A Few Hours in Waikiki

A layover offered the chance to spend a few hours exploring Waikiki. Because I was spending less than a day, I made no specific plans and had no itinerary. I just needed to make sure I got a good night sleep and spend a few hours exploring. My expectations of Hawaii were, no doubt, shaped by popular culture. I often think about Tom Selleck’s character on Magnum P.I. routinely referring to the state of Hawaii as “paradise” rather than by its moniker. I suppose to many people it is. The temperate weather, beautiful and lush vegetation, and attractive and exotic setting makes it an important draw for many.

Queen Liluokalani

Hawaii has a different history from the rest of the United States. Yet, in many ways, the islands have become Americanized. A short ride through central Honolulu confirms that several popular American chains are available for shoppers to address their needs. On the shuttle I took from the airport to the hotel, I had difficulty hearing the driver from the back of the minibus; however, the one story I did catch was while we were sitting at a stoplight in central Honolulu. The driver noted that the Walmart to our left was once Macy’s, “but now it is Walmart.” I thought to myself that this could not be the most significant sight in central Honolulu.

One thing that is noticeable around Honolulu is the reverence for its royal past. Evidence of Hawaii’s monarchy is seemingly everywhere. While many of the monuments honor Queen Liliuokalani, the last queen of Hawaii, there are a number of other monuments and statues that commemorate individuals who are not as well known outside of the state. Among the more interesting is Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana’ole Pi’ikoi who has a statue at a busy intersection on Waikiki beach. Kuhio joined a counter revolution in 1895 in an attempt to overthrow the Republic of Hawaii and restore the monarchy. He was charged with treason and jailed. Very popular among Hawaiians, he was elected as the territorial delegate from Hawaii to the United States Congress (1902-1922).

War Monument at Waikiki

The War Monument on Waikiki Beach honors soldiers who fought in the First World War from American territories, which Hawaii was at the time. Interestingly, the monument is in severe disrepair. At one time there had been a pool, but today the fence is padlocked and sign warns of danger and a lack of structural integrity. Given the relative wealth of the area and the proximity of the monument, it seems odd that this war memorial would be in such a state.