Oahu in Focus

Oahu in Focus

Oahu means "gathering place" in Hawaiian. In ancient times, island kings gathered on Oahu for meetings and to resolve disputes. Oahu is the major island of the state of Hawaii and the gateway to the outer islands. Tourism is the island's main industry, averaging $7 million in annual revenues. Honolulu is the fifty-first largest U.S. metropolitan area, struggling with the modern problems of a populous city, including traffic congestion, air and water pollution, and crime.

The island's past, influenced by explorers, fur traders, and whalers, is on display at the Hawaiian Maritime Museum. The centerpiece of the museum is a nineteenth-century, four-masted sailing ship. The Bishop Museum has a modern planetarium and exhibits that depict the history and culture of Polynesia and Hawaii, from the volcanic eruptions that formed the islands to the lifestyle of the people.

Tourism on Oahu is concentrated in Waikiki, along the southern shore of the island. This area was once a swamp, but has since been transformed into a spectacular beach resort, with an unobstructed view of Diamond Head, a 760-foot volcanic crater that towers over the southeastern boundary of Waikiki. The crater can be explored on foot along a scenic hiking trail, or by automobile through a tunnel to a state park situated inside the crater. The Hawaiian name for the crater, Leahi, is derived from leahiili, which means "dorsal fin of the ahi (yellow-fin tuna)," a shape suggested by the volcano's silhouette.

The most popular sightseeing attraction on Oahu is the memorial that marks the place where the USS Arizona battleship was sunk during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Many leisure travelers prefer to tour Waikiki on foot, to view contrasts of old and new Hawaii up close. Modern hotels and skyscrapers tower over historic missions, monuments, and grave sites. Besides sightseeing, popular pastimes include boating, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing. Small cruise boats and catamarans depart daily from Waikiki. An ideal beach for picnics, swimming, and snorkeling is found at Hanauma Bay on the less populous north side of the island. Blow Hole, a geyser formed by waves entering a small opening in the lava ledge, is found in the same area.

The Honolulu area has a large number of highrise hotels that cater to business conventions as well as tour groups. The city's streets, parks, and beaches are almost always crowded with visitors. Waikiki is the center of an active nightlife, with an abundance of restaurants, bars, and night clubs. In the center of Waikiki is Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on American soil. The Victorian-style palace was built by King Kalakaua, who supposedly enjoyed playing billiards and poker in the basement. The state's first church, Kawaiahao Church, is constructed of coral blocks.