Overview
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.
Honolulu International Airport ( HNL; ☎ 808-836-6413; www.honoluluairport.com) is off the Airport exit from H-1, 9 mi. west of Waikiki. The airport is also accessible via Ala Moana Boulevard. Take Ala ...more
Hawaii’s capital and largest city, Honolulu (pop. 377,379) is a commercial center, college town, and living landmark of Hawaiian history. Although downtown Honolulu is less of a tourist destination ...more
By Bus. Oahu’s public transit system, TheBus (☎ 808-848-5555; www.thebus.org) offers service across the island. Many people have expressed frustration that TheBus schedule is meaningless; indeed ...more
Highways And Byways Honolulu’s main highway, H-1, runs east-west along the length of the city from Kaimuki to the southwest corner of Oahu, past the airport. Getting onto H-1 can be frustrating, as ...more
Many of Oahu’s services are based in Honolulu, but most tourist services can also be found in Waikiki (see Waikiki, Practical Information). ...more
You’ll probably find the best deals in Waikiki, but options exist in other neighborhoods as well. These places usually cater to locals and businesspeople; in general expect a more homey atmosphere ...more
As a rule, the closer you are to Waikiki, the more populated the sand will be. Ala Moana presents a peaceful, nearby option for avoiding the crowds. Ala Moana Beach Park. (Open daily 4am-10pm. Lifeguards ...more
The Hawaii Maritime Center. The family-friendly Maritime Center chronicles Hawaii’s maritime history, from the outrigger ships of ancient Polynesian explorers to the present. The largest exhibit ...more
THonolulu Academy Of Arts. Over 30 galleries display the permanent collection and visiting exhibits of the Academy’s classic and contemporary artwork from local and international artists amid beautifully ...more
The Kennedy Theatre. On the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, the Kennedy Theatre is known internationally for its English-language presentations of Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian theater ...more
People’S Open Markets. These markets provide the chance to buy inexpensive produce from local farmers and fishermen. There are markets in Waikiki’s Queen Kapiolani Park , Makiki District Park (1527 ...more
Honolulu has all the tried-and-true nightlife formulas: laid-back budget dives, sports bars, swanky lounges, and live music venues. Fickle Honolulu crowds—including surfer boys, socialites, and the ...more
The pedestrian-only trails of the Honolulu Mauka Trail System lead through a variety of climates within a small area, where many unique plants grow. The bugs can get aggravating; pack insect repellent ...more
From surf swells to sushi to beachside Mai Tais and vibrant nightlife, there’s always something going on in Waikiki. Start out on the main drag along Waikiki Beach, Kalakaua Ave., where designer shops ...more
Bus: For help on how to reach a specific destination, call ☎ 808-848-5555 5:30am-10pm. Listed below are a few convenient routes that leave from Waikiki. Consult a bus schedule or www.thebus.org for ...more
Waikiki’s boundary is defined on the north and west by the Ala Wai Canal, on the south by its beaches, and on the east by Diamond Head Crater. Three main thoroughfares run Waikiki’s two-mile length ...more
Tourist And Financial Services Tourist Office: Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau Information Office, 2270 Kalakaua Ave., Ste. 801 (☎ 808-923-1811; www.gohawaii.com), in the Waikiki Business Plaza ...more
As Oahu’s center of tourism, Waikiki is not short of places to stay. Hotels dominate the skyline, and some have quite inspiring views 30 floors above Waikiki. Travelers should ask to see rooms before ...more
With everything from tempting tourist traps to hidden local eateries, Waikiki is full of good places to dine. If you’re on a tight budget, stocking up at a grocery store and cooking in hostel kitchens ...more
Waikiki Beach is the name that refers to all of the beaches on the South Shore of Oahu. It begins on the Waikiki side of the Hilton Lagoon in the west and continues along the coastline of Waikiki’s ...more
Most rental agencies on the beach are fairly expensive and don’t take credit cards. Other rental stores can be found on Kapahulu and Kuhio Ave. Aloha Beach Services, 2335 Kalakaua Ave. (Westin ...more
Diamond Head. The 350-acre Diamond Head crater was created about 300,000 years ago during a single brief eruption that flung ash and fine particles into the air. These particles eventually cemented ...more
Kuhio Beach Torch Lighting And Hula Show. In Waikiki, watching beautiful island girls shake their hips and surf-chiseled men flex in nothing but sarongs is not only socially acceptable; it&rsquo ...more
If you’re shopping in Waikiki you have two options: either the 4-for-$1 Hawaiiana at the International Market and Duke’s Lane, or the chic high-end (and high-priced) designer items that dominate ...more
Diamond Head Grill, 2885 Kalakaua Ave. (☎ 808-922-3734), in the W Hotel. The most posh place to see and be seen, the Diamond Head Grill hosts one of Waikiki’s best weekend parties. DJs spin hip ...more
On December 7, 1941, 350 Japanese bombers flew 230 miles from carriers stationed in the Pacific Ocean to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. They launched a devastating, 2-wave military attack on the US Pacific Fleet ...more
The area east of Honolulu along Highway 72 (Kalanianaole Highway) from Koko Head to Sandy Beach is a county park that includes Hanauma Bay, the Halona Blowhole and Cove, and Koko Crater. These sites are ...more
An exuberant wind blows across the Kamehameha Highway and along the Windward Coast of Oahu. The roads that run around the misty Koolau Mountains and up the rural eastern edge of the island are chaotic ...more
There are only a few words to describe the break on Oahu’s North Shore: gnarly, mean, and real. Surf isn’t a sub-culture here; it’s the consciousness of an entire tight-knit community. For Oahu ...more
The Leeward Coast has been called the Wild West of Oahu. Driving from Honolulu to the Leeward side of the island is like entering New Mexico—arid brown mountains replace lush green ones, and thick ...more
By Bus: TheBus Country Express C, #93 Waianae Coast Express, and Rte. #40 all run up the Leeward Coast as far as Makaha. The Country Express C starts at the Ala Moana Shopping Center (1hr., every 30min ...more
The Leeward Coast encompasses the land west of the Waianae Mountains. To get there, take H-1 West from Honolulu for 40min.; H-1 will end at Highway 93 (Farrington Highway). From here, the highway goes ...more
City Hall: Waianae Satellite, 85-670 Farrington Hwy. (☎ 808-696-6371), at the Neighborhood Community Center, north of where the Kaupuni Channel meets Pokai Bay. Bus schedules, bus passes, and camping ...more
There are few accommodations on the Leeward side of Oahu. Camping at a county beach park is allowed with a permit, but it may be unsafe. Let’s Go does not recommend camping at Leeward beaches. ...more
Most of the dining options on the Leeward side are in Waianae, and many are fast-food joints. The Waianae Store, 85-863 Farrington Hwy., sells inexpensive groceries. (☎ 808-668-1277. Open daily 5am-11pm ...more
Beautiful beaches with uncrowded sand, clear water, and excellent conditions are the biggest draw of the Leeward Coast. Always check with lifeguards for current surf conditions. Be wary of broken glass ...more
Kaena Point State Park. Kaena translates to “the heat,” appropriate as the point is one of the hottest and driest spots on the island. The park is almost completely undeveloped and untouched ...more
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For 50 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.