The capital of Hawaii basks in the sunshine on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu. With its tropical atmosphere,
diverse population, and majestic scenery, this bustling city is a unique gem among the jewels of the sea.
Photo: Getty Images/Comstock Images
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It is believed that the first settlement of Honolulu was sometime in the 12th century by Polynesian migrants. In 1795,
the first Europeans sailed into what is now known as Honolulu Harbor. Strategically located between North America and Asia,
the harbor soon became a busy port for foreign ships. In 1809, King Kamehameha I moved his royal court to Honolulu, and in
1845 the city became the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
The late 1800s saw the arrival of American colonists, who in turn took control of the islands and made Hawaii a U.S. territory.
Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959, and today Honolulu is home to more than 900,000 residents.
Historic HonoluluHonolulu is the pulsing heart of Hawaii. Visitors will find cherished monuments, historic buildings, and world-class culture
and arts. The only royal residence in the United States, 'Iolani Palace was built in 1882 under the commission of King Kalakaua and served the Hawaiian Kingdom's final two monarchs. The elegant
example of Hawaiian Renaissance architecture was once the hub for political activity in Hawaii. Registered as a National Historic
Landmark, 'Iolani Palace is a great place to learn about the history and heritage of the Hawaiian Islands. Kalakaua also commissioned
American artist Thomas R. Gould to sculpt the much-loved and highly recognized Kamehameha I Statue, which stands in front of Ali'iolani Hale, a former Hawaiian Kingdom government building and current home of the Hawaii State
Supreme Court.
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Charles Reed Bishop founded the Bishop Museum in 1889 in memory of his late wife, Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last direct descendent in the Kamehameha royal family. The
Bishop Museum is the largest museum in Hawaii and the foremost on Polynesian culture and natural history in the Pacific. Recognized
for its research projects and cultural collections, the museum has one of the biggest natural history collections in the world.
Dedicated in 1962, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is a solemn reminder of the Japanese attack in 1941 and marks the resting place of many of the 1,177 crew
members killed. The memorial's museum honors the lives of both victims and survivors by letting visitors see what life was
like before and after that fateful day through the use of photos, mementos, and more.
Hawaii is home to many world-class cultural performing groups, three of which perform at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center's Concert
Hall. Founded in 1960, the Hawaii Opera Theatre has delighted audiences with performances from local Hawaiian artists and artists from Europe and the New York Met. The opera
company continues to perform creative and innovative productions. Ballet Hawaii has been producing cultural entertainment since 1976 and continues to provide top-notch professional dance to the community,
enriching Hawaii's cultural atmosphere. The Honolulu Symphony was founded in 1900, making it the oldest American orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. The professional orchestra provides
musical entertainment for both Hawaii's residents and visitors alike.
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