Quality of life in Honolulu

The capital of Hawaii and its primary point of entry, Honolulu is by far the state's largest city, with nearly one million people—two-thirds of the state's population—residing within the metro area. Situated on the southern shore of the island of Oahu, Honolulu serves as the center of government and commerce for the state, as well as the home of the largest airport in the Hawaiian Islands and the state's best known tourist destination: Waikiki Beach.

Given the city's size and its prominence as a traveler destination, this is definitely not the place to go for a "get-away-from-it-all" Hawaiian vacation. Honolulu is as fast-paced and dynamic as any large city, with all the associated problems such as heavy traffic, crime, and homelessness. But Honolulu still has the charm of the islands' laid-back atmosphere and culture, with some of Hawaii's best museums, the historic sites of Pearl Harbor and former palaces of Hawaiian royalty, splendid beaches, and striking natural scenery, all set amidst a dynamic mix of cultures which hail from all corners of the Pacific Ocean.

Honolulu extends inland from the southeast shore of Oahu, east of Pearl Harbor to Makapu'u Point, and incorporates many neighborhoods and districts. You'll most often hear people refer to these districts by name—Waikiki, Manoa, Kahala, Hawaii Kai and so on—as though they're not part of the same city.