Oahu Beaches
The main attraction for visitors to Oahu are the range of 139
beaches which, from the pounding waves of the north shore to the
gentle swells of Waikiki in the south, offer the chance to bathe
and soak up the sun, or tackle a variety of watersports in water
temperatures that never fall below 75ºF (24ºC) all year round.
The south shore is favoured by families, offering picnic spots
and opportunities for snorkelling, tide-pooling and swimming. Magic
Island near Waikiki is a peninsula where the beach is protected by
a man-made breakwater offering safe bathing and a stretch of shady,
grassy areas on which to picnic. At Ala Moana Beach a half-mile of
white sand is protected by a reef, washed by calm shallow waters.
Hanauma Bay marine sanctuary is located in the crater of an extinct
volcano and is an ideal snorkelling spot while Waikiki Beach, the
most famous stretch of sand in the world, draws about four million
visitors a year to its sands where sun worshippers can buy fast
food, snacks and cocktails to enjoy under their rented
umbrellas.
The North shore is favoured by surfers, particularly during the
winter months when waves can reach heights of 25 feet (8m) at
beaches like Ehukai with its famed Pipeline, Sunset Beach and
Waimea Beach.
The East shore boasts lush tropical beach settings with
conditions ideal for windsurfing and sailing. Kailua Beach Park is
picturesque and usually in the 'top ten beaches in the United
States' lists. Lanikai is even better. Sandy Beach is popular for
kite-flying, and Waimanalo offers four miles of uninterrupted white
sand framed by palm trees.
On the West coast the Ko Olina Resort and Marina offers seven
crescent shaped sandy beaches with palm trees and views of the
Waianae Mountains, and Yokohama Bay is a quiet, beautiful spot away
from the madding crowds.
Lanikai Beach
Hakilon
Polynesian Cultural Centre
Hawaii's top tourist attraction, the Polynesian Cultural Centre,
is situated on the Kamehameha Highway in Laie on the scenic north
shore of Oahu island. This remarkable venue, visited by more than
one million people a year, consists of seven Polynesian 'islands'
in a beautifully landscaped 42-acre setting, representing Samoa,
New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, the Marquesas and Tonga, all
situated in a freshwater lagoon. The centre gives visitors a
holistic insight into the culture of the different Polynesian
communities, employing students from the nearby Brigham Young
University-Hawaii campus to bring various activities, from pageants
and ceremonies to tribal tattooing demonstrations, to life. A
highlight of a visit to the Centre is the evening show spectacular,
'Horizons', presented in the 2,770 seat Pacific Theatre with its
multi-level stages allowing for fiery volcanoes and brilliant
fountains to erupt as special effects in this huge Polynesian song
and dance revue.
Address:
55-370 Kamehameha Highway (83), Laie, HI
Polynesian Cultural Center
coconut wireless
Valley of the Temples
Opposite a bustling shopping centre on the Kahekili Highway in
Kaneohe, below the Koolau mountains, nestles a little piece of
Japan tucked away in Hawaii. The Valley of the Temples Memorial
Park contains oriental gardens and koi ponds, a massive nine-foot
Buddha statue, Japanese Tea House and an exact replica of Japan's
900-year-old Byodo-in Temple, the original of which stands in Uji
near Kyoto. The temple was recreated to honour the first Japanese
immigrants to Hawaii.
Address:
Kaneohe, HI
Byodo-In Temple
Cristo Vlahos
Iolani Palace
The only royal residence in the United States, the
Iolani Palace stands on the corner of King and Richard Streets in
Honolulu. Its opulent interior gives a glimpse into the lives of
Hawaii's last reigning monarchs between 1882 and 1893. It was
originally home to King Kalakaua and his Queen, until he died in
1891. His successor, Queen Lili'uokalani, then took up residence
until the Hawaiian monarchy was overthrown in 1893 by the US
Marines in a palace coup. The palace has been fully restored.
Visitors on guided tours can see the portraits of Hawaiian kings
and queens, valuable vases and statuary, the grand staircase, the
throne room decorated in crimson and gold, the state dining room,
and the royal family's private quarters.
Address:
364 South King Street, Honolulu
Iolani Palace
WPPilot
Surfing in Oahu
Synonymous with surf, sand and sun, Hawaii is a place where
South African and Australian surf legends Shaun Tomson, Mark
Richards and Wayne 'Rabbit' Bartholomew pioneered the surfing
scene, turning it into the professional sport it is today. Hawaii's
surfing beaches are internationally famous, as immortalised in the
surfing documentary Riding Giants. The most famous surfing beach in
Hawaii is Oahu's North Shore, featuring the classic point break of
Waimea Bay as well as the likes of Waikiki, Off the Wall, Backdoor
Pipe, Sunset Beach (known for its big wave surfing) and the
notorious Pipeline, a reef break located off Ehukai Beach Park
ideal for eager spectators, bikini-clad girlfriends and surf
photographers due to its close proximity to the beach. Oahu's North
Shore works best during the winter months when large waves are
created by winter storms in the North Pacific, a stark contrast to
the clear, calm water during the summer months. Other key spots for
surfing in Hawaii include a great point break at Magic Sands Point
on Big Island, the reef break of Pine Trees in Kauai, and Maui's
Honolua Bay. Beginners are also catered for with small and easy
rollers at places like Waikiki Beach, Chuns Reef, Cockroach Bay and
Puena Point, and there are plenty of surf schools and experienced
instructors available. The south coast of Kauai is also an
excellent surfing spot for beginners, with reliable waves at Poipu
and Kalapaki Beach.
Oahu North Shore Surfer
Stan Shebs
Oahu experiences constant warm, balmy weather all year round,
its tropical climate subject to variations caused by different
elevations and geographic exposure rather than seasons.
Temperatures vary little throughout the year, averaging between
66°F (19°C) and 89°F (32°C). The southern side of the island,
including Honolulu and Waikiki, is drier than the leeward side, the
rain-bearing trade winds blocked by the mountain ranges. The wet
season in Oahu is from October to March, and averages 7-10 rainy
days per month. The water temperature in Oahu is also warm year
round, staying between 77°F (25°C) and 81°F (27°C).
Aloha Festivals
The Aloha Festivals, celebrated on six islands in Hawaii - Oahu,
Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Big Island - taken together,
comprise the only statewide cultural festival in the United States.
Established in 1946 (then known as Aloha Week), the purpose of the
Aloha Festivals is to celebrate the music, dance, history and
traditions that make Hawaii unique.
Every year, up to 30,000 volunteers are involved in organising
the various events; and over the festival's six-week running
period, a million visitors, from all over the US and the rest of
the world, are drawn to Hawaii to attend this fascinating cultural
celebration. All events are free, and the highlight is the Floral
Parade through Waikiki, Honolulu - a colourful equestrian
procession of pau riders and extravagant floats, festooned with
cascades of Hawaiian flowers, and accompanied by hula dancers and
marching bands.
Venue:
Various venues in Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Big
Island
Aloha Festival Floral Parade
Hawaii Tourism Authority
Getting around Honolulu, and Oahu in general, means orienting
yourself to local directions. Visitors may be told to go makai
(toward the sea) or mauka (toward the mountain); the famous Diamond
Head crater is also an important landmark and reference for the
east, and the town of Ewa stands in for the west.
The main public transport system is simply called TheBus, and
serves Honolulu and most of Oahu. The most popular route runs
between Waikiki and Ala Moana Center every 10 minutes.
The Waikiki Trolley is also a fun way to get around Honolulu,
looping around about a dozen key locations approximatley every hour
with commentary by the driver. Stops include Hilton Hawaiian
Village, Iolani Palace, Wo Fat's in Chinatown, the State Capitol,
King Kamehameha's Statue, the Mission House Museum, Aloha Tower,
Honolulu Academy of Arts, Hawaii Maritime Museum, Ward Centre,
Fisherman's Wharf, and Restaurant Row.
Taxis are also available, and are a good way to get around at
night; they are locally regulated so fares are standard across all
companies. Relying on taxis for all transport gets expensive
quickly however.
The heart of Hawaii's tourism, Oahu has no end of attractions
and activities to entertain the millions of tourists who fly into
Honolulu each year.
Whether attending luaus at the Polynesian Cultural Centre and
learning about local history at the Bishop Museum and Honolulu
Academy of Arts, or visiting royal palaces and WWII memorials, Oahu
is the best place to get a taste of Hawaiian culture and history
while enjoying its idyllic pleasures.
And there are plenty of pleasure-seeking activities to enjoy.
Visitors can choose from dozens of world-class beaches offering
everything from enormous waves and snorkelling lagoons to beautiful
sunsets, with plenty of space to simply lay out and enjoy the
Hawaiian sunshine.
There are plenty of scenic spots inland as well, as
holidaymakers can hike the Diamond Head Crater, explore the
Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, or even visit one of the world's
largest pineapple plantations. Tours of the North Shore and
Windward Koolau Range are also offered on horseback.
Cooling off on a hot day is easy at the Wet n Wild Hawaii
waterpark or the Waikiki Aquarium, both great activities for the
whole family. And after a full day of exploring the beauty of
Oahu's wild side, visitors can enjoy the excellent restaurants,
shopping and nightlife offered in Hawaii's capital, Honolulu.