CLIMATE

RECREATION

All water sports, fishing, golfing, hiking, camping, sightseeing, horseback riding, museums, cultural events and festivals, art, music, tennis, polo, soaring, major
spectator sports, and a wide variety of shopping experiences.

BRIEF HISTORY

While Oahu was populated before 1000 A.D., it was added to the Island kingdom in 1795 when King Kamehameha I, from the island of Hawaii, fought the Oahu king’s forces to surrender at the famous Battle of Nuuanu Pali. With its fine harbors, Oahu gradually became the state’s political, economic, military, educational, and cultural center. Honolulu Harbor, discovered before 1800, became a key Pacific port for whale, sandalwood, and fur traders. Pearl Harbor became famous when the nation set about to establish strategic military bases. By 1850, the Hawaiian royal court had moved permanently to Honolulu which has since been the seat of the government for the monarchy, republic, territory, and state.

FASCINATING FACTS

• Iolani Palace is the only royal palace in the United States.

• More than 14,000 coral blocks were taken from offshore reefs to build
  Kawaiaha'o Church in 1836.

• Aloha Tower, today dwarfed by Honolulu high-rises, was the tallest
  structure on the island when it was built in 1926.

TOP-RATED ATTRACTIONS

• Hanauma Bay

• Waimea Bay and Waimea Falls

• Halona Blowhole

• Pearl Harbor

• Polynesian Cultural Center

• Punchbowl Cemetery

• Iolani Palace

• Diamond Head Crater Hike

• Waikiki Beach

• Nuuanu Pali Lookou