Oahu
SEE The view from Diamond Head
VISIT The Bishop Museum
DO see some Hawaiian music at Kanikapila Grill or find a concert
julio
Oahu was where we called home for several years. It is my favorite island and home to the majority of the population in Hawai’i. Known as the "the gathering place," it brags the most beautiful beaches, diverse terrain, yet the worst traffic and a lot of tourists clamoring to fulfill their Hawaiian dreams. In the strongholds of the West Side of Oahu (beyond Ko’olina) and Waimanalo, it is still full of real aloha spirit and holds glimpses of what it was once was before.
Oahu is perhaps most famous for the strongly choreographed and resort heavy area adjacent to Leahi (Diamond Head crater) and downtown known as Waikiki which lies on the South Shore. The meaning of Wai-kiki in olelo Hawai'i is spouting fresh water which refers to the fresh water streams that once fed the marshy swamp land that the beachfront known sits upon. Waikiki is the home to some amazing old historical hotels, uber lux resorts and now a host of luxury designer brand stores that dot the main drag of Kalakaua Ave. Walking distance to Waikiki is downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana and seedy Chinatown.
A short drive south east and you will find a lovely coastal drive through the upper crust neighborhoods of Kahala, Hawai'i Kai and Port Lock past Hanauma Bay which winds around to pass Pele's Chair and then brings you to the East side towards Makapu'u lookout, Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe and then eventually the famous North Shore.
Although I am more of Hawaiian culture enthusiast who enjoys more colorful Waimanalo and the Wai'anae Coast we have enjoyed many a stay in the overly touristy Waikiki and have many happy memories there. Its worth a trip and our more flush stays have taken us to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the Moana Surfrider and the Halekulani.
Renting a car is completely necessary on Oahu and going circle island to see all that Oahu has to offer is a must. Here is a brief summary of all the areas, sights and neighborhoods to visit starting from Waikiki.
NOTE: Oahu is split and half and denoted as having the dry LEEWARD side and the wet WINDWARD side. Coastal directions are usually given described as either MAKAI(ocean side) or MAUKA (Maountain side)
Honolulu aka town -
Do the Leahi (Diamond head) hike for the best views of town from the top
Best beaches in town
Waikiki beach, Queens Beach, Sandy's for boogie boarding or surfing.
Snorkel at Hanauma Bay - go early, this is the best viewing time and it gets painfully crowded. Do'nt step on the reef or bother going, its played out and hurting from the impact of so many visitors.
Just past Sandy's and Hawai'i Kai Golf course you'll find Pele's chair, an amazing stone monument and fun hike with a swimming hole, baths and jumping off points.
Come around the island to Makapuu lookout and see Rabbit island in the distance. An epic viewpoint.
Keep going and you'll enter the local stronghold of Waimanalo. Waimanalo beach is beautiful just past MacDonalds.
After Waimanalo is Kailua and Kane'ohe which I find to be some of the most beautiful parts of Oahu's windward side. Visit the the Byōdō-in temple in Kaneohe and explore Kailua's famous beaches
Beaches to visit: Lanikai and Kailua Beach Park
At Kaneohe the H3 freeway cuts across to the West/Leeward side of the island and spits you out near Aiea and Pu'uloa or Pearl City/Harbor.
If you keep heading North past the H3 you will come to the North Shore with Haleiwa- Pipeline and Waimea Bay where in the winter you can see surfers but is heavy traffic one lane residential road where the views are now pretty limited.
Turtle Bay is the famous hotel there - worth the $tay for the nearby hikes and beaches.
The road does not connect around to the West Side. You will either have to go across the H3 or drive back down the 83 to the East side.
West Side or Leeward Coast -
Ko'olina - a planned beach resort community which includes Disney's Aulani, hotel and shopping. There are calm artificial swimming lagoons - although I'm not a huge fan of what Disney is doing on Oahu but the lagoons are really nice for kids and there are fives of them.
Nanakuli, Ma'ili, Waianae and Makaha - the most soulful, unstable and local parts of Oahu. Beware. You will sick out as a tourist. Use common sense. No valuables left in car and be mindful.
the Kaena Point Hike is amazing.
Mount Ka'ala and Ka'ala Farms - where I worked is up Waianae Valley Road.
Makaha Beach (Birthplace of Surfing), Yokohama Bay, Keawa'ula and Makua Beach are all stunning, mostly unspoiled and remain very local. Here is a decent guide to Oahu's beaches
We splurged an enjoyed a few nights at the historic Royal Hawaiian Hotel. We did just get married
The waters of Lanikai
Lanikai Beach
At the top of Lēʻahi or Diamond Head Crater
Hanging at Ka'ala Lush farms in Lua'lualei Valley
Our beloved teacher of all things magic and secret Lynn Kealohaleimakamae
Pearl Harbor or Pu'uloa. At one time the most fertile fishing ground in the Hawaiian Islands turned into a military base.
The iconic Mokolii, or as its colloquially referred to Chinaman's hat
The famous Waikiki beach ensconced Diamond head crater
We were in Oahu for veterans day and stumbled upon a military parade
the Byōdō-in, a Buddhist temple in Kaneohe
FOOD FACTS: 90% of Hawaii's food is imported from the mainland and it is said that if the cargo barges stop coming, Hawai'i's food supply would last for only two weeks