Oahu

The Beauty and Energy of Oahu

Text by Valerie Mellema

The third largest of the Hawaiian Islands is also the most populated and the busiest. It is here that most visitors will first arrive in the islands. The state capital city of Honolulu is located on Oahu as well as a large range of educational institutions, corporations, and military establishments.

Somehow the island is remarkably well-developed and yet also retains a huge amount of natural and untouched green space. On Oahu visitors can enjoy the busy Waikiki beach or they can rent a car and travel up to the famous North Shore of the island where they will see some of the world’s most popular and beloved spots for surfing. In the community of Pupukea are the surfing beaches of Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach Park, Banzai Beach and Ehukai Beach Park.

In the Honolulu area a visitor to Oahu could easily pass several days visiting the many well-known and historic sights in town. There is the instantly recognizable face of Diamond Head, where visitors to Diamond Head State Park can take a hearty climb up the mountain for one of the most spectacular views of the city below, as well as the mountains beyond.

No trip to the island would be complete without a journey to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona National Memorial. At the sight itself many of the volunteers who guide visitors through the museum, and who take tickets, and escort guests out to the Memorial are survivors of the attack in 1941 and proudly wear some of their military medals. They are usually glad to speak with young people and other visitors about their experiences.

Another moving and memorable trip is up into the hills above the city to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the “Punchbowl” where more breathtaking views of the Pacific and the Oahu area easily seen from the plateau at the top of the hill. This is a busy spot, so an early morning or late afternoon trip might be the easiest.

In historic downtown Honolulu are several sights significant to the history of the native peoples, and they include the Iolani Palace, which was the home of the last member of the Hawaiian royal family - Queen Liliuokalanai. There is also a historical statue of King Kamehameha, who successfully united the numerous tribes of native Hawaiians and merged them into a single people.

A final spot that all travelers should make a point of visiting while on Oahu is the Dole Plantation. Every morning freshly picked pineapples are brought in from the fields and sold to the thousands of visitors. There is almost nothing to compare to the sweetness of a pineapple only a few hours out of the field, and the taste is a memory that will last long after the trip has ended!