About Oahu
, Hawaii
Oahu is the third largest Hawaiian island, but the most populous. The state capital of Honolulu is located on Oahu. The English translation of Oahu is commonly, nicknamed the Gathering Place, in part because so much of the state's community has gathered on this island. In fact, the name Oahu has no special meaning. Its size makes Oahu the 20th largest island within the United States.
Geography
Oahu is separated from the nearby island of Kauai by the Kauai channel and from the island of Molokai by Kaiwi channel. Oahu spans an overall area of 597 square miles. There are two mountain groups on the island that are connected by a plateau: the Koolau and Waianae mountain ranges.
History
Sometime around the year 500 AD the first permanent settlements on the island were founded by Tahitians. In 1795 the famous King Kamehameha I of Hawaii conquered Oahu and became the first to unite the islands of Hawaii. In the late 1800s Queen Liliuokalani was overthrown, leading to the the annexation of the entire chain of islands by the United States in 1898.
Pearl Harbor
The site of the most famous attack by a foreign nation on American citizens is located in Oahu. Pearl Harbor was chosen as the central location for the entire US Pacific Fleet and as a result on December 7, 1941 that fleet was devastated by Japanese plans dropping bombs on Oahu. Today the entire military base at Pearl Harbor is a recognized US National Historic Landmark and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the entire state of Hawaii.
Beaches
In addition to Pearl Harbor, the biggest tourist calling card on Oahu is its many spectacular beaches. One of the most popular of Oahu's beaches is the famous Waikiki Beach. Waikiki Beach was made famous during the Brady Bunch trilogy of episodes that saw the 1970s family vacationing in Hawaii. Waikiki is also a popular spot for beginning surfers because the waves there are more gentle than some of the more dramatic waves found at other beaches.
Diamond Head
Oahu is also home to what is arguably the most recognizable volcanic crater on the planet. Interestingly, Diamond Head was originally called Laeahi, which translates into brow of the tuna. A look at the profile of Diamond Head quickly reveals that this name is much suitable than the name it currently sports.
Oahu in Pop Culture
Because of its natural beauty, Oahu has been featured in many television shows and movies. As might be expected, both Hawaii Five-O and Magnum P.I. were partially filmed on Oahu. In addition to those and other Hawaii-based TV shows, much Jurassic Park and its sequels were filmed in Oahu, as well as as Joe Versus the Volcano, Part II and the epic WWII movie Pearl Harbor.
Ala Moana Center
Fans of 1970s TV game shows likely remember that any trip to Hawaii usually had winners staying at the luxurious Ala Moana Hotel. Today, the Ala Moana Center is the largest shopping mall in Hawaii as well as being the largest open air shopping center in the world. There are nearly 300 stores or restaurants at the Ala Moana Center.
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