Facts: Population 876,156, Area 597 sq. miles
The most populated island, where Honolulu is the Capital City, the principal port, the major airport, and business and financial center, and the educational heart of the State. Oahu is the military command center of the Pacific. Waikiki is the visitor center. Landmarks: Nuuanu Pali, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor.
Flower: Ilima
Island Color: Yellow
1. North Shore
2. Pearl Harbor (Arizona Memorial)
3. Bishop Museum
4. Iolani Palace
5. Duke Kahanamoku Statue
6. Diamond Head
7. Hanauma Bay
8. Nuuanu Pali Lookout
9. Polynesian Cultural Center
Photo courtesy of Kirk Lee Aeder
North Shore
The North Shore, a 20-plus-mile stretch of coastline from Kaena Point in the west to Turtle Bay in the east, comes alive during the winter season when waves reach up 30 feet at Waimea Bay. In summer months, the shore break is usually calm enough for snorkeling and swimming. Haleiwa, is the North Shore's central town where there are interesting surf shops, dress boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and not to mention Matsumoto Shave Ice, serving the best local icy treat!
Photo courtesy of Joe Solem
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor was originally a river, which early Hawaiians called Wai Momi or "river of pearl," because of its numerous oyster beds. Today, Pearl Harbor is Hawaii's largest harbor and the nation's only naval base designated as a National Historic Landmark with three significant memorials: the USS Arizona Memorial, honoring the 1,100 men of the Pearl Harbor attack; the Battleship Missouri Memorial, a living museum of the most celebrated and last-built battleship; and the USS Bowfin Museum, featuring a World War II submarine, a Japanese mini submarine and extensive submarine history.
Photo courtesy of the Oahu Visitors Bureau
Bishop Museum
At Bishop Museum, take a historical walk through the Hawaiian Hall to see the over 76,000 Hawaiian artifacts from hand-made feather cloaks to ancient hand-carved bowls to the skeleton of a 50-feet sperm whale hanging from the ceiling. Built in 1889 to honor Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last heir of the Kamehameha dynasty, the museum has an impressive collection of the monarchy's artifacts.
Photo courtesy of Joe Solem
Iolani Palace
Completed in 1882, King David Kalakaua held many grand parties and festivities here at Iolani Palace, America's only royal palace. During this reign, Kalakaua installed modern upgrades such as plumbing, electric lights and Hawaii's first telephone to the palace. The last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani, lived here but was also imprisoned at the palace after the Hawaiian government was overthrown in 1893. Hale Alii was the original name for the royal resident, which was renamed by Kamehameha V in 1863 in honor of late his brother, Iolani.
Photo courtesy of Chuck Painter
Duke Kahanamoku Statue
Three-time Olympic gold medalist, movie star, beach boy, the legendary Duke Paoa Kahanamoku has been dubbed "ambassador of surfing" having introduced surfing to the world. Early Hawaiians originated hee nalu (wave sliding), which was part of their warrior training. The beach behind the Duke statue happens to be one of the best swimming and surfing spots in Waikiki.
Photo courtesy of Kirk Lee Aeder
Diamond Head
Diamond Head is Oahu's largest tuff cone formed over 100,000 years ago by an active bubbling volcano. Nineteenth century British sailors nicknamed the crater Diamond Head when they mistook the calcite crystals for diamonds. A well-graded trail leads you up the 760-feet summit to a World War II bunker with a bird's eye view of Honolulu.
Photo courtesy of Veronica Carmona
Hanauma Bay
One of Oahu's natural wonders, Hanauma Bay is a world-class nature preserve and home to a huge assortment of sea life from colorful rainbow parrotfish, convict tangs, trumpetfish, mullet, squid and living coral reefs. Even with the "no fish food" rule, fish are eager to swim right next to you. Check out the new Marine Life Education Center to learn more about Hawaii's marine and coastal environment through the interactive exhibits, displays and video presentations.
Photo courtesy of Chuck Painter
Nuuanu Pali Lookout
Test your wind stamina at Nuuanu Pali, where periodic wind gusts make it difficult for visitors to walk to the lookout point. Perched 3,000 feet above Windward Oahu, Nuuanu Pali is the site of a famous Battle of Nuuanu led by Kamehameha I in 1795 when he drove hundreds of warriors over the cliff.
Photo courtesy of the Polynesian Cultural Center
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center, located on Oahu's north shore, brings together the history and cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand, Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga in authentic recreated villages covering over 42-acres. Learn first-hand how Pacific islanders build houses with no nails, expertly spear fish, climb 50-foot trees for coconuts, pound bark into cloth, carve fishhooks, weave mats and cook with "hot rocks" in an imu (underground oven). Don't miss the ancient war dances, traditional wedding ceremonies and the spectacular luau show with a cast of over 100 Polynesian dancers.
British sailors aboard a fur trading ship stumbled on Oahu more than 200 years ago as they sought shelter in a safe harbor.They called the fishing village where they came ashore Fair Haven, which in Hawaiian translates to Honolulu.
Today, no one stumbles on Oahu. It’s a well-known destination that each year attracts nearly 5 million visitors some 80,000 a day to its welcoming shores. Like those early sailors, today’s travelers are awed by the natural beauty, the endless golden-sand beaches, the gentle climate, the sweet-smelling aroma of exotic flowers, days warmed by the sun and star-studded nights cooled by soft breezes.
But today’s visitors expect more than that. They expect to be indulged in creature comforts, to be entertained, to engage in all manner of water, land and air sports, to dine in fine restaurants or eat in casual comfort, to go dancing, to hear live music, to watch a hula performance, to see extravagant stage shows, taste the culture and plumb the history. It’s a lot to pack in a week or 10 days, but the people who are responsible for this island’s reputation as a top-of-the-line visitor destination know what you want and how to bring it to you.
Waikiki, were almost all of Oahu’s hotels are located, covers 500 acres and is essentially a mega resort. Currently in the midst of a multi-million dollar facelift, Waikiki is being returned to its original splendor as its oldest hotel, The Moana, opened on March 11, 1901, steps past its 100-year anniversary.
Though throngs of visitors from throughout the world visit Oahu every day, Honolulu remains one of the safest cities in the nation. Of 20 major cities ranked by the FBI, Honolulu had the lowest crime rate. The city’s property crime rate is higher – 12th among 20 cities rated. So keep an eye on your belongings wherever you are.
The huge influx of Japanese tourism in the 1980’s has risen to a distinct Japanese influence in Waikiki’s marketplace. Restaurants display menus in Japanese only, there are stores where clerks speak no English, hotel room information is printed in both Japanese and English, money-changing shops have appeared, activity guides are often fluent in Japanese, retail stores carry products clearly targeted to Japanese tastes, and there’s a mall filled with duty-free shops.
Recently, however, there’s been a shift back to U.S. travelers. Mainland visitors now account for nearly 70 percent of Hawaii’s overall market.
Waikiki’s international name recognition is so strong that to some, it is Hawaii. Anyone who believes that will miss a lot.
They’ll miss experiencing Oahu’s newest resort, an elegant, 640-acre, lagoon fringed property on the island’s west shore. Called Ko Olina, the resort is graced by a 387-room Marriott hotel, a marina and an 18-hole golf course. Its future holds a Marriott vacation ownership project, now under construction, several residential developments and more. Ko Olina is located near Kapolei, an emerging planned community known as Oahu’s second city. Hawaii Waters Adventure Park and popular luau shows are part of this growing resort area.
A visit confined to Waikiki will also deny visitors entrée to stellar views like the drive through the magnificent Ko’olau Mountains, the blinding white effervescence of sea foam and the translucent blue-green glass of huge breaking waves on the North Shore.
They’ll go home without visiting the fascination Polynesian Cultural Center, experiencing Waimea Falls Park, going to a luau on the beach, taking the sobering tour of the Arizona Memorial, paddling a kayak, trying kite surfing, mountain boarding or scuba diving.
And of course, downtown Honolulu with its diverse ethnic influences and unique historic landmarks is worth at least a day trip. Hawaii achieved statehood less than 50 years ago, leaving its history as a U.S. territory and before that a Hawaiian monarchy very much in evidence. Close to Hawaii’s state Capitol in downtown Honolulu is the Iolani Palace, the official residence of Hawaii’s last two monarchs. Guided tours of both the Palace and the Capitol are available. In Honolulu Harbor, just off Nimitz Street, is the Aloha Tower Marketplace. This collection of shops and eateries was built in the shadow of another famous landmark, the Aloha Tower.
Chinatown, in the King Street area not far from the Marketplace, is a full-on sensory experience. A cacophony of exotic sounds, smells, colors and cultures meet head-on in this older section of downtown Honolulu, which is slowly being restored. You’ll find an open-aired market with display cases of fresh fish, hanging pigs heads, skinned chickens and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. There are temples and shrines, shops, restaurants, art galleries and a Chinese Cultural Plaza.
You can tour the island in a day, but would be touching the surface. It’ll take two, maybe three days to get a good look. Here are some suggestions for trips around the island.
East Oahu Tour
To explore East Oahu, head South out of Waikiki Waikiki towards Hanauma Bay. The rugged, windswept coastline twists above spectacular beaches like Sandy Beach and Makapu’u to Sea Life Park. Continuing along the coast, you’ll arrive in the primarily Hawaiian community of Waimanalo. The next stop is Kailua. This picturesque little town with its glorious beach park is a popular site for kayakers and windsurfers. When you leave Kailua, take the Pali Highway over the mountains and back to Honolulu.
Pearl Harbor/Waianae Coast
The Pearl Harbor/Waianae Coast tour allows time for a stop at the Arizona Memorial, the Battleship Missouri and the USS Bowfin, which depending on the crowds, could take several hours. When you leave Pearl Harbor, take the H-1 Freeway toward Waianae. The Waianae area is separated from the rest of the island by the Waianae Mountains and is the most rural and local Oahu district.
Deep , blue and rich, the waters off the Waianae Coast are Oahu’s most prolific fishing grounds. Makaha Beach is one of the most famous big-wave surfing beaches in the world. Be cautious about entering the water, particularly in the winter. The road home is the same as the one that brought you to Waianae.
Central Plateau/North Shore
The Central Plateau/North Shore trip takes the H-2 route. Look for signs saying Wahiawa. Just past this old plantation town is the Dole Plantation. Scholfield Barracks, sometimes refered to as the most beautiful army post in the U.S., is nearby. Burt Lancaster was filmed on the roof “From Here To Eternity.”
Return to Kamehameha Highway and follow it all the way to Hale’iwa and Oahu’s North Shore. This great little surfing town might be a good place a lunch break, some shopping or a shave-ice cone. From Hale’iwa, head east along Kam Highway past gorgeous Waimea Bay and Waimea Falls Park.
On the way back to Honolulu, watch for Kualoa Ranch on Kahekili Highway, the distinctively shaped island of Chinaman’s Hat and Molii Fishpond. At the Hygenic Store in Kahalu’u, you are at crossroads. If you turn left, you’ll continue to hug the shoreline, ending up in Kaneohe. Go on through and choose a tunnel through the mountains on either the Pali or Likelike highways. Or you can head off on Oahu’s newest freeway, the scenic H-3.
