km) off the coast of the mainland United States of America. It takes approximately nine hours to fly from Atlanta, Georgia, to Honolulu, and just under five hours to fly from San Fransisco, California. Visitors from Canada depart from Vancouver, British Columbia, and require approximately five hours to reach Honolulu. Direct flights from Taiwan, Japan, New Zealand and Australia range from eight to 12 hours in duration.

HISTORY

Long before the Europeans came to Waikiki, Honolulu and the Waikiki area was a favorite vacation spot for Hawaiian kings and chiefs. Oahu and other Hawaiian islands were first discovered by Europeans on January 18, 1778, when British explorer Captain James Cook landed on Kauai, Hawaii's fourth largest island. Honolulu began as a small harbor village established by foreign fishermen in the early 1800s. The area soon flourished into an important center as it provided a resting spot for merchant ships trading furs with the east and for fishing and whaling ships in the area. The activity in Honolulu grew so much that King Kamehameha III moved the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from Maui to Honolulu in 1845. For a more detailed description of the history of Oahu and Honolulu, please refer to Oahu (Honolulu), Hawaii – A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide Review.

Kalakaua Avenue Photo courtesy Hawaii Tourism Japan

One of the main reasons Honolulu has developed into such a famous tourist destination is due to the 130 or so beaches located throughout the island. Of all the beaches on this island, Waikiki Beach is arguably the most famous of all. Formerly the vacation spot of Hawaiian royal families and tribal chiefs, the original Waikiki Beach was only about a half mile (0.8 km) long before it was extended in 1925. Foreseeing the large tourism potential of the area, the Honolulu government invested several billion dollars to expand the size of the beach to its current one-and-a-half miles (2.4 km) with the help of imported sand.

One of the special features Honolulu offers its visitors is an exceptional year-round climate. The warmest month in Honolulu is usually August, with temperatures rising to 88°F (31°C), while the coldest month is February, with temperature dropping down to as low as 65°F (18°C). It is worth noting that the average temperature between the coldest and warmest months of the year differs only about 6°F (3°C). Honolulu experiences most of its rainfall and storms between the months of October and March. Though only averaging about two to three inches (51mm to 76 mm) of rainfall during these months, storm events are most likely to happen at this time of the year.

TRANSPORTATION

Iolani Palace Photo courtesy Hawaii Tourism Japan

The majority of Honolulu visitors arrive via aerial transportation through the Honolulu International Airport. In addition to serving Oahu island, this airport also receives most of the visitors traveling to the other Hawaiian islands. Despite popular belief, there are no inter-island ferry services in Hawaii. Visitors to other Hawaiian islands arrive at their destinations through regular inter-island flights.

The city of Honolulu has a well-developed public transit system for the use of locals and visitors alike. Honolulu is served by The Bus, which covers almost the entire island at a nominal cost. However, many travelers choose the more visitor-oriented Waikiki Trolleys that are designed to provide convenient transportation to most viewpoints in Honolulu, including the Waikiki Aquarium, Iolani Palace and the Ala-Mona Shopping Center. Slightly more expansive than The Bus, the numerous trolley lines provide simple and direct transportation to many tourist destinations. Be sure to check specific trolley schedules as the lines close at different times during the day and some lines provide services to visitors free of charge. Those who enjoy more freedom and control over their means of transportation enjoy renting a moped or a car as various rental shops can be found around the Waikiki area. While most of the tourist spots in Honolulu can be reached by foot, various bus and trolley lines, car rentals are handy for visitors to reach other parts of the island.

ATTRACTIONS

Waikiki Beach Photo courtesy Hawaii Tourism Japan

Waikiki Beach
One of the most famous attractions in Honolulu, Waikiki Beach consists of a string of continuous beaches spanning from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to Kapiolani Beach Park. The stretch of Kuhio Beach is a notably calmer section of Waikiki Beach, as it is partially sheltered by a water-breaking wall parallel to the shoreline, providing a snorkeling and swimming area suitable for families and younger children. Waikiki Beach is famous for its soft, white sand, crystal-clear water, and excellent surfing, as strong waves are available throughout most of the day. Swimmers and surfers alike must be cautious while moving out to sea, as the waves and underwater currents can change the depth of the water quite suddenly. Also note that the outward sea floor is not covered with soft sand but rock hard corals that can easily result in abrasions on knees and feet.

	Hike to the top of Diamond Head Photo courtesy Hawaii Tourism Japan

Diamond Head
Overlooking the southeast coast of Oahu and the entire Waikiki district, Diamond Head offers views of Waikiki unparalleled by any other site that can be reached by foot. Visitors arrive at the top of Diamond Head via a trail-head found at the foot of the hill. The hike to the top is approximately one mile (1.5 km) in length and usually takes between one and two hours to complete.

Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay offers a unique opportunity for visitors to combine outdoor activity with an educational experience as the area is home to a live coral reef and an abundance of marine life. As a result, snorkeling and scuba diving are both very popular here because of these underwater treasures. Visitors of Hanauma Bay are required to watch a short, 30-minute video educating them about the proper ways of dealing with the coral reef and the importance of balance in the marine life. The water is generally calm as the curved shape of the bay creates a natural shield, protecting swimmers from the large ocean waves. The fish here are fairly adapted to the presence of humans, allowing visitors an opportunity to see them face-to-face. Several tour companies offer full transportation services to and from Hanauma Bay with all snorkeling equipment provided. Hanauma Bay also offers snorkeling equipment rentals.

USS Arizona Memorial Photo courtesy NPS/USS Arizona Memorial Photo Collection

Pearl Harbor
The sea-burial site of the USS Arizona and the majority of her 1,177 crew members, the USS Arizona Memorial (managed by the National Park Service) was built to honor those who were lost during a surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7th, 1941. This incident marked one of the worst military losses in the United States history with over 2,000 military and civilian personnel lost in battle. Visitors of the USS Arizona Memorial are offered a tour program that features a 23-minute film on the history of the Pearl Harbor attack and a round trip on a Navy-operated launch to the Memorial. Tours are free of charge and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The guided tours are approximately 75 minutes long, but wait times for the tours may often exceed two hours.

Shopping
Shopping here is easy thanks to a large variety of unique boutiques and shops located directly in the Waikiki area. The International Market Place features a variety of shops, restaurants, food stands and many other forms of entertainment. During the search for unique Hawaiian gifts and keepsakes, visitors love to spend some time in the local ABC chains. The ABC stores features a wide variety of products ranging from local gear, such as aloha shirts and sarongs, to gift ideas like Hawaiian coffee, key chains and postcards. In addition to providing souvenirs, the ABC stores also stock grocery items, pharmaceutical medicine, beach necessities and much more. Visitors will have little problem locating an ABC store nearby as most of them are situated near hotels.

	Ala Moana Shopping Center Photo courtesy Chuck Painter

For a change of pace away from the beach and sunshine, visitors enjoy spending a day at the multi-level Ala Moana Center. This luxurious shopping center combines entertainment, shopping and dining opportunities. The center is home to over 260 stores like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Abercrombie and Fitch, Gap and Skechers. Ala Moana is also famous for its large food-court area, providing visitors with over 20 different types of food from across the world.

Other Honolulu attractions include the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Waikiki Aquarium and the the famous scenic viewpoint of Nuuanu Pali Lookout.