All About Oahu, Hawaii

Oahu is the smallest island physically but has the largest population, by far, of any Hawaiian Island. Oahu is all traffic and people and hotels with plenty of stuff to do and places to eat. The shopping is expensive (no outlet stores) but there's lots of it. The beaches are excellent, but generally crowded, especially on weekends.

Oahu is the center of business and government for all of the Hawaiian Islands. Remember this and the population when you are trying to get around the island. There will be tons of traffic, even gridlock in some areas, on the way in to Honolulu and Waikiki in the mornings, and on the way out in the afternoons (starting around 2 pm) and evenings.

Weather

Touristy Areas
Waikiki is the biggest touristy area on Oahu and in all of Hawaii. Kailua-Lanikai, and the North Shore are also big with visitors. You can find a little more quiet in residential places like Ewa Beach and Waimanalo. There's one big hotel in Kapolei, but nothing much meant for visitors farther West than that.

Military
The military is big business on Oahu. There's Schofield Barracks (Army), Pearl Harbor (navy), Kaneohe (Marines) and a handful of Air Force and other bases around the island.

Crime
Oahu is a crowded area, with Waikiki and Honolulu being large urban cities. As such, you will find crime, but much less personal crime than you would expect compared to most other U.S. cities. You will, however find plenty of proerty crime. Don't leave valuables in your car or on the beach if you can help it. We always bring as little with us as possible, leaving money and credit cards and cameras in the safe at the hotel.