Honolulu was first settled as early as the 11th century. It became the capital of Hawaii in 1845, when it was ruled by King Kamehameha I. The most famous event in Honolulu's history was the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Despite its rocky history, Honolulu remains Hawaii's most populous and popular city, its main port and airport, and most famous tourist destination.
Honolulu is home to many attractions for visitors. The Ala Moana Shopping Center has over 300 stores and is the largest open-air shopping mall in the world. The city's skyline is the fourth biggest in the country, behind New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Waikiki is home to most of Honolulu's hotels and its most popular beaches. There are also numerous museums and galleries in the city.
Honolulu Harbor is the docking port for cruise ships stopping in the city. Ships stop right next to the Aloha Tower Marketplace, a shopping center with upscale restaurants and stores. From the pier, you can also check out other local cruises, including whale watching and fishing expeditions.
Visitors to Honolulu can take home a variety of island souvenirs, including flower leis, handcrafted wooden bowls and figurines, shell jewelry, island clothing, locally-grown coffee and macadamia nuts, and Hawaiian music CDs. These can all be found across Honolulu, and there are even annual festivals where local merchants sell their crafts.