Oahu - Hawaii

North shore of Oahu

The island of Oahu (pronounced ah-wa-who) is the commercial and economic center of Hawaii. Honolulu is the largest city on the island complete with an international airport, luxury hotels, shopping, fine restaurants, and the beach at Waikiki and Hanauma Bay. Private yachts can find excellent dockage in the heart of Honolulu at the Honolulu Yacht Club.

One of the most amazing ways to appreciate Oahu is from the air. A number of local companies offer helicopter, glider and even sea plane tours around the island, giving visitors a unique experience of some breath-taking scenery.

Pipeline, North Shore of Oahu
The most famous surfing in the world is found on the north shore of Oahu (photo above) at Pipeline and Waimea Bay. Camping is allowed on the beaches of the north shore. The beach is extremely beautiful and uncrowned (except for a few brave surfers of course).

The fifty foot waves on Oahu's famous North Shore hides the shallow reef that hides beneath will, so the surfers here literally risking life and limb, but even if you choose to sit it out, it is a spectacle you won't want to miss. How a human can ride on top of waves this large (and survive) is absolutely unbelievable.

Waimea Bay, Oahu

The small and charming town of Haleiwa is the only developed part of the North Shore. There is a marina for small boats and an extraordinary Wyland Art Gallery. In fact Oahu has more museum's than any other Hawaiian island. If you fancy a change from the beach there are plenty of opportunities to discover the rich and fascinating history of the Polynesian people who have lived here for centuries. Oahu was also home to America's only monarchs, the Hawaiian royals King Kalakaua and his Queen, Kapi`olani, so stop by `Iolani Palace to learn more about them.

We also recommend you visit the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor, commemorating the lives of those who were killed by the Japanese attack on December 7th, 1941. The museum features a short documentary about the attack, and then a short boat ride out to the memorial itself.

The island of Oahu is huge and one may enjoy days of sightseeing touring the island. Many of the sites on Oahu you may recognize from the TV show Hawaii 5-0 that was filmed here.

There is an abundance of campgrounds through out the island of Oahu. Check out camping a cheap alternative to the high cost of Hawaii's hotels. The campgrounds are oceanfront, clean, and beautiful on wooded lots.. Most have bath houses, picnic tables, and outdoor cooking facilities. Or if you love the beach, just pitch your tent right on the beach at the North Shore. Aloha!

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