Definition

Proper noun * Honolulu: The capital city and largest urban area of the state of Hawaii in the United States. It is a major cultural, financial, and transportation hub located on the southeastern coast of the island of Oahu, bordering a significant natural harbor.

Usage

• Honolulu functions exclusively as a proper noun, referring to the specific city. It is always capitalized.
• It is commonly used to denote the city's government, its location, or as a point of origin/destination.

Examples

• As a location: "Our flight landed in Honolulu late last night."
• Referring to governance: "The government of Honolulu announced new public transit plans."
• Describing origin: "She moved from Honolulu to the mainland for university."

Advanced Usage

• Metonymic Use: "Honolulu" can sometimes be used metonymically to refer to the state government of Hawaii or its administrative functions, as the state's capital is located there.
  • Example: "The decision from Honolulu will affect all the islands."

Variants and Related Words

• Honolulu County: The official county encompassing the entire island of Oahu and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, coextensive with the City and County of Honolulu.
• Oahu: The island on which Honolulu is situated.
• Waikiki: A famous neighborhood and beach district within Honolulu.

Synonyms

• The Capital of Hawaii: The primary descriptive synonym.
• The Gathering Place (a translation of "Oahu"): While this refers to the island, it is often associated with Honolulu as the main city.

Related Phrases & Context

• City and County of Honolulu: The official consolidated city-county government.
• Pearl Harbor: A historically significant harbor located west of downtown Honolulu.
• Honolulu Harbor: The main commercial port of the city.

Noun

1. the capital and largest city of Hawaii; located on a large bay on the island of Oahu