In the Hawaiian language, Honolulu means “protected bay.” The city of Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii. The city is also the state's major port. Honolulu is located on the southeastern shore of Oahu Island. The city stretches about 10 miles (16 kilometers) along the shore. It also runs 4 miles (6 kilometers) inland across a plain into the foothills of the Koolau Range. This mountain range is a chain of volcanoes that are no longer active. Among its features are the craters Koko Head, Diamond Head, and Punchbowl. Places of interestMany tourists come to Honolulu every year to enjoy its beaches and pleasant climate. One of the most famous beaches is Waikiki beach. Among the city's important buildings is the modern State Capitol. This building is unusual. Inside are rooms shaped like volcanoes and columns shaped like royal palm trees. Washington Place is a mansion that was built in 1846. Now it is the home of Hawaii's governors. Iolani Palace—the only royal palace in the United States—is now a museum. For a long time the legislature met there. Now it meets at the Capitol. Near the Iolani Palace are several historic buildings, including Kawaiahao Church. This church was built in 1841. Also in this area are the early Mission Houses. They were built in the 1820s by the first Christian missionaries to visit Hawaii. Honolulu is the home of Aloha Stadium. The National Football League Pro Bowl is held there every February. Not far from Aloha Stadium is Pearl Harbor. This large United States Navy base was attacked on December 7, 1941, by Japanese warplanes. Because of the attack, the United States entered World War II. One of the ships that sank was the USS Arizona. A memorial was built over the hull of the sunken ship to honor the people who died in the attack. The Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum was founded in 1889. This research center and museum examines the special heritage of Hawaii. People there study, preserve, and display the history, sciences, and cultures of the Pacific and its people. The Honolulu Academy of Arts has a collection of Western art, including works by important modern artists. The Honolulu Symphony Orchestra performs at the Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. This center is also a place where groups from all over the world can perform opera, ballet, and other musical compositions. Honolulu's chamber music groups give concerts each year. The University of Hawaii at Manoa is in Honolulu. Other educational institutions include Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific universities and Honolulu and Kapiolani community colleges. The Kamehameha Schools for children of Hawaiian descent are also in Honolulu. EconomyHonolulu is the commercial and industrial center of Hawaii. The city has plants that manufacture clothing, patio umbrellas, oil, cement, and bakery and dairy products. There are printing plants and ship repair yards as well. Tourism is an important part of the economy. HistoryPolynesians from nearby Pacific islands were the first people to settle in Honolulu. They gave the city its name. According to some stories, Polynesians were living in the Honolulu area by AD 1100. Captain James Cook and other early Western explorers of Hawaii overlooked Honolulu. Then, on November 21, 1794, Captain William Brown sailed his English ship Butterworth into the harbor. During the mid-1800s, Honolulu grew and became prosperous. It was a trading and supply port for the whaling industry. In 1845, the king of Hawaii, Kamehameha III, moved his court to Honolulu. The city became the capital of the kingdom of Hawaii in 1850. In 1893, the kingdom was overthrown. A republic was formed with the support of the United States. In 1898, the United States annexed, or took possession of, Hawaii. In June 1900, the United States made Hawaii a territory. On August 21, 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the Union. Population (2000 census), 371,657. |