Sea you in Honolulu, Hawaii

Honolulu, with its favorable tropical climate, rich natural scenery, and extensive beaches attracts over 2.7 million visitors annually. It's also known for its high cost of living, being the third most expensive city to live in the United States after New York and San Francisco. The city has a rich history, having served as a significant center for the Hawaiian Islands since the mid-1800s. Honolulu's architecture is a rich tapestry that reflects a blend of influences, including Hawaiian-born Tropical Modernism, Islamic and Moorish styles, Beaux-Arts, and American Florentine architecture. The city's most notable architecture was constructed in the postwar era, with a focus on capturing the beauty of its natural surroundings. We set out while in port to find a compact camera with excellent zoom features. While we're grateful for our granddaughter's camera during our global journey, it can be cumbersome to carry at times. We traversed a significant distance during our walk and were truly impressed by the diverse range of structures. The architectural landscape of Honolulu is a testament to its unique cultural and historical heritage, making it a fascinating destination for enthusiasts of design and architecture.

The Aloha Tower, a welcoming beacon for visitors, is significant for several reasons. It is associated with Hawaiian maritime history and served as a transportation hub for tourist activities in Hawaii from 1926 to 1959, when air travel emerged as a dominant mode of travel. The tower is also significant for its unique place in Hawaii's architectural development, being the tallest building in the islands for four decades and featuring a distinctive Art Deco style with elements of Late Gothic Revival architecture.

In addition, the city features modernist architectural treasures with captivating entryways. For those familiar with Jeff, it's no secret that his enduring fascination with doors once led him to consider it as a promising business venture, complete with a distinctive logo. After all, as the saying goes, "You never have a second chance to make a first impression."

Here is a collection of buildings including some modern gems, along with a unique horse sculpture, a one-of-a-kind Hawaiian-inspired fountain, and a distinctive monkey pod tree, commonly found across the islands, with its exceptional canopy foliage.

Part of our walk through the city took us to Chinatown and here's a few interesting facts about this historic section of Honolulu. In 1900, Chinatown was hit by the bubonic plague, leading to a series of drastic measures. The plague was introduced through a shipment of rice and, due to poor living conditions and crowded residences, it spread rapidly. To combat the outbreak, the Hawaiian Board of Health resorted to incinerating garbage, renovating the sewer system, and putting Chinatown under quarantine. As a last resort, they decided to burn down affected areas using carefully controlled fires. However, on January 20, 1900, a blaze got out of control and spread throughout the district, resulting in the destruction of 38 acres of Honolulu. This event, known as the "Great Honolulu Chinatown Fire," was one of the worst civic catastrophes in Hawaiian history. The fire left around 7,000 residents homeless, mostly Chinese, Japanese, and Kanakas (native Hawaiians), who were then displaced to detention camps until April 30. The plague was eventually eradicated, and four months later, Honolulu was declared plague-free. A few of the historic buildings remain as you can see here.

So, we put a lot of miles on in Honolulu while enjoying the variety of architecture and managed to acquire a new camera in the process. Beautiful weather, beautiful day on the island!