Fort Derussy Beach Park is a major piece of green space at one end of the Waikiki tourist zone. The…read more"Brothers in Valor Memorial" is adjacent and holds a conspicuous spot, as you travel along Kalākaua Avenue. This monument honors the World War II Veterans of the 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the Military Intelligence Service, and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion. Each of these units had roots in Hawaii and rendered great service to the nation. The footprint of the monument is large; yet the elements that make up the memorial are not. There is focal monument in the center, and four quadrant markers at perimeter compass points. It's a modest monument, relative to the contributions these men made. I fear that like a lot of monuments, they become part of the environment in which they occupy. And as it becomes a part of the landscape, people forget or ignore what the monument is all about. As you go for a walk or run, it's worth taking ten minutes or so to read the four panels and learn about these men and their service.

The Brothers in Valor Memorial honors four regiments composed entirely of Japanese-Americans who…read morefought for the United States in World War II. 442nd Regimental Combat Team - Comprised of 12,000 Japanese Americans, this team fought in Italy, France, and Germany, liberating Jewish survivors of the Dauchau Death March and other concentration camps. With the battle cry "Go for Broke!", they are the most decorated unit of its size and time of battle in US military history. 100th Infantry Battalion - This team is named the "Purple Heart Battalion" because of the number of casualties suffered through 18 months of combat. They suffered 337 KIA (killed in action) in Europe, most notably in the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion - Although not on the offensive front, this team constructed vital military defense installations all throughout Oahu. The team was presented with the Meritorious Service Award and stood out as the unsung heroes in World War II. Military Intelligence Service (M.I.S.) - During the war, 6,000 Japanese Americans were sent to a secret military language school. After graduating, they translated enemy documents, intercepted and deciphered enemy communications, and performed many other counter-intelligence missions against the Japanese. This memorial highlights all the Japanese Americans that fought for the United States even though their enemy was the same ancestry. Their heroic actions saved many lives in the face of distrust and internment of thousands of Japanese American citizens.

Tribute to the Tragic Events on 9-11-2001... in Honolulu, Hawaii…read more.. Located on the campus of Honolulu Community College on Dillingham Boulevard, there's an awesome memorial to the victims and survivors of the traumatic attack on our beloved country, The United States of America. We stumbled across this 911 Memorial because we were actually looking for the Berlin Wall Fredom Memorial - which happens to be right next to it! I saw an article about these two Landmarks... one event happened on 9-11 while the Fall of the Berlin Wall happened on 11-9 in 1989. Interesting... The front of the 911 Memorial is our American Flag. The back is like a shadow box containing a piece of the World Trade Center, pieces of the wall and roof of the Pentagon, and Soil and Wildflowers from Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The two pillars on the sides of the shadow box are supposed to represent the Twin Towers... It's a very awesome, thoughtful Landmark for us to pay our respects to American Heroes, victims, and their families and loved ones...

The Princess Ruth Keelikolani Building in downtown Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, at 830 Punchbowl Street,…read moreis home to state government offices including the Industrial Relations Office, State Department of Labor, and Hawaii Department of Taxation (state tax office). There are other offices in there as well as where those who have applied for and been approved to test for Hawai'i Notary Public by the Attorney General. The building is named after Princess Ruth Ke'elikōlani Keanolani Kanāhoahoa of the founding dynasty of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the former Royal Governor of the Island of Hawaii. She was quite an interesting lady and I'd encourage you to do a study if you're not familiar with her! Upon immediate entry there is security that requires patrons to present photo identification. Everyone has been friendly and happy to direct you to where you are looking to go. The atrium in the center is nice and the building is quite clean. Bathrooms are easy to access and there are strategically placed hand sanitizer stands throughout the building if that's your thing. There is street parking directly in front of the building, and a parking garage directly across the street for convenience, too! Little note, the parking garage only accepts cash. There is an ATM on the bottom floor of the building. There is also a little grab and go snack shop on the bottom floor. It looked well to stocked and I should have taken a few photos; my bad! Lots of people, everyone nice and friendly and even with all the traffic it didn't feel crowded at all.

As new residents in the Downtown/Kaka'ako neighborhood, we have been walking about getting in our…read moredaily activity. We have been happily making pleasing discoveries for our taste buds and even learning more about our Hawaiian history. During a recent walk around the Hawai'i State Capitol, we crossed Beretania Street (on its mountainside entrance) to view this abstract sculpture in a palm tree lined mini-park because my curiosity got the better of me. What is it? Why is it there? As we walked closer we read the inscription at the base of this sculpture. It is called the "Eternal Flame War Memorial". This memorial honors Hawai'i's men and women who served in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines in major and minor conflicts. It was designed by Akaji Bumpei and erected in 1974. Since its installation, its gas flame torch has burning brightly and steadfast as a constant memorial. Our State of Hawai'i thanks and honors all those who have proudly served in the Armed Forces.

Nice that they respect and honor those that served…read more Area around it did not look great. The actual grounds were dirty and not that well maintained.

It's been a number of years since we've traveled to Philadelphia, PA to visit Independence National…read moreHistoric Park which features Independence Hall, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and nearby, is the iconic Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell is a symbol of of the American Revolution and of the liberties gained as well as a reminder of liberties denied. To visit or view this symbol, visitors must pass through security gates and wait in line as National Park Rangers will allow small groups in at a time. What does this have to do with Hawa'i? While roaming around our State Capitol and its environs, I "discovered" two Liberty Bells. Did you even know that we had ONE? Apparently, in 1950, every State and Territory of the United States received a replica (gift) through a program developed by the United States Department of Treasury who with several private companies had contracted 55 full-sized replicas to be cast. This Liberty Bell is located on the front lawn (Beretania Street) of our State Capitol. It is an EXACT replica of the one in Philadelphia. The interesting story about this replica bell is that it was a gift from U.S. President Harry S. Truman and the U.S. Congress to the then, Territory of Hawai'i in 1950. It was presented on July 4th, 1950. The iconic gift symbolizes freedom and democracy. However, it's ironic why Hawai'i received a Liberty Bell because of the overthrow of its sovereign nation which was backed by economic and political pressures from the United States. You can actually get up close to this replica to read its inscription: "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof" LEV XXV. v.X . The inscription is a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus (25:10). A recent news story ran about this landmark at http://ksnt.com/2015/11/21/lost-piece-of-liberty-bell-replica-recovered-on-hawaii-beach/. It was unfortunate that an act of vandalism marred this symbol of Freedom and I hope that this plaque will soon be replaced. To me, even though this is a replica, The Liberty Bell still symbolizes the Freedoms that we gained as American Citizens. "Let Freedom Ring"!

Same as the flame. Just sitting in front of a building…read more Total skip. Just a copy of the real bell

The Mayor's Office of Culture and Arts aka MOCA was founded in 1971 after the passage of the 1967…read morePercent for Art law that established the Art in City Buildings Program. Its original location was in Honolulu Hale but has moved to this site, the 1820 Mission Memorial Building on the 2nd floor. "The mission of MOCA is to promote the value of arts and culture throughout communities in the City and County of Honolulu. MOCA's objectives are to attain per-eminence in culture and the arts; to perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritages of its entire people; to promote a community environment, which provides equal and abundant opportunity for exposure to culture and the arts in all its forms; and to encourage and provide equal opportunity for the development of culture and the artistic talents of the people of Honolulu." The program has attained, over the years, many examples or forms of art that promote the value of the artistic and cultural heritages of our communities. MOCA has encouraged the artistic talents and cultural development/awareness of Honolulu's people. Examples can be found throughout Honolulu Hale, the Frank Fasi Civic Center, Kapolei Hale and other City Government buildings. Bravo to MOCA for bringing the best artistic expressions and culturally significant pieces to Honolulu.

Review is based only on early voting…read more Staff is very helpful and organized. Get out and vote!!!!!! https://s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com/photo/8P968OR86YHfz_HdHGL53g/l.jpg

The Wilson Tunnels are two lanes of highway passing through the Koolau Range getting to and from…read moreKaneohe. It's named after former Honolulu Mayor, John H. Wilson. The City and County of Honolulu spent $12M on the highway and tunnels. Construction began in 1954 and opened in 1960. Sometimes there's mad traffic during peak hours. My ears will pop going through the tunnels. There's nice greenery on both sides of the highway leading up to the tunnels.

The connection to Kaneohe…read more.. Who's John H Wilson...a former Honolulu Mayor which is more known as The Wilson Tunnels as it provides two lanes each direction taking us on an easy drive to and from Kaneohe though I'm not sure of the precise history they views and lush greenery the drive provides as it obviously takes us through the Ko'olau verus going completely around making it the ideal route. This is the primary route to Kaneohe via Likelike through Kalihi is an interesting vision they had back in the day and can't imagine what we would do without it as it has gone though various maintenance and closure does make it a challenge for many as they do rely on this convenient route on this cool tunnel I now know and come to appreciate. Thank you!

Also known as the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, a nationally registered historic…read moresite, was the main seat of government of the kingdom of Hawaii. Now serves as an educational center with a focus on the history of the Supreme Court of Hawaii, promoting civic engagement. Built in 1874, the statute on site is dedicated to the kingdom of Hawaii's monarch King Kamehameha