November 26- Honolulu

Awoke to a beautiful sunrise over the skyline of Honolulu at about 6:30 AM. I hoped to see us sail in but we were already docked at a huge terminal building. The crew from the ship were busy setting up the exit and entrance with the usual banners, walkways and red carpet.

Hawaii is proud of its multicultural heritage. Here descendants of ancient Polynesians, European explorers, American missionaries and Asian plantation migrants mix and mingle. Multiculturalism is the rule here- not the exception.

Honolulu is a boisterous Polynesian capital delivering an island-style plate of experiences- from food to plants to art. This city contains the USA’s only royal palace.

ʻIolani Palace, in the capitol district of downtown Honolulu is the only royal palace now a part of the United States. It was used as an official residence of the reigning Hawaiian sovereign and is now a National Historic Landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two monarchs governed from ʻIolani Palace: King Kalākaua and Queen Liliʻuokalani, although Kamehameha III, IV, V, and William Charles Lunalilo had their main residences here as well. After the monarchy was overthrown in 1893, the building was used as the capitol building for the Provisional Government, Republic, Territory, and State of Hawaiʻi until 1969. The palace was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 1978.

Kawaiahao, at one time the national church of the Hawaiian Kingdom and chapel of the royal family, the church is popularly known as Hawaiʻi's Westminster Abbey. The name comes from the Hawaiian noun phrase Ka wai a Haʻo (the water of Haʻo), because its location was that of a spring and freshwater pool in the care of a High Chiefess Haʻo. Cousin Dave said it was a popular place for weddings with a cost of $1,000 an hour to use the facility.

After breakfast we were off for a Panoramic look at the city of Honolulu. Cousin Dave, our driver and guide, was full of information about the history and present day life. This is the 12^th largest city in the US and the name means “fair haven.” The population is about 900,000 people and there are 850,000 permits for cars. The island- Oahu- is 600 square miles. From north to south it is 40 miles and from east to west it is 30 miles.

The first thing I noticed in the parks and especially as we neared the beach at Waikiki was the large number of homeless people. I guess the weather is always warm so people are naturally drawn here. 

The beach was filled with walkers, joggers and surf shops. The name Wakiki means "spouting water." The average cost of a house is $680,000.

After a look at the beach, we headed out of town on the Interstate H1. Someone asked Dave why it was called an “interstate” because it didn’t connect with another state.  He said first they hoped to build on to California and then he said they had to call it that to get federal funds. Doesn’t make sense but there are 3 interstates on this island that connect military bases.

We saw Diamond Head Crater and then from the other side of the town we saw Punchbowl Crater and the Cemetery.  

There is huge monument at the cemetery guided by Lady Columbia.

We drove back toward town and went through a large Portuguese neighborhood. Dave told us the Ukulele actually comes from Portugal and the name means “jumping flees” since the fingers look similar to flees jumping about as the instrument is played.

A highlight for me was seeing the statue of King Kamehameha I who united the islands into one kingdom. My Dad was a Merchant Marine as a very young man and he had a picture of this very statue from his trip to Hawaii in 1920. His scrapbook was filled with images of Honolulu in those long ago days. I loved looking at the pictures when I was a child so it seemed especially neat to see the statue. 

Naturally we drove through Chinatown and soon we were back at the ship. 

This evening we are going to a special concert for those Regent folks who are Gold Society and above members. The singer is Danny Couch who is supposed to be a famous traditional Hawaiian singer.

Been aboard a week- my how time flies when you are just doing whatever you close to do!!!!