Honolulu Harbor, Honolulu

Since the first days of Honolulu's European colonization, this port has been a hub of commercial activity in the Pacific. Steamships, sailing boats, whaling ships and seagoing merchants choked the waters just offshore, and Hawaiian boys regularly swam out to meet and greet the incoming vessels. Today, you'll see more pleasure cruisers than anything else, but the Harbor remains in the center of everything. Regular Boat Days bring back the festive tradition of the old days, when full-scale celebrations were held upon a ship's arrival and departure. The Aloha Tower stands as a majestic beacon just behind the harbor. Restaurants, condominium complexes and shops line the waterfront, and thousands of people visit for business and pleasure each day.