Take in a view of Waikiki Beach from Diamond Head.
The island of Oahu contains most of the population of Hawaii. This island is comprised of five regions--Central Oahu, the Leeward Coast, the North Shore, the Windward Coast and Honolulu. Together, these regions provide visitors with a wealth of Hawaiian knowledge and culture. Visitors to Oahu can experience things such as snorkeling on Waikiki Beach or visiting one of the many museums to learn about Hawaiian history.
Waikiki Beach
Hawaii is well known for its beautiful tropical environment, and one of the most popular spots for visitors is Waikiki Beach. The early 19th century brought a number of royal faces to Waikiki on vacation, including King Kamehameha IV. Over time, Waikiki became popular with laypeople as well. Waikiki Beach features large stretches of beach where visitors can swim, surf or take snorkeling lessons. The Waikiki website states that the Waikiki Beach Boys may offer free lessons in surfing or canoeing to lucky visitors. These men are famous around Waikiki and came from a family of surf and canoeing instructors who first received lessons from Duke Kahanamoku. Once it's time to come out of the water, shopping and dining options are close at hand as well.
Waikiki Beach
808-721-1552
Waikiki.com
Pearl Harbor
The site of one of the most infamous days in US war history, Pearl Harbor is located within central Oahu. Here, the state maintains a monument to the attack and to the USS Arizona, one of the earliest casualties of the Pacific War. Other memorials in the area include the Pacific Aviation Museum and the Battleship USS Missouri Memorial and Museum. Following the events of September 11, 2001, the memorial sites prohibit visitors from bringing any bags, purses, diaper bags, backpacks, fanny packs or other storage vessels. Cameras and camcorders, however, are still permitted, and a baggage check-in is available for a small fee at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park. While admission to the park is free, the tickets are given out on a first-come, first-served basis for timed programs at the memorial.
Pearl Harbor Visitor Center
7 Arizona Memorial Way
Honolulu, HI 96818
808-422-3300
nps.gov/valr/
Diamond Head State Monument
Known as Le'ahi in Hawaiian, the Diamond Head State Monument is a large crater on the island. According to the Hawaii State Parks website, Diamond Head was created 300,000 years ago after a massive volcanic eruption. The particles and ash fused together and settled into something known as a tuff, and the tuff created the large crater present. Diamond Head features a hiking trail up to the summit, though the hike may be tough to complete for some people. From the top of the monument, visitors are treated to an outstanding view of Hawaii. The summit houses a fire control station and a large lighthouse as well.
Diamond Head State Monument
Diamond Head Road and 18th Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96816
808-587-0285
hawaiistateparks.org
Hula Lessons
The hula is a traditional Hawaiian dance that many people opt to learn while in Hawaii. In traditional settings, the hula is taught by a kumu hula, or hula teacher, while attending hula halau, or hula school, according to Go Hawaii's website. For Hawaiian visitors, however, hula lessons may be available for free or a small fee from a number of different locations. The Royal Hawaiian Center, for instance, gives hula lessons to those visiting Hawaii. In some cases, new students can show off their hula skills by performing alongside veteran hula dancers on stage at a luau.
Royal Hawaiian Center
2201 Kalakaua Ave.
Honolulu, HI 96815
808-922-2299
royalhawaiiancenter.com
Tags: Diamond Head, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head State, Head State, Head State Monument