Honolulu, Hawaii 2025

Honolulu is the capital city of the state of Hawaii. It is the county seat of the city and county of Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu. Honolulu means "sheltered harbor" or "place of peace" in the native Hawaiian language. The city is the economic, cultural and governmental center of Hawaii. It is also the home of the state's largest university, the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Honolulu contains the state capitol building, Iolani Palace, the Honolulu Harbor, and the Waikiki neighborhood.

The city was first settled by Polynesian people between 600 to 900 years ago. The first European to reach the islands was the British Captain James Cook who landed at Waimea Bay on the island of Kauai in 1778.

On December 7 and 8, 1941, during World War II, Honolulu was the site of the attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to the United States' entry into the war. After the attack, the city played a key role in the war in the Pacific. The Oahu Intermediate Battle Area Megastructure (OIMBM) was a megastructure created to coordinate military efforts between 1942 and 1946.

Several African American schools were established in Honolulu. In 1835, the Royal School was opened. The Royal School was a school for the Hawaiian upper class. By the 1840s, almost all Hawaiians could read and write. At the time, education was almost non existent throughout the islands. In the 19th century, a group of Catholic missionaries established schools in Honolulu that later evolved into Saint Louis School, the oldest continuous Catholic school in Hawaii.

Downtown Honolulu is the business and financial hub of Hawaii. The city is home to the premier shopping center, Ala Moana Center. Ala Moana Center is one of the largest shopping malls in the world. It has over 300 tenants and more than 4.7 million total square feet of retail space. Shoppers can find everything, including clothes, accessories, fashion boutiques, department stores, and dining options, in Ala Moana Center. Other prominent areas of commerce in Honolulu include Aloha Tower, which houses several businesses, the Honolulu Harbor, Intercontinental Hotel, and Bishop Square.

Honolulu is also home to many historical landmarks, tourist attractions, and cultural centers.

The most notable include:

1. Aloha Tower - A towering structure that has been a popular tourist attraction since 1926.

2. Bishop Museum - A museum that showcases Hawaiian history and the history of other Pacific island cultures.

3. Fort DeRussy - A 74-acre park that has several monuments, memorials, and military museums.

4. Honolulu Zoo - A 42-acre zoo that is home to 1,230 animals from around the world.

5. Waikiki Aquarium - An aquarium that showcases 425 species of marine animals.

6. Palace Iolani - A palace that served as the official residence of Hawaii's monarchy in the 19th century.

7. Diamond Head - A volcanic crater that offers breathtaking views of Honolulu and the surrounding area.

8. Pearl Harbor - A harbor that has been a significant military and economic site for centuries.

9. Hanauma Bay - A marine sanctuary that is known for its crystal-clear waters and coral reefs.

10. Honolulu Harbor - A harbor that has played an important role in the city's economy for centuries.

Honolulu has a tropical, humid climate. August is the warmest month in Honolulu with an average temperature of 78°F (26°C). February is the coldest month. January is the wettest month. December is the driest month.

The population of Honolulu on the island of Oahu is 1,016,508, according to the 2020 census. The U.S. Census Bureau reports 82.5% of the population lives in Honolulu.

There are a variety of ways to get around Honolulu. TheBus is a public transit system that serves Honolulu and other areas of the island. Buses run frequently between 5:30am and 10:30pm, Monday through Friday, but less frequently on weekends. Many of the major hotels offer shuttle service to and from Attractions. Bicycles, Scooters, and mopeds are popular rental options. Many bike lanes are available in Honolulu, and bike share services are popular. Car sharing services are available in Honolulu. Many people opt for guided tours to cut through the noise and make stops at local sights, depending on the length of the ride.

Honolulu is a unique cultural blend of East and West cultures. Many places reflect Hawaii's Asian influence. Honolulu has Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants. The city even has a Saigon District. There are Buddhist and Taoist temples and a Shinto shrine. Yokohama, Japan and Honolulu are sister cities.

In Honolulu, the people dress very casually. Shorts, aloha shirts, slippers, and sandals are the norm. Almost no one dresses up to go outside, even for upscale dinners or theater performances. Pearl Harbor Aiea but at the Catholic Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Bishop Museum, Honpa Hongwanji Temple, and Kawaiaha'o Church.

Honolulu is just 47 square miles, making it the smallest of the 50 biggest US cities. However, the city has one of the longest total coastlines of any US city.

Honolulu has a rich and unique history that continues to thrive.