Aloha, Moeʻuhane Hoʻomaha I Hawaii
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| (Photo Credit: Anthony Quintano - 2017) |
O‘ahu, the third-largest and the most populated archipelago, and home to Honolulu, Hawaii.
The island has much to offer, and is best known for its blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and historical significance to the native Hawaiians, the Kānaka. It is also home to Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, the legendary North Shore – known for its big wave surfing – and the dormant volcano, Diamond Head.
While O‘ahu has much to offer compared to the other islands, it also offers a more bustling city/suburban experience with a diverse atmosphere. Maui is known for its relaxed atmosphere, stunning scenery, and focus on nature and relaxation. Kauai, the oldest island, is famed for its lush natural beauty, including the Waimea Canyon and Napali Coast. And lastly, The Big Island, the youngest and largest of them all, features diverse ecosystems, including volcanoes, rainforests, and deserts.
However, what has always intrigued me most about O‘ahu is the surfing.
Surfing is a hugely popular sport in Hawaii, as it is the state sport. As far as I can remember, being the 6-year-old kid that always read Surfer magazine, Hawaii was then, and still is, a dream place to go for me.
O‘ahu is home to the North Shore. It is known for its big wave surfing of its massive winter swells, and for more experienced surfers. The winter months (November to February) bring the biggest waves and attract the world's best surfers. Surfer magazine offers a Four Best Beginner Surf Spots list on where to start on O‘ahu.
However, if you want to get completely on the wild side of surfing, Banzai Pipeline (ʻEhukai Beach Park) has one of the most famous surf breaks in the world. It is considered dangerous for all but the most experienced. With average wave heights reaching 9 feet and occasionally exceeding 20 feet. The section of shallow reef called "Off the Wall" and "Backdoor" is particularly perilous.
However, another interesting place I would visit would be Laniakea (Lani's), which is another popular surf and turtle-viewing spot on the North Shore. It's known for its long, fun waves, especially during winter swells, and as a place to see Hawaiian green turtles. I would love to see them hatch during a visit!
The South Shore of the island is an interesting option for beginner surfers during the winter swell. During the summer months (May to October) are ideal for beginners, with the swells creating more manageable waves.
If I were to stay around Honolulu, I would visit Waikiki Beach. According to GoHawaii.com, it is renowned for its beautiful white sand, calm turquoise waters. It's also known for its vibrant atmosphere, including iconic Diamond Head views, and the notable statue of Duke Kahanamoku, a pioneer of modern surfing. The beach is a popular destination for both relaxation and adventure, offering a wide range of water activities and entertainment.
After visiting the beach, I would definitely brush that sand off and head to one of the almost five-star high-class restaurants on O‘ahu, named Senia. Multiple reviews on Google state it being on the high side of $100 or more. Their Triple-Smoked Salmon with lemon & chive waffles, maple butter glaze that feeds two-four people looks divine–or divin in French!
After swallowing $100-plus of food, I would need a place to burn those extra calories, right? Well, Diamond Head Cliffs, or also known as Diamond Head State Monument, offers, and in my opinion, some crazy interesting things to do, like a historic hiking trail offering panoramic views of Waikiki and the rest of the south shore–breathtaking coastal views, a rich military history, as it was a former military observation post; the crater served as a strategic military lookout in the early 1900s. The old “pillbox bunkers" are still present.
The Diamond Head Lighthouse, built in 1917, is also a notable feature. Located on the crater's slopes.
Interestingly, the site is also culturally significant to Native Hawaiians, with the crater known as Le'ahi, meaning "Brow of The Tuna.”
As we all know, Hawaii is home to the attack of Pearl Harbor. Seeing the Pearl Harbor National Memorial to the fallen would be a must on a trip to the island as well, including touring the World War II-era ships on display.
If you were to book a trip sometime in the future, I chose the dates between Sept. 27 and Oct. 4 from Eugene Airport (EUG) to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). I briefly compared a 1 adult ticket with 1 carry-on and surfboard as luggage between Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest.
Southwest came out on the higher side of prices, with it being an astounding $792. Alaska Airlines/Hawaiian Airlines came out at an easy $525. This does not include a rental car, or hotel stay.
If you are not interested in the things I would visit, or want more things to do, U.S. News offers a great “33 Best Things to Do in Honolulu” list that captures anything and everything for anyone wanting to go to O‘ahu, Hawaii!
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