Oahu Hawaii

The Gathering Place

by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 11/15/2024

• The "Hang Loose" Symbol originated in Oahu - This hand symbol originated in the North Shore of Oahu at Laie. A man named Hamana Kalili was a fisherman and construction worker whose legacy included raising money for the building that would become the Polynesian Cultural Center and fathering two Olympians. Hamana Kalilii had lost three fingers from his right hand in an industrial accident. When he waved at somebody, it looked like the hang loose sign.
• The Lowest Temperature Ever Recorded in Oahu - The lowest temperature in Oahu occurred in 1969 at 52 degrees Fahrenheit!
• Home of the World’s Largest Plant Maze - The pineapple maze at the Dole plantation is the largest maze made out of plants in the world. Visitors can utilize a free app on their phones to help the as they wander amongst the greenery.
• Oahu contains the only official royal residence in the United States - Iolani Palace on Oahu was once the home of Hawaiian monarchs. Both King Kalakaua and his sister Queen Liliuokalani ruled from this historic location from 1882-1893.
• Oahu is home to one of the world’s largest wind generators - The windmill is located in the Kawailoa Wind Farm on the North Shore of Oahu.
• Is Honolulu expensive to live in - Honolulu is the fourth most expensive city in the United States to live in according to Rocket Mortgage. For example, the median home price is $1.2 million in Honolulu, nearly the same as San Francisco (#3 most expensive), $975,000 in Los Angeles (#2 most expensive) and $850,000 in New York City (#1 most expensive). Honolulu's housing expenses are 214% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 42% higher than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 26% higher than the national average. Honolulu has grocery prices that are 50% higher than the national average.
• Hawaii is the most isolated population center on Earth - It is 2,390 miles from California, 3,850 miles from Japan and 4,900 miles from China. Gives you an idea why goods can be very expensive to ship to Honolulu!
• What is the size of Oahu - At 596.7 square miles, it is the third largest Hawaiian Island. Oahu has 112 miles of coastline, including some of the world's most beautiful and most famous beaches.
• Waikiki Beachfront Size - It is approximately two miles long and a little over a half mile at its widest point, extending from Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon (also called Hilton Lagoon) in the west to San Souci Beach, Kapiolani Park in the east.
• Hotels on Waikiki Beach - There are quite a few, here is a link to a Google Search Results list.
• What is the time difference from the continental U.S. - Hawaiʻi follows Hawaiʻi Standard Time (GMT-10 hours), which is five hours behind Eastern Standard Time and two hours behind Pacific Standard Time. Hawaiʻi does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so add one extra hour to the time difference during this period (March through November).
• Is it difficult to drive in Honolulu? Yes, Honolulu can have heavy traffic congestion, especially during rush hour. The onramps to the H-1 are limited and a Ramp Metering System is utilized, so the city street onramp access points get very congested. You will need to plan your route and factor in potential traffic delays. Once you get away from the Honolulu area, traffic is much more manageable.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a beautiful resort and village consisting of multiple towers, restaurants, pools, parking, lagoon, and shopping and it has the perfect location on Waikiki beach. It's right on Waikiki Beach with a view of Diamond Head in the distance. An easy stroll to Waikiki restaurants and shopping and the pink line trolley bus stop is right in front of the hotel. Beach chair, scuba, stand up paddle board rentals, or even surfing lessons are available. We've stayed here numerous times and based on how much we like it, we've never stayed anywhere else when we come to Oahu.

You might want to read our comprehensive review of the Hilton Hawaiian Village Resort, there is a wide variety of information and useful tips on that page.

Our goal for this visit to Diamond Head was to hike up the trail to the top, where the views of Honolulu and the Pacific Ocean are just stunning. From the parking lot on the crater floor, the trail to the summit is 0.8 mile one way and climbs 560 feet in elevation. There is a paved concrete walkway for a distance of 0.2 miles at the start of the hike, but the trail becomes uneven and steep, requiring caution and appropriate footwear. Portions of the trail involve steep stairways and another portion of the trail goes through a long, narrow tunnel which is lighted.

Reservations are required and can be obtained online here. The fee is partially for entrance and partially to park inside the parking lot. Reservations are for a specific date & time, so that the park does not become over crowded.

We drove here after completing our Diamond Head hike because it is only 8.4 miles south. There is quite a bit of parking here, however you are required to pay a small fee to use the parking lot. The bay area itself requires reservations, click here to learn more. We did not walk down the hill to the shoreline as my legs were still screaming from the Diamond Head hike.

Hanauma Bay is only 2.3 miles north of Sandy Beach which generally has some interesting surf - but a word of caution as the shore break there can be rugged and has caused a lot of injuries. Enjoy the locals body boarding there but be careful if you go into the water. The Halona Blowhole Lookout is just .5 mile before you reach Sandy Beach, and it too is well worth a look.

Background Info from Wikipedia: Hanauma is both a Nature Preserve and a Marine Life Conservation District (the first of several established in the State of Hawaiʻi). Reflecting changes in attitude, its name has changed over time from Hanauma Bay Beach Park to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Visitors are required by law to refrain from mistreating marine animals or from touching, walking, or otherwise having contact with coral heads, which appear much like large rocks on the ocean floor (here, mostly seaward of the shallow fringing reef off the beach).

Click the Wikipedia link below to read the full article about Hanauma Bay.

We visited the USS Arizona (BB-39) Memorial and then took the bus over to visit the USS Missouri (BB-63). The Missouri is one of the four Iowa class battleships that were built late in WW2 (BB-63 entered service on 11 June 1944). The Navy had originally ordered six ships based upon the Iowa ship class design of which four were completed ( USS Iowa BB-61, USS Missouri BB-63, USS Wisconsin BB-64 and USS New Jersey BB-62), and two were cancelled ( USS Illinois BB-65 and USS Kentucky BB-66) in order to build more aircraft carriers.

The hull construction of the USS Kentucky was halted in January 1950 and the ship's bow was removed in order to repair the USS Missouri's bow damage when it ran aground outside Chesapeake Bay later in 1950.

The USS Missouri played a significant role in World War II, particularly in the Pacific Theater, and was the site of the Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945, which marked the end of the war. After World War II, the USS Missouri was decommissioned and then recommissioned several times, serving in the Korean War and the Gulf War, among other conflicts.

The Iowa-class battleships were indeed a remarkable feat of engineering and design, and they were built to be formidable warships capable of engaging in naval battles on a large scale. It's unlikely that we will ever see such large and heavily armed battleships again, as modern naval warfare has shifted toward smaller, more agile ships with advanced technology and weaponry. Nonetheless, the Iowa-class battleships remain a testament to the technological achievements of their time and their significant contributions to naval history.

Where are all of the Iowa Class Battleships Today?

Pearl Harbor Background Info from Wikipedia: Pearl Harbor is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. It was often visited by the Naval fleet of the United States, before it was acquired from the Hawaiian Kingdom by the U.S. with the signing of the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands are now a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet. The U.S. government first obtained exclusive use of the inlet and the right to maintain a repair and coaling station for ships here in 1887.

Click the Wikipedia Link below to go to the full article about Pearl Harbor.

If you look at a map of Oahu, the "North Shore" is pretty much where you would expect, it is the entire north end of the island. We wanted to traverse Haleiwa, Waimea Bay and then continue on around the north end and then south to Kaneohe so we could come back to Honolulu via the Pali Pass.

The North Shore of Oahu is a beautiful and iconic stretch of coastline that spans approximately 7 miles along the northern coast of the island of Oahu, Hawaii. It is famous for its big waves, pristine beaches, and lush tropical scenery. The North Shore is also a popular destination for surfers and water sports enthusiasts, as it boasts some of the world's most challenging and rewarding surf breaks.

Aside from its surfing fame, the North Shore boasts stunning beaches, including the peaceful Ehukai Beach Park and the scenic Turtle Bay. The area is also rich in cultural history, with the charming town of Haleiwa serving as the cultural and artistic heart of the North Shore.

The Byodo-in Japanese temple can be found on the windward side of Oahu in Kaneohe on route 83. The temple is a scale replica of a temple in Uji, Japan. It was constructed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Japanese immigration to the Hawaiian islands. The temple and grounds are picturesque and it’s worth stopping for some photos and to appreciate the temple and grounds on your way to or from that side of the island.

The temple's architecture is a masterpiece of Japanese design, featuring a stunning crimson pagoda and tranquil reflecting pond surrounded by vibrant gardens and towering trees. Visitors are greeted by the towering "Phoenix Hall," which houses a breathtaking nine-foot statue of the Buddha, casting a sense of serenity over the surroundings.

The Byodo-in Temple is not an active place of worship but serves as a contemplative and educational destination, inviting people of all backgrounds to appreciate the beauty of Japanese culture and spirituality. The temple grounds offer a sense of tranquility, making it a popular spot for meditation, reflection, and photography. It's a unique and spiritual oasis, providing a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Japanese heritage while offering visitors a peaceful escape from the modern world.

Nuʻuanu Pali is a section of the windward cliff of the Koʻolau mountain located at the head of Nuʻuanu Valley on the island of Oʻahu. It has a panoramic view of the windward (northeast) coast of Oʻahu. The Pali Highway (Hawaii State Highway 61) connecting Kailua/Kāneʻohe with downtown Honolulu runs through the Nuʻuanu Pali Tunnels bored into the cliffside.

This is always a fun place to visit because of the views, but also because the winds are always strongly blowing! The trade winds blow through the valley between the high mountains on either side, forming a strong wind tunnel of sorts. Wind speeds of up to 74 mph have been recorded here, and it is nearly impossible to walk upright against winds like that! My wife was nearly blown down by the winds that day, after I went forward and we both groped our way to the lookout area - because together we could safely navigate the winds.

The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (informally known as the Punchbowl Cemetery) is a national cemetery located at Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu, Hawaii. Since it is located in the same general direction of the Pali Lookout, we stopped here on the way up to Pali Pass. In addition, one of Celeste's uncles (James Serrenho) has his name inscribed on the memorial wall. Mr. Serrenho was aboard the USS Morrison (DD-560) during the invasion of Okinawa when the ship was sunk after repeated kamikaze attacks on May 4th 1945.

Located within the crater of an extinct volcano, the cemetery offers a serene and contemplative atmosphere. Lush tropical greenery cascades down the crater walls, creating a vibrant contrast against the white marble headstones. Meticulously maintained lawns and gardens provide a sense of peace and tranquility. The cemetery's architecture is both solemn and inspiring, with the towering white columns of the Memorial symbolizing the sacrifice of those honored within. As visitors gaze out from the crater rim, they are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Honolulu, adding to the overall sense of awe and respect.

When you realize that all of these grave sites are occupied by WW2 heroes, it is a beautiful tribute to the price they paid to our country.

We were searching for some Chinese food and Celeste found this restaurant, and since it is highly rated, we decided to give it a try for lunch. WOW - we sampled several dishes from their dim sum menu and everything we had was excellent! We had to wait a few minutes, as this is a very popular restaurant in Honolulu - have patience because you will enjoy the food here!

The food here is very good, or should I say we found it to be good. Apparently a lot of Honolulu residents like it too, because there was a line of people who were waiting to have a meal. Their menu is varied and extensive and can be found here.

Our goal in visiting the Bishop Museum   was to be able to view their extensive Polynesian artifacts, which is the world's largest collection. Now you might be saying to yourself "hmm, we don't like museums" but this one is unique and it has a huge amount of Polynesian "way of life" exhibits and I promise you that you will find a visit here to be educational and entertaining.

For those of you who might not be familiar with the "Polynesian Mystery", there has been a mystery for some time now about how over ten million square miles of the Pacific Ocean were discovered by voyagers sailing in large double-hulled canoes. Part of the mystery is "how did they navigate" across those huge distances? For example, it is 2,628.72 miles from Tahiti to Hawaii and there is ample evidence that there were numerous voyages between the two islands. Christina Thompson's   book "Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesian" is a very good description of the Polynesian people, who and where they came from, and how they navigated around the Pacific Ocean. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Polynesian history - I've read it and it is an engaging and in depth account of Polynesian history.

The Polynesian Cultural Center   is Hawaii's #1 visitor attraction, has 6 island villages representing the unique island cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti, the Marquesas Islands and Tonga. Set on 42 acres along Oahu's North Shore (Laie Oahu), the Polynesian Cultural Center has a lagoon that hosts daily canoe tours.

An iconic establishment in Waikiki, Duke's Waikiki celebrates an atmosphere that encompasses surfing, the spirit of Hawaii, and live music on the beach. They make excellent mixed drinks, we had Mai-Tais and macadamia nut hummus and both were excellent. If you are interested, click here for their menus and drink list.