Kevin Whitton - Moon Oahu: Including Honolulu & Waikiki

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KEVIN WHITTON

Aptly named the Gathering Place, Oahu is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian Islands. The island is home to almost one million residents, about 70 percent of the states total population, and is, by far, the most culturally and socially diverse of the eight main Hawaiian Islands. It is a unique destination where you can experience the comforts and convenience of city life with the natural beauty of verdant mountains and sparkling blue ocean within reach.

Home to Honolulu, the states economic and political center, Oahu initially comes across as a big city, where rush hour traffic, skyscrapers, and a pulsing nightlife capture your immediate attention. With no ethnic majority, Oahu best exemplifies its east-meets-west melting pot culture through its exceptional regional cuisine. In Honolulu, historic buildings and art museums pepper the citys historic district, while Chinatown is the epicenter of Oahus local urban and fine art scene.

Pull back the curtain of Oahus urban landscape and there is a natural backdrop that makes up the ebb and flow of island style and tropical living. Thanks to its 112 miles of coastline, beaches and ocean activities are the cornerstone of daily life here. For pastimes from fishing and diving to surfing and kayaking, there are myriad beaches and locales that are just right. The powerful waves of the North Shore draw the worlds best surfers. The ledges off the leeward coast attract big game fish. Waikikis calm water is the ultimate playground for the outrigger canoe. Kailuas fine, white sand rivals the most beautiful beaches in the world. And with two mountain ranges that span the island from north to south, valleys, ridges, and cliffs offer ample hiking and lush open space.

From the Polynesian roots of its first settlers and the gifts of surfing and the spirit of aloha to Oahus strategic role for the United States during World War II and its importance as an international agricultural hub, the breadth of the islands history and evolution is tangible from the leeward to the windward side.

For every budget and every taste, for every tourist, visitor, backpacker, traveler, and globe-trotter seeking adventure or leisure, town or country, fine dining or food truck, mountains or beachesOahu has it all.

The quintessential Oahu destination, Waikiki has beaches with gentle surf and warm water, great weather year-round, ocean activities, shopping, and dining, and is home to the majority of the hotels on the island. Waikikis 2.5-mile strip of coastline is the stuff of legends. Not too far away is iconic landmark Diamond Head. The Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium exhibit local flora and fauna, while Kapiolani Park is a beautiful green space in the city. Waikikis bars and restaurants offer cuisine from around the world and a lively bar scene once the sun sets.

The economic and political center of the state, Honolulu is also the capital of Hawaii. Best known for its historic district and Chinatown, Honolulu stretches from Honolulu International Airport to the ridges and valleys of the Koolau Mountains. Here youll find stately government buildings like the Hawaii State Capitol and historic sites such as Washington Place and Iolani Palace. For museum enthusiasts, theres the Hawaii State Art Museum and the Honolulu Museum of Art. Chinatown offers both fine art galleries and Pacific Rim cuisine.

Oahus rural North Shore is all about beautiful beaches, diving, surfing, and snorkeling. The coastline is natural and unspoiled, and the beaches are the hallmark of tropical bliss. During winter, the North Shore attracts surfers from around the world to ride the powerful, barreling waves that break all along the coast. During summer, the ocean surface remains calm and flat, the perfect conditions for diving and snorkeling at Three Tables and Sharks Cove. Relax at Waimea Bay, take a walk through a botanical garden and historical cultural site at Waimea Valley, or drive up to Pupukea to visit the Puu O Mahuka Heiau, an ancient Hawaiian temple site.

The southeast shore spans affluent Kahala to Makapuu. Maunalua Bay offers a variety of water activities, from Jet Skiing and wakeboarding to surfing and diving. Sandy Beach is the best bodysurfing beach on the island.

From Makapuu north to Laie is the windward coast, hugging the spectacular verdant cliffs of the Koolau Mountains. The windward side is known for its numerous white sand beaches.Kailua has a beautiful crescent beach with fine sand and calm water, and the town is full of boutiques and restaurants. Hike up to Maunawili Falls, or along the Kawainui Marsh to see native Hawaiian waterfowl. Take the leisurely drive up the coast to the quiet town of Laie, home of the