The capital of Hawaii, Honolulu is also the business and financial center of Hawaii. There are a few hotels in the downtown area but except for businessmen, most people prefer to stay in Waikiki. On the western edge of downtown, Chinatown has some of the best Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese restaurants on Oahu. There are also herb shops, meat and produce markets, art galleries and lei stands in Chinatown.
Honolulu
Honolulu is on the southern coast of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The name Honolulu means ""protected bay"" - Honolulu is protected by the Koolau Range to the north and Sand Island protects the harbor to the south. This bustling city has a culturally diverse population of around 800,000. The tropical climate and some of the world's best beaches draw visitors from all nations. Honolulu has many historical and cultural attractions as well as Waikiki; known for its beautiful beach and Diamond Head, an extinct volcano that has a 360-degree view from its summit. Waikiki Beach is the main visitor destination in the Honolulu area. In addition to the beautiful white sand beach and crystal clear surf, Waikiki, just west of Diamond Head, includes points of interest such as the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, and Kapiolani Park. For shopping, the Ala Moana Shopping Center, located between Downtown and Waikiki, has over 200 stores and is one of the largest open-air malls in the country. Nearby, Ala Moana Beach Park has a great reef-protected swimming beach that is popular with visitors. Just west of Downtown Honolulu is Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial, another popular tourist spot. The USS Arizona Memorial is a tribute to the men that lost their lives in the bombing at Pearl Harbor by the Japanese. The USS Missouri was the last battleship built during World War II.
Neighborhoods
Honolulu has two distinct neighborhoods. Downtown Honolulu, which also includes Chinatown, and Waikiki.
Waikiki
Waikiki, at only 2 x miles long, is one of the main tourist destinations in the world. The beautiful blue waves breaking against the white sand beach lures families and surfers alike to play in the sun. Kalakaua Boulevard, Waikiki's main strip, has restaurants, shops, and hotels.
The Drive Guide's Hawaii maps cover the islands of Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai and Molokai. Find airports, hotel and resort locations, beaches, shopping centers and points of interest. All maps may be downloaded and printed.
City crews set up a Norfolk Pine tree on the front lawn of Honolulu Hale today. The Co-Cathedral of Saint Theresa in Kalihi-Palama donated the 50-foot tall tree for use as the 2009 city Christmas tree.
U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye has not endorsed a candidate for governor in 2010, but his staff does not dispute Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann's claim that the senator has urged him to run.
Honolulu's new police chief says his five-year plan includes 'restructuring' the department, increasing community service and boosting morale, including possibly bringing back a popular three-day, 12-hour work schedule for some police officers.
Chamber Music Hawaii and the Musicians of the Honolulu Symphony announced that concert pianist Christopher O'Riley will perform a benefit recital on behalf of the Honolulu Symphony musicians at 4 p.m. on Nov.
Honolulu City Councilman Charles K. Djou announced today that he will introduce reforms to address the ongoing problems related to the Honolulu Police Commission's selection of the new Honolulu Police Department Chief.
A deal signed yesterday to get the city's $5.3 billion rail project rolling means that the general excise tax money raised for the project is off-limits to state legislators trying to plug Hawaii's $1 billion budget gap, according to Mayor Mufi Hannemann.
The City Council Public Safety Committee is calling for the Honolulu Police Commission to delay picking a police chief until its members can hear from commission chairwoman Christine Camp about the controversy over the selection process.
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and 12 local labor unions have inked an agreement that will pay union workers prevailing wages to build Honolulu's rail transit project while guaranteeing that they cannot delay construction by striking.
There's more scrutiny over the selection of Honolulu's next Police Chief. Police Commission Chair Christine Camp was supposed to attend a special meeting to answer concerns, but she was a no show.
Monday, November 16, 2009 at 8:41 p.m. HONOLULU - The military says it has awarded AECOM Design of Roanoke, Va., a $21.5 million contract to design and engineer the Army's new Pacific headquarters at Fort Shafter in Hawaii.
The 2001 meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation will be held in Honolulu, a prestigious international event that local leaders hope will boost Hawaii's stature as a place to do business.
WAIKIKI, Hawaii -A team of CNMI government officials from the Department of Commerce and the Department of Finance, along with representatives from American Samoa, Freely Associated States, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands participated in a weeklong session with officials from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Office ...
The stormy weather has caused trouble offshore as well. A pair of sailors had to be rescued on Thursday after being stranded, around 500-miles east of Hawaii.
Sunbathers sit on Waikiki Beach April 3, 2006 in Honolulu, Hawaii. KAILUA, Hawaii a ' Jenn Boneza remembers when the white sandy beach near the boat ramp in her hometown was wide enough for people to build sand castles.
