Honolulu and Waikiki

These are the photos I took on my second full day in Hawai'i while in the city of Honolulu. I spent the better part of the day downtown.

When I got off the bus in downtown, I took this photo of the "Eternal Flame" dedicated to all those who have died while servinf the the U.S. Armed Forces. It is located across the street from the Hawai'i State Capitol. 

This is the front of the Hawai'i State Capitol. I can't explain why, but I've always been fascinated with seats of government and the architecture of this building certainly makes it unique. 

This is a statue dedicated to a Belgian missionary named Father Damien who came to Hawai'i in the 19th Century and dedicated his life to caring for lepers on the island of Moloka'i, then a leper colony. He died there of the same disease as those he cared for. 

This is a copy of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia which was donated as a present to Hawai'i is on the grounds of the State Capitol. 

This is a picture of the Seal of the State of Hawai'i hanging at the front of the Capitol. An identical seal hangs at the rear. 

This is a mosaic on the floor of the foyer of the Hawai'i State Capitol. 

This is looking up inside the foyer of the Hawai'i State Capitol. There is a large opening in the roof and, in fact, the entire foyer is open to the air as ther are no doors or windows. 

This is the chamber of the Hawai'i State House of Representatives. 

This is the chamber of the Hawai'i State Senate. Like most states, but unlike all Canadian provinces, Hawai'i has a bicameral (2 chamber) legislature. Just as in the Canadian federal system, a bill must pass both houses before it can become law. In the U.S., Nebraska, I think, is the only state with a unicameral (1 chamber) legislature. 

This is a statue of Queen Lili'uokalani, the last monarch of Hawai'i. It is located between the rear of the Hawai'i State Capitol and the rear of the 'Iolani Palace. 

I think that this is a better shot of the front of the 'Iolani Palace, which served as the residence of the Hawai'ian monarchy. 

This is the rear of the 'Iolani Palace. 

This is a gothic-style mission on the grounds of the 'Iolani Palace. 

This is a gazeebo on the grounds of the 'Iolani Palace. 

This is the Aliiolani Historic Building just across the street from the 'Iolani Palace. I'm not sure what, if anything, goes on in here. 

I think this is a better photograph of the statue dedicated to King Kamehameha I the Great. He ruled in the 18th Century and it was he who brought all of the Hawai'ian islands under a single monarch. He was born on the island of Hawaii and I think he ruled from that location, I believe from Kona, but he may have made his seat of power present-day Honolulu. It is actually convenient to rule from this location as O'ahu and is located at the center of the principal Hawai'ian chain. 

This building houses, or at least once housed, the U.S. Customs Office, the Post Office and the Court House. Front what I'm told, even though they were situated in the same building, Customs Officers were charged with keeping out of Hawai'i, "criminals, lawyers and other undesirables." 

This building houses the State Archives of Hawai'i. 

This is a memorial dedicated to all those who served and died in the 2nd World War. 

This is an old church near the 'Iolani Palace and there is a mausoleum on the right. 

I thought this was an interesting design for a hotel so I took a photo of it. 

Prior to becoming a state in 1959, Hawai'i was a territory of the U.S., much like Puerto Rico is today. During that time period, Hawai'i's administration was run from this edifice appropriately named the Territorial Building. 

These structures were put up by missionaries who arrived in Hawai'i and they now serve as a museum. 

I'm not sure if this is it, but I think this is the Honolulu Hale (pronounced hah-leh). Hale means "dwelling", I think, which could mean this is City Hall, or the Mayor's Residence, or something else entirely. 

This is the Court House of Honolulu. In here lawyers discuss such interesting topics as "Res Ipsa Loquitor", "Vicarious Liability" and "Collateral Estoppel".