| The first in our four-part series of Hawaii | | | | lessons to helicopter tours and dinner cruises, you |
| vacations takes us to the island of Oahu, "the | | | | can find it here. |
| Gathering Place". In subsequent articles, we'll | | | | You can discover the underwater world on a |
| explore the islands of Maui, Kauai, and the Big | | | | submarine tour. "Atlantis Submarines" will take you |
| Island. | | | | directly to the island's plentiful sea life, from exotic |
| Oahu is Hawaii's third-largest island and its most | | | | fishes to coral and turtles, all circling around you as |
| developed. Honolulu is the "hub" of all the islands | | | | you descend to the floor of the ocean. |
| combined, providing many activities and | | | | Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial |
| accommodations, along with a feeling of escape | | | | remain one of the most visited sights on the |
| and pure relaxation in year-round balmy weather. | | | | islands. Be sure to include it in your Oahu itinerary. |
| Nearly three-quarters of Hawaii's approximate 1.2 | | | | The visitor center for the memorial is located six |
| million reside on Oahu and about 400,000 live in | | | | miles west of Honolulu. |
| Honolulu. | | | | For the hardier, more adventurous traveler, the |
| Oahu is a good place to start your Hawaiian | | | | hiking possibilities are wide open. You can either |
| vacation. More flights arrive in Honolulu from the | | | | set out on your own (some very intricate but |
| U.S. mainland and elsewhere than at any other | | | | well-traveled hiking trails are reachable by bus) or |
| airport on the Hawaiian Islands. | | | | book a tour with one of the island's hiking |
| It is also the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit. The | | | | companies. |
| only one of the islands that has inexpensive | | | | You can literally go from viewing ancient Hawaiian |
| island-wide bus service, it is possible to experience | | | | temples to 21st-Century high-rises, then move |
| the island without having to rent a car. | | | | from the "Town" to the "Country," just 45 |
| Oahu boasts mountains rising from the coast to | | | | minutes away. |
| 2,000 feet with fragrant flowers, sparkling | | | | No Oahu trip would be complete without a visit to |
| waterfalls, and a jungle-like tropical forest. Daily | | | | the North Shore, the world's surfing capital. This |
| average temperatures are in the low 70s during | | | | part of Oahu remains rural and undeveloped in |
| the coolest months, February and March, and | | | | places. The hotel and golf course at Turtle Bay |
| around 85 degrees in the hottest months, August | | | | comprise the only resort in the area. |
| and September. | | | | Haleiwa, the main town of the North Shore, is 24 |
| Most hotels on Oahu are found around Waikiki, a | | | | miles north of Honolulu. It has been a mecca for |
| good base for your adventures on the island. In | | | | surfers from all over the world since the 1960s, |
| addition to the usual shopping malls, bookstores, | | | | however it is not an area for inexperienced |
| restaurants, bars, art museums, entertainment | | | | surfers. This is an easy day trip from Waikiki. |
| and cultural activities of a typical American city, | | | | Whatever adventures you encounter on Oahu, |
| Honolulu has unique Hawaiian offerings. | | | | whether it is learning to surf at Wakiki, climbing |
| Hanauma Bay, east of Waikiki, is the best | | | | the stack at Diamaond Head, or enjoying the |
| snorkeling area in all of the islands, while Kailua Bay | | | | warm sand of a beach, your vacation will end too |
| is the island's top windsurfing spot. There are | | | | soon for you to discover all this island has to |
| many types of activity. From surfing or snorkeling | | | | offer. Perhaps next time.... |