THE SOUTH SHORE OF OAHU
Ranging from Maonaloa to Hawaii Kai, the southern shore of Oahu also encompasses Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Ala Moana, the University of Hawaii, Waikiki & Diamond Head. Pearl Harbor is the largest natural harbor in Hawaii. The historic Japanese bombing of 1941 made Pearl Harbor the only naval base in the US to be designated a National Historical Landmark. The U.S.S. Bowfin Submarine, the U.S.S. Missouri Battleship & the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial are all housed at the Pear Harbor.

Now, we will head towards the east & reach the Honolulu International Airport. From there one can visit the man-made Sand Island & the Sand Island State Park. Downtown Honolulu lies just a few miles away. The Iolani Palace, which happens to be the only royal palace in the US. There is a plethora of historical sights out here. The Archives of Hawaii houses the world’s largest collection Hawaiian & historical photographs. The golden statue of King Kamehameha, the Kawaiahao church & the Mission Houses Museum only add to the intensity of Oahu’s relation with history. In fact, the neighboring China Town also attracts a lot of attention. All these make us aware of the traditional background of Oahu. The Ala Moana Beach Park along with the Magic Island & the Ala Moana Shopping Centre are some of the favourite tourist spots. Oahu’s southern shore, Waikiki attracts millions of tourists every year because of its exotic beaches, excellent climate & multi-cultural lifestyles.

The Waikiki Beach along with the Kapiolani Park & the Koolau Mountain Range make this place more exciting. The Moana Valley is also very charming. Located very close to this is Diamond Head Crater. Kahala is located just next to Diamond Crater. Hawaii Kai considered a playground for water sports is located just twenty minutes from Waikiki. Seized by Kamehameha I in 1795, the city of Honolulu started developing only in the 1850s. It was in the 1930s that Honolulu was transformed into a beautiful port with mesmerizing scenic beauty. During the winters, the temperature drops from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 65, while in the summers the mercury rises from 72 to 88 degrees.


THE NORTHERN SHORE OF OAHU
Popularly known as the ‘surfing capital’ of the world, the northern shore of Oahu ranges from Laie in the eastern side to Kaena Point in the western side. The Mormon Temple, the Brigham University & the Polynesian Cultural Center are all situated in Laie. In fact, Laie Point is located just about 38miles from Waikiki. All of them attract many tourists every year. If you move further down from Laie, you will reach Turtle Point. This is a great spot to watch whales & also home some of the most exotic & unexplored beaches of Oahu. The Makahoa Point, the Malaekahana State Park & the Kawela Bay attract millions of tourists every year.

The century-old sugar mill along with the famous Shrimp Trucks, next to Kahuku is a pleasure to visit. The James Campbell Natural Wildlife Refugee is a treat to every bird watcher. Some of Oahu’s famous surfing beaches like the Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Ehukai Beach, and Waimea Bay are great sites for both first-timers as well as experienced surfers. Different kinds of water activities like fishing, swimming, snorkeling, etc. in the summers & the massive waves in the winters are a treat to watch. The Puu o Mahuka Hieau State Park & the Hawaiian hieau lie across Sunset Beach. While the Waimea Bay is an excellent spot for watching surfing, the Waimea Valley Audubon Center is a treat to the eyes of nature lovers.

The town of Haleiwa with its beautiful beaches facilitating fishing & surfing, the artisans, craftsmen & Kamaaina along with their paniolo architectural style adds a rustic charm to the town. The sugar mill town of Waialua with its coffee plantation & the famous sugar bar are very famous. The beaches of Mokuleia are a favourite picnic spot for those who want to escape from the hubbub of everyday life. Again, the Mokuleia Polo Field, Dillingham Airfield & Gliderport offer some of the most magnificent scenic beauties of Oahu. Last but not the least, is the Kaena Point. It is a desolate but a good choice to go hiking.


THE WINDWARD SIDE OF OAHU
Beginning at the Koko Head & ending at Kahaluu, the windward side of the Oahu surrounds the Koolau Mountain Range. The Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve has excellent scenic beauty. The Halona Blowhole offers spectacular views of the sea. This is also a wonderful site for surfers & boogie boarders. Pele’s chair forms the background of the Sandy Beach, which is nothing but lava outcropping from rocks. A hike along Pele’s chair will lead you to the Makapuu Lighthouse. The stretches of the white sands along the beach at the end of the trail will capture your hearts.

Two offshore islands like the Manana Island & the Moku Hope are also worth visiting. While rabbits initially inhabited the former, the latter is a bird sanctuary. The Makapuu Beach is also a nice spot to go surfing. The Sea Life Park of Hawaii lies right across the Makapuu Point. The park lies against the Koolau Mountains from where ocean life including dolphins, green sea turtles, stingrays & seals can be viewed. The Waimanalo Beach State Park & the Waimanalo Bay is famous for its photographic sunrise. This place is also a favourite spot for honeymooners.

Mount Olomana along Kalanianaole Highway is the gateway to communities like Lanikai, Kailua & Kanoehe. The trade winds on the windward side of Oahu make it an ideal place for kite surfing, parasailing & wake boarding. The small islands of Popoia, Moku Nui & Moku Iki are bird sanctuaries. The large residential suburbs of Kaneohe include the Botanical Gardens of Hoomaluhia, the Windward Mall, Bay View Golf Course & the laboratory of Marine Biology of the University of Hawaii on Moku o Lee. The Haiku Garden, the coasts of Kanoehe & Kahana Bay, the Valley of the Temples & Mokolii Isle at Kualoa Beach Park offer fantastic scenic beauty. This apart, Byodo-In Temple is a place of excellent tranquility. The Molii fishpond is proof of the fact that ancient people were acquainted with aquaculture. The windward side of Oahu has a historic past, which is very intriguing indeed.


THE LEEWARD SIDE OF OAHU
Lying on the coastal side of the Waianae Mountains, the leeward side of Oahu was formed about 2.7-3.4 million years ago. The highest point of the Waianae Mountain range is Mount Kaala. This side ranges from Ewa to Nanakuli, to Maili, Waianae & Makaha. Excellent water activities like swimming, snorkeling & fishing are all available. The town of Ewa with its historic sugar mill is a great place for exploring. The Kahe Point Beach Park is also located on the Leeward side of Oahu. Right next to this, is the Hawaiian Electric Beach Park. It is a popular scuba-diving spot.

The Puu Mailiili is a distinct hill at the northwestern side of the Maili Beach Park is also situated here. It was formerly known as “Kalaeokakao”, that is, “Goat Point”, on account of the fact that a large number of goats grazed out here in the 1800s. Farrington Highway offer wonderful views of the Waianae range. The Hawaiian homesteads & farmlands of this area are picturesque. Again, the Makaha Beach is a tremendous site for exciting water sports. Surfers & boogie boarders will enjoy alike out here. On walking inwards, you will come to the Makaha Valley where the Kaneaki Heiau. This temple was both an agricultural as well as a war temple. One can find several beautiful parks & beaches along the highway. The Makua Cave, located just before the Kaena Point State Park, is a 450 feet long lava cavern. This is a great place for exploring. This cave also has certain mythic connections. It was believed to be the home of the legendary shark goddess who lured unsuspecting victims into the cave by taking the form of a woman.

The last beach on the leeward side of Oahu is the Yokohama Bay. There are apparently no developments in this area that is a perfect location for solitude. The active marine life in this part is mesmerizing. However, it is pertinent to note that the leeward side of Oahu is very dry. It is the hydroelectric plant that converted tons of water from the upper slopes of Mount Kaala.

CENTRAL OAHU
Extending from the northern to the southern shores, the 1000ft high Leilehua Plateau abounds in pineapple, coffee, papaya & various other fruits & vegetables. With the Waianae range on the west & the Koolau range on the east, central Oahu includes Wahiawa, Schofield Barracks, Mililani, Waipio & Waikele. The Waihiawa fields include the only pineapple plantation in Oahu. It is pertinent to note that even though pineapples were introduced in Hawaii in the early 1900s, yet it was only after James Drummond Pole revolutionized the proper way of growing pineapples that pineapple became a commercial crop in Hawaii.

Located just 30 miles away from Waikiki, is the commercial town of Wahiawa. Apart from the commercial lives, you can also visit the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens, which comprises of some of the beautiful & exotic plants from Asia, Africa, New Guinea & Australia. Towards the north of the Botanical Gardens, lie the Kukaniloko birthing stones. It is here that the Hawaiian royalty was born. Named after the US commander of Army Division of the Pacific in the 1870s, the U.S. Army Schofield Barracks & the Wheeler Army Air Field, built in 1909 is located near Wahiawa. This military base is supposed to be the best one in the world. This military base is the entrance to the Kolekole Pass. There are two short trails at this pass; one leads to the base of a large white steel cross & the other to the Kolekole rock. The town of Waipahu has certain connections with history as well. In fact, the Waipahu Cultural Park presents a picture of plantation life, with houses that have rebuilt & places of worship.

Towards the south of Waipahu is located the town of Waikele. In ancient times taro terraces were irrigated by the Waikele stream. The temperature ranges from 58 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit during the winters. In the summers, the mercury remains between 62 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Some of the most popular tourist attractions of central Oahu are the Pearl Harbor, the Dole Pineapple plantation village & Hawaii’s plantation village.