Former flag of Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Honolulu (/ˌhɒnəˈluːluː/ HON-ə-LOO-loo; Hawaiian: [honoˈlulu]) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island of Oʻahu. The population of Honolulu was 350,964 at the 2020 census, while the Urban Honolulu metropolitan area has an estimated 1 million residents and is the 56th-largest metropolitan area in the nation. The city's geography was considered desirable as a port since its founding by settlers, growth and importance in the Hawaiian archipelago and the broader Pacific region. Honolulu has been the capital of the Hawaiian Islands since 1845, firstly of the independent Hawaiian Kingdom, and since 1898 of the U.S. territory and state of Hawaii. The city gained worldwide recognition following the Empire of Japan's attack on nearby Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, which prompted the entry of the U.S. into World War II; the harbour remains a major U.S. Navy base, hosting the United States Pacific Fleet, the world's largest naval command. Honolulu is the westernmost and southernmost major U.S. city as well as the westernmost and southernmost U.S. state capital. It is a major hub for business, finance, hospitality, and military defence in both the state and Oceania. The city is chraacterised by a mix of various Asian, Western, and Pacific cultures, reflected in its diverse demography, cuisine, and traditions. Honolulu's favourable tropical climate, rich natural scenery, and extensive beaches make it a popular global destination for tourists. With nearly 1.5 million visitors in 2024, Honolulu is among the ten most visited cities in the United States.