Recorded Books Inc. - Fodors Oahu: with Honolulu, Waikiki & the North Shore

Nicknamed The Gathering Place, Oahu is the third-largest Hawaiian island and has 75% of the states population. Honolulu is the perfect place to experience the states indigenous culture, the hundred years of immigration that resulted in todays blended society, and the tradition of aloha . The museums and historic and cultural sites will ground you, at least a bit, in Hawaiis history. Honolulu has everything from award-winning restaurants to farmers markets, from legendary surf breaks to trendy nightclubs. But Oahu is not just Honolulu and Waikiki. Its looping mountain trails on the western Waianae and eastern Koolau ranges. Its monster waves breaking on the golden beaches of the North Shore. Its country stores and beaches where turtles are your swimming companions.

Hawaiian culture and tradition here have experienced a renaissance over the last few decades. Theres a real effort to revive traditions and to respect history as the Islands go through major changes. New developments often have a Hawaiian cultural expert on staff to ensure cultural sensitivity and to educate newcomers.

Nonetheless, development remains a huge issue for all Islandersland prices are skyrocketing, putting many areas out of reach for low-to-middle-income residents. The redevelopment of Oahus urban Kakaako neighborhood in particular has created many new residential units but few affordable ones. Homelessness continues to rise, though not entirely because of unaffordable housing. Traffic is becoming a problem on Oahus roads that were not designed to accommodate all the new drivers, and the Islands limited natural resources are being seriously tapped. The government, though sluggish to respond at first, is trying to make development in Hawaii as sustainable as possible.

Although sustainability is an effective buzzword as well as an authentic direction for the Islands dining establishments, 90% of Hawaiis food and energy is imported.

Most of the land was used for growing pineapple or sugarcane, both of which have all but vanished. Sugarcane is now produced in only two plants on Kauai and Maui, while pineapple production has declined. Dole, once the largest pineapple company in Hawaii, closed its plants in 1991, and after 90 years, Del Monte stopped pineapple production in 2008. The only remaining local pineapple operation is Maui Gold Pineapple Company. Cheap labor and transportation from Latin American and Southeast Asian pineapple producers are important factors contributing to the industrys demise in Hawaii. Although this proves daunting, it also sets the stage for great agricultural change to be explored.

Emulating how the Hawaiian ancestors lived and returning to their simple ways of growing and sharing a variety of foods has become a statewide initiative. Hawaii has the natural conditions and talent to produce far more diversity in agriculture than it currently does.

The seed of this movement thrives through various farmers markets and partnerships between restaurants and local farmers. Localized efforts such as the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation are collectively leading the organic and sustainable agricultural renaissance. From home-cooked meals to casual plate lunches to fine-dining cuisine, these sustainable trailblazers enrich the culinary tapestry of Hawaii and uplift the Islands overall quality of life.