Oʻahu

Oʻahu is an island in the Hawaiian archipelago in the central Pacific and is the state of Hawaii’s most populous island. It functions as the economic and political center of the state and hosts the capital, Honolulu.

The island offers a mix of urban and natural highlights. Popular shoreline attractions include about 2 kilometers of beachfront and resort development in Waikiki, while historic and commemorative sites center on Pearl Harbor and its memorials. Natural draws include the Diamond Head tuff cone and the famed North Shore with world-class winter surf.

Geologically the island is the product of two main volcanoes - the Waianae range to the west and the Koolau range to the east - which created the island’s central plain and surrounding ridges. Over time coastal plains developed and human settlement concentrated in the leeward and southern shores.

Oʻahu sits in the central Pacific within the Hawaiian island chain; Honolulu is on the southeast coast. The island lies southwest of the U.S. mainland and is one of a chain of islands that form the state of Hawaii.

• Population: Home to roughly one million residents, it is the most populous of the Hawaiian Islands and contains the state capital.
• Seasonal conditions: Best calm-swim conditions in summer and largest surf during winter months, especially on the north shore where professional events take place.

What to See #

• Waikiki: Two kilometers of beachfront in Honolulu lined with hotels, restaurants and easy surf breaks; a center for nightlife and many visitor services.
• Pearl Harbor: Site of the 1941 U.S. Pacific Fleet anchorage and the USS Arizona Memorial, accessible by boat and managed as a national historic site.
• Diamond Head: A prominent volcanic tuff cone with a 170-meter-high crater rim that is a popular short hike offering panoramic views over Honolulu and the south shore.
• North Shore: A stretch of northern coastline known for winter big-wave surfing competitions and a series of surf towns and shaved-ice stands.
• Manoa Falls: A valley and short waterfall hike within the island's windward side forests, ending at a 45-meter waterfall and small pool (seasonal flow varies).