| The first in our four-part series of Hawaii vacations | | | | From surfing or snorkeling lessons to helicopter tours |
| takes us to the island of Oahu, "the Gathering Place". In | | | | and dinner cruises, you can find it here. |
| subsequent articles, we'll explore the islands of Maui, | | | | You can discover the underwater world on a |
| Kauai, and the Big Island. | | | | submarine tour. "Atlantis Submarines" will take you |
| Oahu is Hawaii's third-largest island and its most | | | | directly to the island's plentiful sea life, from exotic |
| developed. Honolulu is the "hub" of all the islands | | | | fishes to coral and turtles, all circling around you as you |
| combined, providing many activities and | | | | descend to the floor of the ocean. |
| accommodations, along with a feeling of escape and | | | | Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial remain |
| pure relaxation in year-round balmy weather. | | | | one of the most visited sights on the islands. Be sure |
| Nearly three-quarters of Hawaii's approximate 1.2 | | | | to include it in your Oahu itinerary. The visitor center for |
| million reside on Oahu and about 400,000 live in | | | | the memorial is located six miles west of Honolulu. |
| Honolulu. | | | | For the hardier, more adventurous traveler, the hiking |
| Oahu is a good place to start your Hawaiian vacation. | | | | possibilities are wide open. You can either set out on |
| More flights arrive in Honolulu from the U.S. mainland | | | | your own (some very intricate but well-traveled hiking |
| and elsewhere than at any other airport on the | | | | trails are reachable by bus) or book a tour with one of |
| Hawaiian Islands. | | | | the island's hiking companies. |
| It is also the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit. The only | | | | You can literally go from viewing ancient Hawaiian |
| one of the islands that has inexpensive island-wide bus | | | | temples to 21st-Century high-rises, then move from the |
| service, it is possible to experience the island without | | | | "Town" to the "Country," just 45 minutes away. |
| having to rent a car. | | | | No Oahu trip would be complete without a visit to the |
| Oahu boasts mountains rising from the coast to 2,000 | | | | North Shore, the world's surfing capital. This part of |
| feet with fragrant flowers, sparkling waterfalls, and a | | | | Oahu remains rural and undeveloped in places. The |
| jungle-like tropical forest. Daily average temperatures | | | | hotel and golf course at Turtle Bay comprise the only |
| are in the low 70s during the coolest months, February | | | | resort in the area. |
| and March, and around 85 degrees in the hottest | | | | Haleiwa, the main town of the North Shore, is 24 miles |
| months, August and September. | | | | north of Honolulu. It has been a mecca for surfers |
| Most hotels on Oahu are found around Waikiki, a good | | | | from all over the world since the 1960s, however it is |
| base for your adventures on the island. In addition to | | | | not an area for inexperienced surfers. This is an easy |
| the usual shopping malls, bookstores, restaurants, bars, | | | | day trip from Waikiki. |
| art museums, entertainment and cultural activities of a | | | | Whatever adventures you encounter on Oahu, |
| typical American city, Honolulu has unique Hawaiian | | | | whether it is learning to surf at Wakiki, climbing the |
| offerings. | | | | stack at Diamaond Head, or enjoying the warm sand |
| Hanauma Bay, east of Waikiki, is the best snorkeling | | | | of a beach, your vacation will end too soon for you to |
| area in all of the islands, while Kailua Bay is the island's | | | | discover all this island has to offer. Perhaps next time.... |
| top windsurfing spot. There are many types of activity. | | | | |