Welcome to diverse Oahu Hawaii

Welcome to Oahu, the third largest island in Hawaii and home to Honolulu, the vibrant capital city. Beyond the beautiful beaches, interesting Oahu attractions await you, such as the Pearl Harbor monument and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Get to know the island’s entertainment options, good restaurants, transportation options and more.

The island of Oahu is the center of Hawaii, and the third largest island in the Hawaiian Islands – close to 600 square miles of beautiful beaches, dormant volcanoes and rich green vegetation. The highest peak on the island is Mount Ka`ala, which rises to 1220 meters above sea level. The island has a population of around 1 million people, who earn their living mainly from the tourism industry. The island was named “The Gathering Place” due to its high population.

Oahu is also known for its brutal Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which led to the entry of the United States into World War II in 1941. The attack claimed the lives of about 2,400 soldiers and destroyed American warships, among them the USS Arizona Memorial, Which was one of the ships that were sunk and damaged in a particularly difficult way.

The perfect visit to Oahu combines a mix of the lively city life of Honolulu with a visit to the quieter areas of the north, away from the noise and bustle of the big city. There you will find isolated beaches and colorful little towns that will make your vacation unique.

Some of Oahu’s Major Attractions:

Honolulu VibesPhoto Ronen Zilberman

Hawaiian Waters Water Park (aka Wet ‘n’ Wild): If you are into water slides, wave pools, etc. – this is the place for you. In the park you will find 14 entertaining water installations, some hair-raising and some more suitable for children and the whole family.
Address: Farrington Hwy Kapolei
Opening hours: 10:30 to 16:00.
Website: www.hawaiianwaters.com

Kailua Beach: One of the most beautiful and pleasant beaches on the island, with white sand and plenty of surfing, swimming and diving options. This beach is more accessible for inexperienced swimmers than the beaches next door in Waimanalo located near Bellows Air Force Base, and what’s more special are the small flat islands near the shoreline.

Waikiki Beach: The name Waikiki means “breaking waters.” This beach is one of the most popular on the island, so this is not the place to be alone. It stretches along Kalakaua Avenue, and daily crowds of tourists arrive from nearby hotels and resorts. It is recommended to go sailing on a catamaran, try surf or SUP lessons, or enjoy a walk on the beach, especially at sunset.

Tourists prepare to take a catamaran cruise on the beach in Waikiki, with Diamond Head in the background. Photo/Ronen Zilberman

Polynesian Cultural Center: This is the most successful attraction in Hawaii, allowing you to get to know the rich Polynesian culture. Authentic “villages” have been established there, similar to those in Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga, where various exhibitions are staged with works by local artists, engaging activities, and an awesome luau and hula show in the evenings that feature fire dancing.

Address: 55-370 Kamehameha Highway
Opening hours: Every day except Sunday, between 11:00 and 18:00.
Website: www.polynesia.com

Makapu`u Beach: This is the easternmost beach on the island, just below Makapuu Point. Here you will find more peace and tranquility than beaches like Waikiki, as well as beautiful views of Rabbit Island, just across the waterline. The waves here are a bit dangerous at certain times of the year, so please be very careful!

Transportation

If you plan to travel on the North Coast, and/or if your hotel is outside Honolulu or Waikiki Central, it is highly recommended to rent a car. Car hire stands are located at the airport, and in several other locations around the island (especially in Honolulu).

Another option is to take advantage of the local bus services, which reaches most of the tourist areas on Oahu. It is important to get on the bus with an exact amount of money for the ticket price ($5.50 for all day pass). If you wish, you can also purchase a special bus pass for 4 days. On the bus company website, you will find a great deal of information on the various lines and timetables.

Uber is active on Oahu with loads of drivers all across the island.

Nightlife:

If you’re looking for nightlife on your vacation, Oahu is the best! Waikiki is the beating heart of the nightlife scene, especially the Kalalaua and Kuhio areas, which are two boulevards laden with restaurants, bars, and clubs. Among the recommended places to drink are Mai Tai Bar, Tiki’s Grill and Bar, and popular place in the gay community (but not only them) is the Hula`s Bar & Lei Stand, located on the second floor of the Waikiki Grand. Restaurants

Downtown Honolulu has a bustling night scene sporting flavors very different from the Waikiki crowd. This is the old part of town and features turn of the century architecture and historic Chinatown.  Venues are smaller and funky in this neighborhood but there are many gems to discover if you like to get off the beaten path a bit and check a more local scene. Ong King, Hanks Cafe, The Dragon Upstairs, and the Downbeat Club all feature live music performances on a regular basis. If you love a good Irish pub, try O`Toole`s Irish Pub in the downtown area and you will not be disappointed. If you’re a jazz lover a trip to Jazz Minds on Kapiolani Blvd. is a must. They feature live music every night and a fantastic sushi bar.

Food – Scratching the Surface:

The island of Oahu is a feast for food lovers and offers a fair selection of restaurants for every taste and budget. The predominant cuisine is Pacific Rim, but you will also find Mediterranean and Asian food here. With such a large population it’s impossible to list all the great places so this is really just a short list that barely scratches the surface. You can find more restaurant recommendations by visiting our food section

Chef Mavro– a chic and fashionable restaurant belonging to the leading chef in Hawaii, George Brew. A great place to sample typical Hawaiian dishes with a modern wink. The menu varies from one to three months.

Address: South King St. 1969
Phone for reservations: 8089444714
Website: www.chefmavro.com

Ola – a wonderful restaurant located in the “Turtle Bay” resort, right in front of the water line and under the sea of stars. There is no doubt that the location is winning, and the food is also varied and delicious, especially the seafood and the various fish.

Address: Kamehameha Hwy 57-091
Phone for reservations: 8082930801
Website: www.turtlebayresort.com/Dining/Dining.asp#ola
Shopping

Shopaholics Paradise:

There are so many shopping malls on the island that you can get confused and forget that we are actually on a tropical island. Here are some of them:

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center – one of the largest malls in Oahu, located right in the center of Waikiki, with 110 shops and restaurants. A huge place for all shopping enthusiasts.
Ala Moana Shopping Center – Find your big brand names here.
Waikiki Shopping Plaza – Five floors of fashion stores, jewelry, footwear, souvenirs and more. The emphasis here is on specialty stores and brands.
Pearlridge Center – This has been a real “shopping monster”. In fact, these are two connected shopping centers, but different in nature. One more stylistic and prestigious, with a large Macy`s dog, and the other – more popular – with his dog Sears. You can reach from one mall to another via the Monorail.

by Honolulu Vibes