DK Travel : Honolulu & O’ahu

O’ahu is the most populous of the Hawaiian islands, and its conjoined hubs are the city of Honolulu and the world-famous Waikīkī Beach. The vast majority of visitors make Waikīkī their base, venturing out on day trips to take in Honolulu’s many cultural attractions, Pearl Harbor, and other parts of the island. The family-friendly beaches and parks of the South hore and Kāne’ohe District are in striking distance of Honolulu, while diehard surfers head for the North Coast. The Polynesian Cultural Center is also an easy day trip from the city.

Ko’olau Golf Club

Golfers travel a long and winding road at this course, nestled among the foothills of the dramatic Ko’olau mountain range. It has been rated among the top 100 courses by Golf Magazine and named O’ahu’s best by Golf Digest . Bring lots of extra golf balls and prepare for long holes, water hazards, and a difficult layout.
Ko’olau Mountain Range

The wind- and water-cut Ko’olaus are the subject of countless Hawaiian chants and songs. This Windward-side mountain range (the name means “wind-ward”), so green and dramatic, forms O’ahu’s spine from southeast to northwest.
Kua ’Aina Sandwich Shop

Famous for its third-of-a-pound burgers and crisp fries. Look for the crowd just off the highway near the end of town.
Kualoa Ranch

The valley and rolling hillsides of Kualoa were once a sacred place of refuge, then passed to missionary descendants from royal hands. Today, it is a working cattle ranch, as well as a park where visitors can enjoy equestrian experiences (see Kualoa Ranch Horse Trails). The ranch has also been hired as a movie set, appearing in films such as Jurassic Park and Windtalkers .

Kualoa Ranch
Kualoa Ranch

A family-owned ranch that tends to and protects the land and also offers great outdoor acitvities for individuals and groups. They can show some of the most amAzing landscapes and sites on the whole island and explain the history of the area and the ranch.
Kualoa Ranch Horse Trails

The Kualoa Ranch & Activity Club offers daily one- and two-hour rides on this historic, 150-year-old family ranch. One-hour rides traverse the base of the Ko’olau Mountains; two-hour rides delve into wide Ka’a’awa Valley. These are suitable for inexperienced riders.
Kualoa Regional Park

This flat, windy park, with its narrow sandy beach and shallow inshore ponds, is fantastic for kite-flying, snorkeling, launching watercraft, picnicking, and camping (by permit). The clearly visible peak sitting on the ocean (sometimes known as the China-man’s Hat) is the island of Mokoli’i (see Mokoli’i (Chinaman’s Hat)).

Kualoa Regional Park

The beach at Kualoa Regional Park
Kuan Yin Temple

Light bounces off the multi-colored exterior of this Chinese place of worship; inside, incense drifts and the goddess of mercy looks on as devotees pray.
Kūhiō Beach

Once known as Hamohamo, this area was the location of Pualeilani, the beach home of Queen Kapi’olani and later her adopted son, Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana’ole, a delegate to the U.S. Congress. During his lifetime he opened the beach near his home to the public, and left it to the city when he died.

Kūhiō Beach
Kui

Today’s most familiar lei – flowers strung together with needle and thread.

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Restaurant price categories

Price categories include a three-course meal for one, a glass of house wine, and all unavoidable extra charges including tax.
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