Hotels in Honolulu, Hawaii

A little about Honolulu...

Honolulu is the capital as well as the most populous community of the State of Hawaii. In the Hawaiian language, honolulu means "sheltered bay" or "place of shelter." The census-designated place (CDP) is located along the southeast coast of the island of Oahu. The term also refers to the District of Honolulu (see Geography below). As of July 1, 2004, the United States Census Bureau estimate for Honolulu puts the population at 377,260 and that of the city and county (essentially, the Island of Oahu) at 900,000. In Hawaii, local governments operate only at the county level, and the City & County of Honolulu encompasses all of the Island of Oahu (approximately 600 square miles).

Tourist attractions:
Bishop Museum
Honolulu Academy of Arts
Diamond Head
Lyon Arboretum
National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
Waikiki Beach

Colleges & universities:
University of Hawaii Manoa
Chaminade University
Hawaii Pacific University
Brigham Young University–Hawaii (Laie)

Established in 1900, the Honolulu Symphony is the oldest US symphony orchestra west of the Rocky Mountains. Other classical music ensembles include the Hawaii Opera Theatre. Honolulu is also a center for Hawaiian music. The main music venues include the Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall, the Waikiki Shell, and the Hawaii Theatre.

Honolulu also includes several venues for live theater, including the Diamond Head Theatre and the Manoa Valley Theatre.

Museums, aquariums, zoos, and cultural centers:
The Bishop Museum is the largest museum in the State of Hawaii and houses millions of natural history specimens and cultural artifacts relating to Hawaii and the Pacific.
The Honolulu Academy of Arts has steadily grown to become Hawaii’s largest private presenter of visual arts programs, boasting a permanent collection of over 40,000 works of art from cultures around the world.
The Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo are both located at the eastern end of Waikiki in Kapiolani Park.
The Hawaii State Art Museum (HISAM) (official site) is located in the downtown district in the old YMCA building and features local artists. Blessed with both a great collection and a competent house staff.