| Honolulu, the metropolitan and commercial heart of | | | | Pacific Theater fighting of WWII. |
| Hawaii, also encompasses the awe-inspiring natural | | | | Waikiki, Why Not? |
| beauty famous of the majestic island-chain. It is no | | | | Waikiki may just be the most widely known beach in |
| wonder why, then, in 1809 King Kamehameha I moved | | | | the world. This is the leisure, dining, shopping swimming |
| his royal seat from the island of Hawaii to | | | | and all around vacationing center of Honolulu. Aside |
| Oahu�s Honolulu, making the seaside port | | | | from the ordinary, Waikiki offers a spectacular |
| today�s state capital and a world class city in | | | | university-run aquarium located on the shore alongside |
| the middle of the Pacific to boot. | | | | a living coral reef where visitors can get a crystal clear |
| Temples, Tides, and Tankers: Travel to Honolulu | | | | view of sharks feeding and tropical fish swimming |
| Honolulu is laden with layers of conflicting histories. | | | | among anemone in the wild. Just to the south is |
| Palaces and temples of a traditional Hawaiian past | | | | Diamond Head Point where the rim of Leahi Diamond |
| make it easy to forget that these islands are not their | | | | Head Crater looks out above the adjacent beach. A |
| own sovereign nation; but, turn a corner and more | | | | tough but rewarding hike to the summit will reveal an |
| modern relics tell a recent story of United States | | | | unbeatable panoramic view of Oahu�s south |
| history. Of course, all around there is the never ending | | | | coast and the remains of a temple that was once |
| tale of biological and geographic wonders that outlives | | | | used for human sacrifices. Stay for the golden sunset |
| any human history. | | | | then make sure to stick around Waikiki for dinner, |
| Chinatown is tremendously influential to the cultural | | | | drinks and dancing. |
| heritage of Honolulu. The Maunakea Marketplace and | | | | Although travel to Honolulu may not initially seem like a |
| Chinese Cultural Center are filled with a sampling of | | | | getaway experience, the bustling capital city is |
| immigrant life, featuring eastern herbalists, Shinto and | | | | surrounded by some of the best outdoor excursions |
| Buddhist temples, island inspired pan-Asian cuisine and | | | | the Hawaiian Islands have to offer. The Hanauma Bay |
| a handful of remarkable jewelers. Foster Botanical | | | | Nature Preserve lies just to the east of Waikiki and |
| Garden is also a tranquil stroll away from | | | | promises an unforgettable opportunity to scuba dive |
| Chinatown�s center. Just west of | | | | and snorkel the coral reef inside the crater of an |
| downtown�s skyscrapers and the airport, | | | | extinct volcano! From the city, take a half-day hike up |
| Pearl Harbor hosts visiting centers for the memorials | | | | the Makiki Manoa Cliffs Trail and lose yourself among |
| of the Japanese attacks of World War II. A ferry can | | | | the soothing sounds of tropical rainforest and a |
| be taken to the USS Arizona Memorial, which was built | | | | number of rare bird species. You can be back for |
| over the hull of the sunken battleship. The public can | | | | dinner, or choose to make a backpacking weekend |
| also visit the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the historic | | | | out of it. These local and easily accessible adventures |
| site where the Japanese surrendered and ended the | | | | make a trip to Honolulu an all-in-one experience! |