Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
remains of nearly 50,000 US soldiers, many of whom were killed in the Pacific during
WWII.
Early Hawaiians called the crater Puowaina ('hill of human sacrifices'). It's believed
that the slain bodies of
kapu
(taboo) breakers were ceremonially cremated upon the altar
of a heiau here. The crater may also have been used for secretive royal burials.
In the modern US military cemetery, the remains of Ernie Pyle, the distinguished war
correspondent who covered both world wars and was hit by machine-gun fire on Ie-shi-
ma during the final days of WWII, lie in section D, grave 109. Five stones to the left, at
grave D-1, is the marker for Ellison Onizuka, the Big Island astronaut who perished in
the 1986
Challenger
space-shuttle disaster.
For plum views of the city and Diamond Head, head up to the lookout by bearing left
after passing through the main cemetery gates. Special events held at the cemetery in-
clude Memorial Day ceremonies and an Easter sunrise Christian church service.
From Waikiki, take TheBus 13 or 42 toward downtown Honolulu and get off at
Alapaʻi St, then transfer to TheBus 15 bound for Pacific Heights, which stops a
15-minute uphill walk from the cemetery entrance. If you're driving, there's a marked
exit on your right as you start up the Pali Hwy - watch closely, because it comes up
quickly. You then follow the signs through twisting, narrow residential streets.
Queen Emma Summer Palace
HISTORICAL BUILDING
(
595-3167;
www.daughtersofhawaii.org
;
2913 Pali Hwy; adult/child $6/1; 9am-4pm, last
guided tour 3pm;
) In the heat and humidity of summer, Queen Emma, Kamehameha
IV's royal consort, used to slip away to this genteel hillside retreat, now a historical mu-
seum. The Greek Revival-style building recalls an old Southern plantation house, with its
columned porch and high ceilings. The interior now looks much as it did in Queen
Emma's day, decorated with period furniture and royal memorabilia.
Forgotten after Queen Emma's death in 1885, this stately home was slated to be razed
and the estate turned into a public park. The Daughters of Hawaiʻi, whose members are
all descendants of early missionary families, rescued it. Docents will show you around
the house, pointing out a koa-wood cabinet displaying a set of china from England's
Queen Victoria and the elaborate feather cloaks and capes once worn by Hawaiian roy-
alty.
Take TheBus 4 from Waikiki, the UH Manoa area or downtown Honolulu, or board
bus 55, 56 or 57 at Ala Moana Center or downtown. Be sure the bus driver knows where
you're going, so you don't miss the stop. If you're driving, look for the entrance near
mile marker 2 on the northbound Pali Hwy (Hwy 61).
