Oahu and Maui are two of Hawaii's most popular islands. Both are great for swimming, surfing, snorkelling and whale watching. Those wanting to connect with Hawaii’s royalty, WW II and Honolulu’s nightlife should head to Oahu. If skyscrapers and traffic is not your cup of tea, Maui’s Lahaina and Kaanapali are quieter choices.
Learn about royalty, sunbathe at Waikiki Beach and hike Diamond Head Crater in Honolulu
Located on the island of Oahu is Honolulu, Hawaii's state capital. Honolulu is a modern city with skyscrapers, a diverse population and exciting nightlife. Besides being home to most of Oahu's population, Honolulu is the site of some of Hawaii's most famous attractions. Next to the skyscrapers is Iolani Palace, which was the residence of Hawaii's two last monarchs, King Kalakaua and his sister Queen Liliuokalani. Right across from Iolani Palace is a statute of King Kamehameha, the warrior that unified the islands and became Hawaii's first king.
Most of Honolulu's hotels and resorts are located in Waikiki. Set against a backdrop of high-rise hotels is the famous two-mile long Waikiki beach. Usually crowded with sunbathers and swimmers, Waikiki beach is also a popular spot to surf and snorkel. Just beyond Waikiki is Diamond Head Crater. From the top of Diamond Head Crater, hikers are awarded with panoramic views of Honolulu and the entire southern coast of Oahu.
Remember lives lost at Pearl Harbor
West of Honolulu is Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese Army attacked the docked USS Arizona, killing 2,390 people and drawing the United States into World War II. Visitors can learn about the attack and honor those who lost their lives at the USS Arizona Memorial's Visitor Center. A boat takes visitors to the USS Arizona Memorial floating over the sunken hull of the ship. To this day, oil bubbles up from the sunken ship. Often lost in the USS Arizona’s shadow is the USS Oklahoma Memorial, where 429 crewmen lost their lives that fateful day. Other sites at Pearl Harbor include the Pacific Aviation Museum, Battleship Missouri Memorial and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park. All of these attractions provide visitors with a first-hand experience of the war.
Enjoy the slow pace of life in Lahaina
Lahaina is located on the western shore of Maui, an island favored by visitors who want to avoid Oahu's crowds. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Lahaina has been transformed from a sleepy whaling village to one of Maui's major tourist destinations. You can still experience old Lahaina by following the Lahaina Historic Trail, a self-guided tour that takes you through 55 acres of Lahaina. Front Street is full of restaurants, bars, art galleries and shops. There are so many jewelry stores along Front Street that you can easily compare and shop for black pearls. Many of the restaurants, such as Kimo’s, have patios that overlook the Pacific Ocean. Just a little beyond Front Street, Aloha Mixed Plate serves up some of the most authentic Hawaiian food at reasonable prices. For whale watching, head to the Lahaina Harbor where tours depart frequently.
Snorkel, shop and watch cliff divers at Kaanapali
North of Lahaina is Kaanapali. Home to Maui's luxury resorts and hotels, Kaanapali's Whalers Village is a shopping complex full of designer stores and high-end restaurants with ocean views. You don’t need to spend much money to enjoy Whaler’s Village as there is free nightly entertainment. After indulging in some shopping and seafood, step over to the three-mile long Kaanapali Beach. Kaanapali Beach's calm waters make it a good spot to snorkel and spot some turtles. At the end of Kaanapali Beach is Black Rock, famous for the nightly cliff diving ceremony that is free to watch. For a great view of the performance and the sunset while enjoying a Mai Tai, grab a table at Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa’s Cliff Dive Bar.
These four cities provide a good introduction to all that Hawaii offers. Stay on one island for more relaxation or split your days between the two islands for a more varied experience. Interisland flights that depart hourly make it a breeze to visit both islands on one vacation.
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