Diamond Head (Le'ahi) State Monument in Oahu

Diamond Head is one of the most famous natural landmarks of Oahu that you will never miss. It's 760 feet high! It's located at the southern part of Waikiki.

The crater of Diamond Head was named by early Hawaiians leahi. This means "brow of the ahi or tuna". They thought the silhouette of the crater looks like brow of a tuna.

According to legend, the crater used to be a worship site by ancient Hawaiian kings. In 1800s, the calcite crystals in the lava rock was mistaken by British sailors as diamond and so they changed the name of the crater to Diamond Head.

The volcano has been has been extinct for more than 150,000 years. People go for the challenge of a one-mile-steep-hike because when they reach the top, they are rewarded with an outstanding and breath taking panoramic view of Oahu's coastline.

Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is nicknamed "The Gathering Place" because three-fourths of Hawaii’s rich and diverse population of 1.2 million people live on Oahu. The population of Oahu is 909, 863.

Oahu is the third largest island in Hawaii. It’s about 597 square miles, 44 miles long and 30 miles wide. It has 112 miles of coastline.

Also called the "heart of Hawaii", Oahu is the largest Polynesian city. It’s the most bustling and most developed island in Hawaii. The island is dazzling with tons of attractions, activities, lodging, dining and shopping venues. It is the most visited of all Hawaiian islands. It is because Honolulu serves as a stopover on so many trans-Pacific flights.

The state capital Honolulu is located in Oahu. The island not only boasts it’s modern downtown and skyscrapers that is concentrated on the south of the island but also the long coastline, pineapple and sugarcane farms, mountain range, and rain forests towards the northern part of the island.


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Waikiki, located in the south shore, is also the world famous and most visited destination in Oahu. It’s a short drive escape from the cosmopolitan area to experience the magic of Hawaii. You’ll experience the beautiful scenery and uncrowded beaches.

Aside from Honolulu and Waikiki, the other breathtaking areas of Oahu are the Windward Coast, North Shore, Central Oahu and Leeward Coast.

Oahu has an average temperature between 75 degrees-85degrees F year round and therefore you can wear light resort clothes and semi casual dress for restaurants, art galleries or nightlife. It is advisable to bring a light jacket with you for night time. Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses and sunscreen.

Places You Must See in Different Islands of Hawaii

As you plan for summer fun in Hawaii, check out this list of places you can go. This will let you know most of the attractions you can find in different islands you would want to visit. You don't want to miss it after you get home.

The list in every island is in the order of popularity and recommendation.

Oahu

The best places in Oahu are Bishop Museum and Planetarium, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Foster Botanical Garden, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Hanauma Bay Beach Park, Lanikai Beach, Honolulu, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Kailua Beach Park, Kawaiahao Church, Sea Life Park, Southeast Shore, Mission Houses Museum, Pearl Harbor. Polynesian Cultural Center, USS Arizona Memorial, Waikiki, Waimea Valley Audobon Center, Aloha Tower, Battleship Missouri Memorial, Chinatown, Contemporary Museum, Hawaii Maritime Center, Honolulu Zoo, International Market Place, Jhamandas Watumull Planetarium, Koko Crater Botanical Gardens, Kualoa Ranch, Lyon Arboretum, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, North Shore Beaches, Senator Fong's Plantation, Shangri La, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park and Wahiawa Botanical Garden

The Big Island

The best places to visit in Hawaii, The Big Island are Hawaii Volcanoes, Kaunaoa Beach, Kilauea Volcano, Chain of Craters Road, Crater Rim Drive, Halemaumau, Hapuna Beach SRA, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Laupahoehoe Point Beach, Hilo, Kilauea Visitor Center, Puuhonua o Honaunau NHP, Mauna Kea, Waipio Valley, World Botanical Garden, Akala Falls State Park, Green Sand Beach, Hulihee Palace, Kealakekua Bay, Kohala Coast, Kona Village Luau, Mauna Loa, Mookini Heiau, Parker Ranch, Pepeekeo Scenic Drive, Punaluu Black Sand, Rainbow Falls, Swim with Rays, Thomas A. Jagger Museum and Thurston Lava Tube.

Maui

The best places to visit in Maui are Haleakala NP, Hana Highway, Lahaina, Iao Valley State, Kaanapali Beach, Oheo Gulch, Big Beach, Maui Ocean Center, Maui Tropical Plantation, Paia and Wailea Beach

Kauai

The beautiful island of Kauai is not as expensive and it's got lots of attractions like the famous Na Pali Coast. Other places you can visit are Hanalei Bay, Kokee State Park, Kalalau Trail, Limahuli Garden, Mc Bryde and Allerton Botanical Gardens, North Shore, Poipu Beach, Waimea Canyon, Waimea Canyon Drive, Waimea Canyon State Park, Fern Grotto, Grove Farm Homestead, Kee Beach, Lumahai Beach, Polihale Beach, Poipu and Spouting Horn.

Lanai

The best places to visit in Lanai are Hunolopoe Beach, Highway 44, Shipwreck Beach, Munro Trail, Kaunolu and Polihua Beach

Molokai

In Molokai you can visit Kalaupapa NHP, Make Horse Beach, Moomi Dunes, Murphy's Beach or Purdy's Macadamia Nut Farm

Polynesian Cultural Center of Hawaii

You may read in books, magazines or internet about the Polynesian culture but there is nothing better than seeing live, the lifestyles and ancient villages of Fiji, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, Tonga, Marqueseas and Hawai'i being recreated. It's like a whole trip to Pacific Islands!

In lush tropical setting, you will see different kinds of entertainment like lilting chants, war dances, tree climbing, woodcarving and cooking over fire. You may also attend a luau or enjoy a live stage show with hundreds of performers in colorful costumes. They perform in a stage decorated with swaying palms and exploding volcanoes. IMAX theater shows are also available.

This 42 acre site is located on the North Shore of Oahu. It's open year round Mondays thru Saturdays from 9am to 6:30pm. Closed on Sundays and certain holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas day.