Tourist attractions are aplenty in
Honolulu's downtown area, just a short drive away from Waikiki,
but not many know of the best – none other than the wonderful
Aloha Tower.
It has great historical and cultural significance for the people
of Honolulu as the tower actually served as an observation point
in the mid to late 1920's when maritime communication was
limited to deck sightings that alerted the local harbor control
unit of practical decisions needing to be made for sea-faring
vessels.
The original structure (it has now been restored significantly)
rose to 10 levels; this made it Hawaii's tallest building for
many years. However, the steadily growing corporate offices and
buildings have since taken over the magnificence of much of the
tower's height, though it remains one of the most easily spotted
architectural and cultural symbols of the Hawaiian state even
today!
The tower was erected in 1926 mostly as a beautiful
architectural detail on the bay front so it would be an assembly
point for tourists that came by boat to the Honolulu Harbor, and
by the mid-thirties, this routine welcome for the tourists
became cause for festivities and song-dance sequences by local
talents on the site. Thus, this period came to be tagged as
'Boat Days' in the history of the Aloha Tower.
Often, it was recorded, that the entire local community gathered
together on the beach to welcome the passengers embarking from
the boats with many even leaving work early so they could
participate in the celebrations! There were Hula dancers (but,
naturally), colorful streamers and gay decorations enlivening
the mood for the tourists and the city's oldest municipal band,
the Royal Hawaiian performing melodies that sailed on the
fragrance of sweet-smelling tropical blooms with traditional Lei
welcomes for every passenger that got off the boats at the
harbor. Now, that's called giving a hearty Hawaiian welcome,
wouldn't you say?
The tower has been recently restored since its long-gone Boat
Days and now equipped with an elevator that enables visitors to
go right to its top; the panoramic view of Honolulu and
neighboring areas from this level of the Aloha Tower makes for
some unforgettable photographs, say tourists who have accessed
it in present times. Passenger airlines bring in the regular
visitors thronging the tower with the Aloha Tower Marketplace
opening in 1994 and brining in a fair share of local shoppers
and touristy ones both, to the Honolulu Harbor.
Amid all the flurry and fun afforded by the Aloha Tower and
similarly named Marketplace, the former stands proudly still -
after all, it is the centerpiece of a rich and varied heritage
that is symbolic of fine Hawaiian hospitality down the ages.
The public from 9:30 in the morning till sunset can access the
area known as observation deck; no admission fees are charged
and with the spanking new media center opened up here recently,
a visit to the Aloha Tower and the 75+ stores and eating joints
enveloping the adjoining marketplace seem just the right place
to enjoy live entertainment, historical insights, good food,
great moods and tranquil ambience of Honolulu Harbor.
So, walk over from Waikiki to Aloha Tower - it'll only take you
about 15 minutes, or take a cab, trolley or bus and gift
yourself an unforgettable day out with classical, Rock and Roll
and many other genres of music besides free daily entertainment
and lots of special events being held here - in addition to the
shopping and gourmet delights of the nearby marketplace.
