It’s time to move beyond Hawaiian clichés and part the palm fronds. Behind the swaying, whispering leaves, back off the beach a bit, lies historic Honolulu – rich, and deep, and thoroughly fascinating.
– The big picture begins to unfold at Bishop Museum. Hawaii is perhaps the most ethnically diverse of our 50 states. Learn about the challenges early immigrants faced in the exhibit Tradition and Transition. From there, head to the Hawaiian Hall and immerse yourself in the myth and legend of pre-contact Hawaii. The Richard T. Mamiya Science Adventure Center is all about Hawaii’s magnificent (and surprisingly fragile) ecology. If you ever wanted to know all about volcanoes, this is the place to start.
– Open yourself to the story of the last true Hawaiian monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. A bonafide hero to many, she fought ultimately successful attempts of planter and businessmen to run the islands. They won. Later, she attempted to restore the monarchy. That led to her imprisonment in the upper bedroom of Iolani Palace, the place from which she once reigned. See this magnificent structure. Be swept away by the story that unfolded within its walls.
– Do not leave Oahu without setting aside ample time to visit hallowed ground. That ground, of course, is Pearl Harbor. Seven decades after the surprise attacks of Dec. 7, 1941 this reporter still gets a chill looking across the improbably small harbor, to the alabaster monument that straddles the remains of U.S.S. Arizona and her crew.
The new Pearl Harbor Visitors Center is extraordinary. Arrayed along the banks of Pearl, always in sight of Arizona, the center’s galleries lead you along the Road to War, and culminate in Attack. The scope and sweep of the battle is vividly brought home here. But so is the fact it was fought by individual men and women, human beings suddenly caught up in the winds of war. Their personal memorabilia, photos and recollections are shattering.
Bag the beach for a day. You owe it to yourself to see Pearl Harbor. There’s always another place to wiggle your toes in the sand. The visit to Pearl will remain with you the rest of your life.
Story by Jerry Chandler
