Oahu
Oahu appropriately means “the gathering place”—not only is the island the seat of the state government and Hawaii’s financial and business center, it is also the home of nearly three quarters of the state’s total population. Over half its residents are concentrated in Honolulu, Hawaii’s state capital and premier city. This bustling metropolis is the nexus of Oahu, with all the glamor of a major urban center and tourist mecca. Waikiki, a magical mile of beachfront hotels, shops, restaurants, and endless entertainment in the southeastern quarter of the city, is one of the most famous destinations in the world.
Oahu’s urban nature makes it a less scenic island than the others, but the commercial tourism does have its benefits. Visitors need not look further than Waikiki to get their fill of tropical kitsch and frenzied nightlife, and downtown Honolulu offers myriad opportunities to explore Hawaii’s historical and cultural past. However, with little effort, visitors can venture beyond the gift shops and guided tours and uncover the island’s subtler treasures. On the Windward Coast, a pleasant drive passes by rickety fruit stands and acres of pineapple fields on the way to the fabled North Shore, home to some of the world’s best surf breaks. Drive 10 mi. up the Leeward Coast and both the scenery and the mood change dramatically; you’re in rural Hawaii, where inhabitants embrace a slower, more traditional way of life. The luxuriant Manoa Valley overflows with fragrant blossoms and tropical fruit, and hikers have their pick of countless trails that lead to pockets of unspoiled Hawaiian rainforest.
On Oahu, visitors can discover the multifaceted appeal of Hawaii. Oahu offers the Big Island’s hippie culture on the sands of the North Shore, Maui’s beauty and opulence in the Windward Coast’s resorts, Kauai’s natural splendor in the lush interior valleys, and Molokai’s rustic charm in the streets of Waimanalo. Consider this your crash course in appreciation of these magnificent islands.
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