Search:

The Rich Cultural Heritage of Honolulu

By:

One of the first ideas that come to mind when people think of Hawaii is that of paradise. White sandy beaches and crystal blue waters might spring to mind along with those clever drinks with the cute umbrellas. Hawaii is definitely one of the biggest tourist hotspots in the world and a destination for fun seekers everywhere. With tons of outdoor activities like scuba diving and sailing, and a sophisticated and exciting night life, most people do not think of a rich cultural heritage when they think about Hawaii.

Hawaii became a state in 1959. Prior to that, it was under the American influence ever since the early 18th century. After Hawaii officially became a state, it has been steadily growing popular as a major tourist destination.

But beyond all the tour guides and fishing expeditions out to sea, Hawaii has a much deeper gift to bestow upon visitors if they are willing to probe beyond the surface of what the island has to offer. There are a number of places in Honolulu that offer visitors a chance to glimpse what life on the island might have been like before it became the tourist hotspot that it is today.

One of the places that must be watched is the Washington Place. It was built in 1846 and is named after the first president of the United States. The last Queen, after she was overthrown, spent the last years of her life here, till the year 1917. The Washington Place gained popularity as the haven for people who wanted to savor the days that were there before the arrival of western influence in Hawaii.

For decades, the supporters of monarchy used to gather at Washington Place hoping to bring back monarchy and return to the old ways. It was built by John Owen Dominis, the last quenn's husband. Washington Place has a rich history of the place and the culture. Here you get a glimpse of how the traditional Hawaiian culture transformed into what we see today.

Honolulu is also the site of the Kamehameha I statue. Kamehameha is the best known and most popular Hawaiian hero. He is the man who unified all of the islands prior to the arrival of the West. After the influence of Western culture was inevitable, Kamehameha helped to maintain traditional Hawaiian values as his people became acclimated to the West.

The libraries and museums in Honolulu also help tell the story of how modern Hawaii came to be what it is today. It has a lesson for all of us. We learn to face the challenges of the present learning from our struggles in the past.

While a trip to Hawaii is seen as a once-in-a-lifetime event that most may not want to spend visiting museums, old houses, and other points of cultural interest, the fact remains that these places are part of the soul that is Hawaii. If you really want to see what is beautiful about Hawaii, then you should spend the time to learn about its rich history and interesting people.

Jake Orley is the webmaster for F honolulu, the best place on the internet for information about honolulu, For more articles on honolulu why not visit: www.fromhonolulu.com/articles
Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the honolulu Articles Submissions Service

For more motorcycle articles visit: http://www.motorcycle-articles.com

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated