Aloha Oahu, Hawaii
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
5th September 2016
Aloha! Not only does the word mean hello, but in all sense of the Hawaiian spirit it carries with it a sense of love, peace and affection. When you’re in Hawaii that’s what you automatically feel, the serenity. Many thanks to the blessing Mother Nature gave these tropical oasis islands with their tall sun-shielding palm trees, soft sandy beaches and awe-inspiring plush mountainous sceneries. If you think that sounds good, it’s much better in person.
The most difficult part of planning your holiday to Hawaii is choosing which of the eight islands to visit. Certainly, the most favoured amongst visitors is Oahu. It is the third largest island and is home to the famous Waikiki Beach. This is where most people are drawn to, because of the string of oceanfront hotels, bars, restaurants and shopping malls that cater to the masses that flock here all year round. While Waikiki is a great base to stay, there’s plenty to see on the rest of the island too. So make sure you take a hike, go chasing those waterfalls, drive through mountain ranges and soak up the Polynesian culture.
There are two things I would recommend you do before arriving in Oahu. One, is to hire a Jeep Wrangler, so that you can pop the top and are free to explore on your own terms. And two is to download the Shaka app onto your phone, ready for when you arrive. The Shaka app is like your own personal digital tour guide (whoever created this app is genius)! You don’t have to worry about using your data as it works by tracking your GPS. So while you’re driving along, Shaka will tell you sights that are coming up with a short spiel of information. Then you can decided whether to check it out or continue driving your way around the island. Sure does beat those tour buses by far!
The drive around the island will take about 3 hours (give or take). But who are we trying to kid, it’s impossible to drive around without making about a million stops (slightly exaggerated!). Only because around every bend on the island there are boundless beautiful sights, both obvious and hidden to discover. So in all honesty, it could take all day. However, I would suggest to split the island up and tour it over two or three days. That way you can enjoy the sights, soak in the sun at some other beach and not have to think about moving onto the next place before the days out (time is never on our side!).
Waikiki Beach is no doubt the designated tourist hub, hence it comes fully loaded with all the amenities you could possible need. In the height of Summer, the spongy sand comes piping hot, that means the water is perfect! Do yourself a favour and grab an inflatable bed from an ABC convenience store (located literally everywhere) and you’re set for a day of drifting in the sparkling sea with phenomenal views of the dormant volcanic crater, Diamond Head as the backdrop. West along the beach (about a 15 min walk), you’ll find the Beach Lagoon. Here the water is shallow with no crashing waves, great for families with little kids.
Spending all day in the water will surely work up a huge appetite. So luckily there are torrent of delectable places to feast off that hunger in and around Waikiki. CLICK HERE to see the list of places you can munch your way through.
The prominent peak known as Diamond Head looks like a terrifying climb to the crest. But it’s actually easier than it looks. The moderately steep inclined climb takes about 20 minutes (one way) along man-made trails. The breeze at the pinnacle point is a welcoming arrival and the sweeping views are something too. Bring some cash as there is a small entrance fee into the park and don’t forget to bring water too – stay hydrated!
There’s no short supply of waterfalls in Hawaii, so make sure you visit at least one. The one I would recommend in Oahu is at Waimea Valley. The waterfall is about a 1.5 km hike on asphalt paved trails between colossal lush botanical gardens. For those with a love for plants and trees, you’ll really enjoy this easy hike amongst the enchanting greenery. This waterfall may be the only one with a lifeguard on hand, with life jackets to suit up in. Don’t underestimate the flow of the water and the depth of this falls. It’s about 10 metres deep, so a life jacket is probably a good idea.
Driving along the island you’re eyes are going to catch upon an astonishing beautiful sight for sore eyes - Kualoa Mountain. A monstrous mountain with overgrown jagged lush greenery, standing in all its glory. This mountain can be seen from many angles on the island, but why not take an adventure drive between it. Kualoa Ranch is a private reserve with a slew of activities such as ATV tours, horse-back riding, zip-lining and more. It’s easy to see why many of the movies we know and love were filmed here, and it’s simply because this reserve is charmingly captivating.
To fully immerse yourself into the culture, visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, located on the North Shore of Oahu. As the name suggests, it’s a Polynesian themed park. Doesn’t sound very exciting, but a visit may surprise you. An open-air museum of live performances and shows that are not only educational but hilariously entertaining.
The best part of it is that all profits are used to fund scholarship programs at the Brigham Young University – Hawaii, providing students with a better education. Many of the employees here are students from the university and so it’s the circle of education here at the center.
Photo Credit: Si Creative Photography
There are different levels of entry tickets, depending on what your desires are (having a toured guide here helps). The buffet dinner is pretty good and the ‘Breath of Life’ show in the evening is vibrantly entertaining. A surprising visit, that exceeded expectations, this was definitely a highlight. Don’t miss the Samoa and Tonga shows, you’ll get a good laugh and learn a lot at the same time.
Appreciating what Oahu has to offer and gathering that it is undoubtedly an island with an immeasurable radiance of beauty, it’s easy to see why this destination is a chosen holiday haven all year round for people from around the world. A modest island with an abundance of things to do and see. Although I’ve only given a glimpse with my top adventures, there is something here for everyone. While you may want to jam-pack as much in as you can, remember to take some time and admire Hawaii’s simplistic tropical beauty. Where everyone and everything has a timeless tranquillity, because everyone here is on Hawaiian time.