Honolulu Has a Rich Cultural Heritage to Share

Honolulu Has a Rich Cultural Heritage to Share by Jake Orley

Think of Hawaii and what do you see? Definitely paradise with sun-bathed sandy beaches and sparkling blue waters. Clever drinks with cute umbrellas are not far behind. Hawaii gives you ample opportunities for outdoor activities like scuba diving and sailing, and exciting nightlife laced with sophistication. This whole lot of excitement has made Hawaii one of the world's biggest tourist destinations. All these outdoor activities, sandy beaches, and exciting nightlife reflect the rich cultural heritage of Hawaii.



Indeed, Hawaii did not become a state until midway through the twentieth century. Although American influence dates back all the way to the early 18th century, Hawaii did not officially become a state until 1959. Since then, it has steadily grown in popularity as a major tourist destination.



You may want to unveil the wonders of Hawaii much beyond the buzzing tourist guides and fishing trails. Hawaii bestows upon its visitors a gift more intriguing than what they usually see on the surface of this mystical island. Honolulu for example has a number of places worth visiting if you wish to know what Hawaii was like and how was the life here before it became the hub for the tourists world around.



Washington Place was built in 1846 and bears the name of the first president of the United States. It stands as a haven for people wanting to return to the old ways that existed prior to the arrival of the West. After the last Queen was overthrown, she spent the remaining years of her life in Washington Place until her death in 1917.



The husband of the last queen, John Owen Dominis, built the Washington Place. For decades it was the meeting ground of people who wanted the monarchy to reestablish and the Island to return to old ways. This is the reason why Washington place appears coiled up in history and tradition. It has been the focal point of transition of Hawaii from the traditional to what it is now.



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.



If you want to get more in depth knowledge of the way modern Hawaii evolved and learn a few important lessons from the lives of people who emerged from past and faced the new challenges of the modern life, then you certainly need to visit the various museums and libraries that dot Honolulu cityscape.



It’s true that most people go to Hawaii for the absolutely out-of-the-world experience, and would not like to spend time in museums, but you cannot ignore the fact 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 some time to learn about its rich history and interesting people.



Jake Orley is the webmaster for F honolulu, the #1 source on the internet for information about honolulu. For more articles on honolulu visit: http://www.fromhonolulu.com/articles

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