City Statistics
On the southeast coast of the island of Oahu, Hawaii, USA.
Dialing code
1.
Time zone
GMT - 10.
Electricity
120 volts, 60 Hz.
Average January temperatures
22°C (73°F).
Average July temperatures
26°C (80°F).
Annual rainfall
585mm (23 inches).
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Overview
Although scholars can’t pinpoint when the first
Polynesians set foot in the south-eastern region of
Oahu now known as Honolulu, oral histories and artefacts suggest there was a settlement there as early as the
12th century.
Honolulu means
‘protected bay’, which aptly describes the calm, deepwater harbour that borders it. British
Captain James Cook, who is credited with discovering Hawaii for the Western world in 1778, sailed by Oahu in the night on that fateful journey, entirely missing the bay and the little fishing village that stood beside it.
Sixteen years later, another English seaman,
Captain William Brown, came upon the bay and dubbed it
Fair Haven, echoing the Hawaiians’ name for it.
When word spread about Brown’s discovery,
traders were ecstatic. They soon were dropping anchor in the large, safe bay by the hundreds, and the once-peaceful fishing village grew into a
bustling seaport, then the capital of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1845, the capital of the territory of Hawaii in 1898 and finally, the
capital of the
state of Hawaii in 1959.
Honolulu today is a
sophisticated, cosmopolitan city that’s the
hub of
business, politics, education, entertainment and the
arts in Hawaii.
Fine dining, resorts, theater, museums, concerts, shopping, sports, nightlife and
cultural events – it offers all the pleasures of a
world-class destination with the blessed bonus of
balmy weather year round.
Start your visit in the city proper, then venture to other areas of Oahu. There are wonderful discoveries to be made everywhere you go, every day you are there....
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Tourist Information
Walking ToursThe
Chinese Chamber of Commerce (tel: (808) 533 3181; website:
www.ccchi.org) organizes guided walking tours of Chinatown. So does the
Hawaii Heritage Center (tel: (808) 521 2749; website:
www.hawaiimuseums.org/mc/isoahu_Hheritage.htm).
Clean Air Team (tel: (808) 948 3299) and the
Hawaii Geographic Society (tel: (808) 538 3952) organize various walking tours in and around Honolulu, with some focusing on historic buildings and architecture and places of worship among other themes.
Bus ToursRoberts Hawaii (tel: (808) 539 9400
or 1 800 831 5541; website:
www.robertshawaii.com) and
Polynesian Adventure Tours (tel: (808) 833 3000
or 1 800 622 304; website:
www.polyad.com) are Honolulu’s largest land tour operators. Most of their tours utilize 50- to 65-passenger coaches.
Discover Hidden Hawaii Tours (tel: (808) 737 3700
or 1 800 824 8804; website:
www.discoverhawaiitours.com) and
E Noa Tours (tel: (808) 591 2561
or 1 800 946 4432; website:
www.enoa.com) also offer tours to the major scenic sights and visitor attractions on Oahu, but use 25- to 27-passenger mini-vans.
Boat ToursThe following all organize ocean tours from Honolulu:
Alii Kai Catamaran (tel: (808) 539 9400
or 1 800 831 5541; website:
www.robertshawaii.com);
Atlantis Cruises and
Atlantis Submarines (tel: (808) 973 9811
or 1 800 548 6262; website:
www.goatlantis.com);
Duck Tours (tel: (808) 988 3825
or 1 800 254 4046; website:
www.hawaiiducktours.com) and
Star of Honolulu (tel: (808) 983 7827
or 1 800 334 6191; website:
www.starofhonolulu.com). ...
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