Don't forget to
check out our WebCams area for some really nice
cams. Two of our favorites: The "Hollywood
Sign" Cam and the Grand Canyon Cam.
SPOTLIGHT:
Guidebook Hawaii ~ Oahu "The Heart of Hawaii"
View of Waikiki and Diamond Head photo: HVCB/Joe Solem
Land Mass: 608 square miles (1575
square km)
Population: 876,156 (2000)
Principal City & State Capital:
Honolulu
Flower: 'Dima
Color: Yellow
Geography: Oahu, the third largest Hawaiian
Island/ has an area of 608 square miles and a coastline of 112 miles
(180 km). It reaches from sea level to 4,003-foot (1,220 m) Mt. Ka'ala.
Climate: Average temperatures range from 70° -
84° F (21° - 29° C) with variable rainfall in different sections of the
island.
Major Industries: Tourism, government,
military, construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Recreation: All water sports, fishing, golfing,
hiking, camping, sightseeing, horseback riding, museums, cultural events
and festivals, art, music, tennis, polo, soaring, major spectator
sports, and a wide variety of shopping experiences.
Brief History: While Oahu
was populated before 1000 A.D., it was added to the Island kingdom in
1795 when King Kamehameha I, from the island of Hawaii, fought the Oahu
king's forces to surrender at the famous Battle of Nu'uanu Pali. With
its fine harbors, Oahu gradually became the state's political, economic,
military, educational, and cultural center. Honolulu Harbor, discovered
before 1800, became a key Pacific port for whale, sandalwood, and fur
traders.
Pearl Harbor became famous when the nation set about
to establish strategic military bases. By 1850, the Hawaiian royal court
had moved permanently to Honolulu which has since been the seat of the
government for the monarchy, republic, territory, and state.
Fascinating Facts:
'lolani Palace is the only royal palace in the
United States.
More than 14,000 coral blocks were taken from
offshore reefs to build Kawaiaha'o Church in 1836.
Aloha Tower, today dwarfed by Honolulu
high-rises, was the tallest structure on the island when it was
built in 1926.
Top-Rated Attractions:
Hanauma Bay
Waimea Bay and Waimea Falls
Halona Blowhole
Pearl Harbor
Polynesian Cultural Center
Punchbowl Cemetery
'lolani Palace
Diamond Head Crater Hike
Information and photos submitted
by:
Hawaii Visitors and Convention
Bureau 2270 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 801
Honolulu, Hawaii 96815 808-923-1811 |
Website |
Email
For
information about accommodations, recreation, dining and much
more in this area and many other US destinations, take a moment
to visit our US Travel Directories:
