HOTELS & BEACH RESORTS IN HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
HAWAII TRAVEL & LODGING GUIDE

Oahu was likely the first of the Hawaiian Island sighted by the crew of HMS Resolution on January 18, 1778 during Captain James Cook's third Pacific expedition. It is one of 137 volcanic islands and atolls stretching 1,500 miles across the North Pacific Ocean, all but one of which (Midway) comprise the 50th US State of Hawaii.

In the two centuries since Cooke's famous discovery of the "Sandwich Islands" as he called them, Oahu has been transformed from an idyllic Gauginesque tropical paradise into one of the world's premier tourist destinations, financial capitals, and a US military stronghold anchored in the mid-Pacific.

Of the southernmost 8 inhabited islands in the Hawaiian chain, Oahu is the third largest - approximately 44 miles long and 30 miles across, with a shoreline 227 miles - yet is home to 75% of the state's 1.2 million permanent residents, a population more diverse than any state in the nation.

Since it was first populated by immigrants traveling 2500miles from the Marquesas Islands around 600, this island has been an important commercial area and cultural center. With the help of European arms, Kamehameha I from the Big Island captured Oahu in a bloody battle near the Pali Lookout in 1795, thus unifying the islands for the first time.

Today, Oahu has become a tourism and business haven with over 5 million visitors annually (mainly from the American mainland and Japan). Many can't imagine visiting Hawaii without coming to "the Gathering Place." Honolulu Oahu's largest city, Honolulu, is the capital of Hawaii. It contains the principal port, the major airport, and is the business, educational and financial center not only of the state, but for the entire Pacific Rim, as well.

By the 1840s, under the influence of Christian missionaries, the sandalwood and sugar trades, this small Polynesian village, had grown into a major shipping port, becoming the commercial and political center of the islands. In 1845, Kamehameha III moved his kingdom's capital from Lahaina, Maui to Honolulu, which has remained the capital of the Hawaiian islands ever since.

In 1893 American businessman here illegally overthrew the native Hawaiian monarchy imprisoning Queen Liliuokalani in Iolani palace. Hawaii was annexed as a territory of the US until it was granted statehood in 1952. Iolani Palace in downtown Honolulu, the only royal palace on American soil, has become a popular visitor attraction,

Pearl Harbor Almost a half-century later on December 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy drew the United States into World War II with a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, aimed at the Pacific Fleet of the US Navy. The attack damaged or destroyed 12 American warships, destroyed 188 aircraft, and killed 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians.

The Arizona Memorial was constructed directly over the ship. Hundreds of thousands annually visit Pearl Harbor to see this memorial and the battleship USS Missouri, where General Douglas Macarthur accepted the surrender of the Japanese in 1945.

Waikiki Cosmopolitan Waikiki is where Hawaiian tourism began. Its reputation as a retreat dates back centuries, and it was a favorite recreation site for long-ago kings of Oahu and Maui. Today it reigns as the center of Pacific tourism with its world-class hotels, shops, restaurants, shows, beach culture and nightlife.

Its primary appeal remains the 2-mile ribbon of white sand, Waikiki Beach, upon which dozens of world-class resorts now stand. Of the 100 resorts on Oahu, all but four are located in Waikiki. At any one time, 45% of visitors in the entire state are spending the night here.

Windward, West & North Shore Windward Oahu offers famous snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, swimming with Dolphins at Hawaii Sea Life Park and kayaking in Kailua Bay. Oahu's most popular activity attraction is the Polynesian Cultural Center in coastal La'ie.

Oahu's North Shore is famous for its big-wave surfing at Sunset Beach, Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay. From the town of Haleiwa, visitors can experience shark cage encounters and sport fishing expeditions. At Turtle Bay and Ko Olina to the west, new resorts have made Oahu a world-class golfing destination as well.

About the Author Terry Reim has more than 25 years' experience as an editor and writer in newspaper, magazine, trade book, textbook, and technical publishing, He has also authored numerous books himself, including the 13 annual editions of the Daily Planet Almanac (1975-1987) and Kicking the Bucket (with Kim Long, 1986).

BIG ISLAND HAWAII - GENERAL - HOTELS & BEACH RESORTS