Hawaiian Vacations: Island of Oahu Hawaiian Vacations - Island of Oahu Island of Oahu The Heart of Hawaii Hike down a lush mountainside, just minutes away from a soaring cityscape. Feast at a luau under the stars one night, dine at a five-star restaurant another. Sunbathe all day on the North Shore then dance all night in Waikiki. There's no shortage of things to do on Oahu. OAHU HOT DEAL HOLIDAYS INCLUDE: Round-trip airfare Island of Oahu Hot Deals With Waikiki as a central hub, you can explore the legendary North Shore of Oahu one day, and spend the next day on the east side snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, a protected marine sanctuary with tons of colorful fish. It's clear that Oahu offers just the right amount of diversity for the adventurous as well as the cautious visitor. Thrill seekers can skydive at Mokuleia while daydreamers can relax peacefully on the beach. Exquisite dining and exciting nightlife also entice people to the Hawaiian Island of Oahu again and again. LEARN MORE ABOUT OAHU!

Facts:Population 876,156, Area 597 sq. miles The most populated Hawaiian Island, where Honolulu is the Capital City, the principal port, the major airport, and business and financial center, and the educational heart of the State. Oahu is the military command center of the Pacific. Waikiki is the visitor center. Landmarks: Nuuanu Pali, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor. Oahu Flower: Ilima North Shore (Virtual Tour) The North Shore, a 20-plus-mile stretch of coastline from Kaena Point in the west to Turtle Bay in the east, comes alive during the winter season when waves reach up 30 feet at Waimea Bay. In summer months, the shore break is usually calm enough for snorkeling and swimming. Haleiwa, is the North Shore's central town where there are interesting surf shops, dress boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and not to mention Matsumoto Shave Ice, serving the best local icy treat! Pearl Harbor (Arizona Memorial) (Virtual Tour) Pearl Harbor was originally a river, which early Hawaiians called Wai Momi or "river of pearl," because of its numerous oyster beds.

Today, Pearl Harbor is Hawaii's largest harbor and the nation's only naval base designated as a National Historic Landmark with three significant memorials: the USS Arizona Memorial, honoring the 1,100 men of the Pearl Harbor attack; the Battleship Missouri Memorial, a living museum of the most celebrated and last-built battleship; and the USS Bowfin Museum, featuring a World War II submarine, a Japanese mini submarine and extensive submarine history. Bishop Museum (Virtual Tour) At Bishop Museum, take a historical walk through the Hawaiian Hall to see the over 76,000 Hawaiian artifacts from hand-made feather cloaks to ancient hand-carved bowls to the skeleton of a 50-feet sperm whale hanging from the ceiling. Built in 1889 to honor Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last heir of the Kamehameha dynasty, the museum has an impressive collection of the monarchy's artifacts. Aloha Tower Marketplace (Virtual Tour) This 10-story tower was built in 1926 at Pier 9 in downtown Honolulu. The tower, with its four-sided clock, is now part of a new inter-island cruise ship terminal.

Hosting close to 100 shops, along with a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues, the Aloha Tower Marketplace is guaranteed to have something to interest any visitor. After a day of shopping and activities at the Aloha Tower, jump on the elevator and head up to the 10th-floor observation deck for a stunning panoramic view of Honolulu. Duke Kahanamoku Statue (Virtual Tour) Three-time Olympic gold medalist, movie star, beach boy, the legendary Duke Paoa Kahanamoku has been dubbed "ambassador of surfing" having introduced surfing to the world. Early Hawaiians originated hee nalu (wave sliding), which was part of their warrior training. The beach behind the Duke statue happens to be one of the best swimming and surfing spots in Waikiki. Diamond Head (Virtual Tour) Diamond Head is Oahu's largest tuff cone formed over 100,000 years ago by an active bubbling volcano. Nineteenth century British sailors nicknamed the crater Diamond Head when they mistook the calcite crystals for diamonds. A well-graded trail leads you up the 760-feet summit to a World War II bunker with a bird's eye view of Honolulu.

Polynesian Cultural Center (Virtual Tour) The Polynesian Cultural Center, located on Oahu's north shore, brings together the history and cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga in authentic recreated villages covering over 42-acres. Learn first-hand how Pacific islanders build houses with no nails, expertly spear fish, climb 50-foot trees for coconuts, pound bark into cloth, carve fishhooks, weave mats and cook with "hot rocks" in an imu (underground oven). Don't miss the ancient war dances, traditional wedding ceremonies and the spectacular luau show with a cast of over 100 Polynesian dancers. Hanauma Bay One of Oahu's natural wonders, Hanauma Bay is a world-class nature preserve and home to a huge assortment of sea life from colorful rainbow parrotfish, convict tangs, trumpetfish, mullet, squid and living coral reefs. Even with the "no fish food" rule, fish are eager to swim right next to you. Check out the new Marine Life Education Center to learn more about Hawaii's marine and coastal environment through the interactive exhibits, displays and video presentations.

Nuuanu Pali Lookout Test your wind stamina at Nuuanu Pali, where periodic wind gusts make it difficult for visitors to walk to the lookout point. Perched 3,000 feet above Windward Oahu, Nuuanu Pali is the site of a famous Battle of Nuuanu led by Kamehameha I in 1795 when he drove hundreds of warriors over the cliff. Oahu is the most populated island, where Honolulu is the Capital City, the principal port, the major airport, and business and financial center, and the educational heart of the State. O`ahu is the military command center of the Pacific. Waikiki is the visitor center. Landmarks: Nuuanu Pali, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor. Plan to take time to visit Pearl Harbor on your Oahu vacation. It was originally a river, which early Hawaiians called Wai Momi or "river of pearl," because of its numerous oyster beds.

Today, Pearl Harbor is Hawaii's largest harbor and the nation's only naval base designated as a National Historic Landmark with three significant memorials: the USS Arizona Memorial, honoring the 1,100 men of the Pearl Harbor attack; the Battleship Missouri Memorial, a living museum of the most celebrated and last-built battleship; and the USS Bowfin Museum, featuring a World War II submarine, a Japanese mini submarine and extensive submarine history. At Bishop Museum, take a historical walk through the Hawaiian Hall to see the over 76,000 Hawaiian artifacts from hand-made feather cloaks to ancient hand-carved bowls to the skeleton of a 50-feet sperm whale hanging from the ceiling. Built in 1889 to honor Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last heir of the Kamehameha dynasty, the museum has an impressive collection of the monarchy's artifacts. Completed in 1882, King David Kalakaua held many grand parties and festivities here at Iolani Palace, America's only royal palace. During this reign, Kalakaua installed modern upgrades such as plumbing, electric lights and Hawaii's first telephone to the palace.

The last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, lived here but was also imprisoned at the palace after the Hawaiian government was overthrown in 1893. Hale Alii was the original name for the royal resident, which was renamed by Kamehameha V in 1863 in honor of late his brother, Iolani. On your Oahu vacation see the Duke Kahanamoku Statue located on Waikiki beach. The Three-time Olympic gold medallist, movie star, beach boy, the legendary Duke Pauoa Kahanamoku has been dubbed "ambassador of surfing" having introduced surfing to the world. Early Hawaiians originated hee nalu (wave sliding), which was part of their warrior training. The beach behind the Duke statue happens to be one of the best swimming and surfing spots in Waikiki. Diamond Head is Oahu, Hawaii's largest tuff cone formed over 100,000 years ago by an active bubbling volcano. Nineteenth century British sailors nicknamed the crater Diamond Head when they mistook the calcite crystals for diamonds.

A well-graded trail leads you up the 760-feet summit to a World War II bunker with a bird's eye view of Honolulu. Hanauma Bay is one of Oahu, Hawaii's natural wonders, Hanauma Bay is a world-class nature preserve and home to a huge assortment of sea life from colorful rainbow parrotfish, convict tangs, trumpetfish, mullet, squid and living coral reefs. Even with the "no fish food" rule, fish are eager to swim right next to you. Check out the new Marine Life Education Center to learn more about Hawaii's marine and coastal environment through the interactive exhibits, displays and video presentations. At the Nuuanu Pali Lookout test your wind stamina, where periodic wind gusts make it difficult for visitors to walk to the lookout point. Perched 3,000 feet above Windward Oahu, Hawaii Nuuanu Pali is the site of a famous Battle of Nuuanu led by Kamehameha I in 1795 when he drove hundreds of warriors over the cliff.

The Polynesian Cultural Center, located on Oahu, Hawaii's north shore, brings together the history and cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga in authentic recreated villages covering over 42-acres. Learn first-hand how Pacific islanders build houses with no nails, expertly spear fish, climb 50-foot trees for coconuts, pound bark into cloth, carve fishhooks, weave mats and cook with "hot rocks" in an imu (underground oven). Don't miss the ancient war dances, traditional wedding ceremonies and the spectacular luau show with a cast of over 100 Polynesian dancers. The Official Pearl Harbor Tours and Activities Site - Hawaii No products in the cart. Welcome Pearl Harbor Tours is proud to feature a number of exciting historic tours to the site of the United States entrance into World War II. Pearl Harbor Tours are designed for your convenience and to fit your schedule. All of our tours take you to Pearl Harbor’s Visitor Center and the USS Arizona Memorial for a time of reflection and remembrance. The tragic attacks of December 7, 1941 shook the island of Oahu, and the United States, forever.

The lives lost, and that tragic day are things that we want to remember and honor. Tour Pearl Harbor In the massive attack on Pearl Harbor, one of the ships that sank was the USS Arizona. Today, you have the opportunity to stand above the wreckage of that ship when you visit Pearl Harbor. Visit the monument to the men who were killed during the ambush and experience the somber peace of a historic battle site. At Pearl Harbor, you can visit the spot where the US involvement in WWII began, and where it ended. Tour the Battleship Missouri, where the Japanese surrender and ended the war. Tours include round-trip transportation and can be booked every day. Pearl Harbor is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Oahu translates to “the gathering place,” and with 1.42 million residents, it’s easy to see why. Oahu is a city on an island with the perfect mix of island living and the attractions of a city. Touring other Hawaiian islands is a breeze with our airfare included tours. Highlight Tours Pearl Harbor Tours Relax and be confident in your booking, we’ve got you covered. All your information is encrypted and secure, and we will never sell or share your personal information with anyone outside of our company.

If your plans change for any reason, notify us 48 hours in advance and you’ll receive a full refund for tours (excluding inter-island tours with airfare). No cancellation penalties (when canceled at least 48 hours prior to tour) No service fees Pearl Harbor News and Events Remembering Pearl Harbor, 75 years later CBSNews Oahu Cruise: The Lei of the Land | NCL Travel Blog Oahu Cruise: The Lei of the Land Share: As you casually sip your Mai Tai and twirl your cocktail umbrella in your fingers, here’s a fun fact to lay (or lei) on your fellow cruisers: Oahu is often called “The Gathering Place” because over 75% of the state’s population lives on this island. Here are four reasons you’ll want to take a Honolulu Cruise – and maybe even choose to stay. SURF'S UP Whether you own the waves, are new to the waves or just like admiring the surfers, North Shore ( Explore Oahu's Famous North Shore ) is a must-see while in Oahu. The beach stretches for seven miles along the coast and the waves can get up to 30 feet during peak season.

Pro surfers flock to North Shore in the winter to try to conquer those monster waves, but in the summer the ocean is a bit more kind to those new to the sport and offers tamer waves. WAIKIKI OR BUST Waikiki packs a lot into its 1.5 square miles. The Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo are just two unexpected attractions in an area mostly known for its beaches. You can also travel to the heart of Waikiki to find shops, restaurants and the hottest nightclubs. And you can’t miss the torch-lighting ceremonies. But really, you can’t miss it. Almost every night you’ll see a man running down the street holding a stick of fire on his way to light the torches. Finally, if all of your talent goes straight to your hips, make sure you visit Kuhio Beach Park for their nightly hula pageant. REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR Pearl Harbor is the largest natural harbor in Hawaii and the only naval base in the United States to be designated a National Historical Landmark due to the events that took place on December 7, 1941.

Visit to honor the World War II servicemen and to pay respect to the 2,390 souls that lost their lives that day. The USS Arizona still lies at the bottom of the sea but you can visit the Arizona Memorial to learn more about the events that happened there. And don’t leave without seeing the USS Missouri, the site where General Macarthur accepted the Japanese surrender and the war came to a close. ROYALTY FOR A DAY Pretend you’re a royal and stroll around Iolani Palace with your head held high. This palace is the only official state residence of royalty in the United States as it was the home of the last two Hawaiian monarchs (from 1882 to 1893). Walk around and see everything from the throne room to the private living quarters. Then travel down to the basement to get a glimpse of swords, jewelry and golden crowns worn by Hawaiian royalty. Just make sure you don’t get drunk with power after imagining yourself as a royal. A Hawaii Cruise aboard the Pride of America will take you to four islands ( Oahu , Kauai , Maui and the Big Island) in seven days, the most of any cruise line!

Climb volcanoes on a Hawaii Cruise , snorkel with turtles in Maui , or just work on your island glow, whatever you choose to do, Norwegian will give you plenty to discover. Oahu | Article about Oahu by The Free Dictionary Oahu | Article about Oahu by The Free Dictionary Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Acronyms , Wikipedia . Oahu (ōä`ho͞o), island (1990 pop. 836,231), 593 sq mi (1,536 sq km), third largest and chief island of Hawaii, part of Honolulu co., between Molokai and Kauai. Oahu is composed of two parallel mountain ranges (Waianae and Koolau) that are separated by a rolling plain dissected by deep gorges. Mt. Kaala (4,040 ft/1,231 m) is the island's highest peak. Oahu has no active volcanoes, but there are many extinct craters, among them Diamond Head Diamond Head, peak, 761 ft (232 m) high, along the rim of an extinct volcano, SE Oahu island, Hawaii.

A prominent point in the Honolulu skyline, Diamond Head was designated a national natural landmark to protect its slopes from the commercial development along world-famous ..... Click the link for more information. , Koko Head, and Punchbowl Punchbowl, hill, 500 ft (152 m) high, in the city of Honolulu, SE Oahu island, Hawaii. In the bowllike extinct volcanic crater at the summit (reached by a scenic drive) is the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, for those killed in World War II. ..... Click the link for more information. . Pearl Harbor Pearl Harbor, land-locked harbor, on the southern coast of Oahu island, Hawaii, W of Honolulu; one of the largest and best natural harbors in the E Pacific Ocean. In the vicinity are many U.S. military installations, including the chief U.S. ..... Click the link for more information. indents the island's southern coast. Honolulu, the state capital and the economic center of Hawaii, is on the highly urbanized southern coast of Oahu. Manoa Valley is the site of the Univ. of Hawaii, Punahou Academy, and the Mid-Pacific Institute.

The island is an important defense area that includes the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Command and the Pearl Harbor naval base. There are many bathing beaches (including Waikiki), some of which have coral gardens. Large pineapple and sugarcane plantations cover the rural areas of the island, and their products form Oahu's chief agricultural exports. Dairy farming and fishing are also important activities, but tourism is the principal economic mainstay of Oahu. Oahu an island in the Pacific Ocean, part of the Hawaiian Islands (USA). Area, 1,574 sq km. Population, 630,000 (1970). Oahu is the most densely populated and economically advanced of the Hawaiian Islands. Its terrain is mountainous, with elevations up to 1,228 m, and formed of lavas, primarily basaltic. The climate is tropical maritime and very humid. The coastal plains and the lower sections of the mountain slopes are planted with pineapple and sugarcane. Oahu is a popular tourist area. Its principal city and port is Honolulu. Pearl Harbor—one of the most important US military bases in the Pacific Ocean—is located on Oahu.

Oahu an island in central Hawaii: the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Chief town: Honolulu. Pop.: 876 151 (2000). Area: 1574 sq. km (608 sq. miles) Hawaii: Map, History, Population, Facts, Capitol, Flag, Tree, Geography, Symbols kukui (candlenut) (1959) Nickname: Aloha State (1959) Origin of name: Uncertain. The islands may have been named by Hawaii Loa, their traditional discoverer. Or they may have been named after Hawaii or Hawaiki, the traditional home of the Polynesians.

10 largest cities1 (2010): Honolulu , 374,701; Ewa, 279,683; Koolaupoko, 121,180; East Honolulu, 49,914; Pearl City, 47,698; Hilo , 43,263; Waipahu, 38,216; Kaneohe, 34,597; North Kona, 33,155; Mililani Town, 27,629. Land area: 6,423 sq mi. (16,637 sq km) Geographic center: Between islands of Hawaii and Maui Number of counties: 5 (Kalawao non-functioning) Largest county by population and area: Honolulu, 974,990 (2012); Hawaii, 4,028 sq mi.

State forests: 19 natural area reserves (over 109,000 ac.) State park: 52 (25,000 ac.) Residents: Hawaiian, also kamaaina (native-born nonethnic Hawaiian), malihini (newcomer) 2015 resident population: 1,431,603 2010 resident census population (rank): 1,360,301 (40). Male: 681,243 (50.1%); Female: 679,058 (49.9%).

White: 336,599 (24.7%); Black: 21,424 (1.6%); American Indian: 4,164 (0.3%); Asian: 525,078 (38.6%); Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 135,422 (10.0%); Other race: 16,985 (1.3%); Two or more races: 320,629 (23.6%); Hispanic/Latino: 120,842 (8.9%). 2010 population 18 and over: 1,056,483; 65 and over: 195,138 (14.3%); median age: 38.6. Map of Hawaii First settled by Polynesians sailing from other Pacific islands between A.D. 300 and 600, Hawaii was visited in 1778 by British captain James Cook , who called the group the Sandwich Islands.

Hawaii was a native kingdom throughout most of the 19th century, when the expansion of the sugar industry (pineapple came after 1898) meant increasing U.S. business and political involvement. In 1893, Queen Liliuokalani was deposed, and a year later the Republic of Hawaii was established with Sanford B. Dole as president. Following annexation (1898), Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1900. The Japanese attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 , was directly responsible for U.S. entry into World War II . Hawaii, 2,397 mi west-southwest of San Francisco, is a 1,523-mile chain of islets and eight main islands— Hawaii , Kahoolawe , Maui , Lanai , Molokai , Oahu , Kauai , and Niihau . The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, other than Midway , are administratively part of Hawaii. The temperature is mild, and cane sugar, pineapple , and flowers and nursery products are the chief products. Hawaii also grows coffee beans, bananas, and macadamia nuts.

The tourist business is Hawaii's largest source of outside income. Hawaii's highest peak is Mauna Kea (13,796 ft). Mauna Loa (13,679 ft) is the largest volcanic mountain in the world by volume. Among the major points of interest are Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii), Haleakala National Park (Maui), Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park (Hawaii), Polynesian Cultural Center (Oahu), the USS Arizona and USS Missouri Memorial at Pearl Harbor , The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Oahu), and Iolani Palace (the only royal palace in the U.S.), Bishop Museum, and Waikiki Beach (all in Honolulu). In 2008, Hawaii-born Barack Obama was elected president of the United States.

See more on Hawaii: Selected famous natives and residents: Salevaa Atisanoe (Konishiki) sumo wrestler; George Ariyoshi first Japanese-American elected governor; Angela Perez Baraquio Miss America (2001); History of Hawaii/World War II and Statehood - Wikibooks, open books for an open world History of Hawaii/World War II and Statehood From Wikibooks, open books for an open world World War II and Statehood: Cultural Diversity and Tourism[ edit ] Development of Diversity in Hawaii - An Introduction[ edit ] Hawaii’s main industry in the 19th century was sugar production, which required many labourers. Due to a labour shortage, people from Asia, Europe, and America immigrated to Hawaii to work on these sugar plantations. This was the beginning to the creation of a very ethnically diverse Hawaii. At this point in time the population of Hawaii consisted of Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Spanish, Portuguese and Korean immigrants that came to work on these plantations. The 20th century saw an increase in ethnicity around the islands during and after World War II.

A large portion of the laborers that came to Hawaii in the later 19th century were Japanese, because of the relatively close proximity of the two lands. The second generation of these immigrants were very invested in their home; therefore they flocked to sign up to fight and defend it. The Japanese formed the vast majority of the island's population, numbering close to 160,000. Hawaii is a strong example of how people with different ethnic backgrounds can come together and work towards a common goal. All the immigrants came from different cultures but through hard work the generations to come had a particular attachment to the island, demonstrating how these people with various ethnic heritages came together to become a major part of all Hawaiian institutions. Barney F Hajiro - Medal of Honor Recipient from 442 RCT Before the start of the war, the population of Hawaii was at 423,000 which included an Asian majority of around 310,000 and a white minority of 105,000. Although the census depicted over one hundred thousand whites living on the island, this was not the case.

In the census, Portuguese and Spanish immigrants that had arrived decades earlier to work on the plantations were also considered part of the white minority. It was not until large scale military preparations in late 1940 and early 1941, that white American serviceman arrived. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, military officers and civilians with Japanese backgrounds were scrutinized. Many loyal to mainland US became distrustful of the large population of Japanese. They were distrusted by others on the island, yet they were invaluable as they comprised a large part of the workforce. Many of the Japanese people dealt with the suspicion and continued to contribute to the war effort. Their commitment can be seen in the distinguished 442nd Regimental Combat Team of the United States Army. Also, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, martial law was put in place meaning military rule was exerted by military officials in Hawaii when the local government could no longer handle the situation at hand. Hawaii became a military zone with thousands of different people essential to the war effort passing through the area. This meant that people from all over were flooding in and around Hawaii from many different places, increasing the ethnic diversity of the island.

Many of these people that were posted in Hawaii or spent any amount of time there on their way to battles in the pacific found ties to the islands. In Honolulu, a large cemetery was developed for the thousands that died in the war. This meant that many people, including friends and family members of those buried there, wanted to travel back to pay their respects. With the strategically valuable military institutions on the island, communications between Hawaii and mainland United States improved drastically. This had an impact on the volume of travel to Hawaii. Along with this, Pearl Harbor became a major attraction to many travelers, increasing tourism to the islands. The population census of 1950 indicated this change with the total count of the people on the island reaching over 500,000. After many heated political events, Hawaii became the 50th state on August 21, 1959. This momentous event drew tourists from all over to join the celebrations. Ever since the decrease of agricultural practices, Hawaii has depended largely on the tourism industry to maintain its economy, though resources such as sugar and pineapple are still major contributors.

The part it played in the war efforts and the interesting colorful history of the path to statehood has kept interest up among civilians to visit the islands as well as helped maintain the ethnic diversity that has been present since the need for laborers in the 19th century. The Road to Pearl Harbor[ edit ] The rising events taking place during the post annexation period in Hawaii would lead Hawaiian residents to resent the United States due to their involvement in eastern affairs and the Russo-Japanese conflict. President Theodore Roosevelt mediated concessions after Japan won its influence over Russia in 1905, which lead to tensions between the U.S and Japan. Japan blamed Roosevelt for obstructing Japanese gains and blocking a Russian indemnity that would have helped Japan pay for the war. Tensions would escalate further, eventually leading to the attack on Pearl harbor and U.S involvement in World War II. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor had its beginnings in Japanese expansionism in Eastern Asia and the Pacific. The tandem of victory in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) and a rapidly increasing population forced Japan to look beyond its own shores for vital raw materials.

After the 1931 Mukden Incident, wherein the Japanese plotted an explosion to be blamed on the Chinese, the Japanese invaded Manchuria for economic and political gains. Full-scale war between Japan and China broke out after the 1937 Marco Polo Bridge Incident, the result of conflicting border patrols from each nation leading to an exchange of fire and a battle for the bridge. China was sourcing military supplies from the United States, which caused Japanese-American relations to deteriorate. Consequently, the Japanese invaded French Indochina to cut the Burma Road, the route by which American military supplies reached the Chinese. The Americans countered by freezing Japanese assets in the United States on July 26th, and embargoing petroleum exports to Japan on August 1st. The Japanese relied heavily on American oil causing them to look for alternative ways to keep their war machine going. The Japanese response to this was preparation for full-scale war with the United States and the development of a three-phase plan.

“Phase I, capture the ‘Southern Resources Area’ (mainly the Dutch East Indies) and defensible perimeter locations around the ‘Co-Prosperity Sphere’; Phase 2, consolidate and strengthen the defenses; Phase 3, defend until the USA is weary of war.” However, the Japanese began conducting preparations for war months prior to the freezing and embargo. Admiral Yamamoto, the commander-in-chief of the Japanese fleet, had already devised a “secret plan for a preemptive strike against the American fleet in order to give Japan time to fortify its newly conquered territories.” The bulk of the American fleet, including three aircraft carriers and nine battleships, had been moved to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, posing a significant threat to Japanese operations in the Pacific. The Japanese fleet, comprised of six aircraft carriers, two battleships, and numerous escort cruisers and destroyers under the command of Vice Admiral Nagumo, assembled near the Kurile Islands in mid November, and embarked upon their journey to Hawaii on November 26th. The fleet maintained radio silence and followed a storm front in order to escape detection. These precautions weren’t completely necessary as the Americans had yet to break the Japanese Naval code.

The Americans, using the MAGIC system, had however broken the diplomatic codes used by the Japanese in 1940. Intercepted messages illustrated just how strained the Japanese-American relationship had become. Fearing an imminent attack, US Admiral Stark sent a warning message to American Commanding Officers in Hawaii and the Philippines. On December 2nd, a Japanese diplomatic message was intercepted and decoded, the message instructing officials at the Japanese Embassy in Washington to destroy the codes in order to prevent the Americans from seizing them. On December 4th, the Japanese Embassy began leaving Washington for Japan, which led President Roosevelt to implore Emperor Hirohito to avoid war on December 6th. However, it was to no avail, as the Japanese unleashed one of the most successful surprise attacks in history on Pearl Harbor on “a day which will live in infamy,” December 7th, 1941. Full scale war began between the Americans and the Japanese with Hawaii serving as a major military outpost in the Pacific. Attack on Pearl Harbor[ edit ] On December 7th, 1941, the nation of Japan attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, west of Honolulu.

During this time the majority of American naval power was stationed in Pearl Harbor. Japan intended to attack countries in South East Asia and the Pacific Islands for their strategic locations and resources and in order for this to happen, the Imperial Japanese Navy decided to attack Pearl Harbor to destroy the majority of the fleet, thus preventing the Americans View looking up "Battleship Row" on 7 December 1941, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. from attacking them for a few years. Japan was also retaliating against American intervention in Japanese affairs, which included the U.S. prohibition of steel, scrap iron and fuel exports to Japan due to the takeover of French Indochina. Japan had considered other American Naval bases as their target but 2-3 days before the attack they decided to attack Pearl Harbor because the other naval bases had empty docks. Pearl Harbor at this time had the USS Arizona docked in the naval harbor and the Arizona was the pride of the American Pacific fleet. At 6:04 in the morning the Japanese launched their first wave on Pearl Harbor with the support of 183 aircrafts with the objective of disabling the American fighter planes to eliminate their ability to fight back in the air.

The Island had advance radar, so the Americans did get early warning that unknown planes were approaching the island, but the warning was called off due to an arrival of six bombers. The American military was caught off guard and it was nearly impossible for them to launch a counter attack. The second wave of attack came at 8:30 am and the main objective on this attack by the Japanese was to disable any naval ships docked in the harbor. Upon the attack the Japanese navy thought that all Pacific naval ships were docked at Pearl Harbor but this critical information was wrong. The majority of the Pacific fleet was out on a training mission and not in the harbor. After the second wave Pearl Harbor was severely paralyzed but it remained a strong naval base in the Pacific. After all the fires were put out and the smoke cleared, 9 ships of the U.S. fleet had been sunk and 21 ships were severely damaged and the death toll reached 2,400 military personnel. The Japanese also received casualties by losing 29 of 350 fighter planes. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a huge shock to the United States. President Franklin D.

Roosevelt addressed the United States Congress as well as the world with his famous quote “December 7 , a date which will live in infamy". The following day the United States declared war on Japan. The attack on Pearl Harbor is the factor that pushed the United States to enter World War II in both the Pacific and Europe. Although the Japanese attack was, in many ways, a tactical success, it was in retrospect a strategic failure. Seven months after the attack, fuel supplies overlooked in the attack enabled the defeat of a Japanese naval fleet forced by U.S. Pacific Fleet carriers at Midway, in a battle that turned the tide of the war. Hawaii After Pearl Harbor[ edit ] The Hawaiian population was able to maintain social cohesion and order in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor through organization, mass mobilization, and the utilization of Martial Law. The civilian response was united and overwhelming; civilian groups and clubs mobilized to aid emergency response teams while many citizens volunteered to protect public utilities and prepare for further attacks. The implementation of Martial law was welcomed by the majority and viewed as a necessary response to the crisis.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was the beginning of war for the American nation as well as the state of Hawaii; after the initial response the citizenry settled in to a state of war by remaining organized and mobilized. The civilian response to the initial chaos of the attack was immediate organization and mobilization through the involvement of volunteers and civilian groups and clubs. Clubs like the boy scouts of America signed aided services such as the police department fulfilling duties such as running supplies and transporting the wounded. Organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army set up canteens to provide food and drinks to the overwhelming number of civilian volunteers who organized and mobilized to help with the rescue and relief operations. As Hawaii and the United States entered the war, this organization of the citizenry grew into organized efforts to support the war and enabled the society to remain cohesive during a time of total upheaval. The mobilization of the population also primed society for the inevitable call to battle; as the men left to fight abroad Hawaii’s society was able to rationally and effectively reorganize to accommodate for such upheaval in state and social order. Schools were shutdown as teachers left to the battlefields while women and children organized supply stations and interim hospitals.

The effective use of organization and mass mobilization allowed the Hawaiian population to maintain social cohesion and order preventing the event from crippling the state and dispelling the populous into chaos and dysfunction. Maintaining social order and unity was also achieved through the utilization of Martial law; in this case the mass population was willing to suspend civil liberties for the security of the citizenry and the defense of the state. Immediately after the attack, Hawaii’s Territorial Governor Joseph B. Poindexter proclaimed Martial law. National Guards took over control of the cities and protected civilians from a possible third wave of attack. A military curfew was implemented and all homes were ordered to blacken out at night. If any persons were to be found on the streets after curfew hours they would be detained and considered an enemy of the state until further investigation. What was damaging to the state of Hawaii was the treatment of Japanese Americans after the attack. Hawaii's large minority of Japanese Americans became especially vulnerable after the Pearl Harbor attack to acts of violence from the populace on the islands. Since the attacks took place on the islands, many Hawaiians felt like they were personally being attacked by the Japanese leading to increased anti-Japanese sentiment throughout the islands.

Many Japanese Americans were detained and removed to relocation centres; the Defense Department considered them spies until a full investigation could be completed. Although the treatment of Japanese Americans has been theorized as inhumane it allowed the state to create an atmosphere of order and security while enforcing social cohesion. The treatment of Japanese Americans really hurt the sugar plantations in Hawaii as well. Seeing as how sugar was a main export of Hawaii, the attack on Pearl Harbor weakened the industry immensely. In the 1860's Hawaii sent recruiters to Japan to bring Japanese immigrants to work on the sugar plantations for low pay, and with the majority of Japanese immigrants sent to relocation centres many of the sugar plantations closed due to the lack of labour. Through organization, mass mobilization and Martial law the Hawaiian population was able maintain social order and cohesion during a time of chaos and social upheaval. The citizenry was able to maintain civil order while organizing temporary police and fire departments. The attacks on Pearl Harbor led to social mobilization and prepared the state to support to coming war.

Pre-1959 support for statehood[ edit ] Hawaii spent a long time on the road to statehood before actually achieving the goal on August 21, 1959 through the Hawaii Admission Act. The calls for the local population of Hawaii becoming a state can be seen as early as 1946, in a brochure titled “Hawaii: 49th State” compiled by the University of Hawaii’s Student Association. The local support for statehood provided legitimacy to the claim. However, many people in the continental United States had concerns about the racial diversity of the island chain. The large population of Asians and Native Hawaiians led to concerns in pre-segregation USA. The large Japanese population in particular led to many concerns in the years directly following the war with Japan, as the stigma against the Japanese had not faded from American society. The Hawaiians actually believed this to be a strong point in their argument for statehood, by stating that many nationalities are represented within America, and that Hawaii was the bridge between the Europeans and Asia. Another concern was the large amount of Native Hawaiians and their resistance to the annexation in 1898.

It is evident that the United States was reluctant to allow a state made of an ethnic minority, due to concerns of how the Hawaiian population will run the state in relation to the European dominated states in the mainland. The resistance could also signify future problems concerning secession from the union over cultural and nationalistic justifications. Some Americans recognized that Hawaiian citizens had been entirely loyal to the United States during World War II even under Martial Law, and the threat of invasion by the Japanese army. The Pacific War actually gave Hawaiians a chance to prove themselves as patriotic citizens by standing with the American government and not taking up arms with the support of the Japanese. The government officials in Hawaii began to send pleas to leading politicians in the United States in the late 1950’s, including direct pleas to the Vice President and the Senate in 1958. It was shortly after in January 1959 that the Republican Party in Hawaii recommended that Hawaii be granted statehood. This was done because Hawaii filled all of the requirements to become a state and showed that they were patriotic American citizens.

This was monumental as the Republican Party had been elected to the White House, giving new credentials to the idea of Hawaii gaining statehood and allowing Republicans in the continental United States to open their minds to the idea. It was shortly after that the 86th Congress of the United States took a new vote on Hawaii’s promotion to statehood. With the evidence of loyalty and patriotism within Hawaii, congress was more inclined to vote positively to the idea. A vote was cast with 86 members in favour and 3 opposed. With the approval of President Dwight Eisenhower, the Hawaii Admission Act was signed, thus granting Hawaii statehood on August 21, 1959 making it the 50th state in the United States of America. Democratic Revolution of 1954[ edit ] Kekaha sugar mill once owned by Amfac, Inc., one of the Big Five. A defining moment in the Territory of Hawaii leading up to statehood was the Democratic Party’s first win in the 1954 territorial elections. This has come to be commonly known as the Democratic Revolution of 1954. This revolution was one that came to encompass not only political changes, but social and economical ones as well.

Up until 1954, the Republican Party controlled all major political institutions in the Territory of Hawaii, including the state legislature, the non-voting delegate to Congress, and the Territorial Governor. During the 1954 election, the Democratic Party dominated, winning two thirds of the house seats and a 9-6 majority in the Senate. The sudden rise of the Democratic Party in the Territory resulted from a combination of factors including changing political allegiances and the growing influence of labor groups. One factor was the effort to ward off mass interment during World War Two of alien Japanese and Japanese-Americans in the territory. Through this, the Democratic Party gradually became the voice of Japanese-Americans in Hawaii, who had always supported the Republican Party. The first Japanese-American was elected to the state legislature as a Republican in 1930, and over the next twenty years their influence in the legislature would increase to near proportionality of Japanese ancestry within the Territory filling sixteen of forty-five seats by 1952. John A. Burns, then chairman of the Democratic Party in Hawaii and future state Governor, reached out to Japanese- Americans to come under the big tent of his party.

In 1954 twenty-one Japanese-Americans were elected, sixteen being Democrats. While attracting a long marginalized ethnic group within the territory helped the Democratic Party towards their success, the growth of the labor movement in Hawaii also factored into the Democratic Party’s 1954 breakthrough. The launching of the modern labor movement in Hawaii began with the organization of Hawaii’s plantations in 1945 under the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which directly challenged the oligarchic nature of the economic system through strikes and other forms of civil disobedience. Hawaii economy had long been driven by what was known as the “Big Five” corporations which controlled virtually all the staples of the Hawaiian economy including sugar and pineapple cultivation. Labor groups felt the need to challenge the long-standing order of the Territory’s economy and by extension the political system as well. The Democratic Party was seen as their avenue to achieve this. The Democratic Party was seen as progressive, and indeed in their first legislative session in 1955-56 passed a raft of reforms to taxes, education and labor, despite its eventual veto by the appointed Republican Governor.

The path to electoral success for the Democratic Party in Hawaii then was the upheaval from labor groups coupled with shifting political allegiance of the Japanese-Americans both coalescing under the banner of the party. Road to Statehood[ edit ] Hawaii Statehood Stamp, 1959 Hawaii State Seal When Hawaii was annexed in 1898 it became a territory of the United States. Ever since the annexation, there had been multiple movements from the residents for Hawaii to be accepted as a state. Hawaii’s bid for statehood was supported not just by the people of Hawaii but people from the mainland as well. Students played a major part in supporting and promoting Hawaii's bid for statehood.The grade eight students of Honokaa High and Elementary School, the students of the University of Hawaii, the representatives of the County of Maui, and California State Senate all expressed their belief in the statehood of Hawaii in written letters and petitions to the United State Congress between 1946 and 1959. Prior to becoming one of the states of the union, many Hawaiians felt like second class citizens and wanted to be able to enjoy all of the rights and freedoms other American’s had.

The Associated Students of the University of Hawaii released a brochure in 1946 that requested Congress to make Hawaii the 49th state in the union. The brochure contained the opinions of several students, both men and women, giving reasons for statehood that included the desire of its citizens to receive the full American experience. They stated,that due to the influence of the United States government, the community is already quite like Americans in thought, purpose, and action, that given Hawaii’s history they are capable of independent government. In a 1951 letter expressing her belief in Hawaiian statehood, eighth grader Elizabeth Young from Honokaa High and Elementary School stated her and her classmates’ desire to, in the future, be able to vote for the President of the United States and thanked the senators who supported Hawaii’s efforts. In 1953, the California State Senate passed a resolution that urged Congress to pass laws that would grant the Territory of Hawaii the status of statehood proving that it was not just Hawaiians who felt they should be full citizens of the United States.

Many of the territorial counties of Hawaii submitted petitions to Congress on the topic of statehood, such as the County of Maui’s 1958 petition which reinforced their persistence and resolve for Hawaii to become a state no matter how many times the issue was brought before Congress. Hawaii finally achieved its goal of statehood on August 21, 1959 after over a decade of petitions, resolutions, and politicking. The Associated Students of the University of Hawaii passed a resolution that offered its thanks and gratitude to Congress for passing the Hawaii Statehood Bill. Through hard work, dedication, and a firm resolve the post-World War II citizens of Hawaii made their voices heard by Congress and were able to achieve full statehood for their collection of islands. Truly they achieved the American Dream of being free citizens of the United States. Even though Hawaii had achieved statehood there are some questions that need to be asked like, were all of Hawaii’s citizens treated equal? What of the original denizens of Hawaii, the natives who had their land annexed by the United States little more than a century before Hawaii became a state, were they also free citizens of the Union?

Like all great debates there many different arguments presented to oppose and support the granting of Statehood of Hawaii. Here are some of the arguments used: Cons: Those against Hawaii entering statehood argued that the population of Hawaii was only one third Caucasian and a big portion of the population was Japanese. Ever since the bombing of Pearl Harbor the Americans harbored resentment against the Japanese and they thought that if they made Hawaii a state that the Japanese would betray them. Another argument that was made was that Hawaii had a high population of communists. The people feared that the communists would spy and give information to Russia. Pros: Accepting Hawaii as a state would support American foreign policy and strengthen the position of the United States in international affairs. It would better the position of the States in the East, since two-thirds of the population was oriental, it would look like the country was willing to forget the distrust they had of the oriental population during the “Yellow Menace” policy during the World War II, and accept Asians as equals. Statehood would permit the sugar industry in Hawaii to expand their own refineries. It would give Hawaiians “an equal footing with the present states”.

“The political power of citizens will be substantially enlarged by participation in national elections, by more efficient representation in Congress in the form of two senators from each area and, initially, two representatives from Hawaii and by election of the governor and other officials presently appointed by the President”. The Boom of Tourism and How Hawaii Influenced America[ edit ] In 1946 there were around 1200 hotel rooms available on the islands, with roughly 30,000 annual visitors. By the beginning of the 21st century, however, these numbers had ballooned to roughly 65,000 hotel rooms and over 7 million visitors annually. This rapid growth in Hawaii’s appeal to tourists rests not only in its climate, beauty and culture, but in the way these features are presented to the public. The media plays an important role in Hawaii’s rise to fame as a top tourist destination, particularly using the mediums of clothing, music, movies and art. After World War Two and statehood, sugar and pineapple (which previously drove Hawaii’s agricultural economy) became the third and fourth largest export and contributor to the Hawaiian economy. The capital gained from these resources was replaced largely by tourism.

While Hawaii was at first seen as a territory that had, “too much cultural diversity for statehood to be achieved", it was not until the growth of tourism and defense spending that American politicians started to view Hawaii as a worthy state. With the Democrats in control of the islands in 1954, the push for statehood became increasingly more powerful and more popular. Statehood was finally attained in 1959 and with it, Hawaii began to come to the forefront as a popular tourist destination, particularly for American travellers. Hotels in Hawaii Hawaii becoming a recognized state meant that the islands were now fully backed by the United States government. This made the prospect of investing in Hawaii a much more attractive option. The real funding that birthed the economic shift came from American and other foreign investors. After statehood, the rate in which new hotels were announced accelerated each year. Between 1955 and 1968, 22 hotels were built in the Waikiki area alone, as well as an average of 22% annual growth in number of tourists visiting the island in the 1950’s, and 19% annual growth in the 1960’s.

Another very large contributor that made Hawaii become one of the largest tourist locations was the jet airliners industry with one of the main actors being Pan American World Airways. It was said that no other single entity was more “responsible for promoting the Islands during the formative tourist period with money, passenger-carrying equipment, and dedicated personnel.” In comparison to many other popular tourist destinations in Europe, Hawaii was located in a convenient location for travel, and Pan Am saw potential in expanding its services to the islands. If someone wanted to travel to New Zealand, Australia, Japan, or any other location on the Pacific, they stopped in Hawaii. This gave the Islands more recognition and made people more aware of the state and what it had to offer. Hawaii had a foreign feel to it, without actually requiring that tourists leave the United States of America. This made Hawaii a less expensive alternative to foreign travel, and proved to be much simpler for Americans when they did not need to exchange currencies or learn new customs. According to a Gallop Poll conducted in 1963, Hawaii was by far the most desired vacation spot for Americans, being chosen almost twice as often as the second most popular destination, California.

While the airline industry worked to provide an inexpensive way to reach the islands, cruise ships sought to provide a more luxurious and decadent travel experience. Due to the distance between mainland America and the Hawaiian islands, travelling by sea took approximately 5 days when departing from the West Coast in addition to another 5 days for return. Due to this lengthy travel time, the Matson Navigation Company advertised its cruise ships to wealthy individuals who could afford the money and leisure time required to take such a trip. Matson's targeted consumer for its cruise ships was often portrayed in its promotional material: travellers were depicted as admirable and sophisticated. By pinpointing Hawaii as a desirable destination for the elite, Matson would effectively create an appeal to those of a lower class wishing to engage in the luxury of the wealthy as well. Media and pop culture was also a large influence in making Hawaii a popular place to get away. During the 1950’s it was still very expensive to travel by air, and many people in the middle and lower class never had an opportunity to travel. Hawaii was incorporated into many songs and films during that era.

As an early form of virtual tourism, this made the islands an iconic place for Americans, as a destination full of atmosphere, exotic culture, and nostalgia. As technology improved, and flying became cheaper, more and more people who always dreamed of going to Hawaii but could never afford it, now could. The media, through fashion, music, films and art helped promote this dream of the Hawaiian islands for many potential tourists. File:Alohashirt1937.jpg An Aloha shirt, c. 1937 One of the most immediately identifiable pieces of Hawaiian culture is the Aloha shirt. It is mentioned in this section not because it is a form of media, but because it was an integral part of promoting Hawaii that garnered much attention through the media. The fabric of the aloha shirt is easily recognizable: it is made up of bright colours and generally depicts famous cultural landmarks or symbols, such as palm trees and hula girls. Some Aloha shirts even directly incorporate words that are commonly associated with Hawaii; for example, "Hula Dance" and "Waikiki". These shirts served as the ultimate means of spreading the word as vacationers returned to their everyday life wearing them all over the country.

Some even described the Aloha shirt as “postcards you can wear” and believed that donning a shirt speaks to a person's "love for, and connection to, a most special place", according to Tommy Holmes. Holmes is also quoted as saying, "There is today probably no better known garment in the world that captures a land's 'spirit of place'" (Holmes, "The Aloha Shirt"). Kuʻu Hae Aloha (My Beloved Flag) Hawaiian cotton quilt from Maui, c. 1890s, Mission Houses Museum, Honolulu, Hawaii Hawaii, before it became the popular tourist destination that it is today, was well known for its music and dance (the hula). Western instruments gained popularity in the islands in the nineteenth century, but were altered so as to give the music a clear “Hawaiian” sound. For example, the guitar was tuned and often played with a metal bar, turning it into a “steel guitar”. This distinctly Hawaiian music appealed not only to the islanders, but also to Americans on the mainland. Hawaiian themed music was soon embraced by American songwriters and began to make an appearance in the sheet music market, allowing consumers to play it at home.

Many songwriters who famously contributed Hawaiian-themed songs to the music industry had never actually set foot on the island and instead promoted the image of Hawaii that they often got from sources such as the movies. These songwriters gave their music titles such as "Oh, How She Could Yacki Hacki Wicki Wacki Woo (That's Love in Honolu)" and “O'Brien is Tryin' to Learn to Speak Hawaiian", perpetuating the image of Hawaii as both a fun and romance filled destination. Hawaiian music also made appearances in film, such as Bing Crosby’s versions of “Blue Hawaii” and “Sweet Leilani” from the 1937 film Waikiki. Film often helped throw Hawaii into the public limelight, with many early movies being set in the tropical destination. What the public often did not realize was that these movies generally were not actually filmed on location. Instead they were filmed in Hollywood using a combination of film sets and natural California scenery. Furthermore, Hollywood sets were often designed by people who had never actually been to the islands and were likely basing their perceptions from other forms of media, which as previously mentioned were often based on early forms of media as well. Movie stars also had a part in promoting the islands.

These well-known figures were often spotted and pictured spending leisure time on the beach while awaiting their next scene in an upcoming movie, helping to create the idea that if Hawaii was desirable enough for a movie star, it was certainly good enough for everyone else too. Television also followed the catchy Hawaiian culture trend, with popular shows like Baywatch, Hawaii Five - O and Magnum, P.I. Finally, art was a useful way to draw in potential vacationers with the allure of beautiful women, water and weather. As previously mentioned, Hawaiian music began to take the sheet music industry by storm. Sheet music was sold in a similar fashion to magazines and thus flashy and appealing photos depicting the beauty of the islands often appeared on the cover. Various organizations, such as The Hawaii Tourist Board and Matson Navigation Company, utilized the work of artists like Don Blanding, Ruth Taylor White, and Frank McIntosh to show the appeal of the islands and draw in tourists with pamphlets, brochures, books, and so forth.

Question: Name the famous naval base and natural port on Oahu island, Hawaii, which featured in the US entry to World War II?
Answer: Pearl Harbor