Stemming from a long history of religion and royalty Hawaiian culture is steeped in myth and legend, rite and ritual, and many sacred sites pay homage to the doings of warriors, kings and gods alike. The islands of Hawaii are home to numerous heritage sites, palaces and cultural venues - allowing you a deeper insight into the Hawaiian Culture. |
Palaces and palace grounds throughout the major islands are testament to the opulence and grandeur of by-gone eras and are often transformed into museums housing the treasured artifacts of Hawaiian royalty, together with prized antiques acquired through Western interaction. On the Big Island Hulihe’e Palace, built of lava rock, was the favored retreat of the monarchy while ‘Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu, the only royal palace in the US, is reminiscent of all the glamour, pomp and ceremony – and attendant intrigues - of earlier times. Historic sites dot the countryside and include vast fishponds, queen’s baths, burial caves, petroglyphs, religious heiau or places of worship, and natural features such as Halema’uma Crater for the appeasement of the gods. Museums of a more ordinary kind abound and showcase the best collections of art, antiques, curios and memorabilia both pre- and post-colonial. Bishop Museum in Honolulu is acclaimed as one of the foremost anthropological examples of the history of Hawaii and the Kona Coast on the Big Island boasts a prevalence of historical societies and museums displaying period pieces of significance. Missionary homesteads and plantation estates such as Parker Ranch Museum on the Big Island and Baldwin House on Maui depict the affluence of 19th century colonial living and many others often offer a taste of by-gone luxury to visitors seeking accommodation. Many churches are also predominant features of the landscape. Certain museums are dedicated to specific subjects and/or recognition of issues of regional significance. The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park and the USS Arizona Memorial champion the WWII efforts of US marines during the events of Pearl Harbor on O’ahu. By contrast, North Shore Surf & Cultural Museum is a lighthearted look at the prevalent beach culture of the region and Whalers Village Museum on Maui gives an in-depth account of the industry. The Big Island also boasts small museums such as Onizuka Space Center for stargazers, while entire museums are dedicated to the vagaries of the elements and the power of nature in volcanic hot spots. Japanese, Chinese, Asian and Polynesian cultures are all well represented in museums, temples and gardens peculiar to each respective ethnicity. Generally, museums are not only vital to the preservation of history but the ultimate way in which to get insight into the intricacies of Hawaiian culture and a true orientation of the Hawaiian way of life. |
O'ahu is the most visited of the Hawaiian Islands, home to the vibrant city of Waikiki Beach with its fantastic dining, shopping & nightlife, North Shore's banzai pipeline, snorkelling at Hanauma Bay, and an impressive arts and culture scene. Read more ...
