Honolulu: The Hawaiian Pride

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.

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.

Washington Place, as the name implies, was named after the first president of the United States and was built in 1846. The interesting thing about this spot is that it became a haven for people wanting to return to the old ways that existed prior to the arrival of the West. The last Queen, after her overthrow, spent the remaining years of her life in Washington Place until her death in 1917.

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 proudly houses the statue of its hero Kamehameha I. He unified all the Hawaiian Islands before the West came calling. Though the influence of western culture was inevitable he advocated and upheld the traditional Hawaiian values while the Hawaiian people increasingly subscribed to the influence of the west.

There are of course libraries and museums in Honolulu that also help tell the story of how modern Hawaii came to be what it is today. The struggle of a people emerging from their past to tackle the challenges of the present can teach all of us an important lesson.

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.

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