Description
Oahu (usually Oahu outside Hawaiian and Hawaiian English), the "Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous island in the State of Hawaii. Including small close-in offshore islands such as Ford Island and the islands in Kaneohe Bay and off the eastern coast, it has a total land area of 596 sq miles. The island is home to about 900,000 people (approximately 75% of the resident population of the state) and partly because of this, Oahu has for a long time been nicknamed "The Gathering Place".
The city of Honolulu - largest city, state capital, and main deepwater marine port for the State of Hawaii - is located here. As a jurisdictional unit, the entire island of Oahu is in the City & County of Honolulu, although as a place name, Honolulu occupies only a portion of the southeast end of the island (essentially, the Honolulu District). The island extends from Kaena on the west end to Makapuu on the east. Well-known features found on Oahu include Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Kaneohe Bay, and the North Shore.

Local Information
Oahu's largest city, Honolulu ("protected bay" in Hawaiian), is also the largest city in Hawaii, the county seat, the state capital, and the center of business and industry in the Islands. The City and County of Honolulu encompasses the whole island of Oahu. Honolulu Harbor serves as the lifeline of all the Islands. Most of Hawaii's food and manufactured goods must be imported and distributed through this busy port. Average temperatures on Oahu range from 68 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, year-round. Coastal rainfall averages 23 inches per year. Oahu hosts several major festivals throughout the year, which fully illustrate Hawaii's famed ethnic diversity: Chinese New Year is celebrated on the lunar new year, usually in late January or early February; the Honolulu Festival, which celebrates Hawaii's ties with Japan, takes place in March; the week-long We Are Samoa celebration is in May; the King Kamehameha Day Floral Parade takes to the streets in June, and the month-long Aloha Festivals celebration kicks off in September.

Airport Information
Honolulu International Airport (HNL) Honolulu International Airport is the major aviation gateway for the State of Hawaii. It is the primary hub for domestic overseas and interisland flights and is currently one of three State airports accommodating international flights. Carriers include: including Hawaiian Airlines, Aloha Airlines, Continental, United, Northwest, Delta and American. Honolulu International also functions as a joint military-civilian airport sharing airfield facilities with Hickam Air Force Base.


Local Weather
O'ahu has two types of weather, one warm, the other cool and wet. Summer runs from May to October and averages a daily maximum for Honolulu of 29°C (84°F) and a minimum of 21°C (70°F) thanks to the constant presence of the trade winds. Winter sees a cooling down and the odd storm but average high temperatures remain balmy at 22°C (72°F). Rainfall depends on where you are on the island. The higher you climb the wetter (and cooler) it gets.

Entry Requirements
We recommend all persons travelling abroad should carry a passport due to heightened security at airport check-in and immigration. If you do not have a passport , please contact your airline or your local consulate or embassy in regards to travel documentation necessary for your vacation.