The Gathering Place
Oahu, the third-largest island in the Hawaiian chain, is a wondrous
blend of urban, rural, small-town and natural environments. With a
population of about a million people, its nickname, "The Gathering
Place," is very fitting.
The millions of people from around the world who visit Oahu each
year discover everything from deserted beaches and misty valleys to
world-class shopping malls and bustling centers of business.
One of the best things about Oahu's natural splendor is how simple
it is to enjoy. Renting a car is fun, and it's nearly impossible to get
lost! Tour companies also offer a variety of itineraries in convenient,
air-conditioned comfort.
Oahu's scenery should be just the beginning of all you plan to
enjoy. During the last two centuries, new residents from many lands
have woven a marvelous multicultural web encompassing everything from
cultural heritage to rich cuisines.
From the grace and the beauty of traditional hula to the joy of lei
making, savoring traditional Hawaiian culture is a natural place for
every visitor to start exploring the Islands. Many attractions offer
hands-on activities that introduce you to our host culture, and the
museums tell the story of our Islands in incomparable fashion.
If you were born to shop, you've come to the right place. From
modern, cosmopolitan malls to quaint boutiques, Oahu is a shopper's
paradise. Hawaiian fashions, jewelry, wood products, and even produce
and flowers all make welcome, appreciated gifts. Trendy, high-fashion
goods also occupy center stage here. Treasures of all sorts await you
on lovely Oahu. Don't be shy-- go ahead and explore! Check out these great video links:
Learn to surf with the Waikiki Beach Boys -
http://hawaii.travelagentportal.net/LearnSurf.html
Big Wave surfing on the North Shore -
http://hawaii.travelagentportal.net/BigWave.html
Points of interest:
Diamond Head
Waikiki's most famous landmark, Diamond Head standing at the eastern
end of Waikiki, is an extinct volcano and Hawaii's state monument and a
national natural landmark. Visitors are welcomed to hike its 760 feet
inside wall to the rim of its seaside peak where the view of Waikiki
and Oahu's south coast is one of the most memorable on the island.
Bishop Museum
State museum of natural and cultural history featuring the world's
largest collection of Hawaiian and Pacific artifacts and antiquities
including feather cloaks, weapons, clothing, koa calabashes and
jewelry. Hula performances are held weekly and Hawaiian craft
demonstrations are presented daily. With your Aloha Book coupon,
receive $2 OFF general adult admission.
Hours of Operation: 9 am to 5 pm
Chinatown
Good food and unique stores selling fresh vegetables and beautiful Hawaiian flower leis.
Hanauma Bay
 Hanauma
Bay is an emerald blue cul-de-sac chockfull of protected Hawaiian
fishes which boldly swim up and kiss your face mask. This Bay is an
extinct volcanic crater which was eroded by the sea into a vast
aquarium. This number one snorkeling spot on the island and marine
sanctuary, its calm conditions and myriad of tropical fish, coral and
marine life creates an ideal environment for even the novice snorkeler.
Hours of Operation: Wed - Mon 6 am to 6 pm; closed on Tuesdays
Hawaii Children's Discovery Center
One
of the best attractions on the island of Oahu for the entire family!
Located right in front of the Kakaako Waterfront Park, 10 minutes
walking distance away from Ward Warehouse. Children develop their
creativity through playing "make believe" with center's instruments,
and much more! Admission fee: $8 for adults, $6.75 for children age 2
to 17, $5 for seniors, and free for under 2 years old. Free parking
available at Kakaako Waterfront Park. Closed on Mondays.
Hours of Operation: Tues - Fri 9 am to 1 pm; Sat - Sun 10 am to 3 pm
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, one of Hawaii's newest water
attractions, is located in Oahu's second city, Kapolei, approximately
35 minutes west of Waikiki. Featuring 4 & 7 story high slide
complexes, mega-wavepool, lazy river kiddy and group function areas and
much more! There is food available as well as a picnic area. Be
prepared to get wet, stay wet, and get wet some more. ResortQuest Kids
receive one FREE children's admission for one PAID adult admission!
Hours of Operation: 10:30 am to 6 pm
Historic Iolani Palace
Iolani Palace is a Hawaiian national treasure and the only official
state residence of royalty in the United States. The palace had been
the official residence of King Kalakaua & Queen Liliuokalani, the
last monarchs of Hawaii. Located 10 minutes from Waikiki.
Hours of Operation: Tue - Sat 9 am to 4 pm
Honolulu Academy of Arts
As
Hawaii's only general art museum, the Honolulu Academy of Arts has
extensive art collections almost equally divided between Western and
Asian art. In 30 galleries, the Academy presents an overall collection
of 34,000 pieces internationally recognized for its quality and
diversity. The Asian collection is one of the most important
assemblages of its kind in an American museum. This includes the James
A. Michener Collection of 5,400 Japanese prints, Chinese jade, Japanese
bronze, and Korean celadon bowls. The Western collection includes
Cycladic, Greek, Roman, and Egyptian pieces from as early as the third
millennium, and the Kress Collection of Italian Renaissance paintings.
Also included are artists from Gauguim to Homer, from Picasso to
Flemish masters. The Honolulu Academy of Arts is a delightful way to
spend an afternoon. In addition to the galleries, there is a library,
theater, gift shop, and the Garden Cafe.
Hours of Operation: Tue - Sat 10 am to 4 pm; Sundays 1 pm to 5 pm
Honolulu Zoo
The Honolulu Zoo is a welcome respite from the "zoo out there." After
concrete and crowds, the zoo takes you to another world. There are
benches and shade everywhere, and the flora and fauna are definitely
different from the temperate United States. Must do and see if you are
traveling with children. Enjoy the call of the wild!
Hours of Operation: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Dole Plantation
Get lost in the "World's Largest Maze." See 21 pineapple varieties;
take a 2 mile train ride on the Pineapple Express; enjoy a self-guided
tour through Dole's Plantation Garden; take home fresh pineapple; relax
with cool pineapple treats. Check out unique souvenirs.
Hours of Operation: 9 am to 5 pm
International Marketplace
With more than 275 gift shops, kiosks and souvenir stands, one will find an array of Hawaiian print clothing,
Hawaiian t-shirts, trinkets of all sorts and items one wouldn't find anywhere else but at this open-air
marketplace at bargain prices. Centrally located in Waikiki, this marketplace is close in
proximity to ResortQuest Hawaii properties in Waikiki.
Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center celebrates the people and cultures of
vast and varied Polynesia, gathering together much of their individual
music, dance, foods, clothing, shelter, arts & crafts, and their
belief systems, and showcasing them in a delightful, inspiring, and
educational way. The center helps paint a bigger picture of Hawaii and
her relatives in the Pacific, and the images will remain with you for a
lifetime! In addition to samples of traditional island foods available
in the villages, the Center also offers the Ali'i Luau. The Gateway
Restaurant features an all you can eat dinner or the Ambassador Fine
Dining menu. Light meals and treats can also be found at the Banyan
Tree snack bar and at the Maori and Tahitian villages. Located on a
beautifully landscaped 42-acre parcel on Oahu's North Shore, and has
entertained and educated over 26 million visitors since its inception
in 1963.
Hours of Operation: 12 noon to 6:30 pm; closed on Sundays
Sea Life Park
The Sea Life Park features an outstanding display of Hawaii's exotic
marine life in a truly beautiful oceanside setting. Daily shows feature
performing dolphins, killer whales, sea lions, penguins and unique
marine life including the world's only "wolphin (half killer whale,
half dolphin). A 300,000 gallon Hawaiian Reef tank allows visitors to
see thousands of reef fish, rays, moray eels and exotic creatures
native to Hawaiian and Pacific waters. With your Aloha Book coupon,
receive a 10% discount on your food & beverage purchase.
ResortQuest Kids receive one FREE children's admission for one PAID
adult admission.
Hours of Operation: 9:30 am to 5 pm
U.S.S. Missouri Museum
Resting at the Pearl Harbor is the USS Missouri, nicknamed "Mighty Mo,"
a battleship involved in the Japanese surrender ending World War II.
With your Aloha Book coupon, receive a FREE Chief's Tour when you
purchase another at equal or greater value. ResortQuest Kids receive
one FREE children's admission for one PAID adult admission.
U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
As a visitor to the Arizona, the memorial for those who perished that
fateful morning, you cannot help but be moved. Displayed are not words
in a high school history book, but the actual ghostly hulk of the
Arizona. As you leave, you reach out and touch the huge anchor at the
entrance to the Visitor Center, and you realize that you didn't just
tour a memorial today, you touched a memory.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
Tour the historic World War II submarine USS Bowfin and visit the
submarine museum and waterfront memorial. Enjoy the numerous outdoor
exhibits and gift shops. With your Aloha Book coupon, receive one FREE
tour admission when you purchase another. ResortQuest Kids receive one
FREE children's admission for one PAID adult.
Hours of Operation: 8 am to 5 pm
Waikiki Aquarium
Situated next to a living reef on the Waikiki shoreline and is well
placed to serve the people of Hawaii as well as visitors from around
the world. Home to 2,000 animals representing 350 species, this
aquarium is especially proud of its reputation of excellence in coral
reef exhibitory. Other unique attractions include the Hunters on the
Reef, a 35,000 gallon exhibit which houses Hawaiian sharks and jacks,
predators who have a vital role in the balance of reef life. The
Aquarium is only five minutes from Waikiki opposite Kapiolani Park,
remains an inexpensive, educational, and rewarding way to spend part of
a day on Oahu. Walking distance from the ResortQuest Waikiki Beach
Hotel and the ResortQuest Waikiki Sunset. Receive $1 OFF general adult
admission with your Aloha Book coupon.
Hours of Operation: 9 am to 5 pm
Waikiki Beach
World renowned, our playground of the Pacific with shimmering blue
seascapes can be found all along our 3-mile stretch of Waikiki. With
generally calm waters and a sandy bottom, this gold coast is always
dotted with swimmers, surfers, suntanners, beach-goers and picnickers.
Waimea Valley Adventure Park
Waimea Valley Adventure Park is a fantastic potpourri of botanical
nirvana, cultural stimulation, historical education and spine-tingling
adventure. Located on 1,800 acres on the scenic North Shore of Oahu,
the park boasts its own spectacular sites, such as the waterfall, a
world class arboretum and botanical garden that has 36 gardens and
6,000 species, the famous Acapulco style cliff divers, an array of
hands-on cultural activities, and optional adventures that take
visitors into seldom seen parts of Waimea Valley.
Hours of Operation: 10 am to 5:30 pm
Don't forget to ask about my great rates on air, inter-island air and car rentals for all the islands.
Top 5 Things To Do on Your First Trip to Oahu:
5. Hike to the top of Diamond
Head (Leahi) Crater .
4. Take a surfing lesson in Waikiki.
3. Visit the
USS Arizona and USS Missouri memorials at Pearl
Harbor.
2. Take a drive to Haleiwa and the North
Shore.
1. Eat at a luau and watch a
traditional hula.
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An exciting shopping, dining, and entertainment destination! Explore
four city blocks with 120 one-of-a-kind shops and big-value retailers,
23 restaurants, a 16-screen cinema theatre, and even a Farmers Market.
World-famous Waikiki Beach, one of the most popular vacation
destinations in the world! In Waikiki, dip into world-famous Waikiki
Beach, a calm haven amid Waikiki's swirling crowds, stretching over a
mile of glistening, golden sandy beach. Great beach for swimming,
sunbathing, snorkeling, canoe paddling, and beginner-level surfing.
When venturing outside of Waikiki, in east Oahu, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, a snorkeler's paradise, is a haven with its
sheltered shoreline and coral reefs populated by colorful fish.