The Enduring Appeal of Oahu

Hawaii's Busiest Island Still Holds Much Charm

As anyone who has ever traveled to Hawaii knows, when you first announce to your friends that you plan on visiting the Aloha State, you receive a ton of ideas and suggestions about what to do when you are there. And heaven help you if you don't have a favorite island!

Among my friends, the veteran Hawaii-goers collectively made a very strong pitch for Maui. "It's like Hawaii used to be," is the way things were explained to me, "Back before Oahu got all tourist-y and built up." Of course, I was going there as a tourist, so things been oriented towards the traveler isn't necessarily a turn off to me. I mean, I live in Orange County home of Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and I actually like those places. But point taken.

Of particular emphasis was Haleakala National Park with its beautiful waterfalls and black sand beaches, and of course, the really cool extinct volcanoes. Also a number of fantastic hotels were recommended. So, I listened intently and filed that information away.

My more geomorphically oriented friends emphasized a different island, of course: the Big Island that shares the name of the state, Hawaii. These friends were outdoorsy types who thrilled at the idea of climbing Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa, and of hiking in to see rivers of hot running lava. Exciting to be sure, but my own idea of camping is a ten minute nature hike then back to the hotel for brunch, so this wasn't quite my style. Still, I listened carefully, and made note of what was said.

A few people suggested that I make sure I didn't miss Kauai. There were two quite different reasons for going to this location. One, it is apparently the place where the first few black and white episodes of Gilligan's Island were filmed. Okay, that is interesting, but what else? It is also a growing site for eco tourism, a destination for those who are trying to find primeval forests, and get deep into untouched nature.