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About O'ahu
Visitors are often surprised by the high-rise buildings, stalled traffic and sun-burnt crowds they encounter on O'ahu, the most populated island in Hawai'i and location of the state capital of Honolulu. It is the most urbanized of the major islands and the hub of the state's commerce. Yet before you decide to forego O'ahu for the neighboring islands, consider that it is nearly impossible to say you have truly experienced the Islands without stepping onto the white sands of Waikiki, visiting the heart-stirring memorial to the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor or taking a tour of 'Iolani Palace, home of Hawai'i's last reigning monarch.
Getting to O'ahu
Most flights to Hawai'i go to Honolulu International Airport. Generally speaking you can fly direct or non-stop to Hawai'i from the U.S. on any of several different airlines. Chicago-based United Airlines carries the most passengers. Other American carriers with frequent flights to the Islands include American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and Trans-World Airlines.
Moreover, two Honolulu-based air carriers make the long-haul flights. Hawaiian Airlines flies between Honolulu and Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Portland, Ore. Aloha Airlines offers service between Honolulu and Oakland, Calif., near San Francisco.
There are flights from Vancouver on Canadian Airlines, from Australia and New Zealand on Air New Zealand, Qantas, and United Airlines. From Japan, there are frequent flights on Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airlines. Philippine Airlines flies in from Manila, Korean Airlines from Seoul, and Garuda Airlines jets to Honolulu from Jakarta and Bali. Residents of Guam, Micronesia and vicinity, can fly to Hawai'i on Continental Air Micronesia, a subsidiary company to Continental Airlines.
Getting to and from the airport
The airport is reasonably well signed. Arrival/departure gates are all on Level 2. Baggage Claim is on the mauka (mountain) side of the facility on Level 1.
Oahu’s TheBus — named America’s best public transit system this year — has connections to all parts of the island. Buses stop outside the baggage claim area. The fare is $1. The only luggage permitted is one bag that must fit on your lap.
Rental cars are available at the airport. The drive to Honolulu is about 30 minutes on the H-1 Freeway, and there are clear signs to Waikiki. Extra attention is needed when driving to the airport from Honolulu, since the airport exit lane on the freeway is a little tricky to find.
The following rental car companies have counters at the airport and are open seven days a week.
Alamo: 833-4585, 1-800-327-9633. Open 5 a.m.-1 a.m.
Avis: 834-5536, 1-888-897-8448. Open 5 a.m.-3 a.m.
Budget: 836-1700, 1-800-527-0700. Open 24 hours.
Dollar: 831-2331, 1-800-800-4000. Open 5 a.m.-midnight.
Hertz: 831-3500, 1-800-654-3131. Open 5 a.m.-2 a.m.
National: 831-3800, 1-800-227-7368. Open 5:30 a.m.-midnight.
The taxi cab fare to Honolulu is about $25. Usually, there are plenty of cabs available on the curb just outside of the baggage claim. Cab drivers expect a tip, at least 10 percent of the fare. Charley's Taxi, 531-1333, has cabs and limousines. Sida of Hawai'i, 836-0011, and Robert's Taxi, 486-4609, are two other major taxi services.
Going by shuttle is about $8 per person one-way and about $13 two-ways. The Aloha Trolley shuttle leaves from the airport every 30 minutes and runs from Waikiki to the airport daily. Moreover, many hotels operate their own shuttle services.
Where to stay
Most hotels are in Waikiki. There are plenty of affordable Honolulu hotels, all off Waikiki Beach but still within walking distance to the sand. Outside of Honolulu, the Backpackers Vacation Inn in Hale'iwa is worth checking out. Although prices are seasonal, some rooms are as low as around $50, and hostel beds run around $17 at this North Shore retreat.
In addition, Hawai'i has some of the world's most luxurious hotels, with official room rates beginning at around $200.
Here are some moderately priced hotels that are off Waikiki Beach, but within walking distance to the sand.
Aloha Punawai, 305 Saratoga Road
Aloha Waikiki Vacation Condos, 431 Nahua St.
Aston Coconut Plaza Hotel, 450 Lewers St.
The Breakers Hotel, 250 Beach Walk
Ewa Hotel Waikiki, 2555 Cartwright Road
Hale Koa Hotel (military ID required), 2055 Kalia Rd.
Ilikai Marina, 1777 Ala Moana Blvd.
Ilima Hotel, 445 Nohonani St.
Royal Grove Hotel, 151 Uluniu Ave
Waikiki Gateway, 2070 Kalakaua Ave.
Waikiki Hana and Waikiki Sand Villa Sand Villa, 2375 Ala Wai Blvd
Most of these top-of-the-line hotels have official room rates beginning at $200.
In Waikiki:
The Hilton Hawaiian Village
Sheraton's 1925 "pink palace," the Royal Hawaiian
Sheraton's 1901 Moana (part of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider)
The Sheraton
The Outrigger Waikiki
The Halekulani Hotel
In Kahala:
The Kahala Mandarin Oriental (for many years known as the "Kahala Hilton," it has been the home away from home for royalty, Hollywood stars, and others escaping from public view)
Seeing O'ahu
Tours, usually by bus or van, is a good way to see the most popular spots on the island. Many companies compete for patrons, but among the most popular tour operators are Robert’s Hawaii (523-7750), E Noa Tours (591-2561), and Trans-Hawaiian (566-7000). They offer tours to Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, the National Cemetary of the Pacific, Diamond Head and other popular attractions.
Some companies offer specialized tours, such as helicopter tours, diving tours, and sailing tours.
For those looking for a place to take the kids, there are the animals and other attractions at the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, Sea Life Park, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and the Waimea Valley Adventure Park. There’s also the Children’s Discovery Center in Honolulu, and down by the harbor the Hawai'i Maritime Center. Children above the age of six or seven also appreciate the USS Arizona Memorial and Museum.
Out of town, but still on the island, is the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. Another cool destination is the World’s Largest Maze at the Dole Plantation pavilion in central O'ahu.
Here is a list of top tourist targets.
Waikiki and Waikiki Beach
Diamond Head
Kapiolani Park
Mission Houses Museum
Kawaiaha’o Church
Statue of Kamehameha the Great
‘Iolani Palace
Hawai'i State Capitol
Fort Street Mall and Chinatown
The Aloha Tower
The Hawaii Maritime Center
The Bishop Museum
Foster Botanical Gardens
Honolulu Academy of Arts
National Memorial Cemetery at Punchbowl
Hanauma Bay Beach Park
Sea Life Park
Kailua Beach Park
Nuuanu Pali State Park
USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor
Schofield Barracks
Dole Pineapple Plantation
The village of Hale’iwa
Waimea Bay and Waimea Falls Park
Sunset Beach
Polynesian Cultural Center
