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Hawaii's Island of O'ahu
Hawai'i has often been called one of the world's favorite vacation spots. There is no doubt that this is one of those rare places on Earth that truly offers something for everyone. Depending on your interest you can enjoy exciting nightlife or complete isolation, warm tropical relaxing beaches or high altitude volcanic mountains with incredibly exciting hiking terrain, ultra plus expensive hotels or very inexpensive laid back lodging, one step above a grass shack, and almost every type of sport imaginable, including skiing!
To experience the culture and beauty of Hawai'i doesn't mean you have to spend large sums of money on accommodations, but you certainly can, if that is your choice. And that is one of the reasons why Hawai'i is such a great vacation destination. There are all kinds of choices.
Once a traveler has decided to visit Hawai'i the very first question he or she asks is "What island(s) should I visit?" and the second question is "How long should I stay there?" The answers to both these questions depend on your personal tastes and interests. There are no wrong choices in Hawai'i; some islands are better suited to your preferences than others. All are wonderful.
There are four major tourist islands in Hawai'i - O'ahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hawai'i, often called the Big Island. In addition are several other less visited islands: Molokai and Lanai, whose tourism levels are increasing annually, and Niihau and Kahoolawe, both essentially inaccessible. Keep in mind, by law, all beaches in Hawai'i are public. So you need not feel like a poor cousin if you stay in a "3 star" hotel and visit the beach at a nearby "5 star" hotel. You won't have access to all their deluxe facilties but at least part of the beach will be set aside for public use. As a single parent, O'ahu in all its diversity and beauty, is my family's favorite island.
O'ahu, The Gathering Place
This beautiful island is populated by nearly one million people, the vast majority of which live in and around the capital city of Honolulu. There was a time where visitors vacationed only on O'ahu and some never left the beautiful area of Waikiki, the resort section of Honolulu. Today that is no longer true.
Many visitors bypass O'ahu entirely, heading straight for one or more of the outer islands so they can experience the "real" Hawai'i. Well the "real" Hawai'i can be experienced on O'ahu as well. If you are looking for lots of nightlife and are interested in museums and history, this island offers the best selection for those activities, along with beautiful secluded beaches and hikes on the outskirts of Honolulu.
There are so many varied things to do on the island it would be impossible to see it all in a week. If you are spending a few days in Honolulu, we recommend renting a car for at least a day or two to explore the areas outside of the capital city.
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