• Hawaiian monarch King David Kalakaua (reign 1874 to 1891), was the first reigning monarch to circumnavigate the globe and the first foreign head of state to speak before a joint session of the U.S. Congress.
• 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu's Capitol District featured electricity before even the White House in Washington, D.C. More about the Palace >>
• Hawaii is the most geographically isolated population center on earth. The Hawaiian Islands are 2,000 miles from the Marshall Islands; 2,390 miles from California; 2,500 miles from Tahiti; 3,850 miles from Japan; 4,900 miles from China; and 5,280 miles from the Philippines.
• Hawaii has two official languages — English and Hawaiian. More >>
• Hawaii has no snakes in the wild.
• Hawaii is home to the longest continuously erupting volcano in recorded history: Kilauea Caldera on the Big Island of Hawaii has been producing a lava flow since January 1983. More >>
• Hawaii is home to the tallest mountain on the planet: Mauna Kea on the Big Island — measured from the seafloor — tops out at 33,476 feet. From sea level it measures 13,796 feet high. More >>
Explore dozens of hotels, condos and rental homes on the island called by many "The Gathering Place" — including beachfront and family hotels, luxury resorts, and prime space for conventions and meetings of all sizes.
The city of Honolulu, the state's capital, offers a handful of business and economy hotels (primarily in the airport, downtown and fringe Waikiki areas) and upscale resorts such as south Honolulu's Kahala Hotel & Resort.
The majority of the island's hotels are located in Honolulu's main visitor district, Waikiki, which stretches along the famous beach of the same name. Here elegant landmarks such as the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and Moana Surfrider rub shoulders with budget hotels and vacation condominiums, and shopping options range from the upscale to inexpensive souvenir. Military hotel Hale Koa sits on Waikiki Beach, and other hotel lodging can be found at Schofield Barracks, Hickam Air Force Base, Fort Shafter and Kaneohe Marine Corps Base.
In contrast, Oahu's North Shore remains rural and relatively secluded. Accessed from the west by the H2 Freeway and from the east via Kamehameha Highway, the main communities of Haleiwa, Waialua, Sunset Beach and Mokuleia offer rental homes and the occasional condo and hostel. To the east of Haleiwa is beautiful Turtle Bay, home to the Turtle Bay Resort and championship golf courses.
The lush eastern shore of the island boasts one of the island's longest and most beautiful beaches, near the town of Kailua and the Lanikai area. Here you will find a host of rental homes, villas, cottages and a few bed & breakfasts.
The island's arid west side — including Ko Olina, Waianae and Makaha — boasts some of its most beautiful beaches and dramatic vistas but offers few lodging options. The JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa and Ko Olina Golf Course are located on these shores.
Hotel brands on Oahu include Outrigger, Castle, Prince, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, ResortQuest, Aqua and Starwood. Oahu offers one 5-star hotel, the Halekulani in Waikiki, and no all-inclusive resorts. Timeshare / vacation ownership opportunities are also available.
Special rates starting from $89.00 plus tax, per night
