A Tour of Honolulu Trivia Quiz

Answer: sheltered harbor

The Hawaiian islands have few harbors or bays, so the "sheltered harbor" of Honolulu is extremely important for commerce and transportation. By the way, "The Gathering Place" is the nickname for O'ahu Island, where Honolulu is located.

Answer: clock faces

Built in 1926, Aloha Tower has been a fixture at Honolulu Harbor. It has stood over thousands of tourists arriving and leaving on cruise liners, tugboats pulling vessels in and out of the harbor, and the urbanization of downtown Honolulu. Today, it stands over a redeveloped port area, with a shopping/restaurant complex replacing the docks.

Answer: coconut trees

The tops of the columns flay out to look like palm fronds. Coconut trees were brought by the early Polynesians. Almost every part of the tree can be used for anything from brooms to baskets, cups to drums, and firestarters to thirst-quenchers.

Answer: King Kamehameha

Kamehameha was actually born on the island of Hawaii, and it was prophesied that he would rise up and unite all of the islands. Through a combination of shrewd military strategy, charisma, and borrowing of Western technology, he advanced from island to island with his flotilla of war canoes. This ended with the decisive battle of Nu'uanu, where the army of O'ahu was pushed back to a high cliff.

Visitors can stop by the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout and enjoy a windy view of the windward coast of O'ahu.

Answer: highways

People in Hawaii tend not to use highway route numbers, but the given names which are usually in the Hawaiian language.

Imagine a tourist given these directions to Kualoa Ranch, the filming location of "Lost": "Just take the H-1 to the Likelike offramp. Follow that through the tunnel and get on Kahekili when you get to Kaneohe. Follow Kahekili until it joins up with Kamehameha. Kualoa will be on your left after five miles".

Hehehe, makes us locals chuckle...

Answer: rice, hamburger patty, gravy, fried egg

Loco Moco has its roots from the same island as King Kamehameha, the Big Island of Hawaii. However, it has become popular on every island. Simple and satisfying, the meal should be tried instead of expensive hotel buffets.

Poi, raw fish, seaweed, and coconut pudding are all traditional Native Hawaiian dishes. Try eateries like Ono Hawaiian Foods, People's Cafe, and Helena's Hawaiian Foods for a taste.

Spaghetti with chili isn't called Loco Moco, but it sure is tasty. You can get it at the same places where loco mocos are sold.

Finally, rice, lettuce, cheese, tomato, and spicy ground beef come together to make "taco rice", a dish popular in Okinawa.

Answer: mango

"Mango season" is synonymous with the start of summer. At peak season, over ten to fifteen pounds of fruit can be harvested a day. There's nothing like getting a knock on your door, and having someone with a paper bag full of mangoes saying, "I get plenty, you like some?"

Answer: Hawaii Convention Center

Sitting at the gateway to Waikiki, the Hawaiian Convention Center was used as Sydney Airport for the television show "Lost". Its rear, tree-lined canal promenade filled in for Seoul and New York in other "Lost" episodes.

The Royal Hawaiian Hotel is pink, and is one of the posher places to stay. Honolulu Hale is built in a California Mission style, which was the popular architectural style in Honolulu around the 1920s and 1930s. Lastly, the Waikiki Shell is an open air concert amphitheater on the eastern side of Waikiki, at the foot of Diamond Head.

Answer: Ala Moana Center

Ala Moana is the reigning king of shopping centers, and is one of the largest outdoor shopping centers in the world. With over 200 shops, a brand-name boutique floor, several large department stores, and the Makai Market food court, you'll find everything you need to send a little aloha home.

Kahala Mall is an upscale, neighborhood mall north of Diamond Head. Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center is in the heart of Waikiki, filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Finally, Pearl Ridge Shopping Center sits above Pearl Harbor, and is unique for its monorail linking the two main buildings.

Answer: Sailors thought they saw diamonds on the crater walls

Sailors to the port of Honolulu wandered over to the distinct crater. They saw sparkling stones in the hillsides. Actually, those were just white quartz. However, sparkly green olivine can be found there.

After passing through a tunnel into the middle of the crater, a leisurely hike past WWII bunkers and cable cars will reward you with an almost 360 degree view of Honolulu from the top.

Can't think of a better place to end our quiz...aloha!