In my usual over enthusiastic style, I decided to skim over the island since I cannot lie under the sun on the beach (a no-no due to my hypertension medications) or swim in pools, nor was I in need of relaxation. All I wanted to do was see everything what I could in the week I had. And as many of you know me by now, I am more into sightseeing and outdoor activities than just sitting under the sun (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). So - what better way to do it than tour the island with Discover Hawaii Tours!
Mission accomplished, Violy and I set off for Ala Moana mall (situated just across from their condo building) for some retail therapy wherein Violy surprised me with a very nice top for my birthday which, of course, made me a VERY happy camper. Ain't I blessed and lucky to have an awesome relative like her?
Ala Moana Center, Hawaii's largest shopping center located just minutes from Waikiki, is the largest open-air shopping center in the world. It currently features more than 290 stores, including 80 dining options, one of the largest collections of luxury retailers in the world, four major department stores (Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Sears) and several only-in-Hawaii retailers featuring locally-made products.
Thereafter, I treated Violy for lunch at CPK (California Pizza Kitchen), a practical choice since we don’t have this restaurant chain in Canada. While walking around the mall, we chanced upon males and females dancing the hula. I think the men danced better than the women, don’t you think so too?
After a leisurely morning, Violy took me to Honolulu’s historic downtown in the afternoon.
Honolulu has it all. Home to the State Capitol, Honolulu is the vibrant epicenter of Hawaii. Here you’ll find everything from historic landmarks and treasured monuments to world-class shopping and a flourishing arts and culture scene. This is the home of some of Hawaii’s most historic places from Iolani Palace, the Kawaiahao Church, the Mission Houses and the treasured artifacts of the Bishop Museum to iconic landmarks like the Aloha Tower, the King Kamehameha I Statue, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue and the historic Hawaii Theatre.
After a leisurely morning, Violy took me to Honolulu’s historic downtown in the afternoon.
Honolulu has it all. Home to the State Capitol, Honolulu is the vibrant epicenter of Hawaii. Here you’ll find everything from historic landmarks and treasured monuments to world-class shopping and a flourishing arts and culture scene. This is the home of some of Hawaii’s most historic places from Iolani Palace, the Kawaiahao Church, the Mission Houses and the treasured artifacts of the Bishop Museum to iconic landmarks like the Aloha Tower, the King Kamehameha I Statue, the Duke Kahanamoku Statue and the historic Hawaii Theatre.
Honolulu is also Hawaii’s hot spot for arts, culture and entertainment, from the nightlife, live music and fine dining of Waikiki to the art galleries and underground bars of the Chinatown arts district. Whether you’re looking for Hawaii’s finest museums, or its finest regional cuisine, the best resorts, festivals, and events, or just some fun things to do, you’ll find it all in Honolulu.
For me, there is no better way to begin a tour of a certain city than with a look at its State Capitol. Having worked for the Philippine Parliament before I migrated to Canada, my heart always yearns for it wherever I go.
Inducted and dedicated by John A. Burns, the second governor of Hawaii, the state capitol is located in the downtown core of Honolulu and is one of the most visited attractions on the island. The former statehouse was the Iolani Palace, which was replaced by the current state capitol in Honolulu in 1969. Among numerous government proceedings, the state Legislature convenes inside the building which houses all legislative offices. The main occupants of the state capitol building are the lieutenant governor and governor of Hawaii.
Designed in an interpretation of Bauhaus style once famous throughout America, the Hawaii state capitol building is often called Hawaiian international architecture, making state capitol tours in Honolulu very popular with architectural enthusiasts. Though many state capitols are designed after the main U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, the state capitol in Honolulu possesses many unique highlights, one of which is the building's architectural design which reflects many of the natural aspects of the island that it has become famous for.
Notably, the state capitol perimeter features columns shaped like coconut trees, and the open-air construction allows the natural elements of wind, rain, and sun to freely enter the premises. Surrounded by a reflecting pool, the entire building enjoys views of this feature, meant to symbolize the Pacific Ocean. The cone-shaped legislative corridors represent the volcanoes that banded together to shape the entire chain of islands. Inside the state capitol atrium is an aquamarine glass mosaic arrangement aptly named Aquarius, which is modeled after the movement of the ocean water.
Although it's not colossal as the other state capitols of other countries and cities that I've been to, I really liked the open-air concept of the edifice. It's uniquely Hawaiian!
Outside of the state capitol building is the statue of Saint Damien.
Saint Damien was a selfless man who spent 16 years ministering to those who suffered from Hansen’s disease at what is now Kalaupapa National Historical Park. Born Joseph de Veuster in 1840 in Belgium, Joseph traveled to Oahu in 1864 on missionary work. There, he took the name Damien after being ordained at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, which still stands in Honolulu today, the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States.
Following eight years of service on Hawaii’s Big Island, Saint Damien became aware that priests were needed on Molokai to help those suffering from Hansen’s disease, a chronic ailment that can affect the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. The settlement of Kalaupapa, surrounded on three sides by the Pacific Ocean and cut off from the rest of Molokai by sea cliffs, was where those suffering from the illness were forcibly isolated from 1866 to 1969. At the age of 33, Damien arrived at this secluded peninsula, where he would spend the rest of his life.
Along with administering the faith and tending to the sick, he coordinated funding and medical services from Oahu, helped patients construct houses and churches, and even assisted in creating a water system. His willingness to insist both his church and Hawaii’s government provide further resources helped raise global awareness of the disease and those suffering from it. Most importantly, he displayed tremendous kindness, easing the suffering and treating the afflicted with the utmost respect, leaving a legacy of selflessness and compassion that the people of Hawaii have never forgotten.
His close contact with those he was helping led to his contracting Hansen’s disease himself. In 1889, Saint Damien died from the disease he worked so long to treat. Nearly 90 years after his death, he was proclaimed by Pope Paul VI in 1977 to be venerable, the first step toward sainthood. In October of 2009, Father Damien was named a saint at a ceremony in Rome.
Anyhow, after some clicks in front of his statue, we proceeded to have more photo ops in front of the famous Iolani Palace, a carefully restored 19th-century edifice that was home to Hawaii's last king and queen.
A national historic landmark and the only royal palace in the United States, the Iolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom’s last two monarchs from 1882 to 1893 - King Kalakaua and his sister and successor, Queen Liliuokalani. Standing four stories high, the 10-room palace took four years to complete and nearly brought the Hawaiian kingdom into bankruptcy.
Influenced by European architectural styles, and built in a style architects call American Florentine, this royal residence included Hawaii's first electric light system (the palace had electric lights before the White House), flush toilets and intra-house telephones. The rich interior features dramatic portraits of Hawaiian royalty, ornate furniture and royal gifts and ornaments from around the world.
As a historical backgrounder, a provisional U.S. government in 1893 was established after opposition forces overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy. The Hawaiian Islands were eventually annexed as a United States Territory in 1898. Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959 and during this time Iolani Palace was used as the capitol building until 1968. After falling into disrepair over the years, the Iolani Palace, where royalty lived for only 11 years, was opened to the public in 1978 after an extensive renovation.
Across the street, I came to stand in awe before the statue of King Kamehameha.
A great warrior, diplomat and leader, King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 after years of conflict. Kamehameha I was destined for greatness from birth. Hawaiian legend prophesied that a light in the sky with feathers like a bird would signal the birth of a great chief. Historians believed Kamehameha was born in 1758, the year Halley’s comet passed over Hawaii.
Given the birth name Paiea, the future king was hidden from warring clans in secluded Waipio Valley after birth. After the death threat passed, Paiea came out of hiding and was renamed Kamehameha (The Lonely One). Kamehameha was trained as a warrior and his legendary strength was proven when he overturned the Naha Stone, which reportedly weighed between 2.5 and 3.5 tons.
During this time, warfare between chiefs through the islands was widespread. In 1778, Captain James Cook arrived in Hawaii, dovetailing with Kamehameha's ambitions. With the help of western weapons and advisors, Kamehameha won fierce battles at Iao Valley in Maui and the Nuuanu Pali in Oahu. In 1810, when King Kaumualii of Kauai agreed to become a tributary kingdom under Kamehameha, that prophecy was finally fulfilled.
Kamehameha's unification of Hawaii was significant not only because it was an incredible feat, but also because under separate rule, the Islands may have been torn apart by competing western interests. Today, four commissioned statues stand to honor King Kamehameha's memory. Every June 11th, on Kamehameha Day, each of these statues is ceremoniously draped with flower lei to celebrate Hawaii's greatest king.
In order not to tire Violy out too much, we headed back home, but only after another photo op, with the historic downtown in the background:
After some respite from the sun, and with Rory back from work, he took me to Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island, arguably the best place to watch the sunset.
As a backgrounder, Ala Moana Beach Park is a free public park located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. This 100-acre park has a wide gold-sand beach that is over a half-mile long. It is man-made and was created by the owner of the Dillingham Dredging Company, who was looking for a place to dispose of his dredged earth. So in the 1950s, sand was dumped at this park, which created the beach. The water is almost always calm because the beach is protected by an outer reef. This makes it a good spot for long-distance swimmers and small children. There is a 25-foot-deep swimming channel and a former boat channel that was dredged out of the reef. Moreover, the park is a favorite among the locals who, on weekends, come here with their whole ohana (family) to picnic, swim and spend time together. It is right next to "Magic Island" where many cultural events are held.
As a historical backgrounder, a provisional U.S. government in 1893 was established after opposition forces overthrew the Hawaiian monarchy. The Hawaiian Islands were eventually annexed as a United States Territory in 1898. Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959 and during this time Iolani Palace was used as the capitol building until 1968. After falling into disrepair over the years, the Iolani Palace, where royalty lived for only 11 years, was opened to the public in 1978 after an extensive renovation.
Across the street, I came to stand in awe before the statue of King Kamehameha.
A great warrior, diplomat and leader, King Kamehameha I united the Hawaiian Islands into one royal kingdom in 1810 after years of conflict. Kamehameha I was destined for greatness from birth. Hawaiian legend prophesied that a light in the sky with feathers like a bird would signal the birth of a great chief. Historians believed Kamehameha was born in 1758, the year Halley’s comet passed over Hawaii.
Given the birth name Paiea, the future king was hidden from warring clans in secluded Waipio Valley after birth. After the death threat passed, Paiea came out of hiding and was renamed Kamehameha (The Lonely One). Kamehameha was trained as a warrior and his legendary strength was proven when he overturned the Naha Stone, which reportedly weighed between 2.5 and 3.5 tons.
During this time, warfare between chiefs through the islands was widespread. In 1778, Captain James Cook arrived in Hawaii, dovetailing with Kamehameha's ambitions. With the help of western weapons and advisors, Kamehameha won fierce battles at Iao Valley in Maui and the Nuuanu Pali in Oahu. In 1810, when King Kaumualii of Kauai agreed to become a tributary kingdom under Kamehameha, that prophecy was finally fulfilled.
Kamehameha's unification of Hawaii was significant not only because it was an incredible feat, but also because under separate rule, the Islands may have been torn apart by competing western interests. Today, four commissioned statues stand to honor King Kamehameha's memory. Every June 11th, on Kamehameha Day, each of these statues is ceremoniously draped with flower lei to celebrate Hawaii's greatest king.
In order not to tire Violy out too much, we headed back home, but only after another photo op, with the historic downtown in the background:
After some respite from the sun, and with Rory back from work, he took me to Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island, arguably the best place to watch the sunset.
As a backgrounder, Ala Moana Beach Park is a free public park located between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. This 100-acre park has a wide gold-sand beach that is over a half-mile long. It is man-made and was created by the owner of the Dillingham Dredging Company, who was looking for a place to dispose of his dredged earth. So in the 1950s, sand was dumped at this park, which created the beach. The water is almost always calm because the beach is protected by an outer reef. This makes it a good spot for long-distance swimmers and small children. There is a 25-foot-deep swimming channel and a former boat channel that was dredged out of the reef. Moreover, the park is a favorite among the locals who, on weekends, come here with their whole ohana (family) to picnic, swim and spend time together. It is right next to "Magic Island" where many cultural events are held.
Speaking of which, Magic Island is not actually an island at all. It is a man-made peninsula located within the perimeter of the Ala Moana Beach Park. Completed in 1964, the peninsula was built on 30 acres of reclaimed shallow reef. The original concept was to create a new resort hotel complex here that would cover two additional islands. But the project died soon after the first stage of reclamation was accomplished, so the area was converted into a public park.
Noted for its picnic and swimming areas, Magic Island offers visitors white sand beaches and a lagoon protected by a rocky breakwater. There are wide grassy spaces for sports and recreation, picnic tables for day-trippers, and trails that can be used for cycling and inline skating. During the daytime, Magic Island can be quite crowded, especially when there are surf advisories on the North Shore that drive water sports enthusiasts to the south. By late afternoon, the sandy shore empties out a bit. Walkers, joggers and Frisbee throwers take over, joined by tourists (me included) having their photos taken beside the coconut palms.
Off to the east are beautiful views of Waikiki and Honolulu, backed by famous Diamond Head and fronted by the yachts moored nearby. In fact, the panorama is so stunning at dusk that Magic Island has become the last stop for sunset photos.
For me, Magic Island is the best kept secret in Honolulu. It’s the little beach that nobody seems to care about, but it is a hundred times less crowded than Waikiki and naturally more scenic. As the name aptly implies, the place is simply magical! And I don’t think there’s another way to describe it. It’s stunningly beautiful and wish I could stay here forever. But….
After my sunset photos, Rory and I walked towards Waikiki Beach strip. I’ve heard and read so much about Waikiki that I can’t wait to see it for myself.
Located on the south shore of Honolulu, the world-famous neighbourhood of Waikiki was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Known in Hawaiian as "spouting waters," Waikiki was introduced to the world when its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores in 1901. Today, Waikiki is Oahu's main hotel and resort area and a vibrant gathering place for visitors from around the world. Along the main strip of Kalakaua Avenue, you'll find world-class shopping, dining, entertaining, activities and resorts.
Although Waikiki is often criticized for its concrete-jungle appearance, large crowds, and touristy feel, there is a lot to enjoy here and you can still find a quiet spot if you know where to look.
Anyway, weary from our walking tour, Rory and I headed back to the condo for a late sumptuous dinner prepared by Violy, and then called it a night.
To be continued......
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