HAWAII - Downtown Honolulu

Downtown Honolulu is the financial and governmental center of the Hawaiian Islands. Office buildings and banks dominates the skyline. Nevertheless, there are also historic and other attraction for visitors to see.



Not to be missed while in Downtown Honolulu, is King Kamehameha I statue. Located in front of the Aliiolani Hale building, King Kamehameha I statue was erected in his honour by King Kalakaua in 1883.


King Kamehameha I, also known as Kamehameha the Great conquered and unified the Hawaiian Islands and established the Kingdom of Hawaii. He is known to be great warrior, diplomat and leader.


In 1795, King Kamehameha set sail with an armada of of 960 war canoes and 10,000 soldiers, conquering Maui and Molokai. The island of Lanai and Niihau under the rule of Maui also fell to King Kamehameha.


The army moved on to conquer Oahu, landing first at Waialae and Waikiki.


With King Kamehameha I’s huge armada of ship and canoes, Kaumualii, ruler of Kauai, decided to join the kingdom without bloodshed. Niihau was the last island to join the Kingdom of Hawaii, when the ruler surrendered.


With the surrender of Niihau, all 8 of the Hawaiian Island was united and ruled by King Kamahameha I in 1810.


In 1880, the ship delivering the original statue from Germany was lost at sea during a shipwreck. A second cast was commissioned using the insurance fund amounting to $12,000 for the loss of the original. Before the 2nd statue could be sent, the original had been recovered by some fishermen at Falkland Island. A British ship captain recognised the statue and bought it for $500 before he sold it to the Hawaiian government for $875.  


In possession of two identical statue, the government officials decided to place the second cast here at the original intended location to receive the statue. This statue was in a better condition than the original which was slightly damaged in the shipwreck. The original was installed near King Kamehameha I’s birthplace in North Kohala, Big Island.  


King Kamehameha I caring a barbed spear symbolising his life as a brave warrior. Even though this is the second ‘original’ statue, this is the most recognised Kamehameha statue.


The statue stands at 8ft and 6 inches high excluding the 10ft high base, is the most photographed landmark of Downtown Honolulu.


My beau’s skin getting darker everyday since he seldom puts on any sunscreen lotion.


The building behind the statue is Aliiolani Hale, Hawaii’s State Supreme Court. It is also Hawaii’s State Judiciary and house to Hawaii’s largest law library. King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, a museum of Hawaii’s legal history is also located in the building. 


Ordered to construct by King Kamehameha V in 1871, the King died before the building was completed in 1874. The building held most of the executive departments of the Hawaiian government as well as Hawaiian legislature and courts until the overthrow of Hawaiian monarchy in 1893.


The king’s name can be seen on the clock tower. ‘Kamahameha Elima Ka Moi’ meaning ‘Kamahameha Number Five The King’.


A beautiful building located just across King Kamehameha I Statue.


The building is actually Iolani Palace, the official royal residence for the Kalakaua Dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1874 to 1893.


The Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Hawaii bearing it’s motto. ‘Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono’ meaning ‘The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness’. The phrase can also be seen on the tower of Aliiolani Hale.


As Hawaii is the only US state that was once a kingdom with it’s own monarchy, Iolani Palace is the only royal palace standing on American soil.


Completed in 1882 during the reign of King David Kalakaua, the last king of Hawaii, Iolani Palace had electricity years before the White House did.


The beautiful architecture of the palace.


Queen Liliuokalani, King Kalalaua’s sister, was the last royal to live here who abdicated in 1895 after the overthrow of the monarchy. 


A nice place to take photos.


Iolani Barracks (Halekoa) located directly adjacent to Iolani Palace used to house about 80 members of the monarch’s Royal Guard.


Took a look around the palace ground.


The Coronation Pavilion (Keliiponi Hale) for King Kalalaua and Queen Kapiolani.


Its nothing spectacular about this palace, but being the only royal palace still standing on American soil, you should come visit the palace while in Oahu.




Bicycles only.


The United States Postal Service is the largest postal service in the United States.


YWCA of Oahu, eliminating racism and empowering women. 


Downtown Honolulu is Hawaii State’s main business centre and financial district.


Unlike many cities in the world, during the weekend, Downtown Honolulu is mostly quiet. Moreover, hotels are not located in the city. Many head down to Waikiki.


Integrity, Respect and Fairness. Honolulu Police keeping the city safe.


Chinatown Honolulu has been around since the 1900, making it one of the oldest Chinatown in United States.


In the 1940s, Chinatown was the epicentre of Honolulu’s entertainment scene with 9 theatres, 19 brothels and numerous bars. 


Honolulu’s Chinatown is located between Nu’uanu Stream and Nu’uanu Avenue.


Tattoo parlours has been a part of Chinatown since 1940s.


The Swig Club, opened in 1955 featured Swing and Jazz. The club renamed itself as Swing Video, featuring nude dances and pornographic movies.


They closed doors in 2000 and in 2005, the current tenants moved in as Bar 35.


Bar 35 is one of Downtown Chinatown hottest bar.


Nextdoor is another ‘happening’ bar in Chinatown.


The rather quiet streets of Chinatown during the weekend.


Lucky Belly, a well known restaurant in Chinatown.


Little Village Noodle House came highly recommended by my sis.


Time to have my dinner.


At first I thought this restaurant only serves noodles as the name suggest. We actually ate noodles and other dishes to go with rice.


Little Village Noodle House has been honoured with numerous awards recognising its stellar Chinese cuisine.


Little Village Noodle House surely didn’t disappoint. The food was delicious and the best Chinese food I had since I came to America. 


Aloha Tower located at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, a harborside complex of shops and restaurants.
 

Erected in 1926, Aloha Tower standing at 56m is one of the landmarks of the state of Hawaii.


View of Nuuanu Stream.


Hawaii Convention Center with it’s white tented roof that resembles sailing ship. Opened in 1998, this convention center was voted as one of the most beautiful convention center in the world.


A shopping mall in Honolulu not to be missed is the Ala Moana Center. You practically need a full day in Ala Moana as it is the biggest open air shopping centre in the world.


When Ala Moana opened in 1959, it became the largest shopping mall in the United States with 87 store.


Now, Ala Moana has over 290 stores, 80 dining options and 4 major department stores. This shopping centre has also one of the largest collections of luxury retailers in the world.


Ala Moana Centerstage is one of the most popular public amphitheatre in Hawaii. 


An anti smoking poster at the mall.


After all that shopping, we went to Kentucky Grilled Chicken (KGC) for supper.


Yes I didn’t spelled in incorrectly. It’s KGC. Since it’s available only in the United States, my beau insist on eating one before we leave US.


The chicken on the left is the fried chicken while the one on the right is the grilled chicken. Well, it tasted almost the same except the grilled chicken skin was not crispy. At least I can say that I have tried the Kentucky Grilled Chicken. Have you?


For guys (or girls) looking for a different kind of entertainment. There are a few strip clubs for you..


The strip clubs are located near Ala Moana, all within walking distance.


Club Femme Nu


The famous Club Rock Za.


The view from my sister’s apartment.


The river you see is actually the Ala Wai Canal. This artificial waterway was created in 1928 for the purpose of draining the swamps which resulted in the creation of several square miles of new real estate.


All packed and ready to head back home.


See you, sis. I’ll miss you



A minor road accident while on the way to the airport. Luckily there were no major traffic jam.


The garden area of the airport.


If you haven’t had enough shopping in Hawaii, you can still shop here at the Honolulu International Airport’s (HNL) terminal complex.


There are also a few restaurants in the terminal. You can always grab a quick bite at the Samurai Sushi and Bento.


Boarded the Hawaiian Airline and ready for take off.


A long flight back home, luckily there weren't many people on board and I managed to sleep on a row of three chairs on the airplane. I will really miss Hawaii and the wonderful memories of Hawaii will live with me forever.


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