Hawaii - Oahu Island Attractions

Main town: Honolulu

Oahu is the third largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago and for almost 150 years has been the political, economic and cultural center of the Hawaiian islands. Covering an area of 607sq.miles/1574sq.km, its coastline measures 137 miles/220km. Oahu evolved from two volcanoes which still exist today in the mountain ranges, Koolau Range and Waianae Range. The older of the two, Waianae Range, evolved between about 3.4 and 2.7 million years ago. Strong erosion has had such an effect that the volcanic craters can no longer be recognized clearly.

Oahu is noted for its tuffs which evolved during the last phase of the volcanic creation of the island (Diamond Head, Punchbowl, Chinaman's Hat, Rabbit Island).

The island is divided into four geographical areas - the Koolau Range, Waianae Range, Schofield Plateau and the flat land around the coast. Schofield Plateau is formed from lava from Koolau volcano, as is the flat coastal land. The present mountain ranges and valleys are examples of an eroded landscape. Particularly impressive is Nuuanu Pali, north of Honolulu.

The origin of the word Oahu is unclear - it is translated as "meeting place" by linguists and this is supposed to refer to the meeting of Hawaiian kings on Oahu. The somewhat down-to-earth nickname "Main Island" reflects the higher position of Oahu among the Hawaiian islands.

Oahu's climate resembles that of the other islands. As its mountains are not particularly high, the climate on the side of the island (the west coast) standing in their rain shadow is not nearly so dry as on Hawaii, for example. The island is divided into a windy, damp area (the east coast) and a dry, leeward-facing area (the west coast).

More than 800,000 people, four-fifths of the Hawaiian islands' total population, live on Oahu. The inhabitants of this most densely populated island vary widely. The majority of people live in Honolulu and its neighboring towns with the rest of the island being thinly populated.

Honolulu is the capital of both the State of Hawaii and the County of Oahu. Since the state reform of government in 1969, whereby the mayor of the principal county town is also the mayor of the whole county, Honolulu is no longer self-governing. The mayor of Oahu County is at the same time responsible for Honolulu so that the importance of the main city, in which more than half of the county's population lives, is not taken into account with regard to government.

Along with tourism, farming still has a regional importance for Oahu. The main crops are sugar cane and pineapples, which are grown mostly inland on the fertile ground of Schofield Plateau. Ewa District, to the south of the island, is the traditional area for growing sugar cane.

Oahu is of particular importance as a strategic base because of its central position. Large sections of the island (about a quarter of its surface) are military no-go areas where public access is prohibited. The military contributes an important amount to Oahu's economy.

Most tourists still arrive on Oahu at Honolulu Airport. About 80% of Hawaii's visitors stay on Oahu itself and spend their holiday almost exclusively on the world-famous beach at Waikiki. This has created an imbalance on the island because Waikiki (Honolulu's beach and tourist quarter) has become devoted solely to tourism and suffers the problems that such mass development can bring. Further development for tourism in the south-west of the island has brought opposition from the native population.

As a result, places of interest for tourists are concentrated, for the most part, in and around Honolulu.

Kailua and Kaneohe, dormitory towns of Honolulu, are located on Oahu's windward side. Further north is the Valley of the Temples (including Byodo-In Temple) as well as Waiahole (primarily a farming area), Punaluu (a large fishing village) and, above all, Laie, the location of the Polynesian Cultural Center and the large Mormon Temple.

The northern tip of the island has become famous principally as a surfers' paradise - at the western end of the only road (suitable only for four-wheel drive vehicles) is Kaena Point, where powerful waves break on the shore. The north-west of the island is the least developed and still fairly closed off to tourists. There are almost no hotels and few restaurants here. Places such as Makaha, Waianae and Maili are inhabited purely by natives and surfers who find the best possible conditions for their sport here throughout the year.

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Read More Oahu - Central Valley & North Coast, Hawaii

One frequent circular day trip takes in the central valley north of highway H2 up to Waialua plus the route along the north coast and back down along the northeast coast.

The north coast is well known as a world-class surfing area with surfers coming from all over to take advantage of the huge waves in the winter months.


			View all Central Valley & North Coast pictures

Dole Plantation Country Store and Maze

(Oahu Island)

The Dole Plantation is home to the world's largest maze according to the 1998 Guinness Book of World Records. Recently expanded in 2007, the maze covers an area of over 138,000 square feet, with 3.11 miles of pathways and is made up of over 14,000 Hawaiian plants and flowers.

Dole Plantation is also home to the Pineapple Express train tour, which is a 20-minute, fully-narrated tour where visitors can learn about the history of pineapple and agriculture in Hawaii, while enjoying the beautiful scenery of the North Shore of Oahu. Visitors can also take a walk through the Plantation Garden tour, which is a self-guided tour where guests get an up-close view of a wide variety of crops being grown on the North Shore.

The Dole Plantation Country Store offers its famous DoleWhip® and other snacks, along with through Dole Plantation's exclusive line of clothing, food and gift items.

Hours:

9:30am-4:30pm

Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)

Tips: Admission applies to the maze.

Transit: Bus 52 "Wahiawa-Circle Island"

Laie

(Near )

Laie is situated on the north-east coast of Hawaii. The town is the center of Mormon activity for the Pacific.

Laie - Mormon Temple

(Laie)

The Mormon community has a membership of more than 30,000 and this makes it the largest non-Catholic Christian community in Hawaii. Mormons first came to Hawaii in 1850 and had already founded their first community there by the following year. The missionaries were called away again, however, because of internal disputes. Only in the next decade, when the missionaries returned and were able to buy about 5930 acres/2400 hectares of land in Laie, did the gradual rise of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" (the official name of this faith) begin. They built on the land and also planted many flowers. When in 1874 King David Kalakaua visited the by now well-developed village community, he is supposed to have said that wherever Mormons were, he had found "health and thrifty loyal subjects".

The building of the temple began in 1916 and three years later it could be officially opened. Building costs amounted to 250,000 U.S. dollars. The completely-white building, which stands out from the pali (mountainsides), can only be entered by Mormons but its location alone makes it an attraction. On the right-hand side of the temple grounds is a visitor center where a film about the history of the Mormons can be seen and printed information about the community and its ongoing missionary work is available.

Facilities: Restaurant or food service

Transit: Bus 55

Laie - Polynesian Cultural Center

(Laie)

After Pearl Harbor the Polynesian Cultural Center (built in 1963) is Hawaii's second largest attraction. Despite high admission charges and its considerable distance from Honolulu (33 miles/53km), its various productions are attended by more than one million people a year. The Polynesian Cultural Center was founded almost three decades ago by Laie's Mormon community in grounds of about 14 hectares. Its purpose is to portray as authentically as possible, through music and dance, the culture and daily life of the Polynesian islanders in Hawaii, Tahiti, Marquesas, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji as well as that of the Maoris in New Zealand. The center is set out in the style of a village with each group of islands represented by several houses in which the respective island inhabitants practice traditional handwork and other daily activities. Two performances, the "Festival Production of the Long Canoes" by day and the evening show called "This is Polynesia", are dance displays in the style of an exotic musical with the most modern lighting and sound effects.

As not only the performers in the two shows but also the people at work in the houses come from the islands which they represent, a certain amount of authenticity is guaranteed. The actors are almost all students chosen by the Mormons to study in Laie at the offshoot of the Brigham Young University of Salt Lake City. They earn their fees by taking part in the different productions.

Thus, for example, in Tonga Village - Tonga is by the way the only independent kingdom in the South Seas - women can be seen making materials from tree bark (the Hawaiians call it tapa while in Tahiti it is called ngatau). Photographs of past kings and current rulers, beautiful floor coverings and much more are also on show. In the neighboring Tahiti Village, women can be observed making leis from shells as well as grass skirts, which really originate from the Gilbert Islands. There is also much keen singing and playing of musical instruments. The Marquesas Islands, on which only about 6000 people live, are represented by one house for the chief and a second for the women and children. In Hawaii Village there is to be found inside a chief's house a bed with a cover made of feathers surrounded by kahilis, the feathered poles which are symbols of the ali'i. Visitors can also see here how poi, the Hawaiian national dish, is made from the roots of the giant taro plant. The four-roomed chief's house in Fiji Village is also worth seeing as all its rooms are covered in mulberry tree tapas. The Samoans portray themselves by practical demonstrations - here visitors can learn the expert way of opening a coconut. In Maori House, a more than 39ft/12m-long canoe with room for 40 people can be seen. The Maoris, who no longer call their part of the world New Zealand but Aotearoa, can be watched performing their stick dance, often wearing full war paint.

Admission charges are staggered. The lowest price allows access to the "Festival Production of the Long Canoes" (performed several times a day) and the opportunity to stay for as long as desired in the native villages. The price rises to include food and admission to the evening show. These are without doubt the highest admission charges for an attraction in Hawaii but it alone offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy seeing the culture and lifestyle of some of the South Sea peoples.

Address: Polynesian Cultural Center, 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Laie, HI 96762, United States
Phone: 1 (808) 293-3333, Fax: 1 (808) 293-3339

Hours:

12pm-am; Closed: Sun

Always closed on: Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)

Tips: Prices vary, visit website for details.

Facilities: Restaurant or food service

Puu O Mahuka Heiau Temple

(Oahu Island)

The temple can be reached on foot as well as by car from Waimea Beach Park by turning on to Pupukea Road in Waimea. After about 3/4 mile/1.1km, an unmade-up red sandy road (please heed the street sign) is reached - follow this also for 3/4 mile/1.1km.

From the temple there is a lovely view on to Waimea Beach Park and the sea.

Puu O Mahuka Temple is one of the largest of the few remaining heiaus on Oahu. Typical of this temple site is its totally rectangular shape, which extends to the size of a football field. The temple was once surrounded by a stone wall. Inside, small stones were piled up and tree trunks were presumably laid on top to create a platform. The buildings erected on top of this no longer exist as perishable materials, such as wood, leaves and grass, were used.

Puu O Mahuka was apparently one of the temples to which human sacrifices were brought. According to legend three sailors from the crew of one of the ships that brought George Vancouver to Hawaii were supposed to have been sacrificed along with others here - because they had angered the natives. Human sacrifice was originally unknown in Hawaii. Polynesians from Tahiti brought this religious custom here for the first time in the 13th c., and it was then practiced for more than 500 years until the abolition of the kapu system by King Kamehameha II and his mother Kapiolani. Visitors to Puu O Mahuka are often surprised by the fact that "sacrifices" are still brought here. On the stone walls can be seen stones, bones or fruit wrapped in ti-leaves or other leaves and bound together with grass - a sign that even 170 years of Christianity has not been able to extinguish completely the old religious customs.

Transit: Bus 55 from Ala Moana

Waimea (Oahu)

(Near )

This town of Waimea is wrapped around a bay, and the valley which runs up into the Koolau Mountains from the bay are one of the most natural places remaining on Oahu. Nearby beaches are also some of the best surfing spots on Oahu, when waves are up in the winter.

Waimea Valley Audubon Center (formerly Waimea Adventure Valley, Arboretum, Botanical Garden and Falls Park)

(Waimea (Oahu))

Primarily a garden, Waimea Valley Audubon Center features tropical plants of Hawaii as well as varieties from around the world.

Near the head of the valley park is an attractive waterfall where divers and hula dancers put on shows throughout the day. A tram takes visitors to this show giving commentaries about the grounds along the way.

The grounds of Waimea Valley Audubon Center with its wide variety of plants, birds and works of art offers a quiet place for walks.

Adjacent to the gardens is a facility where visitors can rent and ride trail bikes, constituting the adventure part of the park.

Hours:

9:30am-5pm

Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25)

Parking: Free

Guides: Guided tour included with admission.

Facilities: Gift shop

Typical Visit: 2 hours

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Read More South and East Oahu, Hawaii

This peninsula of Oahu has a coastal road running roughly from Diamond Head to Kailua Bay with highlights which include Hanauma Bay, the Blow Hole and Sea Life Park. Combined with the Pali Highway, if constitutes a good days tour.

Continuing north along the east coast is also interesting with numerous towns and attractions.


			View all South and East Oahu pictures

Byodo-In Buddhist Temple

(Kaneohe)

Of the 100 or more large and small Buddhist temples in Hawaii, Byodo-In Temple (Equality Temple) is without doubt the one most worth visiting. It is a copy of the famous temple bearing the same name in the Japanese town of Uji and was opened on June 7th 1968, the 100th anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese workers in Hawaii. Even the heavy brass bell in front of the entrance is an exact reproduction. Its deep tone creates an atmosphere of peace and contemplation.

As is customary, shoes must be removed before entering the temple. The wooden statue of Buddha inside (almost 10ft/3m tall and covered with gold and lacquer) was carved by the contemporary Japanese sculptor Naszo Inui and is the largest wooden statue of Buddha created in the past 900 years.

Enjoy a stroll around the temple's garden, complete with tea and meditation house, many plants, birds and a carp pond filled with thousands of fish (for Japanese people, the carp is a symbol of order and endurance).

Hours:

8:30am-4:30pm

Hanauma Bay

(Oahu Island)

Hanauma Bay is a scenic, sandy bay located in south-eastern Oahu. The Koko Head peninsula borders the bay on the west side.

This area, a popular snorkeling and diving destination, was heavily impacted by visitors in the 1980s but efforts to revive the ecosystem have proved effective. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve restricted the number of visitors and changed the focus to restoring this natural area. Visitors can learn about Hanauma Bay at the Marine Education Center.

Many people come here to enjoy the great snorkeling and diving opportunities.

Kaneohe

(Near )

Kaneohe, on Oahu's east coast is the island's fourth largest city. There are numerous attractions in and around Kaneohe.

Sea Life Park

(Oahu Island)

On Oahu's eastern tip at the foot of the impressive Makapuu Cliffs can be found the Sea Life Park - a favorite destination for outings. More than 2000 types of fish swim about in an enormous pool which can be viewed through a glass wall.

Displays given by dolphins and sea lions are very popular and their feeding times are a major attraction. Particularly impressive are the tricks performed by dolphins. In the shark section visitors learn about sharks that can be found in the waters of the Pacific and, in particular, whether swimmers might encounter these predators.

In the Pacific Whaling Museum the skeleton of an enormous whale is on display, as well as an extensive collection of objects carved from whales' teeth. A replica of a whaling ship from earlier times is anchored in the lagoon.

From the Sea Life Park there is a fine view of the offshore island known as Rabbit Island or Manana Island. On this small volcanic needle of rock the odd rabbit, reared by a Hawaiian farmer, can still be seen hopping around. Today, the island is a protected bird sanctuary.

These more than 985ft/300m-high rocky cliffs provide an ideal launching point for the many hang-gliders who dare to take a leap downward here. Some of the more courageous among them are supposed to have succeeded in gliding across the water to Rabbit Island.

Senator Fong's Plantation and Gardens

(Kaneohe)

Located in Kaneohe, these gardens once belonged to the Hawaiian Senator Fong and have been open to the public in their present state for a short while.

At the first elections for the American Congress in Hawaii in 1959, Hiram Leong Fong was elected as the first U.S. senator of Asian descent. Fong came from a large Chinese family of land workers and achieved the astonishing rise to the Senate for the Republican Party. When he retired from political life in 1979 after 17 years of public service, he decided to create (on an approximately 150-hectare area of land) a tropical forest open to everyone, together with a plantation and gardens. Among other things, 90 types of edible nuts and fruits grow here.

Address: Senator Fong's Plantation and Garden, 47-285 Pulama Road, Kaneohe, HI 96744, United States
Phone: 1 (808) 239-6775, Fax: 1 (808) 239-6469

Hours:

10am-2pm

Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25)

Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service

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