Oahu attracts more tourists than any other island in Hawaii. About 6 million tourists (mainly from the American mainland and Japan) come here every year to enjoy a typical beach holiday. With a total area of 1,545 km2 (71 km long and 48 km wide at its widest part), Oahu is the 20th largest island in the United States. Bird's-eye view, two are clearly visible mountain ranges on each side of the island: Waianae on the west coast and Koolau on the east.
Mother Nature carved green valleys, graced the island sandy beaches of all color spectra, from white to black, there is even green and red. With colorful sunsets, beautiful unspoilt nature, a huge variety of golden beaches and weather that fluctuates between perfect and perfect, Oahu has a lot to offer vacationers. The island attracts visitors with its incredible natural beauty and developed tourist infrastructure. The island is home to almost 1 million inhabitants, but the number of visitors is about 6 times the population of the island.
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Beaches
Oahu - Mecca of sun and sand, revered by fans of beaches and aquatic species sports. Oahu has over 125 beaches for every taste, the very name of the island is identified with the beaches and the ocean. With an average annual water temperature of 25˚C, it is easy to understand why millions of visitors from all over the world regularly come here to relax. Each of the beaches has its own unique features that set it apart from the rest. Some of them are popular with surfers, others are suitable for sailing, and others are ideal for a comfortable family vacation.
Hanauma Bay(Hanauma Bay). Only 16 km from Waikiki is Hanauma Bay, one of the best snorkelling spots on Oahu. A small beach surrounded by palm trees located in a crater extinct volcano destroyed by the ocean on one side. A sheltered bay provides protection from strong currents and big waves- ideal conditions for swimmers and divers.
Since 1967, Hanauma Bay has been granted the status of a Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. In the 1990s, an excessive influx of holidaymakers (about 3 million per year) presented a serious problem for the fragile ecosystem of the bay. Paid access since 1998 has led to a decrease in the number of holidaymakers. In 2002, the Maritime Education Center was opened, visitors are obliged to first watch a short film and familiarize themselves with the rules of respect for the nature of the bay. Today, Hanauma Bay receives an average of 3,000 visitors a day, or about a million a year.
Some tips:
If you rent a car, try to come here early in the morning, the parking lot quickly becomes full and leaving the car is a big problem.
A visit to the reserve is paid, all visitors must watch a short film. If you arrive before 7 o'clock in the morning, avoid payment and will not watch the video.
Bring your own drinks and snacks as there is nothing for sale downstairs on the beach.
The shallow beach has soft sand and calm waves. But sometimes the waves are very strong, on such days swimming is recommended only for good swimmers.
A path leads down from the mountain. If you don't want to pay a private company for transportation, you can walk back and forth.
The beach is closed on Tuesdays.
Easily accessible by bus from Waikiki.
Fish feeding is prohibited in order to maintain a more natural balance of fish in the ecosystem.
Address: 7455 Kalaniana "ole Hwy., Honolulu, Oahu, HI 96825, website www.hanauma-bay-hawaii.com
Halona Beach Cove... Near Hanauma Bay is Halona Beach Cove, a small but very beautiful cove. The film "From Here to Eternity" was filmed here.
Waimānalo Beach with a total length of almost 9 km - the longest sandy beach on the island of Oahu. The beach has escaped commercial development (there are no hotels nearby) and is notable for its local flavor and proximity to the Hawaii Sea Life Park.
Lanikai Beach
A little-visited beach on the east side of Oahu with a length of one and a half kilometers. In the morning, photography enthusiasts have been trying to capture the famous sunrise. The beach looks beautiful against the backdrop of the Koolau Mountains. When the trade wind blows, sailing and windsurfing is practiced on the beach. Calm waves, white sand, beautiful panorama in all directions. There are no toilets, showers, even parking for cars, but a beautiful beach with white sand and calm turquoise water fully compensates for these disadvantages. Address: Mokulua Drive, Kailua, Oahu, HI 96734.
Kailua Beach... Oahu has more spectacular beaches, with better conditions for swimming, but none offers as many leisure options as Kailua Beach. Fishing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, diving, snorkelling, kiteboarding, sale and rental of water sports equipment. A popular kayaking destination, Popoi "a Island" is located about 400m offshore. Condé Nast magazine named Kailua Beach the best beach in the USA in 1998. Many visit local residents, on weekdays there are practically no vacationers. Address: 526 Kawailoa Road, Kailua, Oahu, HI 96734.
Laniakea Beach is located about 4 km south of Waimea Bay. Laniakea Beach is most commonly referred to as "Turtle Beach" because endangered green sea turtles have been basking on the warm sand of the beach since 2000. The turtles were attracted by the abundance of algae in the area. Volunteers are on duty on the beach, they stretch a red rope around the turtles in order to limit them from beach visitors. Take your snorkel and mask with you and enjoy swimming with the turtles. And don't waste money on a tour. To see the turtles, rent a car, spend the day here and you won't be disappointed. Never touch turtles, otherwise you can get a high fine. Address: Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712.
Malaekahana Beach... If you want to be in Hawaii before jet aircraft brought here millions of vacationers, then you are on the Malaekahana beach. Surprisingly, very few visitors visit Malaekahana - one of the best beaches on the island of Oahu.
Kahana Bay Beach Park... A crescent-shaped beach set against a lush valley lined with high cliffs. Kahana Beach has good fishing and ideal kayaking conditions. Throw in the picnic spots, camping sites, walking trails in the woods and you have some of the best beaches on the island.
Ko "Olina lagoons... The owner of the huge resort complex Ko "Olina Resort has created four artificial sandy lagoons, turning them comfortable seats for a beach holiday at any time of the year. The almost completely rounded lagoons are surrounded by white sandy beaches bordered by grassy lawns. The generally calm waters are ideal for swimming, and snorkelling is possible around the boulders at the entrance to the lagoons. Ko "Olina lagoons are located next to Kapolei, but public transport does not come here. The nearest bus stop is on Farrington Highway, over 6 miles from the resort. Address: Kapolei, Oahu, HI.
Oahu's north coast(North Shore) is considered the world capital of surfing. Every winter, swells, long sea waves formed by storms and storms thousands of kilometers north in the area, roll onto the northern coast of Hawaii. Bering Sea... Such waves are much more stable in their direction and frequency than ordinary waves generated by the wind, and therefore more favorable for surfing. The north coast in the context of Oahu geography refers to the northern coastal area of the island between Ka'ena Point and Kahuku Point. The largest locality in this area - Haleiwa. Every December, it hosts the Triple Crown of Surfing, a series of three internationally renowned competitions. The most famous beaches are described below.
Ehukai Beach Park stretches continuously as a continuous strip of sand with only one sign - EHUKAI BEACH PARK. Most people think that this is one beach, but in fact, three separate beaches follow one after the other. Long, wide, white sand, Ehukai Beach is known for its winter surfing. Swimming is safe during the spring and summer months, but coastal currents and strong waves make swimming unsafe during winter. Access to Pipeline and Banzai beaches via Ehukai Beach Park.
Pipeline beach located next to Ehukai Beach Park near the small town of Pupukea on the north coast of Oahu. When the surf reaches the shallow coral coast in winter, waves are so steep that the crest of the wave, falling forward, forms an almost perfect pipe ("pipeline" means "pipe"). For many years the craftsmen tried to master these waves, many of them fell, receiving lacerations and broken bones on the shallow reefs.
Pipeline is the most famous place huge waves on the north coast of Oahu, it is often called the deadliest wave in the world (the average wave height is almost 4 meters). More surfers have died or been seriously injured at Pipeline Beach than anywhere else in the world. The most important competitions in the world of professional surfing take place here.
Banzai Beach. To the west of the Pipeline, there is a strip of beach that surfers call Banzai. The Japanese word "banzai" means the battle cry "hurray" or "forward." In the late 1950s, director Bruce Brown was filming one of the first surfing films Surf Safari and saw a surfer riding a huge wave. Brown shouted, "Banzai!" and since that time the name has stuck. In winter, it is a very popular beach with surfers, curious locals and visiting vacationers. There are not very many people here during the summer months. Again, access to the beach is via Ehukai Beach Park. Number 52 TheBus (Circle Island) stops on the highway near Ehukai Beach Park.
Waimea bay- one of the most beautiful beaches Oahu islands. From October to April, the beach is rolled huge waves creating a strong reverse flow. Even professional surfers are in danger when high, up to 5-meter waves crash with force on the shore. It is hard to believe that in summer this same bay is quiet and calm - a great place for swimming, snorkelling, and diving. On the right side of the beach, turtles swim very close to the shore. The most interesting moment of the visit is the jump from the famous lava rock. Address: 61-031 Kamehameha Highway, Oahu, HI.
Sunset Beach... One of the most popular beaches on Oahu. During the season (September-April), swimming is very dangerous due to high waves (5 meters and more) and strong reverse currents near the coast. The only safe period for swimming is summer. To avoid the crowds, visit on weekdays. The beach is located off the Kamehameha Highway. Bus number 52 (Circle Island) will take you there if you don't want to take a taxi or rent a car.
Interesting places of the island of Oahu
Polynesian Cultural Center (Polynesian Cultural Center) - themed amusement park and museum under open air at the same time, located on the north coast of Oahu. The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Hawaii. On its territory, a competition is held annually, in which participants demonstrate the skill of using fire knives. The park has a showroom (IMAX theater), a lagoon, and visitors can canoe.
Hawaii Marine Life Park (Sea Life Park Hawaii) is one of the main attractions of Oahu. Opened in 1964, the park allows visitors to interact with marine animals, swim with dolphins, sea lions and stingrays, and feed turtles. The park also houses a bird sanctuary and an aquarium. The most interesting sights of the park:
Sea lion discovery- allows visitors to swim in the water with sea lions.
Sea trek adventure- underwater walk in the reef reservoir, which is inhabited by eels, rays, sea turtles, a wide variety of tropical fish.
Hawaiian Reef Aquarium- a huge body of water, home to over 2000 marine reef inhabitants, including sharks, rays, turtles and schools of tropical fish.
Hawaiian Ocean Theater- the venue for the main show featuring dolphins, penguins and sea lions. During the show, a story about the latest teaching methods and the park's efforts to preserve the wealth of the underwater world.
Penguin Habitat- habitat of the park's penguins.
Dolphin show cove- an open theater where dolphin shows are shown twice a day.
The bird sanctuary- This bird sanctuary is home to many wild seabirds, including frigate birds, gannets, petrels, albatrosses, most of which were sick or wounded.
Hawaiian Monk Seal Habitat- habitat of Hawaiian monk seals, shows with the participation of these animals.
Programs Dolphin Royal Swim, Dolphin Adventure Swim, Dolphin Encounter, and Dolphin Aloha allow visitors to interact with dolphins in the water.
Location: Makapuu Point, 24 kilometers from the center of Honolulu. How to get there: Bus number 22 or 23 from Waikiki. Website www.sealifeparkhawaii.com
Byodo-In Temple located in the Valley of the Temples and is a replica of the 900-year-old temple in Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Inside there is a 3 m gold-plated figure of a wooden Buddha. Ponds and Japanese gardens surround the temple against the backdrop of the Koolau Mountains. The Byodo-In Temple is visited by thousands of tourists from all over the world. People of all faiths take part in his services. Apart from services, the temple grounds are often used for weddings and official events. Address: 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe, Oahu, HI, website www.byodo-in.com
Sacred Falls State Park ... Sacred Falls State Park is located on the north coast of Oahu. The park covers the Kaluanui canyon and the waterfall at its very end, after which it is named. The waterfall is closed to the public indefinitely after the fatal rock collapse on May 9, 1999 in the canyon. Then eight tourists were killed, and many were injured. The only way to see this beautiful natural creation is by helicopter.
Nu'uanu Pali State Wayside Viewpoint offers panoramic views of the Nu'uanu Valley and the northeastern side of Oahu. Nu'uanu Pali was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the world, during which Kamehameha captured the island of Oahu and united it under his rule.
What to do, tours of local tour operators
Swim with dolphins in the ocean from Dolphin Excursions Snorkel Adventure. From Waianae Bay, tour participants travel along west coast Oahu in search of dolphins (in winter get the opportunity to see humpback whales). After spotting dolphins, snorkelling tour participants dive into the water and watch dolphins swim past them. Then a small cruise to the habitat sea turtles snorkeling with tropical fish and sea turtles. At the end of the tour, lunch. A photographer will take your underwater photos with dolphins and turtles and send them on CD anywhere in the world. Address: Waianae, Oahu, HI, www.dolphinexcursions.com
Horse Riding by Happy Trails Hawaii ... Horseback riding along the north coast of Oahu through a forest, fern-covered valley and tropical orchards. Tours are focused on family holiday... The only ranch on Oahu where children as young as 6 are allowed to ride their own horse. Address: 59-231 Pupukea Road, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI, website www.happytrailshawaii.com
Macadamia Nut farm ... Educational and very interesting tour on a farm that specializes in growing Macadamia. Macadamia is a very tasty Australian nut with a hard-to-shell kernel, it is very difficult to harvest them, which is why macadamia is the most expensive nut in the world. The tour lasts about an hour. First, a bus trip to the tea plantations, introductory information about how the ancient Hawaiians consumed tea leaves, made a fire, and collected coconuts. Then a boat trip in a small lake, during which the guide will point you to the filming locations of famous Hollywood films.
The farm has a good shop that sells various types of macadamias, souvenirs, jewelry, arts and crafts, creams, aromatic oils, coffee, even fresh coconut. Interestingly, in the store you can enjoy macadamia nuts for free and enjoy the famous kona coffee. Tours are available 7 days a week, from 10:45 am to 6:00 pm (except Tuesday when there is only one tour at 10:45 am). Address: 49-227A Kamehameha Hwy., Kaneohe, Oahu, HI 96744, website www.macnutfarm.com
Swimming with sharks from North Shore Shark Adventures. This two-hour tour departs from Haleiwa Pier. Having sailed from the coast for 4 - 6 km, a metal cage is placed in the water and kept at the level of the water surface. Armed with snorkels and masks, the tour participants watch the whales swimming inches from the cage from the cage. Water in an area with a visibility of 70 meters or more. During this tour you will have the opportunity to see Hawaiian green sea turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales during migration season. Be sure to bring underwater cameras with you in order to take pictures of sharks. Departure times for tours: 6:00 am, 7:00 am, 8:00 am, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm, 13:00 pm, 14:00 pm (6:00 am tour is available from May 1 to August 15). Address: slip 35 of the Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI, website www.sharktourshawaii.com
Ranch Kualoa (Kualoa Ranch) has become known for the wide variety and quality of its tours. The most popular are described below:
Movie Sites & Ranch Tour... Visit the famous Ka'a'awa Valley, often referred to as the Hawaii film set. Famous Hollywood films and television shows (Jurassic Park, 50 First Kisses, Windwalkers, Hawaii 5-0 and others) were shot here, the duration of the tour is 1 hour.
Jungle Expedition Tour... Adventure tour to the beautiful Kaaava Valley. Tour participants in off-road vehicles travel in the middle of the jungle along east coast Oahu islands. Tour duration 1 hour
Ancient Fishing Grounds & Tropical Gardens Tour... Drive to an ancient Hawaiian fish pond, visit a tropical garden of fruit trees and flowers.
Hakipu'u Hike... Trekking in the Hakipu'u Valley, the trail is just over 2 km. Two tours a day: 09:00 to 11:00 and 12:00 to 14:00.
ATV tour(ATV Tour). Visit the famous Kaaava Valley in ATVs, the filming locations of many Hollywood films and television shows. During the tour, observation from the observation deck of the beautiful panorama of the coast The Pacific... Tours last one and two hours.
Horse riding tour(Horseback Tour), on the tour, see the Mokolii island and 800-year-old Hawaiian fish pond. The ranch is located at 49-560 Kamehameha Highway, Kaneohe, Oahu, HI, www.kualoa.com/tours
Diving... Many tourists visit the island of Oahu solely for the opportunity to plunge into the Pacific Ocean and see the wealth of the underwater world. Hawaii is one of the top ten diving destinations in the world. It is home to over 100 endemic species (not found anywhere else on the planet), explore sea caves, swim with sea turtles and monk seals. The trade winds often cause high waves in the afternoon, so most operators plan to dive early in the morning and end their tours at noon. Diving sites in Oahu:
Hiking to Coco Crater (Koko Head Crater Trail Hike). Coco Crater is one of the most popular places hiking on the island of Oahu. A path leads to its top along the railway sleepers. About 1 km long, the trail rises to a height of 366 m. From the upper observation deck of Coco Crater, a panorama of the eastern part of Oahu and the coast opens. Get up early in the morning to avoid the heat and bring plenty of water with you. If you've climbed to the top of Diamond Head, this hike is many times more difficult.
Bicycle is a popular way to explore Oahu. For information on cycling routes, participation in bike tours contact Bike Hawaii (www.bikehawaii.com); this company offers a variety of group tours, including "Rainforest to Reef". The tour includes a drive down the paved road (8 km) with panoramic views of Waikiki, Honolulu and the Manoa Valley. Learn more about the flora and geology of the Hawaiian Islands on this tour. After that, leave your bikes for a 3 km round trip to the 80 meter high waterfall, then cruise on a sailing catamaran.
Hawaii "s Plantation Village ... A one-hour tour of this restored village dives into the era when sugar plantations made up Hawaii's economy. From the arrival of the first workers in 1852 until 1947, when the sugarcane era ended, more than 400,000 men, women and children from China, Japan, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Korea, the Philippines and other countries migrated to work in the sugarcane fields. On the territory of the village, each ethnic group is represented by a house decorated in accordance with the traditions and customs of the time. The houses contain clothing from that era, bedding, ceramics, toys and games, photographs, books and other memorabilia. Open: Mon-Sat from 10:00 to 14:00. Address Waipahu Cultural Garden Park, at Waipahu Depot Rd, Waipahu, website: www.hawaiiplantationvillage.org www.hawaiiskydiving.com
Sunset Suratt Surf Academy "s teaches surfing lessons from beginner surfers to pros, and also provides equipment for rent. Sunset Suratt Surf Academy's lessons take place on the beach at Haleiwa. The lessons are two hours long. Tourists are provided with videos and photographs of the learning process. Address: North Shore, Sunset Beach, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712, www.surfnorthshore. com
At North Shore Surf Girls Surf School only women work. All female instructors are former professional surfers. Private or group surf lessons at 9:00 am, 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm daily near Haleiwa. Two popular types of tours:
North Shore surf lesson and Turtle Tour Includes a 2-hour surf lesson, the opportunity to see sea turtles live, visits to the famous Pipeline and Sunset Beach surfing beaches, and a girl-cooked seafood dinner. End of the tour - watching the sunset.
Surf Lesson and Sunset Barbecue includes a 2-hour surfing lesson and a barbecue on the beach by the girls End of the tour - watching the sunset. Address: 66-031 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712 website www.northshoresurfgirls.com
Swimming lessons on the board from Rainbow Watersports Adventures. The instructors will teach you standing board swimming skills. All groups are private or individual (one instructor - one student). Duration of tours: from 2 to 4 hours, upon completion all participants are provided with photos free of charge. Address: Haleiwa, Oahu, HI 96712, website www.rainbowwatersports.com, more about
Entertainment
Attending a luau (traditional Hawaiian party) is part of the cultural agenda for most Hawaiian holidaymakers. Hawaiians have traditionally used the Luau to celebrate memorable events (birthdays, harvests, battles won, etc.).
Luau differ from each other, but the celebration is necessarily accompanied by the preparation of pork in the underground imu oven, all participants are presented with lei (garlands of flowers) and treated with cocktails. Upon arrival at the luau venue, guests are invited to participate in various events: canoeing, spear throwing, lei making, tattoo lessons, hula dancing, beach fishing with tackle and the like. Then dinner and cultural show of the peoples of Polynesia (dances of the peoples of Samoa, Tahiti, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii). Luau provides an opportunity to better know the culture and traditions of Hawaii and Polynesia. Each luau ends with watching the sun set, extraordinarily beautiful in Hawaii.
Most popular luau dishes:
Lomi salmon- salted salmon with tomatoes, onions and peppers;
Kālua pig- pork wrapped in banana leaves and cooked inside an underground oven (imu);
Pipi kāula- Hawaiian-style beef jerky;
Poi- grated and boiled taro tuber;
Laulau, pork and butterfish, steamed in wrapped leaves;
Lū- taro leaves, baked with coconut cream and, as a rule, octopus (from this dish went modern name holiday);
Haupia- gelatin made from condensed coconut milk.
Paradise cove- the most famous luau on the island of Oahu (www.paradisecovehawaii.com).
Slightly inferior in popularity Germaine "s(the venue is near the small town of Kopolei, www.germainesluau.com).
But the most famous lalu does not mean the best yet. I would recommend you Chief "s Luau at the Hawaii Sea Life Park. It is smaller than other luau on Oahu, but the most fun and memorable. If you're looking for a family-focused luau, try Chief's Luau at Hawaii Marine Park and you won't regret it. for other similar parties Address: 41-202 Kalanianaole Hwy, Waimanalo, Oahu, HI 96795, www.chiefsluau.com
Oahu is an island in the Hawaiian Islands, home to the capital of the state of Hawaii, Honolulu, the famous beaches of Waikiki and Lankai, Pearl Harbor and the Daimon Head crater and the Haiku stairs. In addition, there are beaches, mountains, national park with albatrosses and other interesting places.
I will tell you about all these sights of Oahu and where they are on the map, about transport around the island, how to get there, where it is better to stay and show our photos.
What to see on the island of Oahu
Diamond Head Crater
Diamond Head (Diamond Head) is a crater of the long-extinct Koolau volcano on the eastern outskirts of Honolulu. It is about 200 thousand years old, so it does not look as "volcanic" as, for example, craters on or. Geologists believe that there will be no new eruptions here.
The indigenous Hawaiians called this place Liyahi (Lē "ahi).
Ticket price: $ 1 per person or $ 5 per car with any number of passengers.
The trek up and back takes 1-1.5 hours.
There are a lot of caveats at the entrance. All along the track there are many signs at the slightest suspicion of a fork. Step left-right - shooting!
And this is the "path". Above, it became more natural.
From the top, you can see the city of Honolulu and the east coast of Oahu, including Waikiki Beach.
There were many birds in the park.
Honolulu - the capital of Hawaii
Honolulu is the most Big City and the administrative center of the state of Hawaii, 400 thousand people live here.
Translated from Hawaiian, Honolulu means "protected bay". The Polynesians discovered this territory in the 11th century, and the first Europeans (British) appeared here already in 1794. At the beginning of the 19th century, there was an attempt to establish a Russian protectorate here, but the United States intervened and annexed this territory.
The most famous place in Honolulu is Waikiki beach(Waikīkī Beach). We looked at it from the Diamond Head crater and did not understand why go there at all, given the crowd.
The sand here is loose, and due to erosion, it is constantly eroded.
Nearby there is a similar Kuhio beach(Kūhiō Beach).
In addition to a beach holiday, there are several more interesting places.
Honolulu landmarks:
1. Iolani Palace(Iolani Palace, gav. "Sky hawk") - This is the former residence of the Hawaiian monarchs and the only royal palace in the United States. Built in 1882.
2. Aliyolani Palace(Ali'iolani Hale, gav. "House of heavenly kings") was built in 1874 by the Hawaiian kings. Now in this place is the Hawaiian Supreme Court. Free admission Mon-Fri from 8 am to 4 pm.
3. Aloha Tower(Aloha Tower) is a lighthouse, sentry and observation tower located at Pier 9 in Honolulu. Built in 1924. Its height is 56 meters, there are 10 floors - for a long time it was the tallest building in Hawaii.
The observation deck on the 10th floor is open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm. It is better not to come during rush hour, because its capacity is only 24 people.
4. Art Museum(Honolulu Museum of Art): It houses one of the largest collections of Asian and Pacific art in the United States, plus works by American and European artists.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10-16.30, closed at National holidays... The ticket price is $ 20. Free: third Sunday of the month.
5. Bishop Museum(Bishop Museum): Natural history museum and the world's largest collection of Polynesian art.
Opening hours: daily 9-17 except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Ticket price $ 24.95.
7. Chinatown- an ordinary Chinatown, as in other cities in the world.
8. Also in the city there is zoo and aquarium.
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor (Pu'uloa harbor) is a harbor near Honolulu where the base is located. pacific fleet US Navy.
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and this was the reason for the United States to enter the Second world war... The films "Torah! Torah! Torah!" Were made about those events. and Pearl Harbor, and now there is a memorial here.
- Monument (National Monument) - from 7 to 17.
- Battleship Missouri - from 8 am to 4 pm.
- USS Bowfin Submarine - from 7 am to 5 pm.
- Aviation Museum (Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum) - from 9 am to 5 pm.
Ticket price for everything: adult $ 72, children $ 35. There are options for cheaper tickets if you only want to visit certain places.
Walk along the sea and albatross (Ka "ena Point State Park)
Caena Point(Ka "ena Point State Park) is the westernmost point of Oahu.
The trail runs along the sea and mountains and starts from the end of road 930. You can get to the same place by going from the end of road 93, but locals say that it is more dangerous to leave your car there.
Looking ahead, we have never met such a parking lot, and we have never seen cars with broken glass on the 4 islands of Hawaii, and we traveled there a lot.
Have seen huge albatrosses that hovered right above us. There, at the end of the road, seals monk seals, but there were none :(
People for the scale :)
Then we rode around the island, drove around it literally up and down. There was nothing super exciting, but the scenery is pretty nice :)
Very strong waves in places:
But some don't give a damn about it:
Oahu beaches
All of these beaches are marked on the Hawaii map, which I inserted at the end of the post.
For swimming: Pōka'ī Bay, Kailua Beach, Lanikai Beach, Waimanalo Beach, Makapu'u Beach.
For snorkeling: Hanauma Bay, Kāne 'ohe Bay.
For surfing: Banzai Beach, Sunset Beach, Mākaha Beach. The big wave season is from December to March.
Turtles
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center has a Polynesian village, a restaurant, and day and night shows.
Ticket prices start at $ 90 (show + dinner), so we didn't visit it.
Haiku Stairs
The Haiku Staircase is a steep path in Oahu. It consists of 3922 steps and leads to the top of the Kula ridge. It starts out as a simple wooden ladder attached to a rock on the south side of the Ha'ikū Valley. The steps rise to a height of 850 meters above sea level and offer a view of the entire island. Sometimes at this height there is dense cloudiness, and the top is hiding in the clouds. Therefore, this route is sometimes called "Stairway to Heaven".
"Haiku" is not in honor of Japanese poetry, but after the name of the Ha'ikū (Grevillea Banks) flower.
Since 2012, the Haiku stairs have been officially closed to tourists: (For illegal passage through it, they are fined thousands of dollars, but people still continue to climb through it and run into fines and arrests.
How to save on entrance tickets
The Go Oahu City Card combo entrance tickets are sold in Oahu:.
There is also an option to compose a card for yourself only from those places where you definitely want to go and in this way.
- snorkeling, kayaking, rafting, surfing, SUP,
- hiking, horseback riding, jeep and bicycle rides and other outdoor activities,
- zipline, yoga, spa, cooking lessons, fire shows and Polynesian dances, photo shoots and much more for children and adults.
Where to stay on Oahu
Hotels, hotels and apartments
The island is small, but unlike Kauai and Maui, there are many more people and cars. There are traffic jams in Honolulu.
If you are more interested in museums and night life then it will be more convenient to settle in Honolulu. If a beach vacation and nature then in the southeast of the island.
Considering the prices of food in US restaurants, see options with cuisine.
The best hotels according to tourists' reviews:
Hotels all over the island:
Camping in Oahu
In Oahu, we stopped for couchsurfing and never spent the night on campgrounds, but the rules for living in them are the same as in Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. We have Hawaiian campgrounds.
How to get there
The island has one airport - Honolulu (Honolulu, IATA code: HNL). Planes fly here from other Hawaiian islands and some cities in the US mainland.
If you are going to visit all four islands in Hawaii, then.
How to find the cheapest flights to Honolulu from any country
To find cheap flights, I usually compare prices using several aggregators. They all have the same principle - they search for tickets on the bases of hundreds of airlines, but their bases may differ, so the price will be better in one or the other - check everything at once.
- - unrealistically flexible search, and there is a guarantee of connection, even if you are flying with low-cost airlines and the first flight is delayed!
- - the best prices for tickets from Russia and Kazakhstan, a convenient calendar of low prices.
- - come here good prices for tickets from Ukraine.
By the way, KIWI gives coupons of 20 euros for air tickets to new users, but they can only be received by email. Who needs it - I can send an invitation.
Get 20 € on kiwi.com ➜Low Price Calendar:
Life hack: how we saved $ 80 on Hawaiian flights
On most Hawaiian flights, you can carry 2 carry-on bags of 8 kg each, plus a so-called personal item, which can be a laptop bag or a small backpack (the size depends on the arrogance of the passenger). Thus, we checked in only a large backpack, and carried everything else to carry-on baggage... On other Hawaiian flights, we also used this rule and saved $ 80 in total!
You can rent a two-wheeled vehicle to move from bike to harley.
Rental prices per day:
- regular bike from $ 25
- scooter (moped) from $ 45
- electric bike from $ 50
- motorcycle Honda, Kawasaki from $ 70
- motorcycle Yamaha, Harley-Davidson from $ 120
- Harley-Davidson Heritage motorcycle from $ 180
This is an analogue of car rental sites only for two-wheeled vehicles and ATVs. There is the same system: reservation, deposit, payment by card, the corresponding rights are required. The set includes a helmet (two helmets for motorcycles and mopeds), a lock, a case for things (if needed).
When renting, you pay 10-15%, the rest is already in place.
Public transport - buses
Oahu is the only island in the state of Hawaii with normal public transportation. Large buses TheBus run around the island.
Schedule and route map: thebus.org/SystemMap/TheBusSystemMap.pdf
The ticket price is $ 2.75, a day pass $ 5.50. Payment is made in cash without change, money must be thrown into a special box near the driver.
To stop a passing bus, you need to stand under the stop sign. Inside the bus, the signal to stop is to pull the cord that hangs across the entire bus.
Bicycles can be transported if space is available. They are attached to the outside of the front of the bus.
Tours to Honolulu
There are no package tours to Oahu. But you can safely book a flight and a hotel and rent a car yourself, using my advice above.
Oahu on the world map
Oahu is part of the state of Hawaii in the United States and is located in the North Pacific Ocean. There is a red dot in the screenshot.
See all the attractions of Oahu and other Hawaiian Islands on interactive map... You can move it, zoom in, zoom out, and download points to your smartphone.
When to go to Oahu - weather and climate
All Hawaiian Islands are good all year round :)
High season: December-April and June-August. Many people. Housing prices are rising by 50-100%, especially between Catholic Christmas and New Years. Winter is wetter, but this is the best time to see whales and surf. Summers are hotter.
Transition season: from May to September. The air and sea temperatures are pleasant, mostly sunny. Crowds and prices decrease, except during school holidays.
Low season: October and November. Least of all people, flights and hotels are the cheapest. The weather is dry and hot - it is bad to go hiking.
The island of Oahu (Oahu), the third largest among the Hawaiian archipelago. Oahu is translated from Hawaiian as "gathering place". This beautiful island is formed by two shield volcanoes, Ko'olau and Wai'anae. Of course, the most famous part of the island is the beach and the place is the most densely populated of all the islands. However, Oahu still has its own secrets!
Although buses run all over Oahu, a car is best for exploring. So rent a car. And I asked a friend to show me the beauty of the island.
And the first secret that I want to introduce is a place, far from luxurious highways and usual routes. Hawaiians themselves come here to relax. But despite the love of the people of Oahu for this place, it is still deserted. There is a great chance that once you get here, you will find yourself all alone! So, you just need to leave the highway to Nuuanu fell on an inconspicuous road, over which the crowns of trees hang. Taste the spring water and take a deep breath of the purest air.
Read also:
Nuuanu pali - cliff on the island of Oahu and its history + photos
And now a little history. After the relaxation and joy with which you leave secret place Oahu, I have to remember the bloody battle that took place on the Nu'uanu pali cliff. Nuuanu Pali is part of the Koolau Ridge, one of the mother shield volcanoes. And it was here in 1795 that the Battle of Nuuanu took place, in which the king of the island of Hawaii (Hawai'i) Kamehameha, having gathered a united army from his native land, as well as the conquered Moloka'i and Maui, defeated the army Oahu. Kamehameha brought ten thousand people with him. And the defenders of Oahu, led by King Kalanikupule, were driven into the valley and then pushed back to the edge of the cliff. In this place, many soldiers found their death, having fallen from a height of 300 meters.
At the end of the 19th century, many skulls were found under a cliff on the island of Oahu. This tragic find confirmed the ancient legends.
Travelers, however, not only remember the eerie pages of Hawaiian history, but still worship the local goddess of volcanoes Pele, who guards the pass from possible invasion from the ocean and the valley. Drivers leave flowers here for a safe journey. Parents, in an effort to protect their children, bring umbilical cords here and bury them between stones. And also legends tell about a lizard girl who can turn the heads of men and lead them to the side of the cliff, where they can find their death.
Anyone who comes to the pass with evil intentions will be thrown down. And the one whose thoughts are pure will receive gifts.
Waikiki Beach is known and loved by everyone. This is perhaps the most famous beach in Hawaii. But, of course, this is not the only vacation spot in Oahu. Volcanic beaches, incredible in their beauty, await everyone who is ready to admire them. It is not surprising that the black stones lying in the ocean waters like whales reminded me of the embankment, which was also born from the Etna volcano. Similarities and differences are just a mind game. And beauty is eternal!
Hawaiian islands are relatively small - there is a chance to see most of the island and many interesting places in a day. It is good to do this with a rental car. It took us on a tour of Oahu almost the whole day - we rode around the well-known tourist places and swam with dolphins in the marine park.
It was planned to leave at 10 o'clock - there is time to have a leisurely breakfast and swim. The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel in Honolulu is an almost ideal choice - relatively cheap, 15 minutes from downtown on foot, with its own beach and no crowds that condense closer to downtown Honolulu.
In the morning, few people lie on the beach.
I didn’t remember everything and not everyone drove around, of course - but it turned out like that. How we went round Oahu that day.
The Diamond Head crater is almost within walking distance from our hotel. There is a tunnel into the crater itself - but there is nothing interesting on the other side - just a field with trees and a slope at a distance. There is an opportunity to climb upstairs with a backpack - but this time we ignored it.
I heard 2 versions about how the crater got its name. The first one comes down to the sailors, who from the raid saw the sparkle of "calcite" on the top of the mountain and called it "diamond head". The second version is also about sailors, with the difference that they did not understand well the grandmother who was selling cabbage at the foot. The sailors wanted to know the name of the mountain, and the hard of hearing grandmother, decided that they were interested in the cost of her cabbage and answered "dime a head".
From the site near the tunnel - a panorama of an expensive area. Here people live with their dolphins swimming in the pools. According to the stories of local residents.
We stopped by the observation deck. A typical “folded” mountain, which is sometimes shown in the series Hawaii Police 5-0. You can go on it on a short hike with backpacks.
There is also a paid Hanauma Bay beach at the entrance. It seems like there is more underwater life than on the waterfront in Honolulu and you can swim. This is Hanauma Bay Beach Park. It makes sense to go there separately - to swim and sunbathe. Especially if there is no beach next to the hotel or there is an ordinary lava black shore.
Hanauma Bay Beach Park on the map.
Now, every time I watch the Hawaii Police, these mountains are pleasantly remembered.
If you drive along the coast in your car, nothing prohibits stopping at beautiful places- to breathe the sea air as much as you like and not to rush anywhere. This is further along the track - Lanai Lookout and a little further Halona Blow Hole.
And this is on the other side. Classic Hawaiian landscape with a black lava shore. Even before leaving, I was looking for hotels for a very long time, next to which the coast would not represent these black ruins - it is not realistic to swim there.
The colors of all this and the landscape itself are unusual for us - a change of scenery is an important part of rest for me.
The area from Hanaum to these lookouts on the map.
Makapu'u Point. And 2 protected islands for a quiet life of birds and turtles.
A little more along this road and there will be Sea Life Park in which we have ordered in advance the attraction "to swim with dolphins".
Locals like to arrange such installations on the slopes.
On the Sea Life Park map here.
We wanted to swim with dolphins - we ordered an excursion in a hurry - so I didn't have a special idea of the process "how it happens". The phrase "swim with dolphins" seemed interesting in itself.Everything is relatively simple. Dolphins live there in such enclosures / pools. Everybody is given life jackets(you must not wear it). Well, people are taken in groups to swim with these handsome men, with personal participation in a couple of rooms.
One of the "numbers" - you need to grab 2 fins and ride two dolphin forces across the pool.
Dolphins are very cute. They always seem to be smiling - I can't remember being more positive than animals.
I suggest kissing them for a souvenir photo.
Very nice animals.
Another attraction. You have to sail away and lie on the water, waiting for the two of them to dive and, resting on your feet, push you forward. It turns out quickly enough in terms of driving and somehow pleasant and gentle in terms of pushing with noses :)
It is not possible to raise a dolphin even in water. The whole attraction is primarily for those who love animals. I really liked it, I would have floated without hesitation. The staff takes video and photos - they offer to buy a DVD with a film - it costs $ 50, and photographs. We bought a movie - we still watch it sometimes - a considerable $ 50 per disc is not a pity at all.
We drove along the usual roads - who go to work every day.
On the way there was Buddhist temple Byodo-In Buddhist Temple, kind of like a copy of Japanese. Not exactly Hawaiian entertainment, but if it is nearby - that would not be to visit.
Standardly beautiful for something around Japanese.
A set of beauties for something in the Japanese spirit is standard, including pig carp.
A bunch of birds, which are usually fed with special store-bought food. Birds of 2 models - something similar to pigeons.
And something that looks like black swans. I'm not a birdwatcher.
We drove past the Hawaiian cemetery. It looks more like a beautiful green lawn without any ritual structures. Unless, at the burial site, flowers are stuck (or grow) in bunches. Without fences, benches, vodka and herring in a fur coat. Just go to visit and sit. They also want not to forget the animals - their favorite animals sleep about 30 meters from the road, to which you can also visit.
It is more pleasant and joyful for the locals to remember their loved ones who have left them.
All around the coffee is ripening. This coffee is "Kona" - by the name of the area. It is not particularly remarkable in any way. This is on the plantation of coffee and macadamia nuts - they give it to taste there. It is not brewed successfully in my opinion - some kind of variation of the American "filter coffee". Buying a pack of Hawaiian is a good idea “what to bring for gifts from Hawaii”.
Locals talked about how they sued some cheaters who scattered ordinary Arabica in packs and wrote “Kona coffee” on it. Caught / punished. Now there is a special law prohibiting writing that it is "Kona coffee" if the pack does not contain the proper percentage of local beans.
There is also a macadamia nut plantation. Tropical Farms. These are still green and are not eaten, it seems.
Like here.
It must be dried and they will become usable.
Macadamia nuts grow there everywhere in the area, you can chop / taste them if you want. Some local chickens immediately come running.
Macadamia nuts are packed here in bags and supplied with different flavors - from cinnamon to garlic and onion. Those with garlic are quite good - especially with beer. Again, good idea for Hawaii souvenirs.
Nature in the off-season is still exuberant.
We need to go further, driving past the island "Chinaman's Hat".
The unusual nature, of course, will help to distract from what is tired. Charismatic Hawaiian mountains and rain tree trees - all this is not to be seen in your homeland. Here it is pleasant to call "rain" trees because of their fondness for cicaids. A lot of them. If you go under a tree, then you fall under the "rain" - they still need to relieve themselves. It's good that there are no cicadas in Hawaii.
Another attraction along the way is a rock with a hole. Oahu's North Shore. If I remember correctly, this is La'ie Point.
The rocks are picturesque as elsewhere.
On the map.
On the way there are markets - fruits, vegetables. A good reason to stop and buy something unusual to try.
Everything in the market is friendly.
Something familiar, something not.
The brown fruit is called "brown sugar". Sweetish.
Unknown things.
Granny chopped up old coconuts. Not tasty.
Bought a bag of apples (at first glance). It turns out that this is the upper part of the fetus. The nut itself hangs from the bottom of this apple. Did not know.
If you just stay near the beach you like, you can meet a turtle that just got out on the shore.
Then we drove to the pineapple plantations. Dole Plantation. Here you can see the "Christmas trees" and the bright red volcanic soil, which pineapples like. The very place with plantations is included in the standard set shown to tourists by offices. There is nothing particularly interesting in the visitor center - souvenir shops and pineapple ice cream.
There are pineapple fields beyond the horizon. You can drive along the rows for a long time.
In the very visitor center there are rows with different views. Pinker, for example.
Others in shape.
Or size.
Turned into the Mormon center. Mormons, like the Bahá'ís in Israel, have everything beautiful.
Trees in the garden are more interesting to me than pineapples.
The coffee is blooming.
So the day goes by. If you don’t want to, or if you’re already tired of sitting on the beach, spend a day in sightseeing tour on the island of Oahu - a very good idea in terms of "what to do in Hawaii".
In the evening we rested at the hotel - once again we were glad that we had made the right choice. The local restaurant pleasantly pleased with the local fish, which is great. And it is completely incomprehensible why the locals complain that there are very few fish in Hawaii. Only that evening they offered to fry and steam such specimens:
They can cook from them in different ways, everyone chose the CAJUN method:
- SAUTEED - Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc Sauce
- BROILED - Citrus-Mango Sauce
- CAJUN STYLE - Blackened with Spicy Cayenne Red Pepper Seasonings
- STEAMED - Oriental Style with Ginger, Scallions, Cilantro seasoned with Soy & splash of Peanut Oil on topped of Tofu and Vegetables
PAN FRIED - Fried with Potato slices simulating fish scales on Saffron Scallop Cream Sauce - BAKED - (add - $ 5) Crusted with a mixture of Snow & Blue Crabmeat, Shiitake Mushrooms, Spinach and Bousin Cheese on a White Wine Dill Sauce
Hawaii is the most remote inhabited place on Earth after Easter Island. The archipelago is located in the central Pacific Ocean, 3850 km from California and 6195 km from Japan. Oahu is the third largest and most populated island in the Hawaiian archipelago. On the southeast coast of the island is the capital of Hawaii, Honolulu.
For Europeans, the islands were discovered by the English captain James Cook in 1778, who named them the Sandwich Islands. In the same place in Hawaii in Kealakekua Bay in 1779, Cook died at the hands (or spear) of the natives.
1. Pearl Harbor is the name of the harbor, most of which is occupied by the central base of the US Pacific Fleet.
In 1875, the United States and the Kingdom of Hawaii entered into a cooperation agreement that gave the United States Navy access to Pearl Harbor in exchange for special conditions for importing Hawaiian sugar into the United States. Later, following the results of the Spanish-American War of 1898, the United States finally captured Hawaii. After the annexation, the harbor was expanded to accommodate more ships.
2. The deck of the battleship Missouri.
The attack on Pearl Harbor prompted the United States to enter World War II. This is what they say in textbooks. On the morning of December 7, aircraft from Japanese aircraft carriers attacked airfields on the island of Oahu and ships at anchor in the harbor.
On September 2, 1945, the Japan Surrender Act was signed aboard the battleship Missouri, ending World War II.
During the Japanese strikes, 4 battleships, 2 destroyers and a minelayer were sunk. Another 4 battleships, 3 light cruisers and 1 destroyer were seriously damaged. The losses of the American aviation amounted to 188 aircraft destroyed, another 159 were seriously damaged. The Americans lost 2,403 people killed (of which more than 1,000 died on board the exploding battleship "Arizona", which is pictured) and 1,178 wounded. The Japanese lost 29 aircraft - 15 dive bombers, 5 torpedo bombers and 9 fighters. 5 midget submarines were sunk. Losses in people amounted to 55 people.
3. Self-propelled sea-based X-band surface radar system, designed for operations in the open ocean to identify enemy warheads and high-precision tracking them.
4.On August 21, 1959, Hawaii received the status of the US state, 50th in a row. In the same year, the official nickname "Aloha State" (the state of hospitality) was assigned to Hawaii.
The famous Waikiki Beach in downtown Honolulu is visited by over 70,000 people daily, representing 44% of the state's total visitors.
5. Oahu is home to about a million people, which is approximately 75% of the population of the entire state of Hawaii.
7. Eh, I would go there at night with a camera and flashlights ...
8. Training military base on the territory of the former airfield in Waimanalo. You can enlarge the photo and search for people.
Enlarge image
9. Honolulu International Airport is the most important transport hub in the North Pacific Ocean, through which the routes connecting the United States and Canada with East Asia, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.
10. Runway 4R / 22L.
11. Wheeler Air Force Base.
12. Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base.
13. Container terminal on Sand Island.
14. Tourists admire the panorama of Honolulu from observation deck on the crater of the Coco volcano.
15. And this is the famous pineapple plantations of the island. In the 1960s, Hawaii grew 80% of the pineapple sold in the world. Today, however, only 2% of all world pineapples are produced here, which is about 320,000 tons of pineapples per year.
16. Harvesting process.
17. Labyrinth at the Dole Pineapple Plantation. In 2001, it was entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest in the world.
18. Bizarre forms of coral reefs.
24. Brave surfer.
28. Lanai Observation Deck. It is said to offer excellent ocean views.
29. Ganauma Bay Nature Reserve with great beach, huge turtles, paid admission and compulsory 20-minute movie watching.
33. All Hawaiian Islands arose due to volcanic activity. This means that the islands are actually the top of huge seamounts, formed during violent volcanic eruptions. The largest of them is the Big Island, which is more than a kilometer higher than Everest. But the main part of the mountain is under water.
34. Kahana Valley State Park.
35. Tunnels on the H-3 Tetsuo Harano.
37. The island was the filming location of the famous TV series "Lost" and the movie "Jurassic Park".
43. And in conclusion, a few fun facts:
The Hawaiian alphabet consists of only 12 letters.
Hawaii is the only state whose territory is constantly expanding (due to volcanic eruptions).
Hawaii is the only state in the United States where white people are in the minority.
Life expectancy in Hawaii is the longest in the United States, at 75 for men and 80 for women.
Hawaii has the smallest number of overweight people of any state in the United States.
Hawaii is the only state where coffee is grown.
Thanks for attention!
Other reports from the USA.
