Oʻahu is much more than just a transit point en route to the Neighbor Islands. It’s the thrill-of-a-lifetime adventure. Here you can surf the North Shore’s giant waves, hike atop knife-edged pali (cliffs), dive into Hanauma Bay’s outdoor fishbowl, go windsurfing or kayak to uninhabited islands off Kailua – and still be back in Waikiki for sunset drinks.
Nicknamed ‘The Gathering Place,’ the capital island is home to nearly three-quarters of Hawaii’s residents. Landing at Honolulu’s airport plunges you into the urban jungle, but relax – this is still Polynesia. Even among the high-rises of downtown Honolulu, you’ll see palm trees and power brokers in breezy aloha shirts.
Like Honolulu-born President Obama, Oʻahu is proud of its multicultural heritage, and through it pulses the lifeblood of Hawaiian traditions. A short drive from the modern city lies ‘the country,’ with its beckoning two-lane roads and all-natural beaches where sea turtles bask.
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