There’s little room to dispute the spiritual power that radiates from the Hawaiian Islands. The island of Oahu is the entry point for the majority of travellers who come here seeking idyllic tropical beaches and a thriving social scene. Honolulu is Hawaii’s largest city and main hub for the action. It is a truly cosmopolitan destination packed with interesting attractions, countless dining options and a wide range of cultural institutions.

Whatever you’re looking for you can find it on Oahu. From the authentic Hawaii of yesteryear to the glossy tourism that dominates world-famous Waikiki Beach, visitors are faced with the daunting task of choosing their activities. The shopping in Honolulu is almost as comprehensive as the island’s range of stunning beaches and rumbling surf. Nightlife abounds in the city and all along the Waikiki strip, allowing you to party as hard or as chilled as you like. But no matter what you do the welcoming spirit of Aloha prevails.

Some of the planet’s finest weather makes Honolulu a hot travel destination all year round. Outdoor lovers will find tropical rainforest hikes, volcanoes to climb and the endless playground of the Pacific Ocean; in addition, the water sports scene on Oahu is simply unbeatable.

The sport of surfing was invented in Hawaii by ancient kings, and the North Shore remains one of the world’s top surf spots, known for its huge waves and legendary breaks. Oahu’s clear water is ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving, and the windy conditions attract hordes of windsurfers, kite-surfers and sailors.

There is a massive selection of accommodation in and around Honolulu. This bustling metropolis is one of the most expensive cities on earth so finding a budget room can be rather hard. Even mid-range hotels will give you pause, so be prepared. But at least you usually get a great view with your room. Honolulu’s hotels are clustered around the downtown area, the Capitol district, the Waterfront district, Chinatown and Waikiki Beach.

Since Oahu sits alone in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, you will need to fly to get here. Honolulu’s international airport receives flights from all over North America, Europe and Asia so it’s fairly easy to find a convenient flight. Another option is to take a cruise ship though this gives you a very limited time on shore. 

The first people to settle the Hawaiian Islands were probably Polynesian sailors from the Marquesa Islands in the South Pacific. They arrived around 900 AD, followed by other seafarers from Tahiti and New Zealand. Captain James Cook, the famous British explorer, was the first European to land on the shores of Hawaii on 18 January 1778. Initially, the locals welcomed these foreigners until they realised they brought deadly diseases with them. Within a century, European disease wiped out 80 per cent of the Hawaiian population.

The next destructive wave came in the form of missionaries from the United States. Their attempts to convert the Hawaiians in the first half of the 19^th century changed the social dynamics of these islands forever. It was foreigners who established the first village of Honolulu, and by 1850 its harbour was filled with merchant and whaling ships. The thousands of sailors who came ashore looking for fun often landed in trouble. Honolulu’s jails were continually full during this rowdy era.

Honolulu’s early fate was to become the commercial hub for much of the Pacific. Sugar was king during the late 1800s, and single-handedly turned this ‘village’ into a wealthy, multicultural city. But Hawaii was also an obvious strategic outpost, and the global superpowers of the 19^th century jostled to gain control over the islands. Foreign colonist merchants and farmers pressured the Hawaiian monarchy into giving up most of their authority, and in 1893 a US-backed coup overthrew the ancient Kingdom of Hawai’i.

In 1898 the US annexed Hawaii, eventually making it the 49^th American state in 1959. Before tourism became a mainstay of Honolulu’s economy, pineapple and sugar growers ran the island. The US military also arrived, setting up a base at Pearl Harbor and assimilating into Hawaiian society. Waikiki’s first hotel opened in 1901, and once the steamships discovered Honolulu the tourism scene exploded.

The attack on Pearl Harbor during WWII thrust Honolulu into the global spotlight in 1941. Once the world’s conflicts had settled down, Honolulu’s popularity as a travel destination grew rapidly. Today this city on the beach is not only one of America’s largest cities by population, it is also one of the most popular global destinations for leisure and business. Since it serves as the gateway to the Hawaiian Islands, everyone passes through Honolulu at one point or another.

Honolulu may have two seasons, dry and rainy, but it is warm and breezy all year long. The annual average temperature hovers around an idyllic 25°C, with very little fluctuation. Honolulu lies on the leeward side of Oahu, giving it hot dry conditions most of the time. The dry season comes during the summer months from June to September, while the rainy season coincides with the winter from November to March.

The best times to visit Honolulu are during the shoulder seasons. April, May, September and October present nearly perfect weather. Conditions are not too humid and not overly windy. These windows are also the off season periods, so tourist numbers are at their lowest, room rates slightly lower and the locals in a more relaxed mood.