Honolulu is state capital of Hawaii and the archipelago's most populous city. It lies on the eastern side of the island of Oahu, its name in Hawaiian meaning "sheltered bay". Every year, millions of tourists take cheap flights to Honolulu to bask in the sun on the world's most famous beach, absorb the history, do some surfing, pick up some bargains and experience the gracious "aloha" spirit.
It was the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 that brought the US into the Second World War and a tour that takes in the USS Arizona Memorial (constructed over the sunken hull of the battleship), USS Missouri and the Pacific Aviation Museum is a must for many travellers. Over the past couple of years, a new tourist trail has started, one associated with Barack Obama. Australians might be more interested in another man - Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, the Olympic champion swimmer and movie actor who, it is said, introduced surfing to Australia.
The Duke was raised in Waikiki, and if you are following the Waikiki Historic Trail, you'll see his statue, garlanded in leis. Some of the exhibits at the Honolulu Surfing Museum feature the Duke too. The museum also displays the gold ring worn by Captain James Cook during his exploration of Hawaii. Another fascinating museum is the Bishop Museum which houses a wonderful collection of Hawaiian artifacts. And another Duke - Doris Duke, the late heiress - is the benefactress of the Doris Duke Museum of Islamic Art.
If you tire of the beach and museums or you want to walk off that plate lunch, climbing up Diamond Head is a good idea. The ancient volcanic crater, which dominates Waikiki, offers wonderful views of the city.
