Oahu, also known as “The Gathering Place”, is an island in the state of Hawaii. It is the prime area for tourism in the state. It is the third largest island in the chain and is also the most populous. The island was created by two volcanoes, Wai’anae and Ko’olau, and there is a valley that is seated directly in the middle of the two.
There is no translation for the name Oahu in the Hawaiian language. Some legends say that the discoverer of the islands, Hawaiiloa, named the island after one of his sons.
The island is home to approximately 953,207 people with most of them living on the city side of the island. Honolulu is the largest city on the island and is also the county name for the island as well as the capital for all of Hawaii.
Oahu is divided up into five regions: the leeward side, windward side, north shore, south shore, and central. Each area offers something original of its own. For example people travel from all parts of the world to visit the North Shore area and experience or see the amazing surfing. The windward area is wetter and cooler than the rest of the island thanks to the mountain range. The central area is a plateau bored by two mountain ranges. The south shore is home to the island’s most recognizable point, Pearl Harbor, and the leeward side is mostly dominated by locals.
Ewa is a small area mostly inhabited by locals. This is the sunniest area in Oahu so consequently the driest. Many people spend time by the ocean to cool off. There are great mountain and ocean views. Also, there are two golf courses only minutes away as well as being in close driving distance to larger areas in Oahu.
Kailua sits just north of Honolulu. This area is the oldest inhabited place in all of Oahu. It is also home to some of the top ten beaches in the nation. There are beach houses available at all times of the year. There are also great shopping centers in the area. Families can enjoy kayaking, snorkeling, picnics, and sports anytime, considering the beach is only a few steps away.
Just 25 minutes outside of Waikiki is a small community called Hawaii Kai. This is a residential area and the largest of several communities on the eastern side of the island. The communities extend up into the valleys and the surrounding mountain ridges. People here can take advantage of the great hiking as they are so close to the Diamond Head crater. This is a great area for more low-key individuals.
Waikiki, which used to be primarily swamplands, is now a beautiful sight to behold. Once Hawaii became a state this area became a prime spot for tourists, and hotels and resorts began to appear everywhere. There are now businesses of all sorts all along the coast line and the place is always filled with tourists and locals alike.
Oahu is a combination of all walks of life in Hawaii. Residents can find themselves in a mile a minute city one minute and be in the calmer country life the next. People, who choose to live here, will get to experience more than most people will their entire lives.
