Honolulu and Oʻahu Island – The Wow of Hawaii
Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, is the largest city of the stunning Pacific archipelago. The city is the cultural, financial, and especially the tourist center of Hawaii. Greater Honolulu dominates the southern part of Oahu Island, the third largest among the archipelago's islands. The Waikiki district is the main resort area on the island, featuring luxurious beachfront hotels and resorts. In the northern part of the city, you'll find the military base at Pearl Harbor, the most important historical site across all the islands. A short drive from Honolulu leads to breathtaking natural areas such as the tuff craters of Diamond Head and Koko Head, spectacular botanical gardens, the significant Polynesian Cultural Center, and nature trails in tropical forests along streams and waterfalls.
How many days are needed for a trip to Honolulu on the island of Oahu?
It is worth dedicating at least two to three days for a trip to Oahu Island and Honolulu, not including time spent lounging on the beach.
When visiting Honolulu, you must find a place to stay, ideally as close to Waikiki Beach as possible
Click here to find a place at the fabulous Waikiki Beach hotels and resorts in Honolulu…
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12 Must-See and Do Activities in Honolulu, Oahu Island
- Amazing getaway in Waikiki
- American history at Pearl Harbor
- The history of Hawaii at Iolani Palace
- Hike at the Diamond Head State Monument crater
- The loop trail above the cliffs of Koko Head Crater
- Tropical forests on the Manoa Falls Trail and cataloged tropical nature at Lyon Arboretum
- Ocean views along the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
- Lanikai Beach and Kailua Beach
- Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden
- The spirit of Hawaii at the Polynesian Cultural Center (all about hula and flower leis)
- The stunning beach and waterfalls of Waimea Valley
- Polynesian culture at the Bishop Museum
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What is the island of Oahu in Honolulu??
Honolulu is the capital of The Aloha State and its largest city. Approximately 400,000 people live in Honolulu, and the greater metropolitan area is home to about a million residents.
- The Honolulu metropolitan area spans the entire southern part of the island of Oahu, the third largest island in the archipelago and the only one densely populated
- The island is about 1500 square kilometers, roughly one-tenth the size of the Big Island of Hawaii
- Honolulu stretches along the southern coast of the island near the natural harbor Pearl Harbor. This protected bay was the base of the US Pacific Fleet and the site of the surprise Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, which led to the United States joining World War II.
Click here for a guided tour to 16 locations around the island, including snorkeling…
Honolulu was declared the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1845. In 1898, the islands became an American territory and were eventually declared the 50th state in 1959.
- The city rapidly developed under the United States, absorbing a significant American immigrant population, initially as missionaries and later as part of the sunshine migration.
- The Waikiki district became the city's vacation hub, with large hotels and resorts built along the coast.
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Map of Honolulu and the island of Oʻahu
How to get to Honolulu and the island of Oʻahu?
How to reach Honolulu and the island of Oʻahu by flight?
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu – The main airport of the state of Hawaii is located near the island's capital, Honolulu, on the west side of the center. It serves as the primary gateway to the islands and is one of the busiest airports in the entire USA. The airport is the hub of Hawaiian Airlines, which connects to all the major airports around the Pacific Islands and the surrounding coasts of Asia, Oceania, and America.
This is one of the main airports in the Pacific Islands and has trans-Pacific flights from all over the Far East, including Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The airport is also well connected with the major airports on the Pacific coast, especially with flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, and Vancouver, Canada, on super popular vacation routes.
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Everything you need to know about accommodations and hotels in Honolulu and Oahu island
Accommodation on Oahu island is mostly concentrated in the big city and capital, Honolulu, primarily in the hotels of the Waikiki district. The city offers a wide range of lodging options, from high-end resorts to basic hotels or motels that mainly provide easy access to the stunning shoreline.
For a traditional Luau on the resort beach of Paradise Cove, click here…
- Right on Waikiki Beach, you'll find excellent hotels and resorts from major international chains, rated five and four stars
- Staying in Waikiki isn't cheap, but prices drop as you move away from the beach
- There are accommodations with a more urban vibe towards downtown Honolulu
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Across the island, there are many stunning beaches within a half-hour to hour's drive from Honolulu. There are almost no hotels on the eastern coastline of the island to preserve some coastal towns from tourist development. On the island, there are two other developed vacation areas:
- Olina Beach – Just a half-hour drive from Honolulu International Airport, within the city of Kapolei, you'll find the Olina Beach resorts. The beach hotels are built along three small artificial lagoons. It's a dreamy and amazing holiday area, perfect for families but definitely not cheap.
- Turtle Bay – Just over an hour's drive from Honolulu, on the northern tip of the island, is the stunning Turtle Bay. Alongside the bay is the huge and famous resort named after the bay, with a luxurious villa hotel nearby.
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Map – Where to Stay in Honolulu and on Oahu Island
How to Plan a Trip Itinerary in Honolulu and on Oahu Island?
The city of Honolulu is a large city, but without a huge and attractive center—rather, it's a big resort city with a downtown area that's indeed beautiful but not the main focus of a trip to the island of Oahu. Waikiki Beach is an area for leisure and relaxation with massive hotels. If you're touring the city and island (without beach lounging), it's worth dedicating a few hours to the district.
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- The tour in Honolulu includes several stops in the city center, such as the charming Aloha Tower and a taste of the downtown and harbor area.
- The Iolani Palace and the nearby Capitol building are the government center on the island and the main ‘urban' attraction in all of the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the large Bishop Museum. Waikiki Beach is also a lovely area with plenty of restaurant, shopping, and stunning beach options. On the outskirts of Honolulu, there are several must-see sites such as the Diamond Head Crater to the south, Kapiolani Park and Zoo, and of course, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial site.
- A short hop from Honolulu up the ridge is the Lyon Arboretum, a university botanical garden, and nearby is the trail to Manoa Falls, one of the island's most spectacular tropical natural sites.
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Travel Itinerary on the island of Oahu
The trip outside Honolulu covers all edges of the island, all within an hour's drive from the capital. You can plan a circular trip around the island that includes all the attractions in its area, or take day trips from Honolulu.
- The south of the island features breathtaking views of dormant volcanic activity and intoxicating ocean scenery. The itinerary in the southern part includes the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail, Koko Head Crater, and Hanauma Bay Beach, all just a short drive from Honolulu.
- The itinerary on the eastern coast of the island includes the beaches of Kailua town and Lanikai Beach, with a hop to the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden up the mountain.
- The itinerary in the northern part of the island includes the Polynesian Cultural Center in the small town of Laie. For stunning and accessible nature, it's worth exploring Waimea Valley, both on the magnificent beach at the river mouth and on the trail up the gorge to the falls and cascades.
Honolulu
Downtown Honolulu is almost an American downtown with a unique Hawaiian vibe. The downtown area includes the Arts District and the Hawaiʻi Pacific University campus, as well as the island's government center – the Capitol Building and the nearby Iolani Palace.
For the Luau ceremony at Aloha Tower in Downtown Honolulu, click here…
The city center overlooks the large Honolulu port. It has tall buildings, streets lined with shops and restaurants, but it is mainly a photogenic financial hub that doesn't require too much time to explore. At the city's port, you'll find the Aloha Tower, a vintage skyscraper from 1926 that's become a local favorite.
Iolani Palace
Iolani Palace was the residence of the Hawaiian kings during the Kingdom of Hawaii period. The palace is located in the heart of Honolulu, near the Hawaii State Capitol, the island's current seat of government. The palace was built in 1879 and served as the seat of government in Hawaii (both as a royal palace and as the capitol building) until 1969. In 1978, the palace was opened to the public as a national museum. The museum features exhibits exploring the history of Hawaii and the restoration of the royal quarters.
Address: 364 S King St., Honolulu
For the current operating hours of the museum, click here…
Waikiki Beach
The true heart of Honolulu is the Waikiki district southeast of downtown. Waikiki is one of the most important and central resort areas in the Hawaiian Islands, combining a lively urban atmosphere, large resort hotels, and of course, a particularly wide sandy beach filled with vacationers and bathers. The district has dozens of large beachfront resort hotels and is packed with tourists almost all year round.
Waikiki is full of open-air malls, entertainment venues, shops, and all the fun of Hawaii's beach and resort areas. The heart of the district is the wide Kalakaua Avenue that runs along the beach. The district stretches east from the Ala Wai Boat Harbor marina, near the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon (or Hilton Lagoon), a sandy and seawater bathing area of the large resort hotels nearby, naturally from the Hilton chain.
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A nearly hundred-meter stretch of sand separates the lagoon from Kahanamoku Beach, the thickest and northernmost of the beaches collectively known as Waikiki Beach. To its east is Fort DeRussy Beach. On the western side of the marina are more refined beaches of Magic Island and the charming Ala Moana Beach.
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Kapiolani Park
Kapiolani Park stretches south of Waikiki Bay Beach and is considered one of the top attractions in the Honolulu tourist area. The park features attractions such as the Honolulu Zoo, the aquarium, and the famous acoustic shell – the Waikiki Shell named after Tom Moffatt, a venue for open-air concerts and performances. The park is located between Honolulu and the stunning volcanic crater, Diamond Head, to the south.
Diamond Head State Monument
Diamond Head is one of Oahu's most rare geological wonders. It's a very old, dormant volcanic tuff cone with an unusually wide caldera (crater). The cone stands about 230 meters above the city and is visible from all over Honolulu. The caldera and cliffs of the cone were used for military purposes from the early 20th century as a defensive battery for Honolulu and Pearl Harbor.
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The military base was converted to a National Guard base, but the entire caldera and cliffs have become a popular destination for nature hikes, an important part of tourist routes from nearby Waikiki. Access to the caldera is through the Diamond Head Tunnel from the east. From the caldera, charming hiking trails lead to the edge of the cliffs offering stunning views of Honolulu.
Bishop Museum
Bishop Museum is one of the most important national institutions in the state of Hawaii (apart from, of course, the American nation). It was built by Charles Reed Bishop in honor of his wife, who was from the Hawaiian royal family, in the Kalihi – Palama district, north of downtown Honolulu. The grand mansion was completed in 1889 and has since housed a large collection dedicated to Polynesian culture. It is the largest museum in Hawaii and includes archives and research institutions, as well as a historical and artistic collection of the islanders.
Address: Bernice St. 1525, Honolulu
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Pearl Harbor
The U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor is probably the most important historical site in Hawaii and all the Pacific Islands. On December 7, 1941 (the day of the first transport to the Chelmno extermination camp, officially beginning the gas extermination of Jews in Europe), the Japanese launched a surprise attack on the base, killing about 2,500 soldiers and sinking 12 warships with almost 200 planes on them. This event led to the U.S. declaration of war on Japan and the Axis powers, actively joining World War II.
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Today, Pearl Harbor is designated as a National Historic Landmark and is managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Access to the site is via the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, located north of the still-active U.S. naval base. Here, you'll also find the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum. You can also visit Ford Island, much of which is part of the military base. The island is home to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the main attraction – the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
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The Missouri fought in all the major battles of World War II, at Midway and Iwo Jima. It also served the navy during the Korean War. Its main significance is as the location where the Japanese signed the surrender on September 2, 1945, officially ending World War II. Nowadays, you can board the ship, which has plenty of exhibits related to Pearl Harbor and its historic role.
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Everything to See and Do on the Island of Oʻahu
Lyon Arboretum
The large botanical garden of the University of Hawaii is situated uphill, just a fifteen-minute drive north from downtown Honolulu, near Manoa Falls. This is the most ideal spot on the island to experience the tropical nature without the drawbacks of the dense vegetation and bugs. The garden opened in 1918 as a conservation area for Hawaii's native plant species, some of which are endemic to the islands. It's worth visiting the gardens as part of a trip to the falls.
Address: Manoa Rd. 3860, Honolulu
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Manoa Falls
The Manoa Falls Trail starts from the entrance of Lyon Arboretum heading north towards the falls. It is a trail that stretches one and a half kilometers through a massive and breathtaking tropical thicket. The trail leads to a series of cascades and a 45-meter-high waterfall, which is one of the most breathtaking attractions on the island. The waterfall is one of the most popular attractions on the island, and the pool at its base is a coveted swimming spot (highly discouraged due to the presence of bacteria in the water).
Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail
The Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail is one of the most convenient and breathtaking hiking trails on the entire island of Oahu. The trail starts from Highway 72, just south of the Sea Life Park Hawaii on Makapu'u Beach. The trail is about three kilometers round trip and runs right along the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. Throughout the trail, there are birdwatching spots, and it's a popular spot for whale watching during the winter months. The trail leads to the island's historic lighthouse, built in 1909.
Koko Head Crater and Hanauma Bay
The Koko Head Crater is a large volcanic cone very similar to Diamond Head near Waikiki in Honolulu. The cone is made up of tuff rock and originated from an ancient volcano that erupted here hundreds of thousands of years ago. The crater is located in the Hawaii Kai area and is also a favorite hiking destination. The cone is almost 400 meters high. It features a hiking trail that spirals around the caldera's cliffs, almost three kilometers long.
This is a breathtaking trail, but you have to climb 1000 steps to reach the edge of the cliff.
The Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve is located at the southern tip of the island, just south of the Koko Head Crater. It is a twenty-minute drive from downtown Honolulu, close to the center of Hawaii Kai. The reserve includes a charming sheltered beach with a variety of activities for the whole family such as snorkeling or swimming in the sea. In the reserve, you can see the island's coastal nature, including sea turtles, fish, and stunning tropical vegetation. On the beach, there is a small reef where you can see corals and fish. You can enter the water via the sandy drift (it is not advisable to step on the reef), which makes this beach particularly shallow.
Kailua
The town of Kailua lies on the southeastern coast of O'ahu Island and mainly boasts some of the most beautiful and high-quality beaches on the small island. It is purely a residential city, with forty thousand residents just a twenty-minute drive from downtown Honolulu through the mountain range that separates the cities. Although the town lacks hotels or resorts, the beaches are simply stunning. Kailua Beach stretches along the city's eastern homes, spanning two kilometers to Kailua Bay Beach. This bay is very popular with surfers due to the wind conditions.
South of the town stretches the stunning Lanikai Beach. This beach is also popular for surfing but is much gentler than the beach to its north. From the beach, you can see the two beautiful Na Mokulua islets. Moku Nui, the northern islet, is a popular destination for surfers and tourists who paddle out in canoes from the beach. The islet has a small paradise beach.
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden
The large botanical garden is located on the outskirts of Kaneohe city on the eastern coast of the island, slightly north of Kailua. The garden opened in 1982 next to Waokele Pond, a large tropical pond that drains the waters from the ridges above the gardens. The gardens are a stunning place for a stroll among cataloged plants from the tropical regions across the Pacific Ocean. The scenery of the pond, the wildlife, and the cliffs of the ridge above are simply breathtaking. Within the gardens, there are areas for picnicking and camping, and a large visitor center where the gardens' parking is located.
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center is located in the small town of Laie on the northern tip of the island. The center is a reconstruction of eight Polynesian villages from the oceanic islands, including typical villages from the islands of Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, New Zealand, and, of course, Hawaii.
The center brings the native culture of Hawaii and the ocean islands in a very American essence. It's the place to meet and learn about the Polynesian culture of Hawaii, with performances, dances, and everything considered authentic for tourists. It's a very popular spot to visit, about an hour's drive from Honolulu.
Click here for the latest operating hours of the cultural center…
Waimea Valley
Waimea Valley is located on the north of the island of Oahu, about a 45-minute drive from Honolulu. On the way to the valley, you'll find the Dole Plantation, a pineapple growing plantation that has become one of Hawaii's most popular tourist attractions today. The valley of the Waimea River is located just south of the town of Pupukea and is one of the most beautiful and popular natural destinations on the island. The river valley includes a hiking trail along the river that climbs from the Waimea Botanical Garden to the Waimea Falls upstream in the canyon.
For a guided tour of the North Shore of Oahu Island and a visit to Waimea Valley sites, click here…
The garden is accessible by car from the Waimea Bay Beach paradise. The beach is the river's estuary, a sandy shore where its northern part is a fresh water outlet. This is one of the most photogenic beaches in the entire archipelago. The length of the trail climbing to the waterfalls is about five kilometers of walking along the river on a well-kept path through a dense tropical forest.
