Getting to Know Oahu

From ancient stone heiau (temples) to 21st-Century high-rises, Oahu is an island of endless contrasts. Geographically only the third largest of the inhabited Hawaiian Islands, it is nonetheless home to nearly three-quarters of the state's 1.2 million residents — 370,000 of whom are concentrated in urban Honolulu, the ultra-modern, south-coast cityscape kama'aina (residents) refer to simply as "Town."

But take a 45-minute drive to "Country" — the famed surfing Mecca on the island's north shore — and you'll find sleepy Hale'iwa Town (pop. 2,225) existing much as it has since it was established by missionaries in 1832.

Geography
Like the other islands, islets and shoals that make up the 1,600-mile Hawaiian Island chain, Oahu is believed to be the product of a single "hot spot" in the earth's mantle. Over the course of millions of years, the earth's crust drifted to the northwest across this hot spot, giving rise to each island. The bulk of Oahu was created nearly four million years ago, by two now-extinct shield volcanoes — the remains of which are today visible as the Ko'olau and Wai'anae mountain ranges, running parallel to each other along the length of the island's eastern and western coasts, respectively. As with the rest of the Hawaiian Islands, these mountain ranges separate the wetter windward shore from the drier leeward side, forcing rain clouds blown in off the ocean to leave their water on the east side of the island before gaining passage to the west.

Points of Interest
More recent volcanic activity also created several of Oahu's most visible landmarks: 761-foot-tall Diamond Head, located on Waikiki's eastern border, is a "tuff cone," formed some 100,000 years ago when an eruption of volcanic ash eventually hardened into solid rock. Southeast Oahu's Koko Head and downtown Honolulu's Punchbowl (the latter of which houses the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in its crater) are also tuff cones.

Vastly influenced by its reputation as a world-class travel destination, Oahu offers more of everything than the other Islands combined. Shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities here far eclipse those of neighbor islands. And visitor traffic, drawn to the island by its enticing beaches, big winter waves, super-sized collection of scenic golf courses and signature attractions — Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center — continues to exceed any neighbor island.

Still, Oahu's storied past is very much alive. Hawaii achieved statehood less than 50 years ago, leaving its history as a U.S. territory and before that, a Hawaiian monarchy, very much in evidence. Walking tours of downtown Honolulu, Waikiki or Chinatown, as well as a visit to Pearl Harbor, are a good way to get in touch with the island's unique past.

Many of Oahu's most popular attractions are located outside the city. Hanauma Bay, a world-renown snorkeling destination, is a short drive from Waikiki, just past Hawaii Kai. Sea Life Park is not far from Hanauma Bay. The Polynesian Cultural Center, a unique and perennially popular attraction, is located in La'ie, more than an hour's drive from Honolulu. Kualoa Ranch, near Kaneohe, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, near Kapolei, and the Arizona Memorial, the biggest visitor draw in the state, are all outside the city of Honolulu.

Tour operators provide transportation to and from Waikiki, making it easy to see the countryside on your way to adventures like helicopter and glider tours, ultra light and skydiving experiences, kayaking tours, shark excursions, ATV and horseback rides. If you want to take a drive, Hale'iwa is a good bet. A surfers' mecca, it has retained the character of its more than 100-year history.

Fun Facts
• Oahu's political history is as varied as its geological past. It was on this island's southern shore, near present-day Waikiki, that Kamehameha the Great began a decisive battle in his campaign to unite the Hawaiian Islands for the first time, defeating the forces of Kalanikupule — then the high chief of Maui and Oahu — in the spring of 1795. It was in Honolulu, also, that a coalition of sugar planters and missionary descendants would overthrow the Hawaiian Monarchy in 1893. After Statehood was declared in 1959, Honolulu became the state capitol.

• Oahu's largest city, Honolulu ("protected bay" in Hawaiian), is also the largest city in Hawaii, the county seat, the state capital, and the center of business and industry in the Islands

• Honolulu is also the only U.S. city to be founded by royalty, and hosts the only royal residence on U.S. soil ('Iolani Palace)

• 'Iolani Palace featured electricity before even the White House in Washington, D.C.

• The City and County of Honolulu encompasses the entire island of Oahu

• Oahu's size is said to be 607.7 square miles

• The island's highest point is the summit of Mt. Kaala in the Waianae Range (4,020 feet)

• Honolulu Harbor serves as a lifeline for all the Islands. Most of Hawaii's food and manufactured goods must be imported and distributed through this busy port

• Average temperatures on Oahu range from 68 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, year-round. Coastal rainfall averages 23 inches per year.

• Oahu hosts several major festivals throughout the year, which fully illustrate Hawaii's famed ethnic diversity: Chinese New Year is celebrated on the lunar new year, usually in late January or early February; the Honolulu Festival, which celebrates Hawaii's ties with Japan, takes place in March; the week-long We Are Samoa celebration is in May; the King Kamehameha Day Floral Parade takes to the streets in June, and the month-long Aloha Festivals celebration kicks off in September.

• Oahu's official flower is the 'ilima

• The island's official color is yellow