Honolulu Harbor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Honolulu Harbor |
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| Location | |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Coordinates | 21°18′22″N 157°52′08″W / 21.306°N 157.869°W |
| Details | |
| Operated by | Hawaii Department of Transportation |
Honolulu Harbor is a very important seaport in Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. It's also known by its Hawaiian names, Kulolia and Ke Awa O Kou. This harbor has been key to how the city of Honolulu grew over time. It even includes the Matson company's harbors on Sand Island.
History of Honolulu Harbor
People have lived and worked around Honolulu Harbor since before the year 1100. The first European boat to enter the harbor was a small boat from a British ship called King George. This happened on December 12, 1786.
Later, in 1794, a British ship named Butterworth sailed into the harbor. Its captain, William Brown, wanted it to be called "Fair Haven." This name means the same thing as "Honolulu" in the Hawaiian language.
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In 1850, Kamehameha III, the King of Hawaiʻi, made Honolulu the official capital. This led to many improvements at the harbor. It quickly became a main stop for ships trading goods like sandalwood and fur. It was also important for the whaling industry. These ships brought a lot of wealth to the kingdom. A fort was even built by the British to protect the harbor entrance.
The harbor was made deeper so large ships could easily pass through. The dirt removed from the harbor was used to create new land. When buildings were constructed along the waterfront, old items like fishing tools and even human remains were found. These discoveries show how long people have lived and used this area.
Harbor Operations
The Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division manages Honolulu Harbor. Each year, the harbor handles over 11 million tons of cargo. This is very important because Hawaii imports more than 80% of the goods it needs.
Aloha Tower
The Aloha Tower was finished on September 11, 1926, after five years of building. It was the tallest building in Hawaiʻi at that time. The Aloha Tower became a guiding light for ships coming into the harbor.
Like the Statue of Liberty in New York City, the Aloha Tower welcomed many people to Honolulu. By the time it was built, Honolulu was already a popular place for wealthy families to visit. They arrived on Matson steamers, which are large passenger ships. They were often greeted with Hawaiian music, hula dancers, and beautiful lei garlands.
Recent Changes
In 1982, the Hawaii Maritime Center opened near the Aloha Tower. It was created to share the history of Honolulu Harbor and its industries. A famous old merchant ship, the Falls of Clyde, was docked there. The center later became part of the Bishop Museum in 2002, but it closed in 2009. In 1994, the Aloha Tower Marketplace, a shopping and dining area, also opened nearby.
