Honolulu Vacations

Waikiki is the center of the island's visitor industry and home to its largest concentration of accommodations, stores, restaurants, and nightclubs. Dominated by Diamond Head crater, Waikiki's less populated eastern end includes a zoo, an aquarium, and a beautiful park designed for sports.

Take some time to explore the neighborhoods that are located just outside of Waikiki, such as Kaimuki, whose main street, Waialae Avenue, reveals myriad architectural styles alongside boutique shopping and a vast number of eateries. Kahala boasts some of the most luxurious real estate on the island. Ala Moana, west of Waikiki, is brimming with shops that begin with the Ala Moana Center and continue with the five retail complexes of Victoria Ward Centers. Farther west is Downtown Honolulu, the center of Hawai'i's capital city, a bustling blend of history and modern-day commerce. Along its edges, historic Chinatown awaits.

The East O'ahu coast is fringed with white-sand beaches and turquoise seas, and you can drive right over the top of the Ko'olau Mountains. Breeze past modern residential neighborhoods such as Hawai'i Kai to the sleepy slopes of Waimanalo. Finally, a circle-island tour takes you to central, northern, and windward O'ahu, where shoes and cell phones give way to sandy toes and Hawaiian time. Take a time-out to discover the local windward communities of Kailua and Kaneohe, whose beaches are a haven for family fun. On the North Shore, Hale'iwa is a visit back in time, and in winter, it is the place to catch a glimpse of ocean waves that reach heights of 20 ft and more.

To stay oriented on the island, keep in mind that directions on O'ahu are often given as mauka (toward the mountains) or makai (toward the ocean). In Honolulu and Waikiki, you may also hear people referring to "Diamond Head" (toward that landmark) and 'ewa -- away from Diamond Head.
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Long days of sunshine and fairly mild year-round temperatures make Hawai'i an all-season destination. Most resort areas are at sea level, with average afternoon temperatures of 75°F-80°F during the coldest months of December and January; during the hottest months of August and September the temperature often reaches 90°F. Only at high elevations does the temperature drop into the colder realms, and only at mountain summits does it reach freezing.

Most travelers head to the Islands during winter. From mid-December through mid-April, visitors from the mainland and other areas covered with snow find Hawai'i's sun-splashed beaches and balmy trade winds appealing. This high season means that fewer travel bargains are available; room rates average 10%-15% higher during this season than the rest of the year.

Nightlife on O'ahu can be as simple as a barefoot stroll in the sand or as elaborate as a dinner show with all the glitter of a Las Vegas production. You can view the vibrant hues of a Honolulu sunset during a cocktail cruise or hear the melodies of ancient chants at a lu'au on a remote west-shore beach.

Waikiki's Kalakaua and Kuhio avenues come to life when the sun goes down. Outside Honolulu, offerings are slimmer but equally diverse. Wafting through the night air of O'ahu is the sound of music of every kind -- from classical to contemporary. Music has been the language of Hawai'i from the beginning, and O'ahu has the best selection. Everywhere there is hula, whether dancers wear sequin skirts in Waikiki or authentic ti-leaf skirts at Paradise Cove.

The arts thrive alongside the tourist industry. O'ahu has an established symphony, a thriving opera company, chamber music groups, and community theaters. Major Broadway shows, dance companies, and rock stars also make their way to Honolulu. Check the local newspapers -- the Honolulu Advertiser, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, or the Honolulu Weekly -- for the latest events.

Honolulu is the number-one shopping spot in the Islands and an international crossroads of the shopping scene. It has sprawling shopping malls, unique boutiques, hotel arcades, neighborhood businesses, and a variety of other enterprises. Major shopping malls are generally open daily from 10 to 9; smaller neighborhood boutiques are usually 9-to-5 operations.

If you're looking for a meal with a view, explore the restaurants at the upscale hotels and resorts that line O'ahu's shores. Settings can be as casual as a "barefoot bar" or as elegant as a romantic dinner for two under the stars. Beyond Waikiki are culinary jewels tucked away in shopping centers and residential neighborhoods that specialize in ethnic cuisines.

You'll almost never go wrong if you sample the offerings at any establishment whose name ends in the words "Drive Inn." Here you will find the local grinds, which are the staples of the Hawaiian diet: seafood plate lunches and noodle saimin soups. For snacks and fast food around the island, look for the lunch wagons, usually parked roadside near the beaches.

Honolulu's luxury hotels are located in the heart of the city. Many hotels can be found bordering luxurious beaches and are within proximity to many attractions.

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