Honolulu is an island paradise far from the coast. Where is Honolulu located, in what country? Where to vacation in Honolulu? Honolulu Academy of the Arts

Honolulu(English and Hawaiian Honolulu) - a city on the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian archipelago, the capital of the state, the administrative center of Honolulu County. Translated from Hawaiian honolulu means "protected bay".

In the suburbs of Honolulu there is the main US naval base in the central Pacific Ocean - Pearl Harbor.

Story

Archaeological evidence and some oral histories indicate that the first Polynesian settlement arose in what is now Honolulu in the 11th century. After conquering the island of Oahu, King Kamehameha I moved the royal court from the island of Hawaii to Waikiki (now the Honolulu area) in 1804. His court was moved again in 1809 to what is now the city's business center. In 1812 the capital was moved to Kailua-Kona.

Port of Honolulu, 1816. The painting was painted by a resident of the Russian colony L. Choris

In 1794, British officer William Brown was the first European to sail into Honolulu Harbor. Russians first appeared in this area during the round-the-world expedition of I. F. Kruzenshtern and Yu. F. Lisyansky. Subsequently, the city becomes a focal point for merchant ships traveling between North America and Asia. The attempt to found a Russian colony and bring the entire archipelago under Russian citizenship, undertaken in 1815-17 by Yegor Sheffer, was initially quite successful, but was not supported by the Russian government. Alexander I, wanting to show the British Empire and the United States an example of the policy of good neighborliness and refusal to annex new lands, did not respond to the request of one of the Hawaiian leaders, Kaumualii, to transfer the islands to Russian protectorate. As might be expected, this show of restraint had the exact opposite effect. In 1817, the Americans forcibly liquidated the Russian settlement, killing three Russians and more than ten Hawaiians who converted to Orthodoxy. Over time, the United States annexed the entire archipelago.

In 1845, Kamehameha III moved the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii from Lahaina on the island of Maui to Honolulu. Under him, as well as under his successors, the city was turned into a modern capital, buildings such as the Cathedral of St. Andrew's, 'Iolani Palace, Ali'olani Hale (today the building houses the Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii). At the same time, the city becomes an important center of trade on the islands; descendants of American missionaries are building large enterprises in the center of Honolulu. The Kingdom of Hawaii ceased to exist in 1893, and the islands became part of the United States in 1898. In 1900, a major fire occurred in the city, as a result of which most of the local Chinatown burned out (about 15 hectares of territory). The cause of the fire was a campaign to burn infected houses during the quarantine declared in connection with cases of bubonic plague. Due to the dense development of Chinatown, the fire quickly spread to neighboring buildings, leaving more than 7,000 people homeless. In December 1941, the Pearl Harbor naval base located near the city was attacked by a Japanese aircraft carrier force during the Hawaiian operation. During World War II, the city was one of the main supply centers for American forces in the Pacific theater of operations.

The subsequent development of the city is associated with the tourism industry.

Geography and climate

Honolulu at dusk

Honolulu is located on the leeward side of the island of Oahu, occupying the entire area between the ocean and the Ko'olau Ridge, which is a part of the crater slope of a colossal volcano that has survived from ancient times.

According to the Köppen climate classification, the city is located in the tropical savannah climate zone As. However, there is little precipitation due to the rain shadow effect from Ko'olau, and the wet and dry seasons are not clearly defined and smoothly flow into each other. Honolulu is sunny almost all year round. Within 12 months, temperature changes are insignificant; The average monthly maximum temperature is 27-32 °C, and the average monthly minimum is 18-24 °C. Very rarely the thermometer rises to 35 °C, and the minimum temperature at night can drop to 14-15 °C no more than twice a year. The highest temperature of 35°C was recorded during a heat wave in September 1998. Later in the day, the state's highest temperature was recorded on Niihau Island. The lowest temperature reached 11.7 °C on February 16, 1902 and January 20, 1969. The water temperature off the coast is 27°C during the summer months and 25°C in the winter.

The city receives an average of 434 mm of rainfall annually, most of which occurs during the winter months from October to mid-April. In summer there is little rainfall. On average, Honolulu has 278 sunny and 90 rainy days a year. Although the city is considered to have a dry season and a rainy season, this is almost unnoticeable due to the fact that there is little rain in the summer and more intense rain in the winter. Despite this, both seasons have the same number of rainy days.

Although the city is located in a tropical zone, hurricanes are considered a rare occurrence. The last hurricane to hit Hawaii was in 1992. Hurricane Iniki was classified as a Category 4 hurricane. Tornadoes are also rare and usually hit the islands once every 15 years. Waterspouts occurring close to the coast are somewhat more common, hitting the city every five years.

Diplomatic missions

City Hall and City Council building

Diplomatic missions (consulates) of the following states are located in the city:

• Australia

Population

As of the 2010 census, Honolulu's population was 390,738. Gender composition: men - 49.3%; women - 50.7%. The average age of city residents is 41.3 years (40 years for men, 43 for women). The share of people over 65 years old is 18.1%.

Ethnic composition:

• white - 17.9% (in 1970 - 33.9%)
• black - 1.5%
• Asians - 54.8% (including Japanese - 19.9%, Filipinos - 13.2%, Chinese - 10.4%)
• Hawaiians and other Polynesians - 8.4% (including Hawaiians - 3.2%, Samoans - 1.5%)
• Hispanic - 5.4%

Thus, Honolulu is the capital of the state with the smallest proportion of whites and the largest proportion of Asians in the United States, and also the only capital where the proportion of Polynesians exceeds the proportions of blacks and Hispanics (both combined).

The city's crime rate is about 1/4 lower than the US average, but slightly higher than the Hawaiian average.

Hawaii State Capitol

Population dynamics of Honolulu:

• 1890 - 22,907 people
• 1900 - 39,306 people
• 1910 - 52,183 people
• 1920 - 83,327 people
• 1930 - 137,582 people
• 1940 - 179,326 people
• 1950 - 248,034 people
• 1960 - 294,194 people
• 1970 - 324,871 people
• 1980 - 365,048 people
• 1990 - 365,272 people
• 2000 - 371,657 people
• 2010 - 390,738 people

Economy

Currently, Honolulu is not only the largest city and airport in the Hawaiian Islands, but also a recognized international tourist center. Millions of tourists enter the islands through Honolulu, bringing the city's economy up to $10 billion annually. Because of this favorable location on the Pacific Ocean, the city is an important business, trade and transportation center connecting East and West. In addition, the Pearl Harbor naval base, as well as various research and production centers (mainly in the field of information technology, the creation of modern materials, medicine and biotechnology), play an important role in the city's economy.

Business center of the city

Companies based in Honolulu include:

• Alexander & Baldwin
• Bank of Hawaii
• Central Pacific Bank
• First Hawaiian Bank
• Hawaii Medical Service Association
• Hawaii Pacific Health
• Hawaiian Electric Industries
• Matson Navigation Company
• The Queen's Health Systems

Headquarters of Go! Mokulele, Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air, and Aloha Air Cargo are located in the city. Before ceasing operations, Aloha Airlines had its main offices in Honolulu. For some period of time, the local airline Mid-Pacific Airlines was based at the Honolulu International Airport. In 2009, the cost and rent of housing in Honolulu increased by an average of 4.5%, since then the city ranks second in the most expensive real estate market among 210 American agglomerations .

Since the major national banking chains do not have branches in Hawaii, tourists and locals use a variety of local banks. The largest and oldest banking institution in the Hawaiian Islands is First Hawaiian Bank. The bank's main office is located in the First Hawaiian Center skyscraper, the tallest building in the state.

Transport

The city is served by Honolulu International Airport (IATA: HNL, ICAO: PHNL), located 5 kilometers northwest of the business district and is one of the busiest airports in the United States, with an annual passenger turnover of about 18 million people (data for 2011). The airport has regular flights to all major cities, several cities and Australia, as well as to, and. Three main directions: , and . The airport also provides connections to many communities throughout the Hawaiian Islands and in general.

City bus

Honolulu, sad for its citizens, holds the title of leader in traffic jams among US cities, having surpassed Los Angeles in this regard in the late 2000s. On average, drivers spend 58 hours in traffic jams each year, with roads leading into the western suburbs particularly problematic. In the early 2000s, plans were developed and began to be implemented to build a 32-kilometer light rail line connecting the center and west of the city, but due to a lack of money and protests from the Greens, construction was constantly delayed. The current global crisis has completely called into question the completion of the project; the opening of the movement has been postponed from 2015 to 2019. Honolulu is technically part of the United States Interstate Highway System, with Interstate highways passing through it H-1 and Interstate H-201. In practice, for obvious reasons, it is impossible to travel along these roads to another state.

Public transport is represented by 110 bus routes managed by the company TheBus. Honolulu's public transportation system has been recognized by the American Public Transportation Association twice, in 1995 and 2001. American Public Transportation Association) the best in the country.

Cultural institutions

Natural history museums

Honolulu's premier museum, the Bishop Museum, houses the largest collection of paleontological specimens in the state. The museum houses the world's largest collection of artifacts related to Hawaiian and Polynesian culture. The Honolulu Zoo is the premier zoological institution in the Hawaiian Islands, and the Waikiki Aquarium is an active ocean biology laboratory. The laboratory works closely with the University of Hawaii and other universities around the world. Honolulu Botanical Gardens: Foster Botanical Garden, Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden and Walker Estate breed plants from different parts of the world.

Performing arts

Founded in 1900, the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States west of the Rocky Mountains. Among other groups performing classical works, Hawaii Opera Theater should be noted. Honolulu is also considered the center of traditional Hawaiian music. The city's main concert venues are the Hawaii Theater, Waikiki Shell, and the Neal Blaisdell Center multifunctional complex with a concert hall and a venue for various sports and public events. Honolulu has several art theaters, the most famous of which is the Diamond Head Theatre.

Fine arts

There are institutions in Honolulu where you can get acquainted with various works of art. The Honolulu Museum of Art houses the largest collection of Western and Asian art in the Hawaiian Islands. The Shangri La estate has the largest collection of Islamic art exhibits. The museum houses a cinema, which bears the name of a famous American woman, collector and philanthropist Doris Duke.

It hosts screenings of masterpieces of world cinema, as well as films and videos of directors working in the art-house style.

The Museum of Modern Art houses the state's only collection of contemporary art. The exhibition is located in two places: the main museum building is in the Makiki area, and the multi-level gallery is located in the center of Honolulu, in the First Hawaiian Center building.

The collection of the Hawaii State Art Museum (downtown) features works by local artists and traditional Hawaiian art. The museum is managed by the State of Hawaii Arts and Culture Foundation.

Every year the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) is held in Honolulu. The festival showcases the best films by directors from the Asia-Pacific region. The festival, which takes place in the style of “Meeting of East and West,” is the largest event of its kind in.

Sport

Honolulu's favorable climate is ideal for year-round exercise. In 2004, Men's Fitness magazine named Honolulu the fittest city in the United States. Honolulu hosts three major road running competitions:

• The Great Aloha Run takes place every year on President's Day.
• Every year, about 20,000 people take part in the Honolulu Marathon, which starts on the second Sunday in December, two-thirds of whom are residents.
• The Honolulu Triathlon is an Olympic distance triathlon run by USA Triathlon. Since 2004, the competition has been held annually in May, although the city does not have a specially equipped track for the sprint distance.

The first competition and the first Ironman Hawaii triathlon world championship were held in Honolulu in 1978.

Several spectator sports are popular in Honolulu. The city has many fans of local teams participating in American football, volleyball, basketball, rugby, rugby league, and baseball (as part of the University of Hawaii at Manoa program). American football competitions are especially popular among high school teams.

Honolulu does not have its own professional teams. In the past, the city was home to baseball teams - the Hawaii Islanders (Pacific League, 1961-1987), American football - The Hawaiians (World League of American Football, 1974-1975), football - Team Hawaii (North American Soccer League, 1977) and mini-soccer. Hawaiian Islanders football (af2, 2002-2004).

The NCAA is hosting the Hawaii Cup playoff series in Honolulu. Since 1980, the National Football League has hosted the Pro Bowl All-Star Game in the city every February. Although the 2010 match was played in Miami, the 2011 match was again played in Honolulu. From 1993 to 2008, Honolulu hosted the Hawaii Winter Baseball league, which featured minor leaguers from Major League Baseball, the Japanese Professional Baseball League, the South Korean Professional Baseball League, and independent baseball leagues.

Athletic facilities

You can attend spectator sports matches in Honolulu at:

• Les Murakami Stadium, which is located on the territory of the University of Hawaii at Manoa (baseball)
• Neal Blaisdell Center (basketball)
• Stan Sheriff Center located on the campus of the University of Hawaii at Manoa (basketball and volleyball)

Aloha Stadium, home to American football and soccer, is located outside of Honolulu in the Halawa area. Honolulu // Dictionary of geographical names of foreign countries / resp. ed. A. M. Komkov. - 3rd ed., revised. and additional - M.: Nedra, 1986. - P. 93.

Links

• Official site

And one of the most famous resorts in the world.

The name "honolulu" means "secluded cove" in Hawaiian, and the city lives up to its name. The resort is indeed a magnificent bay on the azure coast of the Pacific Ocean, which is completely protected from hurricanes and storms. Moreover, Honolulu is considered one of the most popular areas on Hawaiian archipelago, which is famous for its golden sands, beautiful nature, exceptionally mild climate, endless blue ocean and luxurious hotels. Moreover, the fame of an excellent resort city does not prevent Honolulu from being a major center of business, trade and culture. Therefore, in addition to the beautiful beaches and tropical nature, there are many entertainment centers, shops, restaurants, cultural institutions and even its own Chinatown.

Climate and weather

Honolulu lies in the tropical oceanic climate zone, so the weather here is always warm and comfortable. The year on the islands is divided into two seasons: winter (from October to April) and summer (from May to October). In winter, heavy rains occur quite often, and the rest of the time the weather is dry and sunny. The coolest months are considered to be January and February, when the thermometer drops to +18 °C, but in August, which is the hottest here, the average air temperature is +25...+30 °C.

Nature

Honolulu is located on an island Oahu, which is part of the Hawaiian archipelago, located in the Pacific Ocean. The city lies on the southeastern coast, between low mountains, Honolulu Bay and the cone of an extinct volcano Diamond Head.

Thanks to its favorable geographical location and favorable climate, the island has preserved many species of unique endemic plants, some of which do not grow anywhere else. Among these are acacia koa, hibiscus hau, lumbang, kiawe and pandan.

Attractions

It is recommended to start exploring the city's attractions from the picturesque area Waikiki, on the territory of which there are several dozen entertainment establishments. The most popular beach in the city is also located there. Waikiki Beaches, which is famous not only for its ideal conditions for recreation, but also for the most important attraction of the entire island of the region - Duke Kahanamok statue- Olympic champion in swimming.

Another of Honolulu's most important buildings is, without a doubt, the naval pearl harbor base. After the tragedy that occurred here in 1941, a majestic memorial was erected on top of the sunken battleship Arizona in honor of American sailors, which is visited by a huge number of people every year.

Another of Honolulu's most famous tourist sites is the crater of a long-extinct volcano. Diamond Head, whose height is 231 meters and diameter is 1073 meters.

Among the religious buildings it is worth highlighting Kawaiahao Church, which was built from many coral blocks. Moreover, this cathedral is the very first joint construction of missionaries and Hawaiians, which made it the most important temple in the state of Hawaii.

No less remarkable and luxurious Iolani Palace, once owned by the first Hawaiian monarch, David Kalakua. Also a very symbolic historical structure was the monument to the great ruler, warrior and diplomat Kamehameha I, located on the main square next to the Supreme Court building.

Well, among the city’s museums, the first one worth visiting is Polynesian Cultural Center, which is not only a museum, but also a venue for interesting performances about national Hawaiian history. In addition, very interesting collections are collected in Hawaiian Maritime Center, Museum of Contemporary Art and complex Honolulu Academy of the Arts.

Nutrition

In Honolulu, as in any popular tourist center, you can find a restaurant for literally every taste - from a fast food establishment to a restaurant offering any cuisine of the world.

However, the most popular establishments here are those specializing in Hawaiian and Pacific menus. In such establishments, first of all, you should pay attention to seafood dishes: godfather(white fillet goat fish), shark steak, dolphin fillet, swordfish, scallops, crab, squid and much more.

Also traditional Hawaiian menu items are lomilomi(chopped raw salmon) lau-lau(steamed pork) and the famous Hawaiian chicken, which is cooked in coconut milk, pineapple and rice.

Also an integral element of the masterpieces of local culinary specialists is a suckling pig baked in an earthen pit, which you can try during a colorful Hawaiian feast. Luau.

In addition, in almost any restaurant you can taste fish in sour sauce, chicken salad with pineapple, shrimp in coconut flakes, fish soup with coconut milk and taro tuber puree.

In addition, the island grows a huge amount of exotic tropical fruits, which can also be tasted everywhere. Among them, for example, fruit cannon, or passion fruit (“fruit of passion”). Nuts are also grown here macadamia, so there are small shops near plantations offering to try them in combination with cinnamon, honey or garlic.

Well, among the local drinks, the most common is excellent coffee, which is grown here for export.

Moreover Kona Coffee is a very expensive and high-quality variety and even one of the best in the world. It is also worth trying local light wines, Hawaiian chocolate, rum and fruit juices. In addition, all kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails have become widespread, for example, the famous “ Pina colada».

Accommodation

Honolulu is not only a popular resort city, but also the capital of the state of Hawaii, so the choice of accommodation options here is very wide and varied: from secluded bungalows to royal apartments. Most of the large and luxury hotels are located in the area Waikiki, near the world famous beach of the same name. Among them, for example, are Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach (from $161), The Modern Honolulu (from $224) and Halekulani Hotel (from $445).

It is worth keeping in mind that the cost of living in Honolulu is quite high, so quickly finding a budget option here is not so easy, although such establishments are scattered throughout the city, and their rooms and service are of a fairly high standard. The most popular among budget options are the Maile Sky Court Waikiki (from $69), Holiday Surf Hotel (from $53), Waikiki Beachside Hostel (from $30), etc.

It should be noted that during the tourist season, accommodation should be arranged in advance.

Entertainment and relaxation

The main vacation spot in Honolulu is the vast coastline Waikiki Beach, which has more than 50 beaches, as well as many entertainment centers and nightlife. At night, this place is illuminated by millions of lights, and young people rush around on motorcycles, socialize and have fun.

It is worth noting that gambling is prohibited in Honolulu, as in the entire state, so there are no casinos here.

The most famous beach in the area is Sunset Beach, which is suitable for both leisure and any sport.

In addition, in the area Waikiki The famous amusement park is located Sea World", famous for its abundance of attractions, pools and slides, as well as a giant aquarium. And very close to the park there is a magnificent Honolulu Zoo.

Lovers of natural attractions should go to the area Tantalus, where you can hike through the mountains and see beautiful pineapple groves. Excursions to the waterfall are also popular. Manao, which is located right in the middle of the untouched jungle. In addition, not far from the city there are picturesque forest reserves Puu-Walakaa And Watershead and also the green valley Makiki.

Purchases

Honolulu is a real paradise not only for fans of the warm sea and beach activities, but also for those who cannot imagine their vacation without shopping. For them, there are a huge number of shopping centers, branded stores, boutiques, shopping galleries, craft shops and other establishments where you can make any purchases or simply admire the colorful shop windows.

The city's main shopping centers are concentrated in the central area, as well as close to the beaches.

Of these, first of all it is worth highlighting Ala Moana, which is one of the largest in the world and has more than 300 shops, shopping galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Also popular Waikiki Shopping Plaza, Ward Gateway Center And Aloha Tower Marketplace.

The city also has many fashion boutiques offering clothes from world famous designers, and small souvenir shops with handmade goods - from blown glass items to clothes with all kinds of ethnic prints.

Common souvenirs include shell items, wooden pots, traditional Hawaiian skirts and shirts, as well as coffee and nuts.

Transport

In Honolulu, public transport is represented by an excellent network of The Bus routes, which provides transportation both within the city and outside it. Moreover, all city buses are very clean and comfortable, equipped with air conditioning. Fare on all city routes is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Tickets are valid for 2 hours, during which you can change to other routes. You can purchase a pass that is valid for 4 days ($20).

To get to know the city, you can take a tour bus Waikiki Trolley, which goes through all of Honolulu and stops at the most interesting and visited places ($25). During the trip, the driver acts as a guide and comments on the sights he passes by.

In addition, Honolulu has an excellent city taxi service, which can quickly get you anywhere in the city. However, it is worth considering that during rush hours (06:00-08:00 and 16:00-18:00) there are major traffic jams in the city center every day, which significantly slow down movement.

Connection

Honolulu is a large modern city in the United States, so there are no problems with communication here. You can make any call from pay phones, which are installed on all streets and in all public places. Also, many restaurants and bars have their own telephones with access to international lines, however, in this case the cost of the call will be inflated.

In addition, mobile communications are excellent on the islands, and roaming is available to almost all travelers. If you wish, you can always purchase an American SIM card, which will reduce the cost of local calls.

Internet access is provided in almost all hotels, and Wi-Fi hotspots are available in public areas.

Safety

In Honolulu, crime is at a very low level, and local residents are particularly warm and hospitable. Therefore, the most unpleasant thing that can happen to an unwary tourist is petty pickpocketing. Of course, you should never forget about reasonable precautions.

In addition, one should not underestimate the strength of currents and coastal waves in the ocean, and also neglect safety precautions while swimming.

Business climate

Honolulu is the capital of the state of Hawaii, as well as its main commercial, financial and government center. The basis of the city's economic and business life is tourism and the service sector, as well as the food industry.

Honolulu is also a major transport hub in the North Pacific, with numerous routes connecting the United States to East Asia, New Zealand, Australia and the Philippines.

Real estate

In Honolulu, as well as throughout the Hawaiian archipelago, the real estate market is characterized by a stable rise in prices and the demand for almost all properties. Moreover, even the global financial crisis could not shake his position. It is worth noting that over the past 25 years, the cost of housing here has increased as much as 6 times. Therefore, buying local real estate is a very profitable and promising investment.

At the moment, a small house here costs from $500,000, and an apartment - from $250,000.

When traveling to Honolulu, be sure to stock up on quality repellents: local insect bites can be not only painful, but also unsafe. Tips in restaurants are usually already included in the bill. If not, you can thank the waiter by leaving him 10% of the total cost of your lunch or dinner.

In the USA, the administrative center of the state of Hawaii. Population 386.3 thousand people (2006; including 56% - people of Asian origin: native inhabitants of the islands - Hawaiians, Japanese Americans - "Nissei", etc.), with suburbs 915.1 thousand people. Located on the southeast coast of the island of Oahu (Hawaii Islands). An important hub for sea and air communications in the central Pacific Ocean. Sea port. International Airport.

The first European to land in Honolulu Bay in 1794 was the English captain W. Brown, who discovered Polynesian settlements here. In the early 19th century, the port of Honolulu became an important transit center on the maritime trade route from North America to Asia, as well as a whaling base. In 1845, King Kamehameha III of Hawaii moved his capital from Maui to Honolulu. Since 1898, Honolulu has been the administrative center of the territory of Hawaii within the United States. At the beginning of the 20th century, a US naval base was created in Pearl Harbor Bay (west of Honolulu), and by attacking it on December 7, 1941, Japan started the war in the Pacific. Honolulu's rapid growth in the post-war years was facilitated by the development of mass tourism (especially from the mid-1950s, with the introduction of passenger air travel by high-speed jetliners). At the beginning of the 21st century, about 8 million tourists arrive annually in the Hawaiian Islands, most of them visiting Honolulu. The main tourist and resort area of ​​the city is Waikiki.

The business center of Honolulu has high-rise buildings (including the tower of the First Hawaiian Center skyscraper, 134 m; 1996). Among the attractions of Honolulu is the Palace of the Hawaiian Kings "Iolani" (1882). University of Hawaii (1907, university status since 1920), Chaminade University in Honolulu (1955), Hawaii Pacific University (1965), Academy of Fine Arts (1927). Bishop Museum (1889, exhibition dedicated to the history and nature of the islands). Hawaiian Opera House (1980), Diamond Head Theater, etc. Honolulu Symphony Orchestra (1900; the oldest in the United States west of the Rocky Mountains). Honolulu is the center of Hawaiian musical culture. The city's main concert venue is the Neil Blaisdell Center (1964), which also hosts conferences and exhibitions. Polynesian Cultural Center (1963). Zoo (1896), aquarium in Waikiki (1904).

A significant part of the townspeople are busy serving tourists, as well as large military bases located on the island of Oahu. In the vicinity of Honolulu there is Pearl Harbor, the main US Navy base in the central Pacific Ocean, and Hickam Air Force Base. In Honolulu there are food enterprises, including sugar and fruit canning (pineapple processing), industry, construction industry, etc.

On the shore of Pearl Harbor Bay there is a memorial complex dedicated to the events of December 7, 1941. In the southeastern part of the Honolulu metropolitan area, near the ocean coast, there is the cone of the Diamond Head volcano (“Diamond Head”; has the status of a natural monument). The north coast of Oahu is popular among surfers, and Haleiwa Beach is especially famous. On the island of Oahu there are plantations of sugar cane and pineapples.

Honolulu in Hawaii is not just the largest city, it is also the capital of the state, its attractions attract hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the globe, the city's airport is the central gateway for all of the Hawaiian Islands, and the map is replete with both natural monuments and historical places.

Google Maps / google.ru

The word “Honolulu” itself is translated as “refuge of silence,” or, according to another version, “quiet bay.” The very meaning of the city’s name promises an excellent opportunity to rest, relax and gain new strength to overcome everyday life’s difficulties.

A little history

Everyone knows that Hawaii is one of the states, that is, part of the United States and the appropriate documents are needed to enter the resort. Just like the fact that it was on the Hawaiian Islands that the Pearl Harbor base was located, brilliantly attacked in 1941 by the Japanese Imperial Navy, during which the whole world was shown the disorganization and arrogance reigning at that time in the American defensive forces.

However, Hawaii was an independent kingdom for a long time; the annexation of the islands by the United States took place only after a local revolution, which led to the overthrow of the monarchical order, that is, after 1893.

If under the missionary, and later independent monarchical rule, the island of Oahu and the city of Honolulu itself was a large trading center, one of the main intermediate ports on the way from North America to Asia and South America, then after the annexation the situation changed dramatically.

boaski/flickr.com

The Hawaiian Islands first became home to military bases, becoming an important strategic site, and later, after World War II, a place for recreation and tourism, a resort that any American could visit on a weekend.

About the city

The city of Honolulu is reminiscent of Moscow or old cities, both Asian and located in Eastern Europe. The similarity is expressed in the fact that there is no clear street layout at all; moreover, there are not just a lot of different nooks, alleys and dead ends, there are more of them than there are streets that lead anywhere.

The city has several “main” districts that are present on the map:

1. Downtown - central.
2. Waikiki - beach.
3. Manoa-Makiki – northern residential.
4. Eastern Honolulu – eastern residential.
5. Western Honolulu - western residential.

As a rule, all travel agencies sell tours to Honolulu with accommodation for travelers within the beach area, but nevertheless, you need to navigate the areas of this city before purchasing a ticket and flying to the islands.

Honolulu is one of the few old cities in which the historical center and the modern concentration of financial, administrative, commercial and other buildings are united in one area.

c_chan808 / flickr.com

It is in the center that there are museums, the old port, the building of the State Legislative Assembly, historical monuments and the famous Aloha Tower, which has become the same “signature” of the Hawaiian Islands as Waikiki Beach and the Pearl Harbor base.

Waikiki

The name of the area in which hotels, surf centers, yacht berths and endless snow-white stripes of sand with the inevitable bars selling elegant cocktails are concentrated.

The most famous of the local beaches, present in all tourist brochures without exception, has the same name - Waikiki. From it came the name of the entire area that grew up around this beach.

North

The northern residential area is located in the foothills, which greatly influenced the layout of its streets, squares and even the height of buildings.

Ken Lund / flickr.com

It is a quiet and noisy place at the same time. Here is the University of Hawaii and, accordingly, the campus, and the National Memorial is located right there.

East

The eastern one is the main residential area of ​​the city, it extends to the town of Makapuu Point, famous among photographers and artists for its rocky beach lines, radically different from the snow-white sands of Waikiki.

This is where they live, that is, you won’t meet tourists on the streets, except for those who came for sketches or photo sessions and rented an apartment closer to the desired location.

West

This is also a residential area, but unlike the eastern and northern ones, multi-apartment buildings and quite a lot of bars predominate here.

It is in this area that the Honolulu Airport, the Pearl Harbor Memorial, a number of attractions of modern American military history and a little-known but very interesting museum are located - the Bishop Museum.

John Carkeet / flickr.com

When purchasing a tour, you should pay attention to the location of the hotel; an interactive online map of Honolulu can help with this. Although, usually all tourists are accommodated in the beach area, the hotel can also be located in the Western district of the city. This means a constant hum from planes flying up and down and the need to use transport to travel to the beaches.

What to see?

Although Hawaii is essentially just a beach, there is plenty to do in Honolulu besides relaxing on the sand or other resort activities. There are museums, natural attractions, historical buildings, and thematic memorials.

Of course, if possible, it is worth seeing as much as possible. However, there is never enough time, so it makes sense to pay attention to the following interesting places:

• Bishop's Museum;
• the Doris Duke Mansion, better known as Shangri-La, and the Honolulu Museum of Art;
• Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum;
• Diamond Head Crater;
• Manoa Falls.

When vacationing with children, it is worth visiting the local zoo and aquarium and, of course, the water attractions of Waikiki. You can book a tour of the places you like or purchase tickets somewhere in advance using the websites and.

Bishop Museum - this is how the museum is indicated on local tourist maps, which are freely available in each of the hotels and in the airport hall. It is the largest repository of various rarities not only on the islands, but throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Daniel Ramirez / flickr.com

Collections of entomological, historical, cultural and other topics are presented to visitors. The museum complex is located on Bernice Street, and opening hours, entrance fees and exhibitions open for viewing on specific days can be found on the official website - www.bishopmuseum.org.

Doris Duke Mansion and Honolulu Museum of Art

The mansion was built in 1937 by the heiress of the Duke family's billions of dollars, playgirl, socialite, world-famous for collecting Islamic and Buddhist art and being a philanthropist, Doris Duke.

She herself was in love with Hawaii and lived on the islands until her death, after which in 1993, according to the will of Doris, her mansion opened its doors as a museum. You can learn more about this place before traveling to Honolulu by visiting the official Shangri-La website - shangrilahawaii.org.

Smart Destinations / flickr.com

The tour of the mansion lasts two hours, it begins in the building of the local art museum and ends there. The museum itself is located on Berentania Street and has a collection no less impressive than Doris’s estate. Opening hours, a list of exhibitions open for inspection and the cost of entry on specific dates can be found on the official website - www.honolulumuseum.org.

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

It will be of interest to everyone, without exception, even those who cannot stand military topics or are biased against the US Air Force.

Briefly about what awaits tourists here:

1. The exhibit areas occupy 6.5 hectares.
2. Three completely reconstructed WWII hangars are open for inspection.
3. A command and control tower is available.
4. You can not only see, but also touch more than three dozen military aircraft from different years.

In addition to the above, there is a large restaurant on site and a good shop with souvenirs available for any budget. By purchasing gifts for acquaintances, friends and relatives here, you can save a lot.

John Carkeet / flickr.com

The museum is located at 319 Lexington Blvd - Hanger 37, and is generally open Tuesday through Saturday inclusive, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, in Hawaii, a lot depends on the weather and demand among tourists, so the cost and opening hours on specific calendar dates should be checked on the official website www.pacificaviationmuseum.org.

Diamond Head Crater

This is not only the “visiting” view of the Hawaiian Islands, but also the filming location for many films and TV series. For example, Lost, which has become a cult favorite, was filmed here from the first frame to the last.

The first American military fort in Hawaii was also built here, and it was here that diamonds were searched for from the end of 1800, but only calcite deposits were discovered.

Access to the crater trails does not require payment; this natural monument is located near the Waikiki area and is open to the public daily, from 6:00 to 18:00. Entrance to the crater trails is limited in time, until 16:30, and in storms - until 15:00.

The height of this natural monument is 231 meters, and its diameter is 1073 meters. The short trail to the observation deck overlooking the ocean is 1 kilometer, so you need to wear appropriate shoes and don’t forget to take water with you.

Not as famous and visited as the crater that cooled down thousands of years ago, but no less worthy of attention.

Edmund Garman / flickr.com

You can get to the waterfall around the clock, freely and free of charge. There is a path leading to it, passing through a section of tropical jungle. It starts at the end of Manoa Street - “Manoa Road”.

The length of the trail is about a kilometer. There are no tourists here, and, most importantly, you can come here at night. The round tropical moon hanging over the quietly murmuring cascade of silver water in its light is unlikely to leave even an unromantic heart indifferent.

The waterfall is also beautiful during the day, but, of course, it lacks the mystical charm of the night.

Video: Hawaii, Honolulu - what do I like about Hawaii?

What else do you need to know?

Nightlife, shopping and tourist-oriented restaurants line the beaches in Waikiki. Beach parties, surfing competitions, and yacht rental piers are also concentrated here.

Bars, clubs and cafes where locals, as well as sailors and military personnel relax, are located in the western region. Also in the west are concentrated all the hot spots and other services of the sex industry - strips, voyeur clubs, and so on.

The airport was built in the west, near the Pearl Harbor site. It is so huge that shuttle buses run from terminal to terminal.

Aero Icarus / flickr.com

You can also get from there to the city by bus:

• SpeediShuttle company - to the Waikiki area.
• City route “19 Airport – Hickam” or “20 Airport – Pearlridge” to the city center or to the Waikiki area.

City routes do not run 24 hours a day; their intervals are:

1. On weekdays – 4:55 – 1:22.
2. On weekends – 5:10 – 1:25.

But you can't travel on the bus with a surfboard. When traveling independently from the airport to the hotel, that is, without a transfer included in the package, take a taxi.

The taxi rank is nearby, cars are on duty at the exits of the terminals.

Holidays in Hawaii in the USA are considered budgetary and even not prestigious; the islands are often said to be “for the poor”. Honolulu's pricing policy is designed for the middle class of Americans and the budget for a full, luxurious weekend spent here averages $300-450 per person.