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