Page 736 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

734  ALASK A & HA W AI ‘ I

O‘ahu

The third largest island in the archipelago, with an area of
600 sq miles (1,550 sq km), O‘ahu is Hawai‘i’s most visited and
most populous island. Three-quarters of the state’s 1.3 million
residents live here, most of them in the Greater Honolulu area.
Outside the urban areas, with their cultural attractions, O‘ahu
offers spectacular scenery, with lush plantations, tropical
beaches, and a surfers’ paradise on the North Shore.
Statue of King Kamehameha, his hand
extended in welcome
1 Honolulu Houses Museum, which
contains the oldest timber- the state’s oldest Japanese
* 905,000. n O‘ahu VB, (808) 524-
0722. ∑ visit-oahu.com; HVCB frame house in Hawai‘i, built in Shinto shrine, the Izumo
(Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention 1821 by the New England Taisha Shrine, built in 1923.
Bureau), (808) 923-1811, (800) 464- missionary Reverend Hiram Moored close to the Honolulu
2924. ∑ gohawaii.com Bingham. Housed in three Harbor are the Hōkūle‘a, a
buildings, the museum has a modern replica of an ancient
Hawai‘i’s capital city has two printing house and lovingly Polynesian canoe with sails,
focal points – the historic and preserved interiors. and the restored 1878 Falls
business district of downtown Nearby is the bronze of Clyde, the world’s last
Honolulu, and the world famous Statue of King Kamehameha, surviving full-rigged four-
resort of Waikīkī, 3 miles (5 km) Hawai‘i’s most revered masted sailing ship.
to its east. The downtown area, monarch, who ruled from Waikīkī, originally a place
which first gained prominence 1795 to 1819 (see p730). The of taro patches and fish ponds,
as a trading port in the early statue, with its feathered cloak now has one of the world’s
19th century, today manages and an arm extended in famous beaches – a sliver of
to squeeze together towering welcome, is one of Hawai‘i’s people-packed sand against
skyscrapers, a royal palace, most famous sights. the backdrop of Diamond
Japanese shrines, New England- North of the Capitol District Head crater. Waikīkī bustles
style missionary houses, a is Chinatown, with two with some 65,000 tourists a
bustling Chinatown, strip marble lions guarding its day who flock here to
joints, and fish markets entrance. The area is sunbathe on the golden
in a relatively small an exotic neighbor- sand, swim in the sheltered
and compact area. hood of open-air water, and surf the gentle
Dominating down- markets, lei (flower waves. The sandy beach
town’s Capitol District garland) stands, stretches for 2.5 miles (4 km),
is the magnificent eateries, and herbal from the Hilton Hawaiian
Victorian-style ‘Iolani ‘Iolani Palace medicine shops. Village to Diamond Head.
Palace, completed in crest Hawai‘i’s first Chinese The streets and shopping
1882. The only royal palace arrived on merchant malls are packed with
in the US, it was designed and ships in 1789, followed in beachwear vendors, honey-
first lived in by King David 1852 by larger numbers who mooners, Japanese matrons,
Kalākaua, followed by his sister came to work on O‘ahu’s and boys carrying surfboards.
Queen Lili‘uokalani, who reigned sugar plant ations. Chinatown’s Conspicuous amid the
for only two years before the buildings include the Art glass and concrete sky-
monarchy was overthrown in Deco Hawai‘i Theatre and scrapers are two stately old
1893 (see p730). The site of
frequent community events, the
palace has luxurious interiors
and a koa-wood staircase.
To its south is the New
England-style Kawaiaha‘o
Church, constructed of coral
blocks. It was built in 1842, by
which time American mission-
aries had gained many influential
local converts to Christianity.
The upper gallery has portraits
of Hawaiian monarchs, most of
whom were baptized, married,
and crowned here. Adjacent
to the church is the Mission The Waikīkī Beach front, lined with high-rise hotels
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp744–5 and pp746–7

734-735_EW_USA.indd 734 11/2/16 2:50 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.7)
Date 1st October 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm