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Oahu ranks as the 20th largest island in the United States, Known as "The Gathering Place," Oahu is the third largest Hawaiian Island with about 75% of all Hawaiians living on the island. Ford Island and the Kaneoke Bay Islands are near by.

Oahu is a volcanic island, 44 miles long, 30 miles wide, and the result of Waianae and Koolau volcanos, with the Oahu Plain between them. Mount Kaala, in the Waianae Range, is the highest point at 4003 feet above sea level. Scenic treasures, cultural riches, and many famous celebrity sightings draw more than 5 million visitors to Oahu annually.

Oahu boasts Honolulu, Hawaii's State Capital, and world famous Waikiki Beach, which extends from Ala Wai Canal to Diamond Head, and is warm with a cloud-free climate. Waikiki Beach also has a very popular surfbreak.

Oahu's shoreline reaches around Mamala Bay to disclose not only the beach and the surf, but also tai chi in Kapiolani Park, the Honolulu Zoo, and fabulous sunsets on the beach. Time well spent in Honolulu will take visitors to Chinatown, where they can explore the Aloha Stadium Flea Market, experience herb shops, dine in trendy restaurants, visit the theaters and art galleries found there, or get colorful leis at assorted shops along the way.

World famous for big wave surfing, with 20 to 30-foot breakers, surfing competitions including the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing, the Duke Kahanamoku Classic Surfing Competition, and occasionally, the site of the Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational. Exploring galleries, shops, and restaurants in Haleiwa, and sampling Matsumoto shaved ice, are all part of the excitement found on Sunset Beach on the North Shore of Oahu.

Oahu is popularly refered to as the Smithsonian of the South Pacific, with family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy. Planetarium shows, science exhibits, and the world's largest collection of Hawaiian artifacts are must see locations on any Oahu vacation.

Scenic Pali Highway is a drive through the Koolau Mountains, with a must stop located at Nuuanu Pali Lookout, to view Koolau Cliffs and Kailu before returning back on Kalanianaole Highway to Honolulu.

On Decemebr 7, 1941, Japan attacked the United States during World War II, sinking the USS Arizona. Pearl Harbor contains the USS Arizona Memorial to the 1102 lost men on that ship that day. Visitors can also tour the USS Missouri and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park found there.

Hanauma Bay, on the coast of Oahu, is a Nature Preserve and a Marine Life Conservation District. Green sea turtles nest at French Frigate Shoals and there is an abundance of Parrotfish in the Bay. The movie Blue Hawaii, starring Elvis Presley, was filmed at this location as well.

Punchbowl Crater, Koko Head, Manana Island, and Diamond Head, are all volcanic creations. Diamond Head is a defining feature of Waikiki Beach. It is a United States State Monument. The crater's trail, a 3/4-mile hike over uneven rocks, up 74 steps, through a tunnel, up another steep 99 steps, through another, smaller tunnel, to a narrow spiral 30-steps staircase inside a coastal artillery observation platform, built in 1908, allows the Pacific Ocean, and Waikiki Beach, to be seen in detail.

Lanikai Beach, a small half-mile beach, is among the world's best beaches. Waimanalo Beach is known as the site for the "Robin's Nest" estate from the television program Magnum, P.I. Ala Moana Beach is a free Public Park, with a gold sandy beach over a half-mile long, and is man-made. Protected by an outer reef, the water is almost always calm, and is popular with long-distance swimmers and children. The beach's bottom drops off quickly, but the Park is known for picnics, banyans, and palm trees.

The Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay, are popular surfing spots. Banzai is a surf reef break in Ekukai Beach Park, on the North Shore. Banzai is well known for the extremely challenging surfing it offers. The Pipe Masters, and the Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic, are top competitions at Banzai, with its four different waves.

Sandy Beach is known for bodyboarding, bodysurfing, its shorebreak, and strong currents, the inexperienced should stay away from.

The Valley of the Temples Memorial Park contains lush rolling green hills, a replica of a 12th Century Buddhist Temple, (the Byodo-In Temple), with two metal phoenixes along the top ends of the Temple, and a 9-foot Buddha sitting on a gold leaf lotus. The Grounds contain Roman Catholic statues of the Passion, crypts, and mausoleums of some of the most influential people of Hawaii.

The Bishop Museum honors Princess Bernice Pauaki Bishop and her education of Hawaiian children at the Kamehameha schools.

Lolani Palace was the royal home of Queen Liliuakalani imprisoned there during the overthrow of the monarchy.

Hina Adventures features hikes in the Koolau Mountains, native plants, and fishponds.

The North Shore offers the Wakine O Ke Kai Canoe Race for Women and Lomilomi traditional Hawaiian massages.

Sunsets, pineapples, and leis.

Oahu - A little island with a lot to offer.