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Island of Oahu
Hawaiian Vacations -
Island of Oahu
Island of Oahu
The Heart of Hawaii
Hike down a lush mountainside, just minutes away from a soaring
cityscape. Feast at a luau under the stars one night, dine at a
five-star restaurant another. Sunbathe all day on the North Shore
then dance all night in Waikiki. There's no shortage of things to
do on Oahu.
Round-trip airfare
Hotel accommodations
All hotel taxes and more
With Waikiki as a central hub, you can explore
the legendary North Shore of Oahu one day, and spend the next day
on the east side snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, a protected marine
sanctuary with tons of colorful fish. It's clear that Oahu offers
just the right amount of diversity for the adventurous as well as
the cautious visitor. Thrill seekers can skydive at Mokuleia while
daydreamers can relax peacefully on the beach. Exquisite dining and
exciting nightlife also entice people to the Hawaiian Island of
Oahu again and again.
Facts:Population 876,156, Area 597 sq.
miles
The most populated Hawaiian 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.
Oahu Flower: Ilima
Oahu Island Color: Yellow
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!
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.
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.
This 10-story tower was built in 1926 at Pier 9 in downtown
Honolulu. The tower, with its four-sided clock, is now part of a
new inter-island cruise ship terminal. Hosting close to 100 shops,
along with a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues, the
Aloha Tower Marketplace is guaranteed to have something to interest
any visitor. After a day of shopping and activities at the Aloha
Tower, jump on the elevator and head up to the 10th-floor
observation deck for a stunning panoramic view of Honolulu.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Oahu is 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. O`ahu is
the military command center of the Pacific. Waikiki is the visitor
center. Landmarks: Nuuanu Pali, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor.
Plan to take time to visit Pearl Harbor on your Oahu vacation.
It 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.
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.
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.
On your Oahu vacation see the Duke Kahanamoku Statue located on
Waikiki beach. The Three-time Olympic gold medallist, movie star,
beach boy, the legendary Duke Pauoa 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.
Diamond Head is Oahu, Hawaii'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.
Hanauma Bay is one of Oahu, Hawaii'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.
At the Nuuanu Pali Lookout test your wind stamina, where
periodic wind gusts make it difficult for visitors to walk to the
lookout point. Perched 3,000 feet above Windward Oahu, Hawaii
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.
The Polynesian Cultural Center, located on Oahu, Hawaii'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.