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Honolulu has significant traffic problems. While the city boasts the only interstate highways in Hawaii, there is considerable congestion especially at rush hour. Public transportation facilities are well developed. The downtown core is focused on government facilities, performing arts venues and historic sites, gently transitioning to commercial and tourist areas east and some rather unattractive commercial, shipping and industrial areas west.
It looks and feels crowded. Several pleasant communities also exist along the Interstate H-1 highway north from the city, within commuting distance. As a rule, although most tourist activity is centered in the Waikiki area, avoiding tourists and their impact is difficult. The city has a strong military presence. The climate is one of the best in the world.
The economy is robust although vulnerable to tourism-driven cycles. The big negative is cost of living and housing. Because of the isolation from national markets for staples such as food and energy, prices for these items are high. Aside from cost, isolation from the mainland may reduce the appeal for some residents, although most urban amenities are available in abundance.
Honolulu is located on a broad coastal plain of Oahu, the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands. The Koolau Range, at an average elevation of 2, feet, parallels the northeastern coast. The Waianae Mountains, somewhat higher in elevation, parallel the west coast.
Most of the eastern half of the coastal plain is built up. The Hawaiian climate is unusually pleasant for the tropics. Outstanding features are the persistent northeasterly trade winds, remarkable variance in rainfall over short distances, sunny leeward lowlands with persistent cloudiness over nearby mountain crests, equable temperature, and infrequency of severe storms.
The city sits mostly in the lee downwind direction of the Koolau Range, which blocks heavier rains at most times of the year. Temperatures and humidity are generally comfortable, less than 90 degrees and more than 50 degrees. It is also the most populated Oceanian city outside Australasia and ranks second only to Auckland as the most populous city in Polynesia.
Among the companies based in Honolulu are:. Prior to its dissolution, Aloha Airlines was headquartered in the city. In , Honolulu had a 4. Since no national bank chains have any branches in Hawaii, many visitors and new residents use different banks. First Hawaiian Bank is the largest and oldest bank in Hawaii and their headquarters are at the First Hawaiian Center, the tallest building in the State of Hawaii.
The Honolulu Zoo is the main zoological institution in Hawaii while the Waikiki Aquarium is a working marine biology laboratory. Honolulu is about 1, miles 2, km long. The population of the island of Oahu, where Honolulu is located, makes up about 70 percent of the state's total population.
In the Hawaiian language, hono means "sheltered or protected" and lulu means "bay. Honolulu has several districts, including the popular tourist destination Waikiki , located about 3 miles 4. Pearl Harbor , a military harbor that was attacked by the Japanese in , which led to the involvement of the United States in World War II, is located about 8 miles Kapiolani Park, Honolulus largest park, is located at the east end of Waikiki, on the foothills of popular Diamond Head , an extinct volcanic crater.
Notable institutions are the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the Bishop Museum noted for its studies of Polynesia , the Honolulu Academy of Arts known for its Hawaiian and Asian collections and Kawaiahao Church , where funerals of Hawaiian monarchs took place. Iolani Palace, located downtown right next to the Hawaii State Library, is the only royal palace in the United States.
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