OAHU
Area: Hawaii
Country: United States of America


Location:
A mid-Pacific island, almost on the Tropic of Cancer, approximately 5 hrs by jet from America's W coast. Hawaii's international airport (Honolulu) is located here, 5 mls from downtown Honolulu, which is on the S coast of the island.

Telephone code from UK:
1 808

Website:
http://www.visit-oahu.com

Position:
Midway along the Hawaiian Islands chain.

Description:
With 872,000 people, Oahu is Hawaii's most heavily populated island. It also the most visited, tourists being attracted by its fine beaches, beautiful golf courses, nightlife, deep-sea fishing, surfing, hiking, shopping and history. The island (which is about 45 mls long and 30 at its widest) is fairly mountainous, with 2 parallel ranges running the length of the island on the E and the W; between them lies a central plateau where pineapples and other tropical cash crops are grown. On the sunny, dry S coast lies Honolulu, the sprawling Hawaiian state capital and centre of business and administration. The neighbouring city of Waikiki, with year-round summer, is 1 sq ml of high-rise hotels sited between Pacific Ocean Beach and Ala Wai Canal, and flanked by the extinct Diamond Head volcano on the E. Waikiki itself is not a "tropical paradise" destination, and is really suitable only as a stopover. On the N coast of Oahu is the world-famous North Shore, where serious surfers and hangers-on ride the waves.

Suitability:
Main markets are Japan, US, Asia and Europe; all budget levels. Popular with honeymooners. Huge number of Japanese visitors catered for as tropical weddings are major business.

Accommodation:
Waikiki has over 30,000 units in more than 80 hotels and 40 condominiums. Rates range from the price of a meal to the price of a small second-hand car! The beach-front area is the most popular and expensive. A few hotels outside Waikiki, but not many.

Shopping:
Thousands of shops sell everything from postcards and coconuts to European designer products; Honolulu's several shopping complexes include the Ala Moana Center (with 220 stores, it's Hawaii's largest) and Ward Center (70 speciality shops and restaurants). The island's biggest concentration of shops can be found in Waikiki's Kalakaua Avenue, and includes the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, Waikiki Shopping Plaza and the International Market Place. Other shopping areas are located throughout the Honolulu vicinity.

Beach:
Oahu has arguably the finest beaches of the Hawaiian Islands, and plenty to choose from. Like all Hawaiian beaches, Oahu's are open to the public. One-ml-long Waikiki Beach is crowded year-round, receiving 25,000 visitors every day. Some of the E coast's best beaches are at Kailua and Lanikai: the surf is gentle, the snorkelling is good and kayaks and windsurfers are usually available for rent at the weekends. Waimanalo Beach Park, just to the S, has 4 mls of sand and is good for swimming. International surfing and body-surfing competitions are held at Makaha Beach and other beaches.

Entertainments:
Daytime: lots to do and see. Surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving are particularly good. Sailing. Hang-gliding. Hiking; bicycling; tennis; golf. Museums and memorials of Pearl Harbor, including the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. Several botanical gardens. Sealife Park, with a wide range of marine shows and exhibits. Honolulu Zoo (in Waikiki). Sacred Falls State Park, with an 80-ft waterfall. Waikiki Aquarium. Holidays and festivals throughout the year. In Honolulu city itself: Bishop Museum and Planetarium, for Hawaii's natural and cultural history. The Honolulu Academy of Arts has an outstanding collection of Asian art. Nightlife: good variety, and mostly concentrated in Waikiki; comedians, Las Vegas-style floorshows, live music (Hawaiian, jazz, contemporary and country-and-western), bars and discos. Many Waikiki hotels offer in-house entertainment. Broadway and off-Broadway shows by the Hawaii Performing Arts Company. Honolulu Symphony Orchestra; Hawaii Opera Theater. Polynesian revues, song and dance-dinner shows, girly nightclubs.

Eating:
Options range from hot-dog stands to international restaurants offering Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Laotian, French, German, Italian and Swiss cuisine. Regional Hawaiian fare utilises fresh local fish, vegetables and fruits in imaginative and delicious combinations. Luau (Hawaiian feast) evenings, featuring traditional foods, dancing and music; these tend to vary in quality and authenticity.

Public-transport:
Buses are cheap and efficient, with more than 60 routes and 4,000 bus stops; you can circle Oahu in about 4 hrs. Taxis are plentiful but expensive. Rental cars readily available. Also moped, bicycle and motorcycle rental.

Local-excursions:
Deep-sea fishing; full- or half-day charters available. At Hot Island, visitors can drive Formula One race boats and other small watercraft. Hundreds of tours, including island tours and 2 dozen sea cruises. Popular excursions (with a tour or on one's own) include Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center and climbing Diamond Head volcano.