Island of Oahu - Travel Tips

Introduction

In Oahu, you'll find it all. Bustling Honolulu, the state's capitol, and the famed resort area of Waikiki Beach draw visitors from around the world. Waikiki offers almost unlimited water and beach activities, electric nightlife, golf, tennis, museums and historic sites. Visitors can dine in fine restaurants of every variety, shop for souvenirs or simply soak up the sub on the beach.

Venturing out of Honolulu and Waikiki you'll find an entirely different side of Oahu just waiting to be discovered. A day trip around the island will uncover quiet retreats, great surfing spots, quaint villages, scenic vistas and remote beach hideaways.

Oahu has many faces and personalities. It's the perfect blend of cosmopolitan city life, a modern beach resort, and Polynesian culture. It doesn't matter if your here on business, a family vacation or a romantic honeymoon, the sights, sounds, history and the warm gracious people of this wonderland will call for you to return time and again.

What To Do

Honolulu:

Hawaii's largest city looks like any other big metropolitan center with tall buildings, but within Honolulu's boundaries, you'll find rainforests, deep canyons, valleys and waterfalls, a nearly mile-high mountain range, coral reefs, and gold-sand beaches. The city proper -- where most of Oahu's residents live -- is approximately 12 miles wide and 26 miles long, running east to west, roughly between Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor. Within the city are seven hills laced by seven streams that run to Mamala Bay. Surrounding the central area is a plethora of neighborhoods. These areas are generally quieter and more residential than Waikiki, but they're still within minutes of beaches, shopping, and all the activities Oahu has to offer.

Some 5 million tourists visit Oahu every year, and 9 out of 10 of them stay in Waikiki. This urban beach is where all the action is; it's backed by 175 high-rise hotels with more than 33,000 guest rooms and hundreds of bars and restaurants, all in a 1 1/2-square-mile beach zone. Waikiki means honeymooners and sun seekers, a round-the-clock beach party every day of the year -- and it's all because of a thin crescent of sand that was shipped over from Molokai. Staying in Waikiki puts you in the heart of it all.

On the edge of downtown is the Chinatown Historic District, the oldest Chinatown in America and still one of Honolulu's liveliest neighborhoods, a nonstop pageant of people, sights, sounds, smells, and tastes -- not all Chinese, now that Southeast Asians, including many Vietnamese, share the old storefronts. Go on Saturday morning, when everyone shops here for fresh goods such as gingerroot, fern fronds, and hogs' heads.

East Oahu:

There are a few reasons to come here: to have dinner at Roy's, the original and still-outstanding Hawaii Regional Cuisine restaurant, in Hawaii Kai; to snorkel at Hanauma Bay or watch daredevil surfers at Sandy Beach or just to enjoy the natural splendor of the lovely coastline, which might include a hike to Makapuu Lighthouse.

The Windward Coast:

The windward side is the opposite side of the island from Waikiki. On this coast, trade winds blow cooling breezes over gorgeous beaches; rainsqualls inspire lush, tropical vegetation.

Kailua the biggest little beach town in Hawaii, sits at the foot of the sheer green Koolau Mountains, on a great bay with two of Hawaii's best beaches. The town itself is a funky low-rise cluster of timeworn shops and homes. With the prevailing trade winds whipping up a cooling breeze, Kailua attracts windsurfers from around the world.

Kaneohe is one of the most scenic bays in the Pacific. After you clear town, this great bay beckons you to get out on the water; you can depart from Heeia Boat Harbor on snorkel or fishing charters and visit Ahu o Laka, the sandbar that appears and disappears in the middle of the bay. From here, you'll have a panoramic view of the Koolau Range.

Kualoa/Laie, the upper northeast shore is one of Oahu's most sacred places, an early Hawaiian laning spot where kings dipped their sails, cliffs hold ancient burial sites, and ghosts still march in the night. Sheer cliffs stab the reef-fringed seacoast, while old fishponds are tucked along the two-lane coast road that winds past empty gold-sand beaches around beautiful Kahana Bay.

The North Shore:

The North Shore, the Hawaii of Hollywood, giant waves, surfers galore, tropical jungles, waterfalls, and mysterious Hawaiian temples. If you're looking for a quieter vacation, closer to nature, and filled with swimming, snorkeling, diving, surfing, or just plain hanging out on some of the world's most beautiful beaches, the North Shore is your place. The artsy little beach town of Haleiwa and the surrounding shoreline seem a world away from Waikiki. The North Shore boasts good restaurants, shopping, and cultural activities.

Central Oahu:

The Ewa Plain is flanked by the Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges, the hot, sun-baked Ewa Plain runs up and down the center of Oahu. Let your eye wander west to the Waianae Range and Mount Kaala, at 4,020 feet the highest summit on Oahu; up there in the misty rainforest, native birds thrive in the hummocky bog. In 1914, the U.S. Army pitched a tent camp on the plain; author James Jones would later call Schofield Barracks "the most beautiful army post in the world." Hollywood filmed Jones's From Here to Eternity here

Leeward Oahu:

The west coast of Oahu is a hot and dry place of dramatic beauty: white-sand beaches bordering the deep blue ocean, steep verdant green cliffs, and miles of Mother Nature's wildness. The funky west coast villages of Nanakuli, Waianae, and Makaha are the last stands of native Hawaiians. This side of Oahu is seldom visited, except by surfers bound for Yokohama Bay and those coming to see needle-nose Kaena Point (the island's westernmost outpost), which has a coastal wilderness park.

Dining

La Mer (tel. 808/923-2311): This is the splurge restaurant of Hawaii, the oceanfront bastion of haute cuisine, a romantic, elegant, and expensive place where people dress up -- not to be seen, but to match the ambience and food. It's an open-sided room with views of Diamond Head and the sound of trade winds rustling the nearby coconut fronds. Award-winning chef Yves Garnier melds classical French influences with fresh island ingredients.

Alan Wong's Restaurant (tel. 808/949-2526): One of Hawaii's premiere chefs, Alan Wong specializes in absolutely the best Pacific Rim cuisine. His restaurant is always packed, for serious "foodies" this is heaven. Masterstrokes at this shrine of Hawaii Regional Cuisine: warm California rolls made with salmon roe, wasabi, and Kona lobster instead of rice; luau lumpia with butterfish and kalua pig; and ginger-crusted fresh onaga. Opihi shooters and day-boat scallops in season are a must, while nori-wrapped tempura ahi is a perennial favorite. The menu changes daily, but the flavors never lose their sizzle.

Chef Mavro Restaurant (tel. 808/944-4714): Honolulu is abuzz over the wine pairings and elegant cuisine of George Mavrothalassitis, the culinary wizard from Provence who turned La Mer (at the Halekulani) and Seasons (at the Four Seasons Resort Wailea) into temples of fine dining. He brought his award-winning signature dishes with him, and continues to prove his ingenuity with dazzling a la carte and prix-fixe menus.

L'Uraku (tel. 808/955-0552): Try this pleasant, light-filled dining room with an expanded fusion menu for lunch or dinner. It's not overly fussy, but still has the right touch of elegance for dining in style without breaking the bank. Chef Hiroshi Fukui, born in Japan and raised in Hawaii, was trained in the formal Japanese culinary tradition called kaiseki; he combines this training with fresh island ingredients and European cooking styles. Dishes such as seared scallops, garlic steak, and superb misoyaki butterfish are among the many stellar offerings.

Olive Tree Cafe (tel. 808/737-0303): This temple of Greek and Mediterranean delights is the quintessential neighborhood magnet -- casual, bustling, and consistently great. Owner Savas Mojarrad has a following of foodies, hipsters, artists, and all manner of loyalists who appreciate his integrity and generosity. Standards are always high, the food reasonable, the dishes fresh and homemade. Order at the counter and grab a table inside or out. Bring your own wine, and sit down to fresh fish souvlakia, excellent marinated mussels, and spanakopita made with special sheep's cheese.

Padovani's Restaurant & Wine Bar (tel. 808/946-3456): Chef Philippe Padovani's elegant, innovative style is highlighted in everything from the endive salad to pan-fried moi at his two-tiered approach to fine dining. Downstairs is the swank dining room with its Bernaudaud china and Frette linens; upstairs is the informal Wine Bar, with excellent single-malt Scotches, wines by the glass, and a much more casual, but equally sublime, menu.

Roy's Restaurant (tel. 808/396-7697): Good food still reigns at this busy, noisy flagship Hawaii Kai dining room with the trademark open kitchen. Roy Yamaguchi's deft way with local ingredients, nostalgic ethnic preparations, and fresh fish makes his menu, which changes daily, a novel experience every time. Yamaguchi's special dinners with vintners are a Honolulu staple.

Kakaako Kitchen (tel. 808/596-7488): If you're in the market for a quick-and-healthy breakfast, lunch, or dinner at budget prices, here's the place. Not fancy; in fact, the trademark Styrofoam plates, warehouse ambience, and home-style cooking are the signature at this local favorite in the Ward Centre. The menu, which changes every 3 to 4 months, includes eggs for breakfast; seared ahi sandwiches with tobiko (flying-fish roe) aioli for lunch; and a signature charbroiled ahi steak, beef stew, five-spice shoyu chicken, the very popular meatloaf, and other multiethnic entrees for dinner.

Entertainment

 

Hawaiian Music:

Oahu has several key spots for Hawaiian music. Impromptu hula and spirited music from the family and friends of the performers are an island tradition at places such as the Hilton Hawaiian Village's Paradise Lounge (tel. 808/949-4321). At Duke's Canoe Club at the Outrigger Waikiki (tel. 808/923-0711), it's always three deep at the beachside bar as the sun sets; extra-special entertainment is a given here -- usually from 4 to 6pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and nightly from 10pm to midnight. Nearby, the Sheraton Moana Surfrider offers a regular nightly program of live Hawaiian music and piano in its Banyan Veranda (tel. 808/922-3111), which surrounds an islet-size canopy of banyan tree and roots.

Our best advice for lovers of Hawaiian music is to scan the local dailies, especially the TGIF section in Friday's Honolulu Advertiser, or the Honolulu Weekly, to see if and where the following Hawaiian entertainers are appearing: Amy Hanaiali'i, one of Hawaii's top female vocalists, who sings a range of Hawaiian songs, from traditional to contemporary; Kekuhi Kanahele, accomplished chanter and kahiko (ancient hula) dancer, whose award-winning recordings have redefined Hawaiian music; Ho'okena, a symphonically rich quintet featuring Manu Boyd, one of the most prolific songwriters and chanters in Hawaii; Keali'i Reichel, premier chanter, dancer, and award-winning recording artist; Robbie Kahakalau, another award-winning musician; Kapena, for contemporary Hawaiian music; Na Leo Pilimehana, a trio of angelic Hawaiian singers; the Makaha Sons of Niihau, pioneers in the Hawaiian cultural renaissance; slack-key guitar master Raymond Kane; and Fiji, Hawaiin-style music.

Nightlife:

The nightclub scene in Waikiki and Honolulu is just as hot at night as the sun-kissed beaches are during the day. It's not New York of course, but a laid-back version where the dress is casual and few people show up before midnight.

The Wave Waikiki at 1877 Kalakaua Ave. between Ala Wai Blvd. and Ena Rd.; tel. 808/941-0424, is one of Hawaii's top dance clubs with two levels featuring a huge variety of live music and every type of DJ you can think of. Twice the size of the Wave and filled with dancing, darts, a pool, and a sports bar with huge TV screens is the Pipeline at 805 Pohukaina St., in Kakaako tel. 808/589-1999. The 20-something crowd, visitors, and military personnel tend to head to Moose McGillycuddy's at 310 Lewers, Waikiki tel. 808/923-0751. "Get loose at the moose" is the advertised slogan for this place. Downstairs is a cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner; upstairs is a happening nightclub with live entertainment and dancing. At the edge of Chinatown is something that feels like it comes from a 1940s film noir: Indigo's at 1121 Nuuanu Ave. tel. 808/521-2900, serves sizzling food during the day, then turns to cool jazz in the early evening, and progresses to late-night DJs spinning Top 40, disco, rock, funk, and other assorted music. The college-age crowd flocks to Blue Tropix at 1700 Kapiolani Blvd. (tel. 808/944-0001 this place features a small, 100-square-foot dance floor, and lively DJ jams of Top 40, hip-hop, and R&B dance music.

 

 

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for foreign visitors outside of the United States

Under the Visa Waiver Plan, designed to speed up immigration procedures, citizens of Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and most European countries in possession of full passports do not require visas for trips to the United States of less than ninety days. Visa waiver forms are handed out on incoming planes, and are processed during immigration control at your initial point of arrival on US soil. The form requires details of where you are staying on your first night, and the date you intend to leave the US. You should be able to prove that you have enough money to support yourself while in the US. You may experience difficulties if you admit to being HIV-positive or having AIDS or TB. Part of the form will be attached to your passport, where it must stay until you leave. The same form also covers entry across the land borders with Canada and Mexico.

Citizens of all other countries should contact their local US embassy or consulate for details of current entry requirements. Even those eligible for the visa waiver plan must apply for a free tourist visa if they intend to stay in the US for more than ninety days. Whatever your nationality, visas are not issued to convicted felons or to anybody who owns up to being a communist, fascist or drug dealer.

Money

ATMs-- Hawaii pioneered the use of ATMs more than 2 decades ago, and now they're everywhere. You'll find them at most banks, in supermarkets, at Long's Drugs, and in most resorts and shopping centers. Cirrus (tel. 800/424-7787) and PLUS (tel. 800/843-7587) are the two most popular networks; check the back of your ATM card to see which network your bank belongs to (most banks belong to both these days).

Traveller's Checks-- Traveler's checks are something of an anachronism from the days before the ATM made cash accessible at any time. Traveler's checks used to be the only sound alternative to traveling with dangerously large amounts of cash. They were as reliable as currency, but, unlike cash, could be replaced if lost or stolen.

You can get traveler's checks at almost any bank.

Visa offers traveler's checks at Citibank locations nationwide, as well as at several other banks. The checks come in denominations of $20, $50, $100, $500, and $1,000. Call tel. 800/732-1322 for information. AAA members can obtain Visa checks for a fee (for checks up to $1,500) at most AAA offices or by calling tel. 866/339-3378. MasterCard also offers traveler's checks. Call tel. 800/223-9920 for a location near you.

If you choose to carry traveler's checks, be sure to keep a record of their serial numbers separate from your checks in the event that they are stolen or lost. You'll get a refund faster if you know the numbers.

Emergency

Emergencies -- Call tel. 911 for police, fire, and ambulance. The Poison Control Center is located at 1319 Punahou St. (tel. 808/941-4411).

Map of Oahu

 

Oahu Weather

 

Weather Averages

Average High Temperatures 80.0°F 26°C 80.0°F 26°C 81.0°F 27°C 82.0°F 27°C 84.0°F 28°C 86.0°F 30°C Average Low Temperatures 63.2°F 17°C 63.0°F 17°C 64.3°F 17°C 64.9°F 18°C 66.7°F 19°C 68.6°F 20°C Average Temperature 71.0°F 21°C 71.0°F 21°C 73.0°F 22°C 74.0°F 23°C 75.0°F 23°C 77.0°F 25°C Average Precipitation 4.2% 2.5% 2.1% 1.3% 1.0% 0.4%

Average High Temperatures 87.0°F 30°C 88.0°F 31°C 88.0°F 31°C 86.0°F 30°C 84.0°F 28°C 81.0°F 27°C Average Low Temperatures 69.8°F 21°C 69.7°F 20°C 70.1°F 21°C 68.6°F 20°C 66.6°F 19°C 64.5°F 18°C Average Temperature 78.0°F 25°C 78.0°F 25°C 79.0°F 26°C 77.0°F 25°C 75.0°F 23°C 73.0°F 22°C Average Precipitation 0.6% 0.7% 0.9% 2.4% 2.9% 4.1%

General Details

Temperature and Climate Zones

Weather on all of the Hawaiian islands is very consistent, with only moderate changes in temperature throughout the year. This is possible due to the year-round warm sea surface temperatures, which keeps the overlying atmosphere warm as well. In practical terms there are only 2 seasons here: the summer months (called Kau in Hawaiian) that extend from May to October and the winter months (Ho'oilo) that run from November to April. The average day-time summer temperature at sea level is 85 degrees F. (29.4 C) while the average day-time winter temperature is 78 degrees (25.6 C). Night-time temperatures are approximately 10 degrees F. lower.

Visitors to Hawaii will find that it is a marvel of nature. As a result of the shielding effect of her volcanic mountains and the differences in weather found at various elevations, there are as many different climate zones here as exist along the entire coast stretching from Alaska to Costa Rica. The islands can be described as an incredibly diverse collection of many micro-environments, each possessing unique weather, plants and animals. To see the full impact of this natural wealth visitors only need to explore the islands by car, or helicopter and they will be struck by the beauty of tropical rain forests, cool alpine regions, stony deserts and sunny beaches, all within the span of just a few short miles.

Rainfall and Storms

Through most of the year Hawaiian weather patterns are effected primarily by high pressure zones in the north Pacific that pump relatively cool, moist trade winds down onto the island's northeastern slopes. This pattern holds true for most of the summer and approximately half of the time in the winter. These winds are forced up-slope by the mountain heights where ultimately their moisture condenses into clouds that produce rain. Most of the rain then falls in the mountains and valleys on the windward (northeastern) side of the islands. It is this weather phenomenon that creates the rich tropical environment of flowers and verdant greens that have made Hawaii famous. The wettest months are from November - March, but these winter rains do not generally disrupt vacationer's plans, since the very localized nature of the weather usually means that if it is raining where you are, there is almost always a sunny spot to be found by a short drive around the coast.

The action of trade winds here means that there is always a cooling breeze. The strength of this wind builds as the heat of the day rises and reaches a peak in the afternoon, only to diminish in the evening and start again the following day. Several times during the year the trade winds will stop completely and the wind will switch around to come out of the south or west, bringing stormy or hot sticky weather. Islanders sometimes call this "Kona" weather, because kona is a polynesian word that means leeward or South, and this points to the direction from which these weather systems arrive. Stormy weather does come to the islands, primarily in the winter and sometimes lingers for several days. Severe storms, however, are not a common occurrence here.

Water and Surf Conditions

Beach-goers will be happy to learn that the temperature of Hawaii's near-shore waters stay comfortable throughout the year. The average year round water temperature is 74 degrees F. (23.3 C), with a summer high of 80 degrees F. (26.7 C). Wave action varies a great deal between winter and summer, and between island coasts. Generally summer waters are very gentle on all beaches. This changes in the winter on many north facing beaches, as storms far out into the Pacific drive ocean swells towards the islands, which build into large breaking waves.

As with island rains, wave conditions are often very localized, so if there is too much surf on your beach, you can usually find calmer water by taking a short drive to a beach that is sheltered from the prevailing surf. Swimmers should keep in mind that h4 currents can make any beach unsafe at any time during the year, but this is particularly true in the winter. When in doubt, simply ask your hotel staff or a local for their recommendations and also watch for warning flags and posted beach conditions.

Hawaii's Mountains and Volcanos

Many visitors to the islands will be drawn to the natural beauty found in the higher elevations such as Kokee on Kauai, or Haleakala on Maui, or Kilauea on the Big Island. In preparing for your trip you'll want to take long pants and several layers of cool weather clothing because the temperature in the higher locations drops 3.5 degrees for every 1,000 feet above sea level that you climb. For example, the summit of Haleakala at an elevation of 10,023 feet can be as much as 30 degrees F. cooler than the resort areas on the coast. Similarly the summit of Kilauea, which is at an elevation of 4,078 feet, can be 14 degrees cooler than the sea level temperature.

You should also be aware that because these peaks rise through the earth's atmosphere, there is less protection at these elevations from the sun's powerful burning rays. This burning effect can be easily masked by the cool temperatures on the mountain, so be sure to use your sun block liberally, and bring your hat and sunglasses.

Fun Things To Do in Oahu

Attractions & Activities

Oahu Attractions

Bishop Museum - This forbidding, four-story Romanesque lava-rock structure holds safe the world's greatest collection of natural and cultural artifacts from Hawaii and the Pacific. The museum was founded by a Hawaiian princess, Bernice Pauahi, who collected priceless artifacts and in her will instructed her husband, Charles Reed Bishop, to establish a Hawaiian museum "to enrich and delight" the people of Hawaii. Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park - If you have kids, you have to take them here! This 29-acre water-theme amusement park opened in spring 1999 with some $14 million in attractions. Plan to spend the day. Highlights are a football field-sized wave pool for bodysurfing, two 65-foot-high free-fall slides, two water-toboggan bullet slides, inner-tube slides, body flume slides, a continuous river for floating inner tubes, and separate pools for adults, teens, and children.

Honolulu Zoo - Nobody comes to Hawaii to see an Indian elephant, or African lions and zebras. Right? Wrong. This 43-acre municipal zoo in Waikiki attracts visitors in droves. If you've got kids, allot at least half a day or more. The highlight is the new African Savannah, a 10-acre wild preserve exhibit with more than 40 uncapped African critters roaming around in the open. The zoo also has a rare Hawaiian nene goose, a Hawaiian pig, and mouflon sheep. For a real treat, take the Zoo by Twilight tour, which offers a rare look into the lives of the zoo's nocturnal residents.Polynesian Cultural Center - Even if you never leave Hawaii, you can still experience the natural beauty and culture of the vast Pacific in a single day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, a kind of living museum of Polynesia. Here you can see first-hand the lifestyles, songs, dance, costumes, and architecture of seven Pacific island nations -- Fiji, New Zealand, Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, and Hawaii -- in the re-created villages scattered throughout the 42-acre lagoon park.

USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor - On December 7, 1941, the USS Arizona, while moored here in Pearl Harbor, was bombed in a Japanese air raid. The 608-foot battleship sank in 9 minutes without firing a shot, taking 1,177 sailors and Marines to their deaths -- and catapulting the United States into World War II.

Nobody who visits the memorial will ever forget it. The deck of the ship lies 6 feet below the surface of the sea. Oil still oozes slowly up from the Arizona's engine room to stain the harbor's calm, blue water. The memorial is a stark white 184-foot rectangle that spans the sunken hull of the ship; it was designed by Alfred Pries, a German architect interned on Sand Island during the war. It contains the ship's bell, recovered from the wreckage, and a shrine room with the names of the dead carved in stone.

Today, free U.S. Navy launches take visitors to the Arizona. While you're waiting for the shuttle to take you out to the ship -- you'll be issued a number and time of departure, which you must pick up yourself -- you can explore the interesting museum's personal mementos, photographs, and historic documents. A moving 20-minute film precedes your trip to the ship. Allow a total of at least 4 hours for your visit.

 

Oahu Activities

Exploring Oahu's Rainforests. In the misty sunbeams, colorful birds flit among giant ferns and hanging vines, while towering tropical trees form a thick canopy that shelters all below in cool shadows. This emerald world is a true Eden. For the full experience, try Manoa Falls Trail, a walk of less than a mile that ends at a freshwater pool and waterfall.

Snorkeling the Glistening Waters of Hanauma Bay. This underwater park, once a volcanic crater, is teeming with a rainbow of tropical fish. Bordered by a 2,000-foot gold-sand beach, the bay's shallow water (10 ft. in places).

Hiking to the Top of Diamond Head Crater. Almost everyone can make this easy hike to the top of Hawaii's most famous landmark. The 1.4-mile round-trip goes up to the top of the 750-foot volcanic cone, where you have a 360° view of Oahu.

Heading to Waimea Bay When the Surf's Up. From November to March, monstrous waves -- some 30 feet tall -- roll into Waimea. When they break on the shore, the ground actually shakes and everyone on the beach is covered with salt spray mist. The best surfers in the world paddle out to challenge these freight trains. It's amazing to see how small they appear in the lip of the giant waves.

Watching the Ancient Hawaiian Sport of Canoe Paddling. On weekday evenings and weekend days from February to September, hundreds of paddlers gather at Ala Wai Canal and practice taking traditional Hawaiian canoes out to sea. Find a comfortable spot at Ala Wai Park, next to the canal, and watch the canoe paddlers re-create this centuries-old sport.

Finding a Bargain at the Aloha Flea Market. Just 50¢ will get you into this all-day show at the Aloha Stadium parking lot, where more than 1,000 vendors sell everything from junk to jewels. Open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6am to 3pm.

Visiting the Lei Sellers in Chinatown. There's a host of cultural sights and experiences to be had in Honolulu's Chinatown. Wander through this several-square-block area with its jumble of exotic shops offering herbs, Chinese groceries, and acupuncture services. Be sure to check out the lei sellers on Maunakea Street.

Experiencing a Turning Point in America's History: The Bombing of Pearl Harbor. Standing on the deck of the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, with the ship underneath, is an unforgettable experience. On that fateful day -- December 7, 1941 -- the 608-foot Arizona sank in just 9 minutes after being bombed during the Japanese air raid. The 1,177 men on board plunged to a fiery death -- and the United States went to war.

Watching the Sun Sink into the Pacific from a 1,048-Foot Hill Named after a Sweet Potato. Actually, it's more romantic than it sounds. Puu Ualakaa State Park, at the end of Round Hill Drive, translates into "rolling sweet potato hill" (which was how the early Hawaiians harvested the crop). This majestic view of the sunset is not to be missed.

Ordering a Shave Ice in a Tropical Flavor You Can Hardly Pronounce. In Haleiwa, stop at Matsumoto Shave Ice, 66-087 Kamehameha Hwy., for a snow cone with an exotic flavor poured over the top, such as the local favorite, li hing mui (lee hing moo-ee), or with sweet Japanese adzuki beans hidden inside.

Health & Safety Links

Travelers' Health, US Department of Health and Human Resources

Flight Overview Oahu

Honolulu International Airport sits on the south shore of Oahu, west of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki, near Pearl Harbor.

While the airport is large and constantly expanding, the layout is quite simple and easy to navigate. You can walk or take the Wiki-Wiki Bus, a free airport shuttle, from your arrival gate to the main terminal and baggage claim, which is on the ground level. After collecting your bags, exit to the palm-lined street, where uniformed attendants flag down taxis, Waikiki shuttles, and rental car vans.

All major American and many international carriers fly to Honolulu International Airport.

United Airlines (tel. 800/225-5825) offers the most frequent service from the U.S. mainland to Honolulu. Aloha Airlines (tel. 800/367-5250 or 808/484-1111) has direct flights from Oakland and Orange County with connecting flights from Las Vegas. American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300) offers flights from Dallas, Chicago, St. Louis, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and St. Louis to Honolulu. Continental Airlines (tel. 800/231-0856) offers the only daily nonstop from the New York area (Newark) to Honolulu, in addition to flights from other cities. Delta Air Lines (tel. 800/221-1212) flies nonstop from the West Coast, Houston, and Cincinnati. Hawaiian Airlines (tel. 800/367-5320) offers nonstop flights to Honolulu from several West Coast cities. Northwest Airlines (tel. 800/225-2525) has a daily nonstop from Detroit to Honolulu, as well as service from other cities.

Our Airline Partners Serving Hawaii:

American Trans Air
Delta Airlines
United Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
American Airlines
Aloha Airlines
Horizon Airlines