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Think of Hawaii and what do you see? Definitely paradise with sun-bathed sandy beaches and sparkling blue waters. Clever drinks with cute umbrellas are not far behind. Hawaii gives you ample opportunities for outdoor activities like scuba diving and sailing, and exciting nightlife laced with sophistication. This whole lot of excitement has made Hawaii one of the world's biggest tourist destinations. All these outdoor activities, sandy beaches, and exciting nightlife reflect the rich cultural heritage of Hawaii. The American influence on Hawaii began in 18th century but it gained the status of an American State only somewhere in the middle of the twentieth century, in the year 1957. Since then Hawaii has never looked back and its popularity as a sought after tourist destination has grown continuously. In spite of the fun it offers, it is not fair to come back from Hawaii without probing beyond the surface of what the island has to offer. Hawaii has a much deeper gift to bestow upon visitors. There are a number of places in Honolulu that give a glimpse of what life must have been on this island before it became the tourist hotspot that it is today. Washington Place, as the name implies, was named after the first president of the United States and was built in 1846. The interesting thing about this spot is that it became a haven for people wanting to return to the old ways that existed prior to the arrival of the West. The last Queen, after her overthrow, spent the remaining years of her life in Washington Place until her death in 1917. Washington Place, for decades, was used as a gathering place for people wanting to reestablish the monarchy and return to the old ways. It was built by the man who married the last Queen, John Owen Dominis. All told, Washington Place has a rich history and is wrapped up in the history and tradition involved in the transition from traditional Hawaiian culture into what we all see today. Honolulu is also the site of the Kamehameha I statue. Kamehameha is the best known and most popular Hawaiian hero. He is the man who unified all of the islands prior to the arrival of the West. After the influence of Western culture was inevitable, Kamehameha helped to maintain traditional Hawaiian values as his people became acclimated to the West. If you want to get more in depth knowledge of the way modern Hawaii evolved and learn a few important lessons from the lives of people who emerged from past and faced the new challenges of the modern life, then you certainly need to visit the various museums and libraries that dot Honolulu cityscape. It’s true that most people go to Hawaii for the absolutely out-of-the-world experience, and would not like to spend time in museums, but you cannot ignore the fact that these places are part of the soul that is Hawaii. If you really want to see what is beautiful about Hawaii, then you should spend some time to learn about its rich history and interesting people.
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