Honolulu
Honolulu (English pronunciation: /hɒnɵˈluːluː/) is the capital of and the most populous census-designated place (CDP) in the U.S. state of Hawaii. Although the name 'Honolulu' refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and the county are consolidated, known as the City and County of Honolulu, and the city and county are designated as the entire island. The City and County of Honolulu is the only incorporated city in Hawaii, as all other local government entities are administered at the county level. The population of the CDP was 371,657 at the 2000 census, while the population of the City and County was 909,863, making it the 57th-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Honolulu is also the most populous state capital relative to state population. In the Hawaiian language, Honolulu means 'sheltered bay' or 'place of shelter'. Honolulu has been the capital of the Hawaiian islands since 1845 and gained historical recognition following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor near the city on December 7, 1941. It is also known as the birthplace of Barack Obama, the forty-fourth President of the United States.
History
Evidence of the first settlement of Honolulu by the original Polynesian migrants to the archipelago comes from oral histories and artifacts. These indicate that there was a settlement where Honolulu now stands in the 12th century.[citation needed] However, after Kamehameha I conquered Oʻahu in the Battle of Nuʻuanu at Nuʻuanu Pali, he moved his royal court from the Island of Hawaiʻi to Waikīkī in 1804. His court later relocated, in 1809, to what is now downtown Honolulu.[citation needed]In 1794, Captain William Brown of Great Britain was the first foreigner to sail into what is now Honolulu Harbor.[citation needed] More foreign ships would follow, making the port of Honolulu a focal point for merchant ships traveling between North America and Asia.[citation needed]In 1845, Kamehameha III moved the permanent capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from Lahaina on Maui to Honolulu. He and the kings that followed him transformed Honolulu into a modern capital[citation needed], erecting buildings such as St. Andrew's Cathedral, ʻIolani Palace, and Aliʻiōlani Hale. At the same time, Honolulu became the center of commerce in the Islands, with descendants of American missionaries establishing major businesses in downtown Honolulu.[citation needed]Despite the turbulent history of the late 19th century and early 20th century, which saw the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, Hawaiʻi's subsequent annexation by the United States in 1898, followed by a large fire in 1900, and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Honolulu would remain the capital, largest city, and main airport and seaport of the Hawaiian Islands.[citation needed]An economic and tourism boom following statehood brought rapid economic growth to Honolulu and Hawaiʻi. Modern air travel would bring thousands and, as of 2007, 7.6 million visitors annually to the Islands. Of these, about 62.3% in 2007 entered the state at Honolulu International Airport. Today, Honolulu is a modern city with numerous high-rise buildings, and Waikīkī is the center of the tourism industry in Hawaiʻi, with thousands of hotel rooms. The UK consulting firm Mercer, in a 2009 assessment 'conducted to help governments and major companies place employees on international assignments', ranked Honolulu 29th worldwide in quality of living; the survey factored in political stability, personal freedom, sanitation, crime, housing, the natural environment, recreation, banking facilities, availability of consumer goods, education, and public services including transportation.
Geography
Honolulu is located at 21°18′32″N 157°49′34″W / 21.30889°N 157.82611°W / 21.30889; -157.82611 (21.308950, -157.826182).According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 105.1 sq mi (272 km2). 85.7 sq mi (222 km2) of it is land and 19.4 sq mi (50 km2) of it (18.42%) is water.The closest location on the mainland to Honolulu is the Point Arena, California Lighthouse, at 2,045 nautical miles (2,353 statute miles) or 3,787 kilometers. (Nautical vessels require some additional distance to circumnavigate Makapu'u Point.) However, part of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska are slightly closer than California.
Climate
Honolulu is in a Tropical wet and dry climate zone (Köppen classification As) with a dry summer season. Nonetheless, its annual precipitation is low, and, depending on the reporting station, it borders on a semi-arid climate (Köppen classification BSh), and the city receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year, averaging 3040 hours. Despite its tropical location, conditions (temperature, precipitation and humidity) are moderated by Hawaii's mid-ocean location.Temperatures vary little throughout the months, with average high temperatures of 80-89°F (27-32°C) and lows of 65-75°F (19-24°C) throughout the year. Temperatures rarely exceed 90's°F (32°C), with lows in the upper-50's°F (~15°C) occurring once or twice a year. Waters off the coast of Honolulu average 82°F (27°C) in the summer months and 77°F (25°C) in the winter months.Annual average precipitation is 18.3 inches (460 mm), which mainly occurs during the winter months of October through March, with very little rainfall during the summer. Honolulu has an average of 270 sunny days and 98 wet days a year.
Government
The municipal offices of the City and County of Honolulu, including Honolulu Hale, the seat of the city and county, are located in the census-designated place. The Hawaii state government buildings are also located in the CDP.The Honolulu District is located on the southeast coast of Oahu between Makapuu and Halawa. The district boundary follows the Koolau crestline, so Makapuu Beach is in the Koolaupoko District. On the west, the district boundary follows Halawa Stream, then crosses Red Hill and runs just west of Aliamanu Crater, so that Aloha Stadium, Pearl Harbor (with the USS Arizona Memorial), and Hickam Air Force Base are actually all located in the island's Ewa District.The Hawaii Department of Public Safety operates the Oahu Community Correctional Center, the jail for the island of Oahu, in Honolulu CDP.The United States Postal Service operates post offices in Honolulu CDP. The main Honolulu Post Office is located by the international airport at 3600 Aolele Street. Federal Detention Center, Honolulu, operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is in the CDP.
Diplomatic missions
Several countries have diplomatic facilities in Honolulu CDP in the City and County of Honolulu. They include consulates of Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Federated States of Micronesia, Australia, and the Marshall Islands.
Cityscape
Most of the city's commercial and industrial developments are located on a narrow but relatively flat coastal plain, while numerous ridges and valleys located inland of the coastal plain divide Honolulu's residential areas into distinct neighborhoods: some spread along valley floors (like Manoa in Manoa Valley) while others climb the interfluvial ridges. Within Honolulu proper can be found several volcanic cones: Punchbowl, Diamond Head, Koko Head (includes Hanauma Bay), Koko Crater, Salt Lake, and Aliamanu being the most conspicuous.
Neighborhoods and Districts
Downtown Honoluluis the financial, commercial, and governmental center of Hawaii. On the waterfront isAloha Tower, which for many years was the tallest building in Hawaii. Currently the tallest building is the 438-foot (134 m)-tallFirst Hawaiian Center, located on King and Bishop Streets. The downtown campus ofHawaii Pacific Universityis also located there.
The Arts District Honoluluin downtown/Chinatown is on the eastern edge of Chinatown. It is a 12-block area bounded by Bethel & Smith Streets and Nimitz Highway and Beretania Street - home to numerous arts and cultural institutions. It is located within the Chinatown Historic District.
The Capitol District is the eastern part of Downtown Honolulu. It is the current and historic center of Hawaii's state government, incorporating theHawaii State Capitol,Iolani Palace,Honolulu Hale(City Hall), State Library, and the statue of KingKamehameha I, along with numerous government buildings.
Kakaʻakois a light-industrial district between Downtown and Waikīkī that has seen a large-scale redevelopment effort in the past decade. It is home to two major shopping areas,Ward WarehouseandWard Centre. TheJohn A. Burns School of Medicine, part of theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Manoais also located there. A Memorial to theEhime MaruIncidentvictims is built at Kakaako Waterfront Park.
Ala Moanais a district betweenKakaʻakoandWaikīkīand the home ofAla Moana Center, the 'World's largest open air shopping center' and the largest shopping mall in Hawaii.[citation needed]. Ala Moana Center boasts over 300 tenants and is a very popular location among tourists. Also in Ala Moana is theHonolulu Design CenterandAla Moana Beach Park, the second largest park in Honolulu.
Waikīkīis the tourist district of Honolulu, located between theAla Wai Canaland thePacific Oceannext toDiamond Head. Numerous hotels, shops, and nightlife opportunities are located along Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues. It is a popular location for visitors and locals alike and attracts millions of visitors every year. A majority of the hotel rooms on Oahu are located in Waikīkī.
ManoaandMakikiare residential neighborhoods located in adjacent valleys just inland of downtown and Waikīkī. Manoa Valley is home to the main campus of theUniversity of Hawaiʻi. PresidentBarack Obamalived in Makiki with his maternal grandparents until graduating from Punahou School, apart from four years in Indonesia with his mother and stepfather.
Nuʻuanu andPauoaare upper-middle-class residential districts located inland of downtown Honolulu. TheNational Memorial Cemetery of the Pacificis located inPunchbowl Craterfronting Pauoa Valley.
Palolo and Kaimuki are neighborhoods east of Manoa and Makiki, inland from Diamond Head. Palolo Valley parallels Manoa and is a residential neighborhood. Kaimuki is primarily a residential neighborhood with a commercial strip centered on Waialae Avenue running behind Diamond Head. Chaminade University is located in Kaimuki.
Waialae and Kahala are upper-class districts of Honolulu located directly east of Diamond Head, where there are many high-priced homes. Also found in these neighborhoods are theWaialae Country ClubandThe Kahala Hotel & Resort.
East Honolulu includes the residential communities ofʻĀina Haina, Niu Valley, andHawaiʻi Kai. These are considered upper-middle-class neighborhoods. The upscale gated communities of Waiʻalaeʻiki and Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge are also located here.
Kalihi and Palamaare working-class neighborhoods with a number of government housing developments. Lower Kalihi, toward the ocean, is a light-industrial district.
Salt Lakeand Aliamanu are (mostly) residential areas built in extincttuff conesalong the western end of the Honolulu District, not far from theHonolulu International Airport.
Moanaluais two neighborhoods and a valley at the western end of Honolulu, and home toTripler Army Medical Center.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 371,657 people, 140,337 households, and 87,429 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 4,336.6 people per square mile (1,674.4/km2). There were 158,663 housing units at an average density of 1,851.3/sq mi (714.8/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 19.7% White, 1.6% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 55.9% Asian, 6.9% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races; and 14.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.4% of the population.There were 140,337 households out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size is 3.23.In the CDP the population was spread out with 19.2% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.5 males.The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,112, and the median income for a family was $56,311. Males had a median income of $36,631 versus $29,930 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $24,191. About 7.9% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those 65 and older.According to the 2006–2008 American Community Survey, the racial composition of Honolulu was as follows:White: 21.4% (Non-Hispanic Whites: 20.2%)
Black or African American: 1.9%
Native American: 0.2%
Asian: 54.6%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 6.2%
Some other race: 0.8%
Two or more races: 14.9%
Hispanic or Latino(of any race): 3.8%
Source:
Economy
Among the companies based in Honolulu are:Alexander & Baldwin
Bank of Hawaii
Central Pacific Bank
First Hawaiian Bank
Hawaii Medical Service Association
Hawaii Pacific Health
Hawaiian Electric Industries
The Queen's Health Systems
Go! Mokulele, Hawaiian Airlines, Island Air, and Aloha Air Cargo are headquartered in the CDP. Prior to its dissolution, Aloha Airlines was headquartered in the CDP.Since the housing collapse, Honolulu has faced a decrease in its rent of about 3.4%, but has recently evened out. This stands in relation with the national average of a 4% decrease in rent. Since no national bank chains have any branches in Hawaii, many visitors and new residents have to use different banks. Many Bank of America customers will switch to/use the Bank of Hawaii, as it is a local affiliate to the national bank chain. Many however, have decided to switch to the First Hawaiian Bank, the largest and oldest bank in Hawaii. Their headquarters is the First Hawaiian Center, the tallest building in Hawaii.
Air
Located on the western end of the CDP, Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is the principal aviation gateway to the state of Hawaii. Kalaeloa Airport is primarily a commuter facility used by unscheduled air taxis, general aviation and transient and locally-based military aircraft.
Highways
Honolulu has the nation’s second highest metropolitan travel time during peak commute hours, second only to Los Angeles. The following freeways, part of the Interstate Highway System serve Honolulu:Interstate H-1, which, coming into the city from the west, passesHickam Air Force Baseand Honolulu International Airport, runs just north of Downtown and continues eastward through Makiki and Kaimuki, ending at Waialae/Kahala. H-1 connects toInterstate H-2fromWahiawaandInterstate H-3fromKaneohe, west of the CDP.
Interstate H-201—also known as the Moanalua Freeway and sometimes numbered as its former number, Hawaii State Rte. 78—connects two points along H-1: atAloha StadiumandFort Shafter. Close to H-1 and Aloha Stadium, H-201 has an exchange with the western terminus ofInterstate H-3to the windward side of Oahu (Kaneohe). This complex of connecting ramps, some directly between H-1 and H-3, is inHalawa.
Other major highways that link Honolulu proper with other parts of the Island of Oahu are:Pali Highway, State Rte. 61, crosses north over the Koolau range via the Pali Tunnels to connect toKailuaandKaneoheon the windward side of the Island.
Likelike Highway, State Rte. 63, also crosses the Koolau to Kaneohe via the Wilson Tunnels.
Kalanianaole Highway, State Rte. 72, runs eastward from Waialae/Kahala toHawaii Kaiand around the east end of the island toWaimanalo Beach.
Kamehameha Highway, State Rte. 99, runs westward from nearHickam Air Force BasetoAieaand beyond, eventually running through the center of the island and ending inKaneohe.
Like most major American cities, the Honolulu metropolitan area experiences heavy traffic congestion during rush hours, especially to and from the western suburbs of Kapolei, Ewa, Aiea, Pearl City, Waipahu, and Mililani.There is a Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project (HEVDP).
Bus
Established by former Mayor Frank F. Fasi as the Honolulu Rapid Transit (HRT), Honolulu's TheBus system has been twice honored by the American Public Transportation Association bestowing the title of 'America's Best Transit System' for 1994–1995 and 2000–2001. TheBus operates 107 routes serving Honolulu and outlying areas on Oahu with a fleet of 531 buses, and is run by the non-profit corporation Oahu Transit Services in conjunction with the city Department of Transportation Services. Honolulu is ranked 4th for highest per-capita use of mass transit in the United States.
Rail
Currently, there is no urban rail transit system in Honolulu, although electric street railways were used in Honolulu prior to World War II. The government of the City and County of Honolulu is currently planning a 20-mile (32 km) transit line that will connect Honolulu with outlying suburban areas to the west of the city on the southwestern part of Oʻahu. The Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Corridor Project is aimed at alleviating traffic congestion for Leeward Oʻahu commuters, but has been criticized for its cost and environmental impacts (including the likelihood of disturbing Native Hawaiian burials and the visual impact of the fully-elevated line.)
Performing arts
Established in 1900, the Honolulu Symphony is the oldest US symphony orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. Other classical music ensembles include the Hawaii Opera Theatre. Honolulu is also a center for Hawaiian music. The main music venues include the Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall and Arena, the Waikiki Shell, and the Hawaii Theatre.Honolulu also includes several venues for live theater, including the Diamond Head Theatre.
Visual arts
There are various institutions for the visual arts. The Honolulu Academy of Arts is endowed with the largest collection of Asian and Western art in Hawaii. It also has the largest collection of Islamic art, housed at the Shangri La estate. The academy hosts a film and video program dedicated to arthouse and world cinema in the museum's Doris Duke Theatre, named for the academy's historic patroness Doris Duke.The Contemporary Museum is the only contemporary art museum in the state. It has two locations: main campus in Makiki and a multi-level gallery in downtown Honolulu at the First Hawaiian Center.The Hawaii State Art Museum (also downtown) boasts pieces by local artists as well as traditional Hawaiian art. The museum is administered by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.Honolulu also annually holds the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF). It showcases some of the best films from producers all across the Pacific Rim and is the largest 'East meets West' style film festival of its sort in the United States.
Natural museums
The Bishop Museum is the largest of Honolulu's museums. It is endowed with the state's largest collection of natural history specimens and the world's largest collection of Hawaiiana and Pacific culture artifacts.[citation needed] The Honolulu Zoo is the main zoological institution in Hawaii while the Waikiki Aquarium is a working marine biology laboratory. The Waikiki Aquarium is partnered with the University of Hawaii and other universities worldwide. Established for appreciation and botany, Honolulu is home to several gardens: Foster Botanical Garden, Liliʻuokalani Botanical Garden, Walker Estate, among others.
Sports
Honolulu's climate lends itself to year-round activities. In 2004, Men's Fitness magazine named Honolulu the fittest city in the United States. Honolulu has three large road races:TheGreat Aloha Runis held annually onPresidents' Day.
TheHonolulu Marathon, held annually on the second Sunday in December, draws more than 20,000 participants each year, about half to two thirds of them fromJapan.
TheHonolulu Triathlonis an Olympic distancetriathlonevent governed byUSA Triathlon. Held annually in May since 2004, there is an absence of a sprint course.
Ironman Hawaii was first held in Honolulu, it was the first ever Ironman and is also the World Champs.Fans of spectator sports in Honolulu generally support the football, volleyball, basketball, rugby union, rugby league and baseball programs of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.[citation needed] High school sporting events, especially football, are especially popular.Honolulu has no professional sports teams. It was the home of the Hawaii Islanders (Pacific Coast League, 1961–1987), The Hawaiians (World Football League, 1974–1975), Team Hawaii (North American Soccer League, 1977), and the Hawaiian Islanders (af2, 2002–2004).The NCAA football Hawaii Bowl is played in Honolulu. Honolulu has also hosted the NFL's annual Pro Bowl each February since 1980, though the 2010 Pro Bowl was played in Miami. From 1993 to 2008, Honolulu hosted Hawaii Winter Baseball, featuring minor league players from Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, Korea Baseball Organization, and independent leagues.
Venues
Venues for spectator sports in Honolulu include:Les Murakami Stadiumat UH-Manoa (baseball)
Stan Sheriff Centerat UH-Manoa (basketballandvolleyball)
Neal Blaisdell CenterArena (basketball)
Aloha Stadium, a venue for American football and soccer (football), is located in the Halawa CDP.
Media
Honolulu is served by one daily newspaper (the Honolulu Star-Advertiser), Honolulu Magazine, several radio stations and television stations, among other media.
Colleges and universities
Colleges and universities in the Honolulu CDP include Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Chaminade University, and Hawaii Pacific University.
Public primary and secondary schools
Hawaii Department of Education operates public schools in Honolulu. Public high schools within the CDP include Wallace Rider Farrington, Kaiser, Kaimuki, Kalani, Kapolei, Moanalua, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt.
Private primary and scondary schools
Private schools include La Pietra, Saint Louis School, Hawaii Baptist Academy, Iolani School, Kamehameha Schools, Mid-Pacific Institute, Sacred Hearts Academy, Damien Memorial School, and Punahou School, Saint Francis, Maryknoll School, Assets, Academy of the Pacific, University of Hawaii Lab School.
Public libraries
Hawaii State Public Library System operates public libraries. The Hawaii State Library in the CDP serves as the main library of the system, while the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, also in the CDP, serves handicapped and blind people.Branches in the CDP include Aina Haina, Hawaii Kai, Kaimuki, Kalihi-Palama, Manoa, McCully, Salt Lake-Moanalua, and Waikiki.
