Honolulu#Cultural institutions

{{For timeline}}

{{stack|float=left

|File:Port d'Hanarourou by Louis Choris.jpg in 1816]]

|File:George Henry Burgess - 'Queen Street, Honolulu', watercolor over graphite painting, 1856, Honolulu Academy of Arts.jpg]]

|File:Honolulu Chinatown fire of 1900.jpg]]

}}

Evidence of the first settlement of Honolulu by the original Polynesian migrants to the archipelago comes from oral histories and artifacts. These indicate that there was a settlement where Honolulu now stands in the 11th century.{{cite web |url=http://www.hellohonolulu.com/history.cfm |title=Honolulu History – |publisher=Hellohonolulu.com |access-date=May 22, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104055251/http://www.hellohonolulu.com/history.cfm |archive-date=January 4, 2013 }}{{unreliable source?|date=November 2021}} After Kamehameha I conquered Oʻahu in the Battle of Nu{{okina}}uanu at Nu{{okina}}uanu Pali, he moved his royal court from the Island of Hawaiʻi to Waikiki in 1804. His court relocated in 1809 to what is now downtown Honolulu. The capital was moved back to Kailua-Kona in 1812.

In November 1794, Captain William Brown of Great Britain was the first foreigner to sail into what is now Honolulu Harbor.{{cite journal |last=Kuykendall |first=Ralph S. |date=June 1923 |title=A Northwest Trader at the Hawaiian Islands |page=121 |journal=The Quarterly of the Oregon Historical Society |volume=24 |issue=2 |publisher=Oregon Historical Society |jstor=20610240}} More foreign ships followed, making the port of Honolulu a focal point for merchant ships traveling between North America and Asia. The settlement grew from a handful of homes to a city in the early 19th century after Kamehameha I chose it as a replacement for his residence at Waikiki in 1810.{{cite journal |last=Daws |first=Gavan |year=1967 |title=Honolulu in the 19th Century: Notes on the Emergence of Urban Society in Hawaii |pages=77–78, 83 |journal=The Journal of Pacific History |volume=2 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |doi=10.1080/00223346708572103 |jstor=25167896}}

In 1845, Kamehameha III moved the permanent capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from Lahaina on Maui to Honolulu. He and the kings who followed him transformed Honolulu into a modern capital, erecting buildings such as St. Andrew's Cathedral, {{okina}}Iolani Palace, and Ali{{okina}}iōlani Hale. At the same time, Honolulu became the islands' center of commerce, with descendants of American missionaries establishing major businesses downtown.{{cite web|url=http://www1.honolulu.gov/cchnl.htm#city |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041012010232/http://www.honolulu.gov/cchnl.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 12, 2004 |title=About the City, Official Web Site for The City and County of Honolulu |publisher=.honolulu.gov |access-date=May 22, 2012 }}

Despite the turbulent history of the late 19th century and early 20th century—such as the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, Hawaii's annexation by the U.S. in 1898, a large fire in 1900, and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941—Honolulu remained the Hawaiian Islands' capital, largest city, and main airport and seaport.{{cite web |url=http://www.honolulu-city.com/honolulu-history.htm |title=Honolulu History |publisher=Honolulu-city.com |date=December 7, 1941 |access-date=May 22, 2012 |archive-date=March 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318044028/http://www.honolulu-city.com/honolulu-history.htm |url-status=usurped }}

File:Attack on Pearl Harbor Japanese planes view.jpg in 1941 from Japanese planes. The torpedo explosion in the center is on the USS West Virginia.]]

An economic and tourism boom following statehood brought rapid economic growth to Honolulu and Hawaii. Modern air travel brings, {{As of|2007|lc=y}}, 7.6 million visitors annually to the islands, with 62.3% entering at Honolulu International Airport.{{cite web| url=http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/visitor-stats/visitor-research/2007-annual-research.pdf | title = 2007 Annual Visitor Research Report | publisher = Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, State of Hawaii | date =July 1, 2008|access-date=May 30, 2009 }} Today, Honolulu is a modern city with numerous high-rise buildings, and Waikiki is the center of the tourism industry in Hawaii, with thousands of hotel rooms.

File:Honolulu (satellite photograph - 22 12 2009).jpg, and Pearl Harbor taken from the International Space Station]]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Urban Honolulu CDP has an area of {{convert|177.2|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|20.5|km2|order=flip}}, or 11.56%, is water.{{Cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Urban Honolulu CDP, Hawaii| publisher=United States Census Bureau| access-date=May 25, 2012}}

Honolulu is the remotest major U.S. city and one of the remotest cities in the world.{{Cite web|last=Gill|first=Nicholas|date=August 19, 2015|title=Where is the world's most remote city?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/aug/19/where-worlds-most-remote-city|access-date=December 14, 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en}} The closest location in mainland U.S. is the Point Arena Lighthouse in northern California, at {{convert|2045|nmi|km}}.Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 Software, Copyright 2006 by Microsoft Corp. et al. (Nautical vessels require some additional distance to circumnavigate Makapu{{okina}}u Point.) The closest major city is San Francisco, California, at {{convert|2397|mi|km}}. Some islands off the Mexican coast and part of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska are slightly closer to Honolulu than the mainland.

The volcanic field of the Honolulu Volcanics is partially inside the city.{{cite web |last1=Stearns |first1=Harold T. |last2=Vaksvik |first2=Knute N. |title=Geology and ground-water resources of the island of Oahu, Hawaii |url=https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70160862 |publisher=Maui Publishing Company, Limited |pages=536 |date=1935}}

File:Honolulu - NASA.jpg]]

File:Bishop Square Hawaii.jpg (left) and Bank of Hawaii Center (right)]]

• Downtown Honolulu is Hawaii's financial, commercial, and governmental center. On the waterfront is Aloha Tower, for many years Hawaii's tallest building. The tallest building is now the {{convert|438|ft|m|0|adj=on}} First Hawaiian Center, on King and Bishop Streets. The downtown campus of Hawaiʻi Pacific University is also there.
• The Arts District Honolulu, both downtown and in Chinatown, is on Chinatown's eastern edge. It is a 12-block area bounded by Bethel & Smith Streets and Nimitz Highway and Beretania Street—home to numerous arts and cultural institutions. It is within the Chinatown Historic District, which includes the former Hotel Street Vice District.{{cite web |url=http://www.artsdistricthonolulu.com/ |title=Artsdistricthonolulu.com |publisher=Artsdistricthonolulu.com |access-date=May 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520232338/http://www.artsdistricthonolulu.com/ |archive-date=May 20, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
• The Capitol District is the eastern part of Downtown Honolulu. It is the current and historic center of Hawaii's state government, incorporating the State Capitol, {{okina}}Iolani Palace, Honolulu Hale (City Hall), State Library, and the statue of King Kamehameha I, along with numerous government buildings.
• Kakaʻako is a light-industrial district between Downtown and Waikiki that has seen a large-scale redevelopment effort in the past decade. It is home to two major shopping areas, Ward Warehouse and Ward Center. The Howard Hughes Corporation plans to transform Ward Centers into Ward Village over the next decade. The John A. Burns School of Medicine, part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, is also there. A memorial to the Ehime Maru Incident victims is at the Kakaʻako Waterfront Park.
• Ala Moana is a district between Kakaʻako and Waikiki and the home of Ala Moana Center, the "world's largest open-air shopping center" and Hawaii's largest shopping mall.{{cite web|url=http://www.alamoanacenter.com/ |title=Hawaii's Premier Shopping, Entertainment, and Dining Destination |publisher=Ala Moana Center |access-date=May 22, 2012}} Ala Moana Center has over 300 tenants and is very popular with tourists. Also in Ala Moana is the Honolulu Design Center and Ala Moana Beach Park, Honolulu's second-largest park.
• Waikiki is Honolulu's tourist district, between the Ala Wai Canal and the Pacific Ocean next to Diamond Head. Numerous hotels, shops, and nightlife opportunities are along Kalākaua and Kūhiō Avenues. It is a popular location for visitors and locals alike and attracts millions of visitors every year. Most of Oʻahu's hotel rooms are in Waikiki.
• Mānoa, Mōʻiliʻili, and Makiki are residential neighborhoods in adjacent areas just inland of downtown and Waikiki. Mānoa Valley is home to the main campus of the University of Hawaiʻi.
• Nuʻuanu and Pauoa are upper-middle-class residential districts inland of downtown Honolulu. The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific is in Punchbowl Crater, fronting Pauoa Valley.
• Pālolo and Kaimukī are neighborhoods east of Mānoa and Makiki, inland from Diamond Head. Pālolo Valley parallels Mānoa and is a residential neighborhood. Kaimukī is primarily a residential neighborhood with a commercial strip centered on Waiʻalae Avenue running behind Diamond Head. Chaminade University is in Kaimukī.
• Waiʻalae and Kāhala are upper-class districts of Honolulu directly east of Diamond Head, with many high-priced homes. Also in these neighborhoods are the Waialae Country Club and the five-star Kahala Hotel & Resort.
• East Honolulu includes the residential communities of ʻĀina Haina, Niu Valley, and Hawaiʻi Kai. These are considered upper-middle-class neighborhoods. The upscale gated communities of Waiʻalae ʻIki and Hawaiʻi Loa Ridge are also there.
• Kalihi and Pālama are working-class neighborhoods with a number of government housing developments. Lower Kalihi, toward the ocean, is a light-industrial district.
• Salt Lake and Āliamanu are (mostly) residential areas built in extinct tuff cones along the western end of the Honolulu District, not far from Honolulu International Airport.
• Moanalua is two neighborhoods and a valley at the western end of Honolulu, and home to Tripler Army Medical Center.
• Kamehameha Heights is a northern suburb.{{Cite web |title=Hawaii Life: Kamehameha Heights, Honolulu Oahu Real Estate for Sale – Just Listed Kamehameha Heights Homes, Kamehameha Heights Condos, Kamehameha Heights Land |url=https://www.hawaiilife.com/listings/oahu/honolulu/kamehameha-heights |access-date=2022-06-16 |website=Hawaii Life: Kamehameha Heights, Honolulu Oahu Real Estate for Sale – Just Listed Kamehameha Heights Homes, Kamehameha Heights Condos, Kamehameha Heights Land |language=en-US}}
• McCully is an eastern suburb.{{Cite web |title=Mccully Honolulu, HI 96826, Neighborhood Profile - NeighborhoodScout |url=https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/hi/honolulu/mccully |access-date=2024-02-19 |website=www.neighborhoodscout.com}}

Honolulu experiences a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen classification BSh), with a mostly dry summer season, due to a rain shadow effect.{{Cite web|title=Monthly weather forecast and climate Honolulu, HI|url=https://www.weather-us.com/en/hawaii-usa/honolulu-climate|publisher=Weather Atlas|access-date=April 1, 2020}} Despite temperatures that meet the tropical threshold of all months having a mean temperature of 64.4 °F (18.0 °C) or higher, the city receives too little precipitation to be classified as tropical.

Temperatures vary little throughout the year, with average high temperatures of {{convert|80|–|90|°F|°C}} and average lows of {{convert|65|–|75|°F|°C}}. Nevertheless, there are slight seasons. The "winter" months from December to March can occasionally see lows fall below {{convert|64|°F|0}}, whereas the "summer" from June to September can get a limited number of hot days achieving {{convert|90|°F|0}} or higher. This occurs on an average of only 32 days annually,{{efn|There have been as many as 116 days (in 1995) that reached {{convert|90|°F|0}}, and as recently as, 2012, no days. The average is comparable to Philadelphia despite being slightly warmer during the summer.}} with lows in the upper 50s °F (14–15 °C) once or twice a year. The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|95|°F}} on September 19, 1994, and August 31, 2019. The lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|52|°F}} on February 16, 1902, and January 20, 1969.

The annual average rainfall is {{convert|16.41|in|mm|abbr=off|sp=us}}, which mainly occurs from October through early April, with very little rainfall in the summer. However, both seasons experience a similar number of rainy days. Light showers occur in summer, while heavier rain falls during winter. Honolulu has an average of 278 sunny days and 89.2 rainy days per year.

Although the city is in the tropics, hurricanes are quite rare. The last recorded hurricane that hit near Honolulu was Category 4 Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Tornadoes are also uncommon and occur about every 15 years. Waterspouts off the coast are also uncommon, hitting about every five years.{{cite web |url= http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=28119&refer=&units=us |title= Weatherbase.com |publisher= Weatherbase.com |access-date= May 22, 2012 |archive-date= June 13, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220613063421/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=28119 |url-status= dead }}

Honolulu falls under the USDA 12b Plant Hardiness zone.USDA.gov{{cite web

|url = http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/#

|title = USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

|website = USDA

|access-date = August 31, 2016

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032333/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

|archive-date = February 27, 2014

|url-status = dead

|df = mdy-all

}}

The average temperature of the sea ranges from {{convert|75.7|°F}} in March to {{convert|80.4|°F}} in September.{{cite web|url=http://www.seatemperature.org/north-america/united-states/honolulu-october.htm|title=Honolulu Sea Temperature October Average, United States – Sea Temperatures|website=World Sea Temperatures}}

{{Honolulu_weatherbox}}

{{Graph:Weather monthly history

| table=ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Honolulu.tab

| title=Honolulu monthly weather statistics

}}

{{Panorama

| image = File:Honolulu waterfront.JPG

| fullwidth = 2000

| fullheight = 152

| caption = Panorama of Honolulu's waterfront in February 2007

| height = 152

}}

{{US Census population

|1890= 22907

|1900= 39306

|1910= 52183

|1920= 83327

|1930= 137582

|1940= 179326

|1950= 248034

|1960= 294194

|1970= 324871

|1980= 365048

|1990= 365272

|2000= 371657

|2010= 337256

|2020= 350964

|footnote=Population 1890–2010.{{Cite web|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Urban Honolulu CDP, Hawaii|url=https://www.census.gov|access-date=May 25, 2012|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census Of Population And Housing|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=May 7, 2011}}

}}

File:Hawaii State Capitol, Honolulu.jpg]]

File:Race and ethnicity 2010- Honolulu (5559875249).png

The population of Honolulu is 350,964 as of the 2020 U.S. census, making it the 55th most populous city in the U.S. The city's population was 337,256 at the 2010 U.S. census.

The residential neighborhood of East Honolulu is considered a separate census-designated place by the Census Bureau but is generally considered part of Honolulu's urban core. The population of East Honolulu was 50,922 as of 2020, increasing Honolulu's core population to over 400,000.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: East Honolulu CDP, Hawaii |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/easthonolulucdphawaii |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=U.S. Census Bureau |language=en}}

In terms of race (including Hispanics in the racial counts), 54.8% were Asian, 17.9% were White, 1.5% were Black or African American, 0.2% were Native American or Alaska Native, 8.4% were Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, 0.8% were from "some other race", and 16.3% were from two or more races. Separately, Hispanic and Latino residents of any race made up 5.4% of the population. In 1970, the Census Bureau reported Honolulu's population as 33.9% white and 53.7% Asian and Pacific Islander.{{cite web|title=Hawaii – Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places: Earliest Census to 1990 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120812191959/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0076/twps0076.html |archive-date=August 12, 2012 }}

Asian Americans are the majority of Honolulu's population, accounting for over 52%. The Asian ethnic groups are Japanese (19.9%), Filipino (13.2%), Chinese (10.4%), Korean (4.3%), Vietnamese (2.0%), Indian (0.3%), Laotian (0.3%), Thai (0.2%), Cambodian (0.1%), and Indonesian (0.1%).

Pacific Islander Americans are 8.4% of Honolulu's population. The Pacific Islander ethnic groups are people solely of Native Hawaiian ancestry (3.2%), Samoan Americans made up 1.5% of the population, Marshallese people make up 0.5%, and Tongan people comprise 0.3%. People of Guamanian or Chamorro descent made up 0.2% of the population and numbered 841.

Metropolitan Honolulu, which encompasses all of Oahu island, had a population of 953,207 as of the 2010 U.S. census and 1,016,508 in the 2020 U.S. census, making it the 54th-largest metropolitan area in the United States.{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Honolulu County, Hawaii |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/honolulucountyhawaii |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=U.S. Census Bureau |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Metropolitan Growth: 2020 Census |url=https://www.newgeography.com/content/007147-metropolitan-growth-2020-census |access-date=2022-07-12 |website=Newgeography.com |first1= Wendell |last1=Cox |date=August 19, 2021 }}

{{clear}}

File:Waikiki view from Diamond Head.JPG crater]]

The largest city and airport in the Hawaiian Islands, Honolulu acts as a natural gateway to the islands' large tourism industry, which brings millions of visitors and contributes $10 billion annually to the local economy. Honolulu's location in the Pacific also makes it a large business and trading hub, particularly between the East and the West. Other important aspects of the city's economy include military defense, research and development, and manufacturing.{{cite web |title=Honolulu Economy |publisher=Advameg Inc. |work=City-Data.com |year=2009 |url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-West/Honolulu-Economy.html |access-date=January 26, 2011}}

Among the companies based in Honolulu are:

{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

• Alexander & Baldwin
• Bank of Hawaii
• Central Pacific Bank
• First Hawaiian Bank
• Hawaii Medical Service Association
• Hawaii Pacific Health
• Hawaiian Electric Industries
• Matson Navigation Company
• The Queen's Health Systems

{{div col end}}

Hawaiian Airlines,{{cite web |url=http://www.hawaiianair.com/Aboutus/Pages/CorporateContact.aspx |title=Corporate Headquarters |publisher=Hawaiinair.com |access-date=May 20, 2009 |archive-date=August 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827043607/http://www.hawaiianair.com/Aboutus/Pages/CorporateContact.aspx |url-status=dead }} Island Air,{{cite web|url=http://www.islandair.com/contact-us/general/|title=General Contact Information|publisher=Island Air|location=Honolulu, HI, US|access-date=June 30, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202151943/http://www.islandair.com/contact-us/general/|archive-date=February 2, 2013}} and Aloha Air Cargo are headquartered in the city."[http://www.alohaaircargo.com/contact-info.html Locations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522094540/http://www.alohaaircargo.com/contact-info.html |date=May 22, 2009 }}." Aloha Air Cargo. Retrieved on May 21, 2009."[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US1517000&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on Honolulu CDP, HI] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218201733/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US1517000&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on |date=February 18, 2008 }}." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 21, 2009. Until it dissolved, Aloha Airlines was headquartered in the city."[https://web.archive.org/web/20080422102520/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=7703868 Aloha Airlines, Inc.]" BusinessWeek. Retrieved on May 21, 2009. At one time Mid-Pacific Airlines had its headquarters on the property of Honolulu International Airport."World Airline Directory." Flight International. May 16, 1981. [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1981/1981%20-%201450.html?search=%22Muse%20Air%22 1452]. "Head Office: Honolulu International Airport, Hawaii, USA."

In 2009, Honolulu had a 4.5% increase in average rent, maintaining it in the second most expensive rental market among 210 U.S. metropolitan areas.{{cite web |url= http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2010/Mar/24/bz/hawaii3240323.html |title=Honolulu rents still 2nd priciest in U.S. |publisher=Honolulu Advertiser|location=Honolulu, HI, US|first=Andrew |last=Gomes |work=the.honoluluadvertiser.com |date=March 24, 2010 |access-date=July 14, 2012}} Similarly, the general cost of living, including gasoline, electricity, and most foodstuffs, is much higher than on the U.S. mainland, because the city and state have to import most goods. One 2014 report found that cost of living expenses were 69% higher than the U.S. average.{{Cite web|title=The 20 Most Expensive Cities in the U.S.|url=https://www.kiplinger.com/real-estate/601142/20-most-expensive-cities-in-the-us|access-date=December 14, 2020|website=Kiplinger|language=en}} According to a 2024 report from the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Honolulu experienced a 1.5 percentage point higher CPI-U compared to the 3.2% U.S. average increase in the first half of 2024.{{Cite web |title=B. Income & Prices |url=https://dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/qser/income-prices/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=dbedt.hawaii.gov |language=en}}

Since the only national banks in Hawaii are all local, many visitors and new residents must get accustomed to different banks. First Hawaiian Bank is Hawaii's largest and oldest bank,{{cite web |last=Hill |first=Tiffany |title=The Centenarians |website=Honolulu Magazine |date=2008-10-08 |url=https://www.honolulumagazine.com/the-centenarians/#ad-manager-109-4 |access-date=2022-01-04}} headquartered at the First Hawaiian Center, the state's tallest office building.{{cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/statistics/tallest-buildings/city/102596/honolulu-hi-usa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416090538/http://www.emporis.com/statistics/tallest-buildings/city/102596/honolulu-hi-usa |url-status=usurped |archive-date=April 16, 2015 |title=Honolulu {{pipe}} Statistics {{pipe}} EMPORIS |website=Emporis.com |access-date=2022-01-04}}

{{Moresources | section|date=February 2024}}

File:First Hawaiian Center Tower in Honolulu, Hawaii USA.jpg is the tallest office building in Hawaii and home to a Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House gallery.]]

The Bishop Museum is Honolulu's largest museum. It has the state's largest collection of natural history specimens and the world's largest collection of Hawaiiana and Pacific culture artifacts.{{cite web|url=http://www.bishopmuseum.org/ |title=Welcome to the Bishop Museum |publisher=Bishopmuseum.org |access-date=May 22, 2012}} The Honolulu Zoo is Hawaii's main zoological institution, while the Waikiki Aquarium is a working marine biology laboratory. The Waikiki Aquarium partners with the University of Hawaiʻi and other universities worldwide. Established for appreciation and botany, Honolulu is home to several gardens: Foster Botanical Garden, Lili{{okina}}uokalani Botanical Garden, Walker Estate, among others.

Established in 1900, the Honolulu Symphony is the second-oldest U.S. 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 Hawaii Theatre, the Neal Blaisdell Center Concert Hall and Arena, and the Waikiki Shell.

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

The Honolulu Museum of Art has Hawaii's largest collection of Asian and Western art. It also has the largest collection of Islamic art, housed at the Shangri La estate. Since the merger of the Honolulu Academy of Arts and The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu (now called the Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House) in 2011, the museum is also the state's only contemporary art museum. The contemporary collections are housed at main campus (Spalding House) in Makiki and a multi-level gallery in downtown Honolulu at the First Hawaiian Center. The museum hosts a film and video program dedicated to arthouse and world cinema in the museum's Doris Duke Theatre, named for the museum's historic patroness Doris Duke.{{Cite web|url=https://honolulumuseum.org/373-doris_duke_theatre|title=Honolulu Museum of Art – Doris Duke Theatre|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-date=February 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180205023923/http://honolulumuseum.org/373-doris_duke_theatre|url-status=dead}}

The Hawaii State Art Museum (also downtown) has pieces by local artists as well as traditional Hawaiian art. The museum is administered by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

File:Diamond Head Hawaii - panoramio.jpg]]

Honolulu also annually holds the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF). It showcases some of the best films from producers all across the Pacific Rim and is the largest "East meets West" style film festival of its sort in the United States.

File:Honolulu From Round Top.jpg

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Ala Moana Center
• Aloha Tower
• Bishop Museum
• Diamond Head
• Hanauma Bay
• Honolulu Museum of Art
• Honolulu Zoo
• {{okina}}Iolani Palace
• Lyon Arboretum
• National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific
• USS Arizona Memorial
• Waikiki Aquarium
• Waikiki Beach
• Waikiki Trolley
• International Market Place
• Kapi'olani Park

{{div col end}}

Honolulu's tropical climate lends itself to year-round activities. In 2004, Men's Fitness magazine named Honolulu the fittest city in the United States.{{cite web|date=January 5, 2004|title=Honolulu ranked No. 1 fittest city for second year|url=http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2004/01/05/daily10.html|access-date=May 22, 2012|website=Pacific Business News|publisher=Pacific.bizjournals.com}} Honolulu has three large road races:

• The Great Aloha Run is held annually on Presidents' Day.
• The Honolulu Marathon, held annually on the second Sunday in December, draws more than 20,000 participants each year, about half to two thirds of them from Japan.
• The Honolulu Triathlon is an Olympic distance triathlon event governed by USA Triathlon and partly by the Japanese. Held annually in May since 2004, there is an absence of a sprint course.

Ironman Hawaii was first held in Honolulu. It was the first ever Ironman triathlon event and is also the world championship.

The Waikiki Roughwater Swim race is held annually off the beach of Waikiki. Founded by Jim Cotton in 1970, the course is {{convert|2.384|mi}} and spans from the New Otani Hotel to the Hilton Rainbow Tower.{{Cite web|url=http://www.waikikiroughwaterswim.com/|title=WAIKIKI ROUGHWATER SWIM|website=www.waikikiroughwaterswim.com|access-date=February 21, 2020}}

Fans of spectator sports in Honolulu generally support the football, volleyball, basketball, rugby union, rugby league, and baseball programs of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.{{cite web|url=http://www.uhm.hawaii.edu/ |title=University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa|publisher=Uhm.hawaii.edu |date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=May 22, 2012}} High school sporting events, especially football, are especially popular.

Honolulu has no professional sports teams, with any prospective teams being forced to conduct extremely long travels for away games in the continental states. It was the home of the Hawaii Islanders (Pacific Coast League, 1961–87), The Hawaiians (World Football League, 1974–75), Team Hawaii (North American Soccer League, 1977), and the Hawaiian Islanders (af2, 2002–04).

The NCAA football Hawaii Bowl is played in Honolulu. Honolulu also hosted the NFL's annual Pro Bowl each February from 1980 to 2009. After the 2010 and 2015 games were played in Miami Gardens and Glendale, respectively, the Pro Bowl was once again in Honolulu from 2011 to 2014, with 2016 the most recent.{{Cite news| last1=Arnett| first1=Paul| last2=Reardon| first2=Dave| title=Miami tackles Pro Bowl| newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin| date=December 30, 2008| url=http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20081230_Miami_tackles_Pro_Bowl.html?page=all&c=y| access-date=December 30, 2008}}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|title=Pro Bowl shifting to Super Bowl site for 2015|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/04/09/pro-bowl-shifting-to-super-bowl-site-for-2015/|work=The Chicago Tribune|agency=Reuters|date=April 9, 2014|access-date=December 26, 2015}} From 1993 to 2008, Honolulu hosted Hawaii Winter Baseball, featuring minor-league players from Major League Baseball, Nippon Professional Baseball, Korea Baseball Organization, and independent leagues.

In 2018, the Honolulu Little League team qualified for that year's Little League World Series tournament. The team went undefeated en route to the United States championship game, where it bested Georgia's Peachtree City American Little League team 3–0. In the world championship game, the team faced off against South Korea's South Seoul Little League team. Hawaii pitcher Ka'olu Holt threw a complete-game shutout while striking out 8, and Honolulu Little League, again by a score of 3–0, secured the victory, capturing the 2018 Little League World Series championship and Hawaii's third overall title at the Little League World Series.{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/mlb/news/little-league-world-series-2018-championship-game-hawaii-south-korea/4vy39kkhro7b17dgnc9hbeni0|title=Little League World Series 2018: Live updates for Hawaii-South Korea championship game|date=August 26, 2018|work=Sporting News|access-date=August 26, 2018}}

In 2022, Hawaii continued its dominance at the Little League World Series, going undefeated and winning the tournament, beating Curacao in the world championship, and outscoring opposing teams 60-5 throughout the tournament.

In 2024, Honolulu was the official home of the Pokémon World Championships.

Venues for spectator sports in Honolulu include:

• Les Murakami Stadium at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (baseball)
• Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena (basketball)
• Stan Sheriff Center at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (basketball and volleyball)

Aloha Stadium was a venue for American football and soccer located in Halawa near Pearl Harbor, just outside Honolulu."[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US1510000&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on Halawa CDP, Hawaii] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202053929/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US1510000&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on |date=December 2, 2010 }}." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on May 21, 2009. The stadium was closed in 2020.{{Cite news|last=Bromberg|first=Nick|date=December 17, 2020|title=Hawaii without a home stadium after Aloha Stadium, a former Pro Bowl site, reportedly will be condemned|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/hawaii-without-a-home-stadium-after-aloha-stadium-the-former-site-of-the-pro-bowl-gets-condemned-003256715.html|access-date=December 19, 2020|work=Yahoo Sports|language=en-US}} Plans for a new stadium at the site were announced in 2022.{{cite web | url=https://www.enr.com/articles/54439-hawaii-gov-approves-funds-to-build-a-new-aloha-stadium | title=Hawaii Gov. Approves Funds to Build a New Aloha Stadium | Engineering News-Record }}

File:Honolulu-Hale-frontcornerview.JPG

Rick Blangiardi was elected mayor of Honolulu County on August 8, 2020, and began serving as the county's 15th mayor on January 2, 2021. The municipal offices of the City and County of Honolulu, including Honolulu Hale, the seat of the city and county, are in the Capitol District, as are the Hawaii state government buildings.{{citation|author=City and County of Honolulu|title=Historic Honolulu (The Capitol District)|date=January 18, 2012|url=http://www1.honolulu.gov/moca/historichonolulu.htm|work=Official Web Site for The City and County of Honolulu|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041119083807/http://www.honolulu.gov/moca/historichonolulu.htm|url-status=dead|publication-place=Honolulu, HI, US|publisher=City and County of Honolulu|access-date=July 14, 2012|archive-date=November 19, 2004|author-link=City and County of Honolulu}}

The Capitol District is in the Honolulu census county division (CCD), the urban area commonly regarded as the "City" of Honolulu. The Honolulu CCD is on the southeast coast of Oʻahu between Makapuu and Halawa. The division boundary follows the Koʻolau crestline, so Makapuʻu Beach is in the Ko'olaupoko District. On the west, the division boundary follows Halawa Stream, then crosses Red Hill and runs just west of Aliamanu Crater, so that Aloha Stadium, Pearl Harbor (with the USS Arizona Memorial), and Hickam Air Force Base are all in the island's Ewa CCD.{{Citation |author=United States Census Bureau |author-link=United States Census Bureau |publication-date=February 2, 2002 |title=Census 2000 Block Map: Honolulu CCD 5702.01 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |publication-place=Washington, D.C., US |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/blk2000/st15_Hawaii/CountySubdivision/1590810_Honolulu/CBS1590810_000.pdf |access-date=July 14, 2012 }}

The Hawaii Department of Public Safety operates the Oahu Community Correctional Center, the jail for the island of Oahu, in Honolulu CCD.{{cite web |url=http://hawaii.gov/psd/corrections/institutions-division/jails/oahu-community-correctional-center |title=Oahu Community Correctional Center |publisher= Hawaii Department of Public Safety |access-date=May 19, 2010}}

The United States Postal Service operates post offices in Honolulu. The main Honolulu Post Office is by the international airport, at 3600 Aolele Street."[https://archive.today/20120729000629/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/27348?p=5&s=HI&service_name=post_office&z=honolulu Post Office Location – Honolulu]." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on May 21, 2009. Federal Detention Center, Honolulu, operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, is in the CDP."[http://www.bop.gov/DataSource/execute/dsFacilityAddressLoc?start=y&facilityCode=hon FDC Honolulu Contact Information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527234404/http://www.bop.gov/DataSource/execute/dsFacilityAddressLoc?start=y&facilityCode=hon |date=May 27, 2010 }}." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on December 30, 2009.

Several countries have consular facilities in Honolulu. They include consulates of Japan,"[http://www.honolulu.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa_visa_en.htm Visa & Travel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081103030404/http://www.honolulu.us.emb-japan.go.jp/en/visa_visa_en.htm |date=November 3, 2008 }}." Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu. Accessed August 17, 2008. South Korea,"[http://usa-honolulu.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/usa-honolulu/mission/locations/index.jsp Location] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211101241/http://usa-honolulu.mofat.go.kr/eng/am/usa-honolulu/mission/locations/index.jsp |date=December 11, 2008 }}." Consulate-General of South Korea in Honolulu. Retrieved on January 10, 2009. the Philippines,"[http://www.chicagopcg.com/about_rpmissions.html#honolulu Other Philippine Missions in the U.S.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224193726/http://www.chicagopcg.com/about_rpmissions.html#honolulu |date=February 24, 2009 }}." Consulate-General of the Philippines in Chicago. Retrieved on January 10, 2009. Taiwan,{{Cite web|title=Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Honolulu|url=https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ushnl_en/index.html}} Federated States of Micronesia,"[http://www.fsmgov.org/ovmis.html Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Embassies, Consulates, and Missions]." Department of Foreign Affairs (Federated States of Micronesia). Retrieved on January 10, 2009. Australia,"[http://www.dfat.gov.au/missions/countries/usha.html Australian Consulate-General in Honolulu, United States of America]." Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved on January 10, 2009. New Zealand[https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/new-zealand-consulate-general-honolulu-hawaii/ Consulate-General of New Zealand in Honolulu] and the Marshall Islands."[http://rmigovernment.org/about_your_government.jsp?docid=9 Foreign Mission] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625071854/http://rmigovernment.org/about_your_government.jsp?docid=9 |date=June 25, 2011 }}." Republic of the Marshall Islands. Retrieved on January 28, 2009.

{{See also |List of colleges and universities in Hawaii }}

Colleges and universities in Honolulu include Honolulu Community College, Kapiolani Community College, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Chaminade University, and Hawaii Pacific University. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa houses the main offices of the University of Hawaiʻi System.{{Cite news | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2007/07/02/story4.html | last=Magin | first=Janis L. | title=Land deals could breathe new life into Moili'ili. | work=American City Business Journals | date=July 1, 2007}}

File:Downtown, Honolulu, HI, USA - panoramio (8).jpg

Honolulu is home to three renowned international affairs research institutions. The Pacific Forum, one of the world's leading Asia-Pacific policy research institutes and one of the first U.S. organizations to focus exclusively on Asia, has its main office on Bishop Street in downtown Honolulu. The East–West Center (EWC), an education and research organization established by Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the U.S., is headquartered in Mānoa, Honolulu. The Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), a U.S. Department of Defense institute, is based in Waikiki, Honolulu. APCSS addresses regional and global security issues and supports the U.S. Pacific Command by developing and sustaining relationships among security practitioners and national security establishments throughout the region.

File:Queen-Liliuokalani-building.JPG

Hawaii Department of Education operates Honolulu's public schools.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st15_hi/schooldistrict_maps/c15003_honolulu/DC20SD_C15003.pdf|title=2020 census - school district reference map: Honolulu County, HI|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2022-07-22}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st15_hi/schooldistrict_maps/c15003_honolulu/DC20SD_C15003_SD2MS.txt Text list] Public high schools in the CDP area include Wallace Rider Farrington, Kaiser, Kaimuki, Kalani, Moanalua, William McKinley, and Theodore Roosevelt. It also includes the Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind, the statewide school for blind and deaf children. There is a charter school, University Laboratory School.

{{As of|2014}} almost 38% of K-12 students in the Honolulu area attend private schools.{{cite web|last=Wong|first=Alia|url=https://www.civilbeat.org/2014/03/living-hawaii-many-families-sacrifice-to-put-kids-in-private-schools/|title=Living Hawaii: Many Families Sacrifice to Put Kids in Private Schools|work=Honolulu Civil Beat|date=March 17, 2014|access-date=October 7, 2020}}

Private schools include Academy of the Pacific, Damien Memorial School, Hawaii Baptist Academy, {{okina}}Iolani School, Lutheran High School of Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, Maryknoll School, Mid-Pacific Institute, La Pietra, Punahou School, Sacred Hearts Academy, St. Andrew's Priory School, Saint Francis School, Saint Louis School, the Education Laboratory School, Saint Patrick School, Trinity Christian School, and Varsity International School. Hawaii has one of the nation's highest rate of private school attendance.{{Cite news|url=http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/33359194/despite-tuition-increases-private-school-enrollment-remains-steady|title=Despite tuition increases, private school enrollment remains steady|work=Hawaii Nes Now}}

File:HawaiiStateLibrary.JPG]]

Hawaii State Public Library System operates public libraries. The Hawaii State Library in the CDP serves as the system's main library,{{cite web |url= http://hawaii.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default/rw$003d0$0026rm$003dHAWAII$002bSTATE$002bL0$00257C$00257C$00257C1$00257C$00257C$00257C0$00257C$00257C$00257Ctrue$0026pv$003d-1$0026ic$003dfalse$0026dt$003dlist$0026sm$003dfalse$0026 |title=Hawaii State Library |publisher=Hawaii State Public Library System |access-date=July 14, 2012}} while the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, also in the CDP area, serves handicapped and blind people.{{cite web |url= http://hawaii.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default/rw$003d0$0026rm$003dLIBRARY$002bFOR$002bTH0$00257C$00257C$00257C1$00257C$00257C$00257C0$00257C$00257C$00257Ctrue$0026pv$003d-1$0026ic$003dfalse$0026dt$003dlist$0026sm$003dfalse$0026 |title=Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped |publisher=Hawaii State Public Library System |access-date=July 14, 2012}}

Branches in the CDP area include Aiea, Aina Haina, Ewa Beach, Hawaiʻi Kai, Kahuku, Kailua, Kaimuki, Kalihi-Palama, Kaneohe, Kapolei, Liliha, Mānoa, McCully-Moiliili, Mililani, Moanalua, Wahiawa, Waialua, Waianae, Waikiki-Kapahulu, Waimanalo, and Waipahu.{{cite web |url= http://hawaii.sdp.sirsi.net/client/default/rw$003d0$0026rm$003dBRANCHES0$00257C$00257C$00257C1$00257C$00257C$00257C1$00257C$00257C$00257Ctrue$0026pv$003d-1$0026ic$003dfalse$0026dt$003dlist$0026sm$003dfalse$0026 |title=Library Branches |publisher=Hawaii State Public Library System |location=Honolulu, HI, US |access-date=July 29, 2012}}

The Hawaiʻi Japanese School – Rainbow Gakuen (ハワイレインボー学園 Hawai Reinbō Gakuen), a supplementary weekend Japanese school, holds its classes in Kaimuki Middle School in Honolulu and has its offices in another building in Honolulu."[http://www.hjschl.org/ Home page]." Hawaii Japanese School – Rainbow Gakuen. Retrieved on April 16, 2015. "事務所住所： 2454 South Beretania St., #202 Honolulu, HI 96826" and "授業実施校： Kaimuki Middle School" The school serves overseas Japanese nationals."[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Nov/03/br/br2601358479.html Government of Japan to honor 3 from Hawaii today]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150415213002/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Nov/03/br/br2601358479.html Archive]). Honolulu Advertiser. November 3, 2007. Retrieved on April 16, 2015. Honolulu has other weekend programs for the Japanese, Chinese, and Spanish languages.Randolph, April. "[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Mar/19/il/hawaii803190354.html Tot talk goes global]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20150415224602/http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Mar/19/il/hawaii803190354.html Archive]). Honolulu Advertiser. March 19, 2008. Retrieved on April 16, 2015.

{{Main|Media in Honolulu}}

Honolulu is served by one daily newspaper, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, along with a magazine, Honolulu Magazine, several radio stations and television stations, among other media. Local news agency and CNN-affiliate Hawaii News Now broadcasts and is headquartered out of Honolulu.

File:HonoluluAirportWelcomeSign.jpg old control tower]]

File:HNL reef runway.jpg

File:Honolulu09.JPG

At the western end of the CDP, Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the principal aviation gateway to the state of Hawaii. Kalaeloa Airport is primarily a commuter facility used by unscheduled air taxis, general aviation and transient and locally based military aircraft.

Honolulu has been ranked as having the nation's worst traffic congestion, beating former record holder Los Angeles. Drivers waste on average over 58 hours per year on congested roadways.{{cite web |title= The Worst Traffic in America? It's not Los Angeles |date= May 24, 2012 |publisher= Yahoo! Autos |url= http://autos.yahoo.com/news/the-worst-traffic-in-america--it-s-not-los-angeles.html |access-date=August 8, 2012}} The following freeways, part of the Interstate Highway System serve Honolulu:

• 26px Interstate H-1, western terminous is at Kapolei where you can connect to the Farrington Highway. The H-1 passes Hickam Air Force Base and Honolulu International Airport, runs through Pearl City before heading downtown into Honolulu continues eastward through Makiki and Kaimuki, ending at Waialae/Kahala and start of the Kalanianole Highway.
• 26px Interstate H-201—also known as the Moanalua Freeway and sometimes numbered as its former number, Hawaii State Route 78—connects two points along H-1: at Aloha Stadium and Fort Shafter. Close to H-1 and Aloha Stadium, H-201 has an exchange with the western terminus of Interstate H-3 to the windward side of Oahu (Kaneohe). This complex of connecting ramps, some directly between H-1 and H-3, is in Halawa.
• 26px Interstate H-2 Connects at a junction near Waipahu and Pearl City with the H-1 freeway. The H-2 freeway will take you up to Schofield barracks before ending at Wahiawa where it connect to the north shore.
• 26px Interstate H-3 Connects at a junction near Halawa Heights. This interstate highway will take you from Halawa heights through the Ko'olau Range to Kaneohe. Its final termination is at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Exit 15 is the last exit before entering Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

Other major highways that link Honolulu CCD with other parts of the Island of Oahu are:

• 26px Pali Highway, (State Route 61), crosses north over the Koʻolau range via the Pali Tunnels to connect to Kailua and Kaneohe on the windward side of the Island.
• 26px Likelike Highway, (State Route 63), also crosses the Koʻolau to Kaneohe via the Wilson Tunnels.
• 26px Kalanianaole Highway, State Route 72, runs eastward from Waialae/Kahala to Hawai{{okina}}i Kai and around the east end of the island to Waimanalo Beach.
• Kamehameha Highway, State Route 80, 83, 99 and 830, runs westward from near Hickam Air Force Base to Aiea and beyond, eventually running through the center of the island and ending in Kaneohe.
• Farrington Highway, State Route 93 runs western leeward Oahu from Kaena Point through Waianae and Makaha before the start of the H-1. State Route 930 starts east to west in the north shore connecting you from Wailua to Kaena Point

Like most major American cities, the Honolulu metropolitan area experiences heavy traffic congestion during rush hours, especially to and from the western suburbs of Kapolei, {{okina}}Ewa Beach, Aiea, Pearl City, Waipahu, and Mililani.

There is a Hawaii Electric Vehicle Demonstration Project (HEVDP).{{cite web |title=Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies |url=http://www.htdc.org/programsservices/hcatt.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712035301/http://www.htdc.org/programsservices/hcatt.html |archive-date=July 12, 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2009 |publisher=High Technology Development Corporation |df=mdy-all}}

In November 2010, voters approved a charter amendment to create a public transit authority to oversee the planning, construction, operation and future extensions to Honolulu's rail system, now known as Skyline. The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has a 10-member board of directors, with three members appointed by the mayor, three selected by the Honolulu City Council, and the city and state transportation directors.{{cite web|url=http://www.honolulutransit.org/hart.aspx |author=Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation |author-link=Skyline (Honolulu) |title=HART – Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation |publisher=Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation |location=Honolulu |access-date=July 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422000532/http://www.honolulutransit.org/hart.aspx |archive-date=April 22, 2012}}

The opening of the first phase of the Skyline was delayed until 2023, as HART canceled the initial bids for the first nine stations, rebid the work as three packages of three stations each, and allowed more time for construction in the hope that increased competition on smaller contracts would drive down costs;{{cite news |url=http://m.kitv.com/news/hart-cancels-bids-for-first-9-rail-stations/27967000 |title=HART cancels bids for first 9 rail stations |newspaper=KITV |date=September 10, 2014 |access-date=November 27, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129163425/http://m.kitv.com/news/hart-cancels-bids-for-first-9-rail-stations/27967000 |archive-date=November 29, 2014}} initial bids ranged from $294.5 million to $320.8 million, far surpassing HART's budget of $184 million.honolulutransit.org [http://www.honolulutransit.org/media/280559/20140814-weekly-eblast.pdf Honolulu Transit E-Blast (PDF)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225150532/http://www.honolulutransit.org/media/280559/20140814-weekly-eblast.pdf |date=December 25, 2014}} August 18, 2014.

{{Main|TheBus (Honolulu)}}

Established by former Mayor Frank F. Fasi as the replacement for the Honolulu Rapid Transit Company (HRT), Honolulu's TheBus system was honored in 1994–95 and 2000–01 by the American Public Transportation Association as "America's Best Transit System". TheBus operates 107 routes serving Honolulu and most major cities and towns on Oʻahu. TheBus comprises a fleet of 531 buses, and is run by the nonprofit corporation Oʻahu Transit Services in conjunction with the city Department of Transportation Services. {{As of|2006}}, Honolulu was ranked fourth for highest per-capita use of mass transit in the United States.{{cite web |url=http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/pubs/other_data_products/Top_Transit_Cities.xls |website=National Transit Database |title=Top Transit Cities 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100720225645/http://www.ntdprogram.gov/ntdprogram/pubs/other_data_products/Top_Transit_Cities.xls |archive-date=July 20, 2010 |date=February 11, 2008 |url-status=dead}}

Para-transit Options

The island also features TheHandi-Van,{{Cite web|url=http://www.honolulu.gov/dts/aboutus/publictransit.html|title=Public Transit|website=www.honolulu.gov|access-date=November 13, 2019|archive-date=November 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113031647/http://www.honolulu.gov/dts/aboutus/publictransit.html|url-status=dead}} for riders who require para-transit operations. To be eligible for this service, riders must meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). TheHandi-Van has a fare of $2 and is available from 4am to 1am. There is a 24-hour service within 3/4 of a mile of TheBus route 2{{Cite web|url=http://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/dts/dts_docs/24hrserviceforrte2.pdf|title=Route 2}} and route 40.{{Cite web|url=http://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/dts/dts_docs/24hrserviceforrte40.pdf|title=Route 40}} TheHandi-Van comprises a fleet of 160 buses. The parantransit branch also runs Human Services Transportation Coordination (HSTCP), which mainly provides transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes, assisted by the Committee for Accessible Transportation (CAT). Both organizations work together to provide transportation for elderly and persons with disabilities.

{{Main|Skyline (Honolulu)}}

Honolulu has no urban rail transit system, though electric street railways were operated in Honolulu by the now-defunct Honolulu Rapid Transit Company before World War II. Predecessors to the Honolulu Rapid Transit Company were the Honolulu Rapid Transit and Land Company (began 1903) and Hawaiian Tramways (began 1888).{{cite web |url=http://www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&year=1888 |title=Hawaii's History in 1888 – Hawaii History – 1888 |publisher=Hawaiihistory.org |access-date=May 22, 2012 |archive-date=June 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604124747/http://www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&year=1888 |url-status=dead }}

The City and County of Honolulu is constructing a {{convert|20|mi|km|adj=on}} rail transit line that will connect Honolulu with cities and suburban areas near Pearl Harbor and in the Leeward and West Oahu regions. Skyline aims to alleviate traffic congestion for West Oʻahu commuters while being integral in the westward expansion of the metropolitan area. The project has been criticized for its cost, delays, and potential environmental impacts, but the line is expected to have large ridership. The line's first segment connects East Kapolei and Aloha Stadium and opened on June 30, 2023.{{cite news|author=|title=With new name, city hopes for a positive rebrand of Honolulu's rail project|date=June 16, 2023|work=Hawaii News Now|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/06/16/city-announce-official-name-brand-honolulu-rail-system/|accessdate=June 17, 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Vantuono |first=William C. |date=June 30, 2023 |title='Skyline' Opens in Honolulu |work=Railway Age |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/rapid-transit/skyline-opens-in-honolulu/ |access-date=December 23, 2023}}

Since June 28, 2017, Bikeshare Hawaii administers the bicycle sharing program in Oʻahu while Secure Bike Share operates the Biki system. Most Biki stations are between Chinatown/Downtown and Diamond Head, but a 2018 expansion added stations toward the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Campus, Kapiolani Community College, Makiki, and Kalihi area.{{cite web | title = Bikeshare Hawaii | url = http://www.bikesharehawaii.org/ | access-date = August 14, 2017 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170815061101/http://www.bikesharehawaii.org/ | archive-date = August 15, 2017 | df = mdy-all }}{{cite news | title = 10 new Biki stops to be installed from Downtown to Waikiki | url = http://www.kitv.com/story/36133094/10-new-biki-stops-to-be-installed-from-downtown-to-waikiki | work = KITV | date = August 14, 2017 | access-date = August 14, 2017 | archive-date = August 14, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170814233624/http://www.kitv.com/story/36133094/10-new-biki-stops-to-be-installed-from-downtown-to-waikiki | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | last = Zielke | first = Aydee | title = Honolulu's bike share program ready to roll in summer 2015! | url = http://www.hhf.com/2014/04/02/honolulus-bikeshare-program-ready-to-roll-in-summer-2015/ | work = HHF Planners | date = April 2, 2014 | access-date = August 14, 2017 | archive-date = February 25, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160225085123/http://www.hhf.com/2014/04/02/honolulus-bikeshare-program-ready-to-roll-in-summer-2015/ | url-status = dead }}{{cite news | title=Bikeshare Hawaii selects PBSC Urban Solutions as partner to supply bikes for Honolulu | url=https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2015/12/08/bikeshare-hawaii-selects-pbsc-urban-solutions-as.html | work=American City Business Journals | location=Honolulu | date=December 8, 2015}}

According to the 2016 American Community Survey (five-year average), 56% of Urban Honolulu residents commuted to work by driving alone, 13.8% carpooled, 11.7% used public transportation, and 8.7% walked. About 5.7% commuted by bike, taxi, motorcycle or other forms of transportation, while 4.1% worked at home.{{cite web|title=Means of Transportation to Work by Age|url=https://censusreporter.org/data/table/?table=B08101&geo_ids=16000US1571550&primary_geo_id=16000US1571550|publisher=Census Reporter|access-date=May 4, 2018}}

The city of Honolulu has a high percentage of households without a motor vehicle. In 2015, 16.6% of Honolulu households were car-free, which increased slightly to 17.2% in 2016; by comparison, the United States national average was 8.7% in 2016. Honolulu averaged 1.4 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.{{cite journal|title=Car Ownership in U.S. Cities Data and Map|journal=Governing|date=December 9, 2014 |url=http://www.governing.com/gov-data/car-ownership-numbers-of-vehicles-by-city-map.html|access-date=May 4, 2018}}

The Honolulu Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the city and county of Honolulu and serves the entire Oahu Island. Honolulu Police Department has a mixed fleet of marked patrol cars and unmarked along with a subsidized vehicle program in place. Marked vehicles are white with blue stripes and white lettering HONOLULU POLICE. The Honolulu Police Departments lets officers of a certain rank purchase a private vehicle for police use. Subsidized vehicles are unmarked but have a small blue roof light.{{Cite web|title=HPD officers say enforcing 30-year old policy endangers their lives|url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/17327192/officers-upset-over/|access-date=May 2, 2021|website=www.hawaiinewsnow.com|date=April 4, 2012 }} Subsidized vehicles can be any make, model, or color, but must follow department rules and guidelines. Honolulu Police and Hawaii County Police on the Big Island are the only departments in the state of Hawaii and the U.S. with subsidized vehicles. Honolulu Police along with other city, county law enforcement in Hawaii uses blue lights for their vehicles. They also keep their cruise blue lights on while on patrol.{{Cite web|date=December 18, 2019|title=New directive requires Kauai police to keep blue lights on at all times during patrols|url=https://www.khon2.com/top-stories/new-directive-requires-kauai-police-to-keep-blue-lights-on-at-all-times-during-patrols/|access-date=May 2, 2021|website=KHON2|language=en-US|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502213047/https://www.khon2.com/top-stories/new-directive-requires-kauai-police-to-keep-blue-lights-on-at-all-times-during-patrols/|url-status=dead}}

The Honolulu Fire Department provides firefighting services and first responder level emergency medical services on Oahu. Emergency medical services at higher levels are provided by the Honolulu Emergency Medical Services. Contrary to most other fire departments, fire trucks in Honolulu are yellow.{{cite web |title=The Hawaiian Fire Departments |url=https://www.fireserviceinfo.com/hawaiifd.html |website=Fire Services Information |access-date=July 14, 2021}}

{{Main|List of people from Honolulu}}

Honolulu's sister cities are:{{cite web |url=http://www.honolulu.gov/ecodev/intl-relations.html |title=International Relations and Sister-City Program |publisher=City and County of Honolulu |date=2019 |type=official website |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025094453/http://www.honolulu.gov/ecodev/intl-relations.html |url-status=dead }}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• {{flagdeco|COK}} Avarua, Cook Islands, 2024{{cite web |url=https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2024/06/07/honolulu-become-sister-city-with-rarotonga-cook-islands/ |title=Honolulu signs 'historic' sister-city agreements with Rarotonga, Cook Islands |publisher=Hawaii News Now |date=7 June 2024 }}
• {{flagdeco|PHL}} Baguio, Philippines, 1991
• {{flagdeco|AZE}} Baku, Azerbaijan, 1998
• {{flagdeco|FRA}} Bruyères, France, 1960
• {{flagdeco|COL}} Cali, Colombia, 2012
• {{flagdeco|PHL}} Candon, Philippines, 2015
• {{flagdeco|VEN}} Caracas, Venezuela, 1990
• {{flagdeco|PHL}} Cebu City, Philippines, 1990
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Chengdu, China, 2011
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Chigasaki, Japan, 2014
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Edogawa, Japan, 2022
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Fengxian (Shanghai), China, 2012
• {{flagdeco|PRT}} Funchal, Portugal, 1979
• {{flagdeco|CHN}} Fuzhou, China, 2021{{cite web|title=Fuzhou, Honolulu forge sister-city ties|url=http://www.news.cn/english/2021-10/21/c_1310260506.htm|website=news.cn|publisher=Xinhua|date=2021-10-22|access-date=2022-04-25|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601003754/http://www.news.cn/english/2021-10/21/c_1310260506.htm|url-status=dead}}
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Haikou, China, 1985
• {{flagdeco|SPA}} Noreña, Spain, 1960
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Hiroshima, Japan, 1959
• {{flagdeco|VIE}} Huế, Vietnam, 1995
• {{flagdeco|KOR}} Incheon, South Korea, 2003
• {{flagdeco|TWN}} Kaohsiung, Taiwan, 1962
• {{flagdeco|RUS}} Kyzyl, Russia, 2004
• {{flagdeco|PHL}} Laoag, Philippines, 1969
• {{flagdeco|MHL}} Majuro, Marshall Islands, 2001
• {{flagdeco|PHL}} Mandaluyong, Philippines, 2005
• {{flagdeco|PHL}} Manila, Philippines, 1980
• {{flagdeco|KEN}} Mombasa, Kenya, 2000
• {{flagdeco|IND}} Mumbai, India, 1970
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Nagaoka, Japan, 2012
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Naha, Japan, 1960
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Qinhuangdao, China, 2010
• {{flagdeco|MAR}} Rabat, Morocco, 2007
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Saiki, Japan, 2003
• {{flagdeco|PRI}} San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1985
• {{flagdeco|KOR}} Seoul, South Korea, 1973
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Shibuya, Japan, 2024
• {{flagdeco|PRT}} Sintra, Portugal, 1998
• {{flagdeco|JPN}} Uwajima, Japan, 2004
• {{flagdeco|PHL}} Vigan, Philippines, 2003
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Zhangzhou, China, 2012
• {{flagdeco|PRC}} Zhongshan, China, 1997

{{div col end}}

• List of tallest buildings in Honolulu
• USS Honolulu, 3 ships

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{See also|Timeline of Honolulu#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Honolulu}}

• [http://www.honolulu.gov/ City and County of Honolulu] official site
• [http://www.gohawaii.com/ Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau]
• [http://www.theguidetotheus.com/honolulu/famous_people.html Guide to Honolulu: Famous People]

{{Subject bar|Geography|North America|United States|Hawaii|auto=1}}

{{Honolulu}}

{{Honolulu County, Hawaii}}

{{Hawaii county seats}}

{{Hawaii}}

{{USPopulousCities}}

{{United States state capitals}}

{{List of Oceanian capitals by region}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1907 establishments in Hawaii

Category:Capitals of former nations

Category:Census county divisions

Category:Census-designated places in Honolulu County, Hawaii

Category:Cities in Hawaii

Category:County seats in Hawaii

Category:Populated coastal places in Hawaii

Category:Populated places established in 1809

Category:Populated places in Honolulu County, Hawaii

Category:Populated places on Oahu

Category:Port cities and towns in Hawaii

Category:State capitals in the United States