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Discover The Island of
Oahu
"The
Gathering Place"
Oahu is the most populous and
most visited of all the Hawaiian Islands, and there’s good
reason for this – no other island can offer you as much fun and
diversity as Oahu.
This Pacific Paradise is home to Hawaii’s largest city and
capital – Honolulu. Oahu is
also an island that really combines the best of both worlds –
it’s a tropical vacation paradise with tons for you to do, while
retaining that special Polynesian charm that brings people from
all over the world to the land of Aloha.
Plenty for you to do
Where to begin… there’s palm-fringed, sandy beaches; rocky
shores; serene valleys; waterfalls; jungles; plantations… the
list is simply endless.
Oahu is a place where you can surf the beach all morning; have
lunch at a serene, laid back country plantation; explore a
jungle rainforest dripping with waterfalls in the afternoon;
have dinner at Germaine's Luau or
Paradise Cove Luau; and then dance the night away
exploring the incredibly vibrant nightlife of
Waikiki.
But be sure to get some sleep, because tomorrow you’re visiting
Pearl Harbor and
The Polynesian Cultural Center. And the next
day is golf at one of Oahu’s beautiful courses… you get
the idea.
Oahu offers you superb shopping for all tastes, a multitude of
first class restaurants and hotels, and an exciting art scene
with many interesting galleries and events. Not to forget the
museums, the Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, the many concerts with
international performers, the Honolulu Symphony, the opera, the
beautiful historic architecture, and even a high-tech center in
downtown Honolulu. Plus, the nightlife of Waikiki is second to
none, and has some of the best shows this side of Vegas.
Come experience Oahu’s adventurous side
Are you up for a little adventure? If so, there are plenty of
activities for you to choose from.
Fly high in a helicopter
or go deep under the ocean with
a submarine. Swim with Dolphins, go on a Whale Watching cruise, learn
how to surf, or enjoy a romantic evening during a dinner cruise
out of Waikiki. You want more adventure? Check out the
Shark Encounters!
A Nature Lover’s Paradise
If you love nature, Oahu has plenty for you, too. Two mountain
ranges divide the island from northwest to southeast - The
Waianae range to the west and the Ko`olau range to the east.
Between them, Oahu retains much of the greenery and lushness
that define Hawaii. Dense, fertile jungles combine with stunning
waterfalls and freshwater pools to provide you a real tropical
paradise to explore.
The scenic eastern coast of the island offers you great views of
the majestic Ko`olau Mountains and beautiful bays. As testament
to its “old Hawaii” charm, this is a place you can still find
chickens and ducks taking a walk on the streets! Oh, and watch
out for those low flying egrets…
Come get wet on the world’s best beaches.
The beautiful beaches of Kailua
and Waimanalo, with their
shallow turquoise waters, are inviting to swimmers and
snorkelers as well as sun worshippers.
Honolulu, which means “protected bay” in Hawaiian, is on the
southern end of the island, and is a wonderful example of man
and nature living in harmony. The beaches of this area are
simply second to none.
The North Shore is famous for being the world’s best surf spot,
and in the winter months the waves can reach heights of around
40 feet or more. International surf pros make the North Shore
their second home and show their skills in many competitions
that take place between November and March.
Historic and cultural sites
Of course, one of the top destinations on Oahu is historic
Pearl Harbor, where World
War II began for the United States. After browsing through the
museum and touring the area, you can board a ship that will take
you to the USS Arizona Memorial.
Downtown Honolulu also has many historic sites, like Iolani
Palace, the famous statue of King Kamehameha, and historic
Chinatown. Be sure you don’t miss the Bishop Museum, which is
overflowing with artifacts and reminders of Hawaii’s rich and
colorful “South Seas” history. And, of course, the famous
Polynesian Cultural Center will immerse you in the Polynesian
lifestyle, and is a superb way to spend a day.
No matter what your tastes – adventure, touring, history,
nature, beaches, shopping, nightlife - Oahu has it all.
Oahu is so full of contrast and diversity that every day
you spend on the island will be fresh and exhilarating.
Waikiki and Honolulu are the two main cities on the
island, and while they command the majority of the
attention from tourists, the island as a whole is
wonderful, with an abundance of fabulous sights and
attractions, as well as wonderful beaches. Kalakaua
Avenue in Waikiki is the main shopping area on the
island, and has some of the best selections of goods in
all of Hawaii. The restaurants and other facilities on
Oahu are excellent, and you will certainly not have a
hard time finding somewhere outstanding to eat. This
happy island welcomes over five million visitors every
year, and for every ten tourists that go to Hawaii, nine
of them will stay here on Oahu. Oahu was given the
nickname The Gathering Place long ago, significant
because the island was and continues to be a melting pot
of all South Pacific people and cultures. Therefore, the
Polynesian Cultural Center, located on the North Shore,
has an added appeal, and is a popular gathering spot. It
is a mixture of history, heritage, and theme park, and
is one of numerous outstanding locations on Oahu that
combine entertainment with education.
As you travel around Oahu, it
becomes evident just how interesting the island truly
is. From golf to perfect waves, hiking to tide pooling,
Oahu has it all. The climate on Oahu is the most
pleasant in Hawaii, as it is less windy than Maui, not
as muggy as the Big Island, and does not have as much
rain as Kauai. The innate beauty of Oahu is complimented
by the extravagance of Waikiki and Honolulu, cities
specifically devoted to tourism. Since tourism provides
the island virtually all of its income, they might as
well keep up this trend. It doesn't appear that the
number of tourists will be letting up anytime soon, so
look for more building and attractions with each passing
year, although in Waikiki, in particular, there is so
much to do and so many people doing it, any more
construction hardly seems feasible. No matter what the
future holds, Oahu today is a stunning tropical
paradise, and the perfect vacation destination.
Honolulu
Honolulu is the
capitol of the state of Hawaii and is located on the island
of Oahu. Also located on the island are the navy base of
Pearl Harbor and the famous Waikiki Beach.
The island of Oahu was formed by volcanoes and the best
place to view them is from Diamond Head. However, Diamond
Head is not easy to get to. You must climb the 30 minute
trail with your own two feet. There are no elevators or
trams to get you there. The view is every bit worth the
climb.
Don't skip Honolulu on your vacation plans because too many
tourists go there. They go there for a reason. This vacation
would be well worth your while.
Waikiki
Waikiki is Hawaiian
for "Sprouting Water" and is one of the most famous beach
areas in the world. When you think of Hawaii your thoughts
will usually include an image of Waikiki Beach. It's really
a series of beaches with their own intriguing names and
flavors, Kuhio, Sans Souci, Gray's, Kahanamoku, and more. It
attracts almost two million tourists every year. Ninety
percent of all of the hotels on Oahu are located along the
shore of Waikiki. It may be best known for its beaches but
it is also has award winning restaurants, world-class
shopping, and top island entertainment.
Waikiki is a 0.7-mile manmade peninsula that is 450 acres of
vacation paradise in Oahu, Hawaii. Because of its size, it
is easier to walk around Waikiki than to drive the one way
streets and park.
At the beginning of the 20th Century, Waikiki was mainly
swampland, fishponds, and duck ponds but, after the
completion of the Ali Wai Canal, Waikiki turned into prime
island real estate.
Waikiki was once the royal capital of Polynesian Hawaii's
Oahu. Now, this beautiful beach area contains over 30,000
hotel rooms, condominium rentals, residential high-rises,
and is centrally located near the major city of Honolulu.
Three east-west thoroughfares wind their way through
Waikiki. Kalakaua Avenue offers front door access to major
hotels, shops, and restaurants. Kuhio Avenue is one block
inland and offers a long, not particularly attractive scene
of mid-range hotels, condos, restaurants, and shops. Ala Wai
Boulevard intersects an almost uninterrupted flow of
high-rise residences and condominiums.
Diamond Head offers dramatic views of Waikiki's incomparably
beautiful Crescent Beach and Bay. Waikiki Beach is usually
crowded but it is a very nice area where one can swim,
canoe, surf and snorkel. The areas towards Diamond Head are
near to the expansive picnic and recreational facilities,
including those of Kapiolani Park.
Waikiki Beach is renowned for its bustling atmosphere and
all night shopping. So, there's something for everyone in
this island paradise.
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©
Copyright 1989 - 2008 Paradise
Weddings of Florida, All Rights Reserved. All
prices are subject to change without notice. All sales and services will be subject
to Florida Sales Tax or Hawaii General Excise Tax depending on product or
service requested. Dr. RC Anderson is an Independent
Travel Agent of Global Travel International of Florida. All travel
reservations, bookings and accommodations are made through, sold and
serviced exclusively by Global Travel International of Florida, Seller
of Travel: CST #2043947-40 FLSOT #20734
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