Hawaii (The big Island) - A City Guide
Introduction
There's no place on earth quite like this handful of
sun-drenched, mid-Pacific islands. The Hawaii of South Seas
literature and Hollywood films really does exist. Here one will
find palm-fringed blue lagoons, lush rainforests, hidden
gardens, cascading waterfalls, wild rivers running through
rugged canyons, and soaring volcanoes. And those beaches --
gold, red, black, and even green sands caressed by endless surf
- a perfect place for spending holidays.
History
After a series of battles that ended in 1795 and peaceful
cession of the island of Kauai in 1810, the Hawaiian Islands
were united for the first time under a single ruler who would
become known as King Kamehameha the Great. He established the
House of Kamehameha, a dynasty that ruled over the kingdom until
1872. One of the most important events during those years was
the suppression of the Hawaii Catholic Church. The Newlands
Resolution was passed on July 7, 1898, formally annexing Hawaii
as a United States territory. In 1900, it was granted
self-governance and retained Iolani Palace as the territorial
capitol building. In March 1959, both houses of Congress passed
the Admission Act and U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed
it into law. On June 27 of that year, a plebiscite was held
asking residents of Hawaii to vote on accepting the statehood
bill. After statehood, Hawaii quickly became a modern state with
a construction boom and rapidly growing economy.
Place of interest
It will not be a small list if anyone tries to make a list of
all tourist attractions. The partial list should be look like
this: " Akaka Falls, " Captain Dan McSweeney's Year-Round
Whale-Watching Adventures " Captain Zodiac, " Ellison S. Onizuka
Space Center, " Fair Wind Snorkeling and Diving Adventures, "
Hapuna Golf Course, " Mauna Lani Frances I'i Brown Championship
Courses, " Pololu Valley Lookout, " Puuhonua O Honaunau National
Historical Park, " World Botanical Garden.
Museums & Art Galleries
Some of the major museums are " East Hawaii Cultural Center "
Hulihee Palace Museum " Jaggar Museum " Kamuela Museum " Kona
Historical Society " Lyman House Memorial Museum " Mokupapapa:
Discovery Center For Hawaii's Remote Coral Reefs " Pacific
Tsunami Museum " Parker Ranch Museum are some of the museums in
Big Island. Hawaii's Big Island has a number of art gallery and
cultural centers. Among them: " Hawaiian Art Network " Dreams Of
Paradise " Gallery Of Great Things " Holualoa Gallery " Spirit
Art Studio " Volcano Garden Arts are some to mention about.
Shopping
Hawaii Big Island hosts open market places with hundreds of
merchants selling their hand crafted items under the open sky.
These market places are one of the main tourist attractions
here. Alii Gardens Marketplace, Long Ears Coffee Company, Kuaiwi
Farm, Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation, Akatsuka Orchid
Gardens, Anthuriums Of Hawaii, Hawaii Greenhouse Inc., Panaewa
Hawaiian Homelands Farmers Market, Volcano Farmers Market are
some of the famous marketplaces.
Besides these market places shopping malls and individual shops
are there in Hawaii Big Island. Hilo Hattie - The Store of
Hawaii, Hilo Shopping Center, Keauhou Shopping Center, King's
Shops, Kona Coast Shopping Center, Lanihau Center are some
shopping centers in Hawaii Big Island.
Food & Drink
So many restaurants, so little time for a traveler when it comes
the time to wine and dine in Big Island. The Big Island's
delicious dilemma is its daunting size and abundant offerings of
its own cuisine. Shaka Restaurant, Anthony's Bistro & Bar,
Charley's Bar & Grill, Grand Palace, Ting Hao, Bamboo
Restaurant, Hualalai Grille By Alan Wong, Merriman's, Aloha
Angel Caf