island of o‘ahu - hawaii tourism authority of o‘ahu! nicknames!...
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Island of O‘ahu
Nicknames The Gathering Place; the Heart of Hawai‘i
Capital City Honolulu (translates to "sheltered bay")
Population 900,000
Square Miles 597
Resort Areas Waikīkī, North Shore, Ko‘olina, Kāhala
Visitors Bureau www.visit-‐oahu.com
Flower/Plant ‘ilima
Mountain Ka‘ala
Ali'i Kākuhihewa
Color melemele (yellow)
O‘AHU ‘O O‘ahu, ka ‘ōnohi o ke kai, O‘ahu o Kākuhihewa O‘ahu, the gem of the sea, O‘ahu of Chief Kākuhihewa
O‘ahu is home to the majority of Hawai‘i’s residents. It became the hub of the modern Hawaiian monarchy in 1845 when the capital was moved from Lahaina, Maui to Honolulu. It is said that Kūkaniloko on this island is so sacred that the highest ranking chiefs would have their wives come here to bear their children, thus increasing the newly born chief’s mana (power or authority). Located on this island is world-‐renowned Waikīkī beach, which once was the playground of Hawai‘i’s royalty. The area was previously a natural swamp where kalo (taro) was cultivated. O‘ahu has become the gathering place for Hawai‘i residents and visitors.
Cultural & Historic Sites
Historic Honolulu Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown are home to historic Hawaiian landmarks including ‘Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha I statue, Kawaiaha‘o Church, and Washington Place (former home of Queen Lili‘uokalani and current home of the Governor), as well as modern landmarks like the Hawai‘i State Capitol and Honolulu Hale (headquarters of the City & County of Honolulu). Many of the buildings in this area date back to the mid-‐ to late-‐1800s. In nearby Kalihi is the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, which was opened in 1889. The museum houses the finest examples of royal and Hawaiian cultural artifacts.
Waikīkī Once a playground for the aristocracy of O‘ahu, Waikīkī is arguably the world’s most famous beach. It was from the breaks of Waikīkī that Hawai‘i’s indigenous sport of surfing became known to the world. He‘e nalu, or “wave sliding,” was practiced (with a variety of specially shaped boards) in Waikīkī and at other locations throughout the Islands. At the far end of Waikīkī stands Lē‘ahi, an extinct crater that was named by Native Hawaiian for its resemblance to the brow of a strong ‘ahi (tuna) fish. It is most commonly known by its nickname, “Diamond Head,” which was coined after a group of 19th century British sailors thought they had discovered diamonds on the slopes of Lē‘ahi.
Sacred Precipices Overlooking lush Kāne‘ohe and Kailua and the majestic Ko‘olau Mountain range is the Nu‘uanu Pali (cliff), which was the site of the infamous Battle of Nu‘uanu. It was here, high atop these cliffs in 1795, that Kamehameha I won the decisive battle that helped him conquer O‘ahu and bring it into his Kingdom.
Honolulu, O‘ahu
Below is a mele (song) written for O‘ahu.
A SONG FOR O‘AHU
Mary Pūla‘a Robins wrote about Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head) which marks the eastern boundary of Māmala Bay. Mary Robins’ husband was a lighthouse keeper, so she had a special awareness of things like buoys, reefs, and bays; but more than simple maritime observation may be at hand in this mele (song). The song speaks of the simple beauties of Lē‘ahi and Waikīkī.
LĒ‘AHI Diamond Head
Lē‘ahi, ‘uhe‘uhene Kaimana Hila, ‘uhe‘uhene Hōkū o ka ‘ale kai Māmala,
‘Uhe‘uhene
Mālama pono ‘oe, ‘uheuhene
I ka poe pele, ‘uhe‘uhene O ili kāua i ka pūko‘a, ‘Uhe‘uhene
Hā‘awi ke aloha, ‘uhe‘uhene Lūlū lima, ‘uhe‘uhene
Me nā huapala maka onaona ‘Uhe‘uhene
Kau aku ‘oe, ‘uhe‘uhene I ke ka‘api‘o, ‘uhe‘uhene Pā ana ka uepa kiani
‘Uhe‘uhene
Hā‘ina ‘ia mai, ‘uhe‘uhene
Ana ka puana, ‘uhe‘uhene Goodbye kāua, e ke aloha,
‘Uhe‘uhene
Lē‘ahi, what fun! Diamond Head, what fun! Star over the billows of Māmala Bay,
What fun!
Now watch out, what fun!
For the buoy with the bell, what fun! We might get stuck on a coral head, What fun!
Give a heartfelt greeting; what fun! Shake hands, what fun!
With the sweet-‐faced young beauties, What fun!
You now get onto, what fun! A carriage, what fun! The driver’s whip is so graceful,
What fun!
Let it be told, what fun!
Through this story, what fun! “Goodbye” my dearest love,
What fun!
Words by Mary Pūla‘a Robins