Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is a very famous and beautiful harbor situated on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Located to the west of Honolulu, a greater area of the harbor and surrounding land is a deep water naval base of the United States Navy. It is the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. It was Pearl Harbor that attack on which by the Japan brought the United States into World War II. This event happened on December 7, 1941 made Pearl Harbor a famous place.

Pearl Harbor was initially a shallow, widespread embayment called Wai Momi (which means "water of pearl") or Puuloa by the natives of Hawaii. Puuloa was quite famous as the home of the Kahiuka and his sister - shark goddess Kaahupahau. The harbor was getting loaded with pearl-producing oysters until it was late 1800s.

Before the arrival of Captain James Cook, this harbor was not thought to be an appropriate port because of due to shallow water. The attention of the US Government for the Sandwich Islands led to the adventurous voyage of trading ships in the Pacific.
Soon in year 1820, an "Agent of the United States for Commerce and Seamen" was appointed to take care of American business in Honolulu port. With the strengthening of business ties with the American continent, there was another factor to be taken care of-- the activities of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.