Oahu

View of Oahu from the skies

Oahu is nicknamed ‘The Gathering Place’. Its flower is the delicate yellow-orange Lima and it’s official color as well.

Oahu is best known for Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach, but despite all the glitter it has many other things to offer. Oahu has many excellent secluded beaches, Hawaii’s top surfing action, and windward Kailua is one of Hawaii’s most popular windsurfing beaches. Its scenic beauty rivals all other islands.

Honolulu HawaiiPerhaps the sunniest and driest weather in all of Hawaii is found in Honolulu. No wonder so many people live and visit there. It is a modern city with a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures offering fine beaches, parks, restaurants, accommodations, and transportation.

The bad rap that Hawaii gets as being expensive is discredited in Oahu as it has some of Hawaii’s least expensive accommodations perhaps less than you might pay at home.

Oahu, which covers 594 sq. miles, is the third largest Hawaiian island. It has 112 miles of coast. Its highest point is Mt. Kaala at 4020 feet. Its extreme length is 44 miles, its width 30 miles.

Honolulu

OahuHonolulu is the capital of Hawaii but it also refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu. The city and the county are consolidated which encompasses the entire island. The city and county of Honolulu encompasses 2,127 square miles. It also has the distiction of being the the most isolated area of the US being 2400 from California.

While home to many attrations notable is the Bishop Museum with largest collection of Pacific artifacts and archaeological items. In the Hawaiian language, Honolulu means "sheltered bay" or "place of shelter" or "sheltered bay."

In Honolulu the average daily maximum temperature is 84°F, and the minimum is 70°F. Temperatures are a bit higher in summer and a few degrees lower in winter. The highest temperature on record is 94°F and the lowest is 53°F. Average afternoon water temperatures in Waikiki are 77°F in March, 82°F in August.

Waikiki

Waikiki Honolulu HawaiiWhen one thinks of Waikiki they usually mean Waikiki Beach, but to natives, Waikiki is an entire neighborhood of Honolulu. It also has the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium and fantastic shopping and dining. Waikiki has an average annual rainfall of only 25 inches, whereas the Lyon Arboretum in the upper Manoa Valley, north of Honolulu, averages 158 inches. Mid-afternoon humidity averages 56%

Waikiki Beach is famous for its beaches and it's views of the Diamond Head. It is a two mile stretch of beach on the south shore of the island of Oahu and is usually warm and cloud-free.  It is banked with hotels and other tourist facilities but it also has the very nice Kapiolani Park..

North Shore

Ohau Hawaii North ShoreThe North Shore is an one hour drive from Waikiki and central Honolulu. The beaches of the North Shore include more than 7 miles and attracts some of the best surfers in the world and surfing competions in the world.

The summer months from May-September are the best months for swimming and sunbathing, while the  four winter months from November-February are the best months to experience big waves.

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor HawaiiPearl Harbor is a lagoon and harbor on the west side of the island of Oahu. Most  of the harbor is surrounded by the US naval base and is the home of the US Pacific Fleet.

Best known as the location of the Japanese attack which brought the US into WWII on December 7, 1941.

The area houses the popular Pearl Harbor Memorial.


Oahu Revealed: The Ultimate Guide to Honolulu, Waikiki & Beyond (Oahu Revisited)

OahuAuthor: Andrew Doughty
Manufacturer: Wizard Publications Inc.
Amazon Price: $16.95
Offers - Buy New From: $10.65 Used From: $10.58
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Description : The finest guidebook ever written for O‘ahu. Now you can plan your best vacation - ever. This all new third edition is a candid, humorous guide to everything there is to see and do on the island. Written by the author of the best-selling guides, "Maui Revealed," "Hawaii The Big Island Revealed" and "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook." Explore with him as he reveals breathtaking trails, secluded beaches, pristine reefs, delicious places to dine,...Read More



Lonely Planet Honolulu Waikiki & Oahu (Regional Travel Guide)

OahuAuthor: Sara Benson
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet
Amazon Price: $19.99
Offers - Buy New From: $12.01 Used From: $10.59
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Description : Insider Guides, Aloha SpiritRecommended itineraries help you plan your vacation by time or interestOpinionated reviews and Our Pick icons guide you to the best choices for your tripInterviews with locals offer additional insider tips and insightsSimple to use, with color-codes chapters and over 40 easy-to-follow mapsIn This Guide:Sustainable icon highlights establishments that preserve Hawaiian...Read More



Driving and Discovering Hawaii: Oahu, Honolulu, and Waikiki

OahuManufacturer: Island Heritage
Amazon Price: $19.95
Used From: $499.95
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Description : Winner of American Airlines' and The Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau Travel Journalism Award for "Best Hawaii Guidebook", Driving & Discovering Oahu's stunning photography is a testament to Eastman Kodak's rare sponsorship of such a project. Wishing to expand beyond the boundaries set by others in this field, Richard Sullivan designed a guidebook placing Oahu's spectacular scenics at the core, both to illustrate the...Read More



Frommer's Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu (Frommer's Complete Guides)

OahuAuthor: Jeanette Foster
Manufacturer: Frommers
Amazon Price: $17.99
Offers - Buy New From: $8.99 Used From: $3.00
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Description : You can experience the floral parade for Hawaii's King Kamehameha Celebration. See chapter 2.Detailed maps throughout Exact prices, directions, opening hours,and other practical information Candid reviews of hotels and restaurants,plus sights, shopping, and nightlife Itineraries, walking tours, and trip-planning ideas Insider tips from local expert authorsRead More



Adventure Guide Honolulu, Waikiki & Oahu (Adventure Guides Series) (Hunter Travel Guides)

OahuAuthor: Sharon Hamblin
Manufacturer: Hunter
Amazon Price: $15.95
Offers - Buy New From: $9.00 Used From: $0.10
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Description : The island is home to about 900,000 people (75% of the resident population of the state). The city of Honolulu (largest city, state capital, and main deepwater marine port for the State of Hawai'i) is located here. Well-known features include Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Kane'ohe Bay and the North Shore. Written by a resident of the island, this is the most detailed guide available, covering all the hotels and restaurants,...Read More



Fodor's Oahu, 3rd Edition: with Honolulu, Waikiki, and the North Shore (Full-color Travel Guide)

OahuAuthor: Fodor's
Manufacturer: Fodor's
Amazon Price: $18.99
Offers - Buy New From: $10.83 Used From: $6.52
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Description : Fodor's O'ahuPlan your Perfect GetawayFull-color guide • Make your trip to O'ahu unforgettable with 31 maps, illustrated features, and 140 color photos.Customize your trip with simple planning tools • Top experiences & attractions • Lodging comparison charts • Easy-to-read color regional mapsExplore Honolulu, the North Shore's beaches, Windward O'ahu, and beyond • Discerning Fodor's...Read More



Oahu Budget Restaurants And Value Dining With Honolulu And Waikiki (Hawaii Restaurant Guide Series)

OahuAuthor: Cindy Carpenter
Manufacturer: Holiday Publishing Inc

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Description : An Active Traveler's Guide to Affordable Dining on The Island of OahuThe Hawaii Restaurant Guide Series got its start ten years ago with a single print release covering the top dining options in the Hawaiian Islands. It truly was a one-size-fits-all effort that included the full spectrum of cuisines and prices available across the island chain. Eventually the book grew as reviews were added, but the increase in content came at a cost...Read More



Honolulu-Waikiki-Oahu - Guidebook Chapter

OahuAuthor: Planet Lonely
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet
Amazon Price: $7.99

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Description : ‘Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other’. New York TimesThis eBook offering is an excerpt of Lonely Planet’s latest Hawaii guide book and includes:• “Oahu” chapter• “Understanding Hawaii & Survival Guide” chapter • “Need to know” Chapter • Oahu-Honolulu-Waikiki mapsO’ahu is a thrill-of-a-lifetime adventure. Here you can surf the North Shore’s giant waves, hike atop knife-edged pali (cliffs), dive into...Read More


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Quick Island Info

Oahu

Waikiki beach & Diamond Head on Oahu Some consider the island of Oahu to be the prettiest of the islands. From the sandy beaches of Waikiki, to the majesty of Diamond Head, and the inland...

Things to do on Oahu Oahu has it all. From the glitzy, busy lifestyle of Oahu and Waikiki, to the historical aspects of Pearl Harbor and Hawai'ian culture, to nature trails,...

Hiking on Oahu Oahu offers a bit of everything for the hiker. From easy hikes, to more crowded touristy hikes (Diamond Head Crater), to very challenging hikes. And...

Camping on the island of Oahu When one thinks of Oahu, one tends to think of Honolulu skyscrapers and Waikiki beaches. But the island includes many secluded areas and lovely beaches...

Maui

Island Falls on the island of Maui The island of Maui is known as the heart chakra of the Hawai'ian islands and the energy of love is greatly present... from the healing provided by Nature...

Hiking Haleakala on Maui On Maui you can hike up at 10,000 feet where you will be above the clouds, or you can hike at sea level, whether by the ocean on impeccable sandy beaches,...

Things to do on the island of Maui Whether your interests center in nature, spirituality, history, wine-making, or something else, Maui has a lot to offer. From the eastern side of the...

Camping on the island of Maui, Hawaii Camping on the island of Maui can range from desert-type settings such as at the Haleakala Volcano Crater, to the beach or tropical settings on the rest...

Kauai

Relaxing on the island of Kauai In the system that classifies the Hawai'ian islands according to chakras, Kaua'i is the third eye (sixth chakra). Thus it has connotations and connections...

Things to do on Kauai The island of Kauai invites the visitor to its rounded mountains softened with years of erosion. You can visit a fern grotto, farm homesteads and plantations,...

Kauai Hiking Trails: Wailua Falls Kaua'i offers perhaps the most diverse choice of hiking trails of the Hawai'ian islands. It has its own "Grand Canyon" (Waimea Canyon) in the south,...

Camping site on the island of Kauai Kauai's climate ranges from the lush tropical settings of the North shore to the dry arid beaches of the south. The government of Hawaii provides sheltered...

Hawaii

Green Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii   The Big Island has a variety of attractions for the Nature Lover. From the beaches which range from white, green, or black sand, to the mountain...

Things to do on the Big Island The Big Island offers many options for the visitor, and of course no visit would be complete without a visit to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park or...

Hiking on the Big Island: Pololu Valley Awini Trail The Big Island offers a variety of hiking choices for the beginner as well as the experienced hiker. You can hike up to the edge of mountains and volcanic...

Camping on the Big Island of Hawaii The Big Island offers a wide variety of camping choices... from the black lava rock, to the lush tropics of the eastern shore, to the sandy beaches of...

Molokai

Rainbow over the island of Molokai Molokai is known for its slow pace of life, for its awesome geography, its friendly people, and for Father Damien and his work with the lepers of Kalaupapa....

Things to do on the island of Molokai Molokai prides itself on being the "slower" Hawaiian island, one where the pace of life is still the way it was before modernisation came in and sped...

Hiking on the island of Molokai The island of Molokai is known worldwide due to Father Damian and his work on a secluded section of the island with the lepers at Kalaupapa. However,...

Camping in Molokai: Pala Molokai offers country parks and state parks for the camping enthusiasts. This is one of the less populated and less visited island thus providing you...

Molokai Beach While Molokai may be one of the less visited islands of the Hawaiian chain, it nevertheless has some beautiful scenery and beaches. Papohaku Beach is...

Lanai

Spinner Dolphins on the island of Lanai Lanai is one of the less visited islands due to the fact that for many years as it was mostly a huge plantation for the Dole company. However, as time...

Things to do on the island of Lanai While Lanai is not a very highly visited Hawai'ian island, it nevertheless offers a choice of activities for the visitor. Whether you prefer hiking or...

Hiking on the island of Lanai  Lanai does not offer a lot of hiking trails. The Munro Trail is an easier hike while the Kuolanai is classified as rugged and dangerous. The Koloiki...