Some Cool Information About Oahu

Honolulu, like many great cities, developed around a harbor.  In the late 1700's when Captian William Brown discovered the inlet known as Kou, the harbor was the only accessible anchorage in all the Hawaiian Islands and provided refuge for Asian trade ships. The captain named it "Fair Haven".  Over time, the name Honolulu replaced Fair Haven in navigation charts and the sailors vernacular.  In Hawaiiain, "hono" means bay and "lulu" means calm.

The Aloha Tower was once the lighthouse for the whaling capital of the Pacific.  Honolulu harbor was filled with ships - first explorers, then whalers and merchants, and now the giant vessels of leisure travelers.

First Friday Honolulu

On the first friday of every month, the Honolulu Arts District comes alive for a self-guided gallery tour and lots of fun.  Museums, art galleries and shops are open from 5 to 9 p.m..  Restaurants, bars and night spots stay open much later.  The district stretches from the Hawai'i State Art Museum at Hotel and Richards streets to the outskirts of Chinatown on River Street.  First Friday's epicenter is The Arts at Marks Garage, where art exhibits, entertainment and demonstrations are often featured.  For event details, call The  Arts at Marks Garage 808-521-2903 or Louis Pohl Gallery 808-521-1812.

Take a $2.25 Tour

What will two and a quarter bucks get you on Oahu?  Probably more than you bargained for - That's all you need to take a trip around the entire island.  TheBus, Oahu's award winning mass-transit system, is nationally recognized as one of the best in the United States.  About 260,000 riders use the system's 68 lines on a daily basis.

TheBus will take you almost anywhere, from cultural attractions and theatres, to shopping centers and beaches.  If it's a look at the island you're after, just sit tight and TheBus will make the circle from city to country and back.

One way fares are $2.25 for adults and $1 for youth.  Transfers are accepted from route to route.  Be sure the bus you're on will continue along the coast rather than switch to an inland route.  Baggage is limited to carry on items, and there are racks for bicycles.  For the latest information and routes, call 808-848-5555.

Climb Diamond Head

Diamond Head, one of the best known volcanic craters in the world, can be seen from Waikiki and the southeast coast of Oahu.  The veiw from the summit of this extinct vocano is well worth the climb.  Try it at sunrise.

Known in Hawaiian as "Le ahi", Diamond Head was so named when British seamen saw calcite crystals sparkling in the sunshine and thought they'd found diamonds.  Admission to the park, which is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. is $1.   Parking is $5.

Hike to a Lighthouse

The Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail is a popular hike any time of the year, but from December through April, when humpback whales are around, it's amazing. 

The trail leads along the access road to the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse, one of Oahu's most familiar landmarks built in 1909.  Guarded by locked gates, the lighthouse is off-limits to vehicular traffic, but hikers are welcome.

Cruise Whale Territory

Hawai'i is a major humpback mating and calving destination.  Every year, the whales travel more than 2,500 miles from their feeding grounds in Alaska to mate and give birth in Hawai'i waters.

Humpback whales exhibit a variety of behaviors that are visible from boats or shoreline lookouts.  You might see a whale blow, which refers to the act of exhaling, and the cloud of mist above the whale's head during the process of exhalation.  You might also see a tail slap or a full breech.

Some good whale watching spots from shore are:  Ka'ena Point, Halona Blowhole Lookout, Hanauma Bay, Shark's Cove, Makapu'u Point Lighthouse, Turtle Bay Resort and Lanaikai.

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