In Search Of Historic Honolulu, Part 3

​"What do Nicaraguan migrants leave behind when they come to the United States? Patti Liszkay’s uplifting, heart-warming Tropical Depression will introduce you to the loving, squabbling Guzman family as they deal with births, adoption, poverty, and family feuds. WARNING: This novel could change the way you think about our immigration policy!"  - Sid Meltzer, author of  Unwitting Accomplice

                 Available On Amazon

https://www.amzn.com/1685131832

For more reviews of "Tropical Depression" go to Goodreads:   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86517578-tropical-depression#CommunityReviews

​
​IN SEARCH OF HISTORIC HONOLULU, PART 3

​...Continued from previous post:
     The following day, Tuesday, after our morning walk along the beach,

...Tom and I again took the city bus from Waikiki to King Street in downtown Honolulu.

    We planned to visit the 'Iolani Place, royal residence of the rulers of Hawaii (see post from 5/12/2023,​ ​https://www.ailantha.com/blog/in-search-of-historic-honolulu-part-1).

      But first we stopped by the Ali'iolani Hale, the beautiful building across the street from the 'Iolani Palace, which is the home of the Hawaii State Supreme Court,

...to look at the famous statue of King Kamehameha the Great, conqueror and uniter of the Hawaiian islands into the Kingdom of Hawaii.

​  Then  we crossed King Street and entered the grounds of the 'Iolani Palace.

     Though I can't exactly say why, for some reason the 'Iolani Palace made me think of the Ohio State House in Columbus.

     Or maybe it was more because this view to the left of the Palace,

...reminded me of the view to the left of the Statehouse. Minus the palm trees. (Question for any Columbus folks who might be reading this: Does the above view from the 'Iolani Palace lawn remind you of the Broad Street view from the Statehouse lawn? Or is it just me??)
      Anyway, one had the option of visiting the 'Iolani Palace with a guided tour for $20 or visiting the basement of the Palace on one's own and seeing the exhibits there for $5. We opted for the $5 basement tour.
       It was actually quite a good tour. 

     We saw the Palace kitchen,

...the state-of-the-art for the time bathroom stalls (or "water closets) that one of the monarchs had installed,

...and this pleasant room, which looked like a study or maybe a reading room (or a ukulele practicing room).

    There was also a good historical exhibit of photographs, pictures and some artifacts.

     After we finished touring the 'Iolani Palace basement we decided to return to to Chinatown,

...where we had lunch at Pho Vietnam.

     We had bahn mi, delicious vegetable sandwiches on a hard roll.

       The following day, Wednesday, we were once again on the number 20 bus to downtown Honolulu.

      This time our destination was the early 19th century houses built by the first missionaries to Honolulu. But first we stopped by the historic Kawaiaha'o Church.

     On either side of the altar there were the traditional feather standards of the Hawaiian ali'i, or chiefs.

     We then walked over to the site of the missionary houses.

     Here can be found the oldest existing house in Hawaii.

      After looking at the missionary houses we once again felt like walking to Chinatown,

...where we visted some of the markets.

      We stopped for lunch at a spot called Pho 97.

     We ordered duck pho. It wasn't very good. Or very appetizing. Mine had a chunk of something brown in it. It might have been duck liver. I didn't want to find out.

     Still, there were several other diners in the restaurant who seemed to be enjoying their pho. So maybe to each their own pho.
       After lunch we  caught our bus, 

...back to  Waikiki.

     That evening we walked into downtown Waikiki.

          We went to the Halekulani hotel on Lewers Street, 

...​where there is nightly Hawaiian music with hula dancing.

      It was wonderful.