Spotlight Honolulu
Pamela Young
From the moment you step off the plane, you know you’re in Hawaii. Perhaps it’s the lovely floral scents everywhere, or the tropical breezes that blow through the open- air terminal. It’s more than that, though. It’s the feeling of Aloha wherever you go. Aloha is the word for love, hello and good by and you can see this Aloha spirit on the happy faces of the locals. You’ve arrived in Paradise, and now it’s time to de-stress and just enjoy the wonderful adventures ahead of you.
Oahu, the Gathering Place, is the most populated and Honolulu is the largest city in all the islands with a population of over 400,000. In the Hawaiian language Honolulu actually means “sheltered bay” or a “place of shelter”. Beautiful Waikiki Beach is found here in Hawaii’s capital city, as is Diamond Head. Both are located on the Makai (mah-kigh) side of the road, as opposed to the Mauka (mow-kah) side.
It’s important to know the difference as you drive around because it helps when locals give you directions. The Makai side is always on the ocean side of the road and the Mauka side is always toward the mountains. Speaking of the Mauka side, as hard as it is to divert your attention from the beautiful back-lit blue sea, turn your attention toward the mountains as well because that’s where you’ll see beautiful rainbows and often double rainbows when the rain comes in almost daily over the mountains.
Hawaii is truly a paradise on earth, but it’s had its share of fascinating and turbulent history. It’s not known when Polynesians first migrated to the island, but legend says that Honolulu has been settled since the 12th century. In recorded history much has been written about King Kamehameha I, whose full Hawaiian name was Kalani Pai’ea Kaleikini Kamehameha o ‘Iolani I Kaiwikapu kau’I Ka Liholiho Kunuiakea. He founded the Kamehameha dynasty when he conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii, uniting all the islands after years of conflict. In 1804 he moved his royal court from the island of Hawaii to Waikiki and in 1809 he relocated to what is now downtown Honolulu. He reigned from 1782 to 1819 and is still much respected and loved in Hawaii. If you visit the Iolani Palace downtown, close by in front of the Hawaii State Supreme Court you will see a magnificent statue of him which is still decorated with gifts of leis from the Hawaiian people to this day.
Although Captain Cook was the first to sail to the big island of Hawaii, Captain William Brown of England was the first foreigner to sail into what is now Honolulu Harbor in 1794. Many ships followed through the years and, unfortunately, many of them brought disease such as measles and cholera, which the Hawaiians were ill equipped to fight, so many lost their lives. In 1820 missionaries began to arrive from New England, bringing with them Dr. Thomas Holman, who was the physician to the royal court. Additionally, these missionaries introduced Christianity and finally a written language for the Hawaiian people. Even with this new knowledge, the ancient beliefs of the Hawaiians were not abandoned and today there is still reverence for their gods, such as Pele, the goddess of fire and for the love of their beautiful land.
Today Honolulu is a top destination city with world class restaurants. Come share the beauty of this spectacular city and take home memories of Aloha. You’re sure to return, because these islands are always calling.
Oahu, the Gathering Place, is the most populated and Honolulu is the largest city in all the islands with a population of over 400,000. In the Hawaiian language Honolulu actually means “sheltered bay” or a “place of shelter”. Beautiful Waikiki Beach is found here in Hawaii’s capital city, as is Diamond Head. Both are located on the Makai (mah-kigh) side of the road, as opposed to the Mauka (mow-kah) side.
It’s important to know the difference as you drive around because it helps when locals give you directions. The Makai side is always on the ocean side of the road and the Mauka side is always toward the mountains. Speaking of the Mauka side, as hard as it is to divert your attention from the beautiful back-lit blue sea, turn your attention toward the mountains as well because that’s where you’ll see beautiful rainbows and often double rainbows when the rain comes in almost daily over the mountains.
Hawaii is truly a paradise on earth, but it’s had its share of fascinating and turbulent history. It’s not known when Polynesians first migrated to the island, but legend says that Honolulu has been settled since the 12th century. In recorded history much has been written about King Kamehameha I, whose full Hawaiian name was Kalani Pai’ea Kaleikini Kamehameha o ‘Iolani I Kaiwikapu kau’I Ka Liholiho Kunuiakea. He founded the Kamehameha dynasty when he conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii, uniting all the islands after years of conflict. In 1804 he moved his royal court from the island of Hawaii to Waikiki and in 1809 he relocated to what is now downtown Honolulu. He reigned from 1782 to 1819 and is still much respected and loved in Hawaii. If you visit the Iolani Palace downtown, close by in front of the Hawaii State Supreme Court you will see a magnificent statue of him which is still decorated with gifts of leis from the Hawaiian people to this day.
Although Captain Cook was the first to sail to the big island of Hawaii, Captain William Brown of England was the first foreigner to sail into what is now Honolulu Harbor in 1794. Many ships followed through the years and, unfortunately, many of them brought disease such as measles and cholera, which the Hawaiians were ill equipped to fight, so many lost their lives. In 1820 missionaries began to arrive from New England, bringing with them Dr. Thomas Holman, who was the physician to the royal court. Additionally, these missionaries introduced Christianity and finally a written language for the Hawaiian people. Even with this new knowledge, the ancient beliefs of the Hawaiians were not abandoned and today there is still reverence for their gods, such as Pele, the goddess of fire and for the love of their beautiful land.
Today Honolulu is a top destination city with world class restaurants. Come share the beauty of this spectacular city and take home memories of Aloha. You’re sure to return, because these islands are always calling.
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