Hana Tourist Attractions
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Hana is a village of about 800 inhabitants in one of the most thinly-populated districts in the whole of Hawaii. Its isolated position has enabled it to maintain an image of the Hawaii that existed before the invasion of mass tourism - idyllic with lush fields and gardens, thanks to the plentiful rains, characteristic of the east coasts of all the Hawaiian islands.Its proximity to Hawaii gave Hana great strategic importance during the battles for unification of the Hawaiian islands at the end of the 18th c. Kamehameha I used the village as a base for his decisive attack on the large neighboring island. Queen Kaahumanu, King Kamehameha I's wife, was born in Hana in 1768. After Kamehameha's death she remained as the reigning monarch of Hawaii until 1832.
Hana Ranch
After a period of fairly unsuccessful sugar cane production, cattle rearing became an intensive industry in Hana again. Hana Ranch, with its considerable stock of cattle, has been economically successful since its founding by Paul Fagan and is a major employer of Hana's inhabitants.Part of the ranch now sports a resort complex and a ranch-style roadhouse open daily for lunch and dinner service.
Lyon's Hill
A particularly fine view of Hana and Hana Bay is gained from Lyon's Hill, a hill above village with memorial honoring the founder of Hana Ranch.
Hana Cultural Center
The Hana Cultural Center consists of three parts, a small local museum, four replica grass huts of a Hawaiian village and the 1871 Courthouse and Jail which is still used about once a month for court. The museum houses exhibits of quilts, bark cloth and Koa-wood carvings. The courthouse displays local police history.
Wananalua Church
This New-England style church was built in 1838 of lava stone by missionaries who covered an ancient temple in order to suppress traditional religion. The interior of Wananalua Church features now rare koa wood. Today, services are partly given in the native language.
Hana District Police Station and Courthouse
The restored Hana District Police Station and Courthouse was reopened in 1990, holding court on the first Tuesday of each month.
More Hana Pictures
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