Oahu, Hawaii
Oahu, Hawaii is a vacation spot like few on Earth. One second you can be looking over a cliff staring at a panoramic vista of the surrounding landscape, the next second you could be lounging on a pristine white sand beach as calm waters gently lap against the shore. Parasailing, windsurfing, golfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, surfing, hiking, horseback riding, helicopter rides, cruises along the coastline, or lounging on one of the magnificent beaches can all be a part of your Oahu vacation. It is just a matter of how you want to best enjoy the "Gathering Place."
Among Oahu's many charms are her abundant beaches. The most famous of these is Waikiki Beach, located in the southern portion of Oahu. One of the best times to see Waikiki is at sunset when the lights of Honolulu twinkle on and pick up where the day's sunshine left off. Another great spot to soak up some sun on the south shore is Hanauma Bay Beach Park. This beach is located in a marine sanctuary and has all the coral reefs, tropical fish, and undersea drama to prove it!
Hikers and those with an adventurous spirit will want to take in the view of Waikiki and the entire west side of Oahu from the top of Diamond Head, a dormant volcano offering incredible vistas of the surrounding area. The trek up to the volcano is short but very steep, but once there you can see the surrounding Islands of Molokai and Lanai.
The beaches on the North Shore of Oahu are a surfer's paradise. The most famous of these is Waimea Bay and the adjacent Waimea Beach. Sunset Beach, like Waimea Bay, is also regarded in almost mythic terms among the surfing community. However, unless you are an avid surfer, it's best to stay on dry land until summer since the swimming can be treacherous. The currents can still be tricky, but during the summer months the North Shore's waters provide excellent swimming and snorkeling opportunities.
For a glimpse into the agricultural history of Oahu, take the family and visit the Dole Pineapple Plantation. Located in Wahiawa on the North Shore, kids and adults alike will enjoy the Pineapple Express, a 20-minute train ride that circles the facility and gives an oral presentation on the history of the Pineapple in Hawaii. Or, try and find your way through the Pineapple Garden Maze, called the largest maze in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.
The Polynesian Cultural Center, located on Oahu's North Shore, is the best place to get a feel for the local history and culture of the island. Here, visitors will get a taste of the music, dance, food, clothing, and cultural belief systems of the Polynesian people and enjoy the Ali'i Luau, which recreates the royal ceremony of ancient luau including the traditional custom of roasting a pig in an imu (Hawaiian for fire pit).
No visit to Oahu is complete without seeing the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri, both located at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. The battleship Arizona, which sank in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, sits in ghostly silence just below the surface of the harbor. Floating nearby, the USS Missouri represents the end of our involvement in the war in the Pacific. Japan signed formal papers of surrender on her deck on September 2, 1945.
Oahu is called "the Gathering Place." The friendly residents mingle with eager tourists and gather together to enjoy this beautiful island. They watch gorgeous sunsets. They dive the many coral reefs. They hike the trails that lead up mountains, around volcanoes, and through lush tropical rainforests. They ride gigantic waves. Why not join them on your next vacation?
