Honolulu is the capital of the U.S. state of Hawaii. It is located
on the south coast of the island of Oahu, in the Central Pacific
Ocean, 2,551 miles (4,105 km) west of Los Angeles. Honolulu’s
population in the 2000 census was 371,657, which makes it the
largest city in the state of Hawaii. But the city is not just the
largest in Hawaii, but the “largest” city in the whole world. That’s
because Hawaii’s state constitution states that any island not named
as belonging to a county belongs to Honolulu. This makes the entire
island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located, plus all the other small,
uninhabited islands from the island of Nihoa to the Kure Atoll
(except Midway), known as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, part of
Honolulu. Honolulu is about 1,500 miles (2,414 km) long. Or in other
words, it spans the distance from Los Angeles, California, to
Denver, Colorado.
The population of the island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located,
makes up about 73 percent of the state’s total population. In the
Hawaiian language, “hono” means “sheltered or protected” and “lulu”
means “bay.” So “Honolulu” means “sheltered bay.” While Honolulu is
located near the equator, its climate (temperature and humidity) is
moderated by the cooling effect of the steady trade winds and ocean
currents.
Honolulu has several districts, including the popular tourist
destination Waikiki, located about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of downtown
Honolulu. Pearl Harbor, a military harbor that was attacked by the
Japanese in 1941, which led to the involvement of the United States
in World War II, is located about 8 miles (12.9 km) to the west.
Kapiolani Park, Honolulus largest park, is located at the east end
of Waikiki, on the foothills of popular Diamond Head, an extinct
volcanic crater.
Notable institutions are the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the
Bishop Museum (noted for its studies of Polynesia), the Honolulu
Academy of Arts (known for its Hawaiian and Asian collections) and
Kawaiahao Church (1841), where funerals of Hawaiian monarchs took
place. Iolani Palace, located downtown right next to the Hawaii
state library, is the only royal palace in the United States. It was
constructed as seat of the government in 1882 by the “Merry Monarch”
King David Kalakaua and his wife Queen Kapiolani.
Since World War II, tourism in Hawaii has increased a lot and many
hotels, apartment buildings and private residences were built. This
has made Honolulu the business and population center of Hawaii.
Besides tourism, Honolulu’s other industries include printing and
publishing, jewelry, clothing, food and beverages, rubber products,
construction materials and electronics and computer equipment.
Honolulu in Bullet Points
Honolulu is the capital of the U.S. state of Hawaii
Honolulu is located on the island of Oahu
Honolulu’s population in the 2000 census was 371,657
The city’s average temperature is pleasant year-round,
always ranging between 72 F and 81 F (22.2 – 27.2 C).
Honolulu means “protected bay” in the Hawaiian language
Waikiki is a district of Honolulu located 3 miles (4.8 km)
to the east of downtown Honolulu
Honolulu Location
Honolulu is located on the south coast of the island of Oahu in the
state of Hawaii.
To-Hawaii.com is a complete
Hawaii travel and
vacation guide, including sightseeing tips
and reviews of Hawaii beaches, attractions, hotels and resorts,
shopping, activities, restaurants, weddings, car rentals and more,
on all Hawaiian Islands - Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island, Molokai and
Lanai.
