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