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