Honolulu City Guide
Honolulu, located on the southern shore of Oahu, is the county seat for the island, and the capital city of the state of Hawaii. The city lies in a narrow area of flat land between the Koolau Mountains, and the Pacific surf. The Koolau range absorbs the bulk of rainfall from clouds headed toward the southern coastline, and is covered with bamboo forests, and thick tropical jungle. Because the mountains receive most of the rain they also provide for the dry sunny climate enjoyed by Honolulu, and its travel epicenter Waikiki.
The Waikiki Peninsula located at the eastern end of Honolulu is the crown jewel of Hawaii travel destinations. Waikiki has far more options for shopping, dining, accommodations, and nightlife, than anywhere else in Hawaii. Prince Kuhio, and Queens surf beach, set the perfect conditions for your first surfing adventure. The gentle surf, sand bottom, and mild currents make the beaches in Waikiki a safe and easy place for beginners to hit the waves. More experienced surfers have easy access to more challenging waves at close by breaks like Lighthouse, Pops, Paradise, Threes, and Ala Moana Bowls, where you can find many pros tearing up the surf, in the summertime when the epic north shore waves are slumbering. Other major points of interest on Oahu include, Pearl Harbor, Iolani palace, Bishop Museum, Pali Lookout, and Ala Moana Center, a shopping mall that doubles as the central hub for the bus system.
