Oahu

Oahu County

Oahu is known as "The Gathering Place", the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and is home to about two-thirds of the population of the Islands of Hawaii, and is the home of Honolulu International Airport. The state capital, Honolulu, lais on Oahu's southeast coast. Including small close-in offshore islands such as Ford Island and the islands in Kaneohe Bay and off the eastern coast, Oahu has a total land area of 596.7 square miles (1,545.4 km2).

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Oahu island is home to about 976,199 inhabitants (approximately 72% of the resident population of Hawaii, with approximately 81% of those living on the "city" side of the island)

Oahu is a volcanic island and is in the greatest dimension, 44 miles (71 km) long and 30 miles (48 km) across. The length of the shoreline is 227 miles (365 km). The island is the result of two separate shield volcanoes: Waianae and Koolau, with a broad "valley" or saddle (the central Oahu Plain) between them. Oahu´s highest point is Ka'ala in the Waianae Range, rising to 4,003 feet (1,220 m) above sea level.

The big city of Waikiki meets the small town of Haleiwa on the North Shore. Whether you’re hiking atop iconic Leahi (Diamond Head), enjoying some of Hawaii’s best shopping, or simply unwinding on the sands of the island’s beautiful beaches, you’ll find variety at every turn on Oahu.

Oahu Lagoon

The clear blue waters of Kailua Beach meet the metropolitan cityscapes of Honolulu. The historic architecture of  Iolani Palace meets the timeless memorials of  Pearl Harbor.

On Oahu, Hawaii’s timeless beauty blends with the modern luxuries of today. Swim in the warm waters of world-famous Waikiki one moment, then enjoy the dramatic mountain views of the Nuuanu Pali Lookout another. Watch the surfers on the legendary North Shore by day, then dance the night away in vibrant nightlife spots around Honolulu. Get a taste of local flavors in Kapahulu one night, then dine at a Five Diamond Hawaii Regional Cuisine restaurant the next.

From indulging in urban comforts to escaping to natural wonders, Oahu’s “town and country” experiences are unrivaled. With so much to see and do, you’re never far away from just what you’re looking for on Oahu. Visit the Heart of Hawaii and find the island paradise you’ve been searching for.

Captain Cook spotted the island of Oahu on January 18, 1778 and named the island, the ‘Sandwich Islands’. Throughout the 19th century this name stuck. The word of the beautiful islands spread, and traders from Europe and Asia began to visit. Many people remained to claim their permanent residency.