Hawaii 4 - Waikiki

On the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawai'i lies the massive urban sprawl known as Waikiki. Once a marsh land filled with fishponds and water-filled tarot fields, the royalty of Hawai'i had resided here for centuries until the military force of King Kamehameha landed here in 1795. Thus were all of the Hawai'ian Islands brought under the rule of one king, unifying all of the Hawai'ian Islands.

Today it is one of the most populous places in all of Hawai'i and a favorite tourist attraction. Hotels were built over royal hunting and camping grounds, homes of royalty were sold instead of turned into parks (such as Ainahau, the home of Princess Kaiulani), free flowing streams and ponds were redirected and the Ala Wai Canal was dredged (completed in 1928). Today the Canal is health hazard. In 1935, the former home of Prince Kuhio and the very last royal residence in Waikiki, named Pualeilani, was sold to Honolulu. The residence and the Queen Liliuokalani's pier were destroyed.

This photo was taken from the top of Diamond Head Crater. On the right can be seen one of the look-out towers of Fort Ruger.