Oahu Traveler's Guide
Bill Gleasner
26 chapters
35 minute read
Selected Chapters
26 chapters
Remember:
Remember:
Take exact change. Drivers cannot make change. Luggage and large parcels are not allowed on the bus. Waikiki buses are often full, but don't fret. They run every three minutes. Most of the buses you will take from Waikiki downtown (toward Honolulu or Ala Moana Shopping Center) should be boarded on Kuhio Ave. If you need a transfer, ask for one when you board the bus, not when you exit....
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Geographical Directions
Geographical Directions
Makai—toward the ocean Mauka—toward the mountains Diamond Head—toward the end of the island crowned by Diamond Head Ewa—the opposite direction from Diamond Head For information about routes, times, regulations or sightseeing destinations, call 531-1611 any time between 5:30 a.m. and 10 p.m.  ...
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HAWAIIAN WORDS AND PHRASES
HAWAIIAN WORDS AND PHRASES
alii—old royalty of Hawaii aloha—hello, farewell, love da kine—means whatever you want it to, generally a positive remark hale—house hana—work haole—Caucasian heiau—ancient temple holoku—formal dress with train kai—sea kamaaina—a person who was born in the islands or who has lived here a long time kane—man kapu—forbidden, keep out kaukau—food keiki—child kokua—help kona—south lanai—porch laulau—pork or beef cooked in ti leaves luau—feast mahalo—thank you makai—toward the sea malihini—stranger ma
41 minute read
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HONOLULU HIGHLIGHTS
HONOLULU HIGHLIGHTS
King Kamehameha Statue —King Street in front of Judiciary Building and across from Iolani Palace. Impressive bronze statue of Kamehameha the Great. Draped with forty foot flower leis on June 11, Kamehameha Day. Iolani Palace —King and Richards Street. The only royal palace on American soil. Queen Liliuokalani spent nine months here under house arrest after her unsuccessful attempt to restore the overthrown monarchy in 1893. (Wed.-Sat., 9-2:15, Reservations.) Iolani Barracks, Archives of Hawaii a
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WAIKIKI
WAIKIKI
Waikiki is where the action is—wave action and people action. This long series of beautiful beaches is protected by an offshore reef a half mile out. Conditions are ideal for surfing, outrigger canoe paddling and catamaran sailing. The people come in waves that overflow the streets and fill the high rises. The ebb and flow of humanity is a fascination in itself. Waikiki is a peninsula separated from Honolulu by the Ala Wai Canal and bounded by the sea and Diamond Head. Long a favorite summering
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(Koko Head, Sea Life Park, etc.)
(Koko Head, Sea Life Park, etc.)
The drive around the east end of the island from Waikiki to Koko Head, Sea Life Park, Waimanlo and back through Nuuanu Pali's tunnels is as interesting a 35 mile tour as you're likely to take anywhere. The scenery is dramatic—rocky coastline, wide sand beaches, transparent water, and offshore islands with the rugged Koolau Mountains as a backdrop. Koko Head and Koko Crater —Impressive peaks formed by Oahu's last eruption. Hanauma Bay —Watch for sign at the top of Koko Head. Idyllic beach, placid
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(Nuuanu Pali lookout, Polynesian Cultural Center, etc.)
(Nuuanu Pali lookout, Polynesian Cultural Center, etc.)
Queen Emma's Summer Palace —2913 Pali Hwy. Former home of Queen Emma, wife of Kamehameha IV. A furnished museum with rare belongings of Hawaiian royalty. (Daily. 9-4. Fee.) Nuuanu Pali Lookout —Reached by a spur road off the Pali Highway. Unforgettable view usually seen through blasts of unforgettable wind. Haiku Gardens —A mile off highway #83 on Haiku Road. Grass huts in luxuriant setting of lily ponds and bamboo groves. (Daily except Monday) Haiku Gardens Restaurant serves lunch and dinner. B
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(Sunset Beach, Waimea Falls Park, etc.)
(Sunset Beach, Waimea Falls Park, etc.)
Sunset Beach —along with many other beaches along the north shore has earned a reputation as the world's foremost surfing coast. Winter waves running as high as 30 feet are an awesome sight in themselves. When young people brave them on a slim board, it's nothing less than a spectacular sight. Surfing competition draws participants and spectators from around the world and larger contests are transmitted to international audiences by television. Puu O Mahuka Heiau —Take Pupukea Road off #83. The
51 minute read
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(Schofield Barracks, Wahiawa, etc.)
(Schofield Barracks, Wahiawa, etc.)
Pineapple Fields —Largest pineapple growing area in the world. Kukaniloko —Place of the Sacred Birthstones. Before Wahiawa take the dirt road on the right through a pineapple field leading into a clump of eucalyptus trees. Here the royal women of Oahu came to give birth up until the reign of Kamehameha the Great. Hongwanji Mission —In Wahiawa, 1067 California Ave. Wahiawa Botanical Garden —1369 California Ave., Wahiawa. Nine acres of tropical plants and trees. (9-4, free) Schofield Barracks and
39 minute read
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BEACHCOMBING
BEACHCOMBING
The best beaches for beachcombing and tidepool peeking are Ewa Beach Park, Mokuleia Beach Park, Kaiaka Bay, Chun's Reef, Punaluu Beach Park, Kaaawa Beach Park, Kualoa Point, Kaneohe Bay and Waialae Beach Park....
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SURFING
SURFING
Waikiki's ideal surfing conditions—steady, dependable waves usually from two to five feet—attracted Hawaiian royalty years ago. The surf today draws enthusiasts from around the world. As a result, while the waves are still excellent, especially for the novice surfer, there's usually a crowd. For more maneuvering space and a change in scene, surfers should head for one of Oahu's other great surfing beaches. Ala Moana Park Waialee-Kaunala Beach (experts only) Sunset Beach (experts) Ehukai Beach Pa
54 minute read
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GOOD SWIMMING BEACHES
GOOD SWIMMING BEACHES
Ala Moana Park Waikiki Beach Center Prince Kuhio Beach Park Queen's Surf Beach Park Sans Souci Beach Hanauma Bay Beach Park Kaupo Beach Park Waimanalo Beach Park Bellows Beach Park Kailua Beach Park Kalama Beach Kaaawa Beach Park Kahana Bay Beach Park Punaluu Beach Park Ehukai Beach Park Waimea Bay Beach Park Makua Beach Keaau Beach Park Pokai Bay Beach Park Maili Beach Park Ulehawa Beach Park Nanakuli Beach Park Kahe Beach Park The best beaches for body surfing are Prince Kuhio Beach Park, Koko
33 minute read
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GOOD SNORKELING BEACHES
GOOD SNORKELING BEACHES
Sans Souci Beach (Waikiki) Maunalua Beach Park Hanauma Bay Beach Park Kaaawa Beach Park Panaluu Beach Park Ehukai Beach Park (when calm) Sunset Beach (when calm) Pupukea Beach Park (when calm) Waimea Bay Beach Park (when calm) Chun's Reef Laniakea Beach Mokuleia Beach Park Makua Beach Keaau Beach Park Mauna Lahilahi Beach Park Pokai Bay Beach Park Nanakuli Beach Park Kahe Beach Park...
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GLASS FLOAT BEACHCOMBING
GLASS FLOAT BEACHCOMBING
Glass balls that once held Japanese fishing nets afloat are carried great distances on ocean currents. Some find their way to Hawaiian beaches where they are highly prized by beachcombers....
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FISHING
FISHING
How's the fishing? Stroll down to the International Market Place in Waikiki and take a look at the marlin on display. There's your answer, all 1800 pounds of it. Fishing is a year-round pleasure and for saltwater enthusiasts there are no seasonal restrictions, no limits and no licenses required. You can also try your hand at surf casting, spin fishing, spear fishing and fresh water fishing. Honolulu boats fish for a mixed catch which may include mahimahi (dolphin), Allison yellow fin tuna, giant
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(DA KINE FOR KEIKIS)
(DA KINE FOR KEIKIS)
Ala Moana Young People's Hula Show —A delightful display of young talent every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on the Lanai Stage at Ala Moana Center. (Free.) Waikiki Beach —Take off your shoes and walk the entire beach from one end to the other. It's all yours whether or not you're staying in a surfside hotel. Help paddle an outrigger canoe in through the surf, take a surfing lesson, snorkel, swim or sun. Or just sit and watch the world go by. International Market Place —Open air market with 80 different s
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Public Courts
Public Courts
Aiea Recreation Center 99-350 Aiea Heights Dr. Aina Haina Playground 827 Hind Dr. Ala Moana Park 1201 Ala Moana Diamond Head Tennis Center 3908 Paki Ave. Ewa Beach Community Park 91-955 North Rd. Hahaione Valley Park 663 Pepeekeo St. Halawa Park 99-740 Apela St. Kaala Playground 150 Kilani Ave. Kahala Field 4495 Pahoa Ave. Kailua Recreation Center 470 Kailua Road Kaimuki Recreation Center 3521 Waialae Ave. Kalakaua Recreation Center 721 Kalihi St. Kalihi Valley Center 1911 Kam IV Rd. Kamamalu Pl
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GOLF
GOLF
Ala Wai Golf Course Honolulu, HI 96815 Bay View Golf Center Kaneohe, HI 96744 Hawaii Country Club Wahiawa, HI 96759 Hawaii Kai Championship Honolulu, HI 96825 Hawaii Kai Executive Honolulu, HI 96825 Kahuku Golf Course (9 holes) Kahuku, HI 96731 Kuilima Resort & C.C. Kahuku, HI 96731 Makaha C.C. East Waianae, HI 96792 Makaha C.C. West Waianae, HI 96792 Mililani Golf Club Mililani Town, HI 96789 Moanalua Golf Club Honolulu, HI 96819 (9 holes) Olomana Golf Links Waimanalo, HI 96795 Pali Gol
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The following beach parks allow camping:
The following beach parks allow camping:
Makapuu Beach Park Kaiona Beach Park Waimanalo Beach Park Bellows (weekends and holidays only) Kaaawa Beach Park Swanzy Beach Park Kehana Bay Beach Park Punaluu Beach Park Hauula Beach Park Haleiwa Beach Park Mokuleia Beach Park Keaau Beach Park Lualualei Beach Park Nanakuli Beach Park Kahe Beach Park  ...
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HIKING
HIKING
The State Forestry Division maintains about two dozen trails on Oahu. Maps showing these trails may be obtained from them at 1179 Punchbowl St. in Honolulu. The Hawaiian Trail and Mountain Club conducts weekly hikes (non-member fee is 25¢). For information call 247-3922 or 734-5515 during business hours or write to the club at P. O. Box 2238, Honolulu, HI 96804. The Hawaii chapter of the Sierra Club takes one day hikes monthly on Oahu (non-members are welcome) and can be contacted c/o the Bishop
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WEATHER
WEATHER
Oahu weather is beautifully balmy, as near to perfection as you're likely to get on this globe. Temperatures are generally in the seventies in the winter; in the summer they creep up into the eighties. The average range in Honolulu varies only seven degrees between August, the hottest part of the year, and January, the coolest time. The difference between day and night peaks is about 12 degrees. At Waikiki the ocean fluctuates narrowly between 75 and 82. In other words, if it's summer you want,
57 minute read
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OAHU'S PAST
OAHU'S PAST
The volcanic cataclysms that pushed Oahu through the surface of the Pacific four to six million years ago originated in a fault in the earth's crust at the bottom of the ocean. Complete with rumbling, sputtering and spectacular fireworks, it was a dramatic premiere performance. Today this gentle island, green and golden, belies its violent birth. A millennium of rain, sunshine, waves and trade winds have sculpted Oahu into a tropical jewel of lush valleys, mountains and curved sandy beaches. The
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SUGAR
SUGAR
Sugar cane came to the islands in the hulls of the great canoes those early Polynesians sailed across the Pacific. Hawaiians planted it as a windbreak around their homes and broke off sections to chew when they traveled. The first sugar plantation in Hawaii was started in Manoa Valley on Oahu in 1825 and the first export recorded was two tons in 1837. The Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society was instrumental in bringing the initial shipment of Chinese laborers to work the fields in 1852. This was
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Major hotels
Major hotels
1 Ala Moana 2 Aloha Surf 3 Ambassador 4 Breakers 5 Cinerama Edgewater 6 Cinerama Reef 7 Cinerama Reef Towers 8 Coral Reef 9 Coral Seas 10 Hale Koa 11 Halekulani 12 Hawaii Dynasty 13 Hawaiian Regent 14 Hilton Hawaiian Village 15 Holiday Inn 16 Holiday Inn 17 Holiday Isle 18 Hyatt Regency Waikiki 19 Ilikai 20 Ilima 21 Imperial Hawaii 22 Kaimana Beach 23 Marine Surf 24 Miramar 25 Moana 26 Outrigger 27 Outrigger East 28 Outrigger Surf 29 Outrigger West 30 Pacific Beach 31 Pagoda 32 Park Shore 33 Pri
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Points of interest
Points of interest
1 King Kamehameha Statue 2 Iolani Palace 3 Iolani Barracks 4 State Capitol Building 5 Hawaii State Library 6 Honolulu Hale (City Hall) 7 Mission Homes 8 Kawaiahao Church 9 Honolulu Academy of Arts 10 Neal Blaisdell Center 11 Aloha Tower 12 Falls of Clyde 13 Chinatown 14 Cultural Plaza 15 Kwan Yin Temple 16 Foster Botanic Garden 17 National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific 18 Queen Emma's Summer Palace 19 Alice Cooke Spaulding House 20 University of Hawaii 21 East-West Center 22 Paradise Park 23
41 minute read
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Transcriber Notes:
Transcriber Notes:
Throughout the book, the puncutation of the abbreviations of Sun. through Sat, were changed to ensure a period after each of those abbreviations. On page 8, "acupunture" was replaced with "acupuncture". On page 22, "Tempermental" was replaced with "Temperamental". On page 25, "of highway" was replaced with "off highway". On page 42, a heading "GLASS FLOAT BEACHCOMBING" was added to match the Table of Contents. On page 44, "hubub" was replaced with "hubbub", a period was added after "cartoonists
32 minute read
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