Oahu

Facts Oahu

• Oahu is also known as “The Gathering Place”. The name reflects the historical, cultural and social significance of the island as a center of encounters, exchange and diversity.
• The third largest island in Hawaii, but home to the majority of Hawaii’s population.
• Oahu offers a wide variety of landscapes, from breathtaking beaches such as Waikiki and the North Shore to imposing mountains such as the Koolau Mountains(Ko’olau Range) and Diamond Head volcano.
• Oahu was formed from the two volcanoesWaianae (Waiʻanae) and Koolau (Koʻolau).
• The island is characterized by a diverse cultural mix, which is reflected in its music, art, cuisine and festivals. Hawaiian, Asian, Polynesian and Western influences are clearly noticeable.
• Oahu is often used as a backdrop for film and television productions. Various Hollywood films (Jurassic Park, Godzilla, Kong, 50 First Dates, Jumanji) and TV series (Magnum, Lost, Hawaii Five-O) have been shot here.
• Well-developed transportation network with highways and public transportation. With TheBus there is a bus network around the island.
• Until the 1990s, there were extensive pineapple plantations on Oahu, especially in the center and south of the island. Large companies such as the “Dole Food Company” and the “Del Monte Corporation” owned and operated plantations for commercial pineapple production.

Travel time Oahu

The tropical climate on Oahu is generally pleasant all year round, with temperatures rarely dropping below 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). However, the main tourist season is often from December to March and from June to September.

Events Oahu

Sights & Facts

• The name “Honolulu” means “protected bay” in Hawaiian.
• With over one million inhabitants, Honolulu is the most populous city in Hawaii.
• The city is an important commercial center in the Pacific region and has a thriving business environment, particularly in the areas of tourism, trade and finance.
• The statue of Kamehameha I. , the first king of the Kingdom of Hawaii, is an important monument and landmark of the Hawaiian Islands. The statue stands in front of the Aliiolani Hale (Ali’iolani Hale) courthouse in downtown Honolulu.
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (IATA code: HNL), formerly “Honolulu International Airport”, is the largest and busiest airport in Hawaii. It was renamed in 2017 in honor of the long-serving US senator and has three main terminals.
• The Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States and was the residence of the monarchs of Hawaii. Today it is a national historical landmark and museum.
• The main goal of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum , often referred to simply as the “Bishop Museum”, is to preserve, research and communicate the history, culture and natural history of Hawaii and the Pacific Ocean.
• Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America, was born in Honolulu and spent part of his childhood on Oahu.

Waikiki Beach (Waikīkī Beach) is located south of Honolulu and stretches about 3.2 kilometers along the coast of Waikiki (Waikīkī). It is known for its gentle waves and golden sand.

Sights & Facts

• The word “Waikiki” means “bubbling water” in Hawaiian and refers to the springs and streams that used to flow through the area.
• Waikiki Beach is probably the most famous beach in the world and attracts many visitors every year.
• Waikiki is considered the birthplace of modern surfing. As it offers ideal conditions for beginners and advanced surfers, the first surfing competitions were also held here.
• Duke Paoa Kahanamoku was an important figure in the history of surfing and made this sport famous worldwide. His statue on Waikiki Beach is a symbol of his outstanding achievements and contribution to water sports.
• Waikiki was once the retreat of the Hawaiian royal family and later became a popular seaside resort for travelers from all over the world.
• Waikiki Beach is surrounded by a variety of hotels, resorts, stores, restaurants and entertainment venues, making it a lively and popular tourist area.

Ala Moana Regional Park is located on the southwest coast of Honolulu near Waikiki Beach and is a popular and relaxing beach and park area.

Sights & Facts

• The park covers around 100 hectares and offers numerous facilities such as a crescent-shaped sandy beach, well-tended green spaces, picnic areas, barbecue areas, playgrounds, showers and toilets.
• Ala Moana Beach is a popular spot for water sports activities such as swimming, stand-up paddling, canoeing and occasional surfing.
• The sheltered location of the beach ensures calm waters and a shallow area, making it ideal for families and swimmers of all abilities.
• Ala Moana is popular with locals and tourists alike. Cultural events, festivals, concerts and firework displays take place here all year round.
• The Ala Mona Center is an open-air shopping center and is located nearby.

Diamond Head, also known as Lē’ahi, is a prominent, extinct volcanic crater that offers spectacular views of Honolulu and the surrounding Oahu landscape.

Sights & Facts

• The name “Diamond Head” comes from early British sailors who believed they had discovered diamonds in the lava rock, but this later turned out to be a misjudgement.
• Lēʻahi means “peak” or “spiky head” in Hawaiian and refers to the volcano’s characteristic peak or bulge, which looks like a rounded protrusion.
• Diamond Head is a state monument and is visited by many visitors who make the 175-step hike to the summit.
• The height of Diamond Head is around 232 meters (760 feet) above sea level.
• Diamond Head is home to underground tunnels and shooting ranges that bear witness to the military use of the volcano in the past. Today, parts of these structures are open to visitors.

Pearl Harbor is a bay on Oahu, known for its historical significance as the site of the attack by Japanese forces on the US Pacific Fleet on December 7, 1941.

Sights & Facts

• The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on the morning of December 7, 1941 resulted in 2,403 dead and 1,178 wounded.
• A total of 21 ships of the American Pacific Fleet were damaged or destroyed. Of these, 8 were battleships that were in the harbor of Pearl Harbor:
• USS Arizona (BB-39): The battleship USS Arizona was hit hard and sank quickly. The wreck still lies in Pearl Harbor today and forms the USS Arizona Memorial .
• USS Oklahoma (BB-37): The USS Oklahoma was hit several times, capsized and was later raised. It was eventually scrapped.
• USS California (BB-44): The USS California was also badly hit and partially sank. It was later repaired and put back into service.
• USS West Virginia (BB-48): The USS West Virginia was badly damaged and sank in the shallow waters of the harbor. It was later restored.
• The attack on Pearl Harbor marked a significant turning point. As a result, the United States of America entered the Second World War.
• The Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center provides information about the attack and Pearl Harbor’s role in World War II. It houses exhibitions, artifacts, films and information to help visitors understand the history of the attack and the events that followed.
• In addition to the USS Arizona Memorial, visitors can also view other ships, such as the Battleship Missouri Memorial (BB-63) , on which the surrender of Japan was signed during the Second World War.
• The USS Bowfin (SS-287) is a Balao-class submarine that was deployed in the Pacific during the Second World War. It was nicknamed the “Pearl Harbor Avenger” because it was commissioned exactly one year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The USS Bowfin conducted nine successful patrols during which it sank numerous enemy ships.
• The USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is the home port of the USS Bowfin and serves as a museum that teaches visitors about the history of the submarine and the role of submarines in World War II.
• The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is a museum dedicated to the history of aviation in connection with the events of Pearl Harbor.

The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum houses an extensive collection of aircraft, exhibits and artifacts that illustrate the history of aviation in Hawaii and its role in the attack on Pearl Harbor and World War II.

Sights & Facts

• The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is located in two hangars that survived the attack on Pearl Harbor on Ford Island near the USS Arizona Memorial and was formerly called the “Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor”.
• It showcases an extensive collection of approximately 50 aircraft, exhibits and artifacts that illustrate the history of aviation in Hawaii and its role during the attack on Pearl Harbor and World War II.
• Visitors can experience historic aircraft, interactive exhibits and restoration workshops and learn more about the role of aviation in the history of Pearl Harbor.

Amelia Earhart was the first female pilot to fly solo across the Pacific Ocean from Honolulu to the mainland of the United States in Oakland, California on January 2, 1935. The Amelia Earheart’s Marker on Diamond Head Road commemorates this event and also offers a good view of the south coast of Oahu.

Sights & Facts

• Amelia Earhart achieved international fame as the first woman to cross the Atlantic as a passenger on a 20-hour non-stop flight on June 17 and 18, 1928.
• Five years after Charles Lindbergh, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic on May 20, 1932.
• While attempting to fly around the earth along the equator, Earheart and her navigator disappeared on July 2, 1937, while trying to reach Howland Island in the Pacific.

Hanauma Bay is a picturesque, protected bay on the southeast coast of Oahu, known for its diversity of marine life and opportunities for snorkeling and diving.

Sights & Facts

• The bay is a nature and marine reserve known for its great biodiversity and coral reefs.
• To protect the fragile ecosystem, measures such as visitor restrictions, environmental education programs and the promotion of environmentally friendly behavior have been implemented.
• Hanauma Bay was once a crater that was created by a volcanic eruption and became a bay when the ocean penetrated it. Centuries ago, the bay was a popular fishing and relaxation spot for the Hawaiian population.

Lanai Lookout (Lānaʻi Lookout) is a scenic viewpoint on the windy southeast coast of Oahu, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the spectacular rock formations along the coast.

Sights & Facts

• On a clear day, you can see the island of Lanai in the distance, after which this viewing platform was named.
• The viewpoint is often windy and can offer a refreshing but strong sea breeze. This wind is characteristic of the region and can contribute to a pleasant cooling effect.
• Lanai Lookout is easily accessible by car and there are parking lots along Kamehameha Highway where visitors can stop and enjoy the view.

The Halona Blowhole Lookout is a well-known viewpoint on Kamehameha Highway on the southeast coast of Oahu. It offers a panoramic view of the ocean and the surrounding coastline as well as of the blowhole when it is active.

Sights & Facts

• The blowhole is a natural geological formation in which seawater is forced through an underground tunnel and an opening in the lava rock. When there are waves, the water shoots through the opening and creates a fountain-like ejection.
• The viewpoint is accessible by car and has parking along the Kamehameha Highway. From there, a short footpath leads to the viewpoint.
• Visitors should take safety precautions as the sea and the blowhole itself can be dangerous. Visitors should observe warning signs and follow instructions, especially in heavy seas or high waves.

Makapuu Lookout (Makapu’u Lookout) is a lookout on the southeastern coast of Oahu and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the ocean, the coast of Oahu and the surrounding area.

Sights & Facts

• On clear days you can see as far as the island of Molokai on the other side.
• Makapuu Lookout is also a popular spot for whale watching during whale season (December to April), when humpback whales surface in the waters around Hawaii.
• The Makapuu Lighthouse (Makapu’u Lighthouse) , one of Hawaii’s most famous lighthouses, is located near the viewpoint. It is a historical landmark and also offers a beautiful view.
• There is a hiking trail, the Makapuu Point Lighthouse Trail (Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail) , which starts near the lookout and leads to a higher point from where you can see the lighthouse.

Sights & Facts

• Waimanalo Beach is known for its natural beauty, expansive sandy beach and relaxed atmosphere, offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy the authentic and unspoiled coastal landscape of Oahu.
• Compared to the busier beaches near Honolulu, Waimanalo Beach is often quieter and less crowded. It is known for its relaxed atmosphere and authentic Hawaiian ambience.
• The beach is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, picnicking, bodyboarding and walking. The wide sandy beaches offer plenty of space to relax and enjoy.
• Waimanalo Beach is also very popular with the locals and a place where many families and locals like to spend their weekends.
• Parts of the beach are located near the Bellows Air Force Station and the Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area, which are designated recreation and conservation areas.

Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach are located next to each other on the Windward Coast of Oahu and are among the most beautiful beaches. Clear water, fine sand and a wide range of activities make it a popular destination for visitors and locals alike.

Sights & Facts

• Kailua Beach is a long, wide sandy beach, while Lanikai Beach is known for its fine, white sand and clear, turquoise waters.
• The beaches offer numerous activities such as swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddling. The shallow water is also ideal for snorkeling.
• The Mokulua Islands (Nā Mokulua) are two small islands near Lanikai Beach and a popular destination for kayakers and stand-up paddlers. They are also known as the Twin Islands.
• The view of the Koolau Mountains (Ko’olau Range) in the background gives these beaches a picturesque backdrop and adds to the natural beauty of the surroundings.
• Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach are popular with locals and tourists alike, but can get very crowded at weekends and on public holidays.

The Lanikai Pillbox Trail or Hike, also known as Kaiwa Ridge Trail (Ka’iwa Ridge Trail) is a popular hiking trail near Lanikai on the island of Oahu.

Sights & Facts

• The Lanikai Pillbox Trail begins in the residential area of Lanikai and leads up to Kaiwa Ridge (Ka’iwa Ridge), from where you have a breathtaking view of Lanikai Beach, Kailua Beach and the Mokulua Islands (Nā Mokulua) .
• The “pillboxes” are concrete bunkers from the Second World War that stand along the trail on the crest of the Kaiwa Ridge. They served as observation posts.
• The pillboxes also serve as lookout points, rewarding hikers with spectacular views of the Lanikai coastline, Kailua Beach, and the turquoise waters of the Pacific.
• The trail starts in a residential area where parking can be limited. The hike itself usually takes about an hour there and back.
• The ascent is very popular with hikers and photographers, which can lead to an increased number of visitors at weekends and peak times.

Sights & Facts

• The North Shore stretches along the north shore of Oahu and includes several towns and communities such as Haleiwa (Haleʻiwa) , Sunset Beach , Waimea Bay and Ehukai Beach .
• It is a mecca for surfers from all over the world. In the winter months from October to March, some of the biggest and strongest waves in the world can be found here, attracting surfers from all over the world.
• The North Shore is home to prestigious surfing competitions such as the Triple Crown of Surfing, including the Billabong Pro Pipeline (Banzai Pipeline at Ehukai Beach), the Hurley Pro Sunset Beach (Sunset Beach) and the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational (Waimea Bay).
• In addition to the famous surf spots, the North Shore is also home to beautiful beaches such as Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay and Ehukai Beach. These beaches are not only ideal for surfers, but also for sun worshippers, snorkelers and families.
• Away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu, the North Shore offers a relaxed atmosphere with small stores, local restaurants and a unique charm.