Think you can take on the Pipeline?
The island of Oahu in the Hawaiian islands contains the state capital Honolulu. Known as "The Gathering Place," Oahu combines big city attractions in Honolulu and the quaint, casual surf villages on the North Shore. Many of the towns and regions that you have come to associate with Hawaii are located on Oahu: Honolulu, Waikiki, Makaha and Pearl Harbor. From basking in the sun on the world-famous Waikiki Beach, to surfing the also-famous Pipeline, there is no shortage of things to do on Oahu.
Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941 the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was attacked by Japan. Over 2,400 Americans were killed and over 1,200 were wounded. The attack marked the start of World War II. The submerged remains of the USS Arizona, a United States Navy battleship on which 1,177 men perished during the attack, lies at the bottom of Pearl Harbor. A memorial was built over it, which is now a national park and among the top three favorite destinations of tourists in Hawaii. Tours for the general public are held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. The visitors center opens at 7 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. The most popular attraction in Pearl Harbor includes a tour of the USS Arizona Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine, the USS Missouri Battleship and the Pacific Aviation Museum. The cost of all four tours, as 2010 is $40.
Arizona Memorial
1 Arizona Memorial Place
Honolulu, HI 96818
808-422-3300
nps.gov/valr
Poloynesian Cultural Center
1,500 years ago, using the stars to navigate their way, ancient Polynesians arrived on the shores of Hawaii. Today, you can learn about those voyages and the incredibly brave people who made them at Hawaii's Polynesian Cultural Center, located in Laie (la-ee-ay) on Oahu. The lua'u (feast) is touted as one of the finest in the Islands and the re-creation of ancient Hawaii culture within the center is a popular tourist attraction. Known as a "living museum," visitors can tour models of Hawaiian villages, watch artisans make early Hawaiian crafts and view a multi-cultural Polynesian dance review. There are various packaged tours that you can purchase, ranging in price from $45 to $225, as of 2010. You can pre-purchase tickets on the website listed in the Resource section.
55-370 Kamehameha Highway
Laie, HI 96762
808-293-3333
polynesianculturalcenter.com
Diamond Head
If you have ever wanted to visit a volcano, the safest one to visit is Diamond Head. Diamond Head sits at the end of Waikiki Beach, looming over the clear, blue Pacific Ocean. It wasn't always placid, though. The volcanic eruption that formed Diamond Head was explosive, but lasted only a few days. Diamond Head is considered a cinder cone, the type of crater that forms on the flanks of shield volcanoes. Shield volcanoes are the type of volcanoes that formed the island chain and still erupt on the Big Island. Today, Diamond Head is a United States Monument. There is an organized hike into the crater that provides views of a former US command post, Fort Ruger, accessed by a 580-foot tunnel. Guided hikes of Diamond Head Crater cost $27 as of 2010.
The volcano is located off Diamond Head Road between Makapu'u Avenue and 18th Avenue in Honolulu.
Tags: Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Arizona Memorial, United States, crater that