Hawaii Four Island Adventure Moderate

It means “the gathering place,” and whoever named Oahu knew what he was talking about. For millions gather here every year to enjoy “the jewel city” of Honolulu, from Diamond Head and the world-famous beaches of Waikiki to the inspiring memorials of Pearl Harbor, to the only royal palace ever constructed on U.S. soil. And if you’re a board-bug, don’t
miss the legendary surfing beaches of the North Shore.

The main city on the Island is Honolulu, with Waikiki being the primarybeach and resort hotel area. Among the many popular things to do on Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center and Sea Life Park, on the opposite side of the Island from Honolulu, are very popular.

The “Garden Island” is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands, because of its lush, tropical rainforest, desolate moonscapes and more than 40 spectacular beaches. Life on Kauai is unhurried from the Na Pali Coast to Waimea Canyon with plenty of unforgettable beaches and stunning waterfalls in-between. Most people have already seen Kauai on the silver screen as the lush, Eden-like backdrop for hundreds of films including Blue Hawaii, South Pacific, Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Outbreak and Gilligan’s Island. Yet the camera’s lens could never do the island justice. Some of the best golf courses in the Hawaiian Islands are found on Kauai, including the Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course, known from the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, and the Prince Courses at the Princeville Resort.

Lihue is a commercial center located on the island’s east side. Kauai (kou´wì´), island (1990 pop. 51,177), 549 sq mi (1,422 sq km), N Hawaii. Formed by extinct volcanoes, it is the oldest Hawaiian island, with Kawaikini (5,170 ft/1,576 m high) its tallest peak. Most people live along the coast; Lihue (1990 pop. 5,536) is the largest town. Sugarcane, rice, and pineapples are the chief crops, and tourism is important.

An independent kingdom when visited (1778) by Capt. James Cook, it became (1810) part of the kingdom of Hawaii. The island was devastated by a hurricane in 1992, but has been rebuilt and is fully operational with lovely resorts.

Lihue is the location of Kauai’s airport and commercial center.

Maui, island, Maui County, central Hawaii, between Molokai and Hawaii islands, known as the Valley Island. The second largest island of the state, it is divided into two oval peninsulas, East Maui and West Maui. East Maui rises in the mountain of Haleakala, a dormant volcano, to a height of 3055 m (10,023 ft). The mountain terminates in a crater nearly 32 km (nearly 20 mi) in circumference and more than 924 m (more than 3028 ft) deep. West Maui rises to an elevation of 1764 m (5788 ft) and has many sharp peaks and ridges and extensive sloping plains on the northern and southern sides. Pineapple and large sugar plantations and cattle ranches are here. Tourism, construction, and scientific research are also important to the economy. Wailuku is the chief community. Area, 1884 sq km (727 sq mi); population (1980) 62,823; (1990) 100,374.

Oahu, island in central Hawaii, between Kauai and Molokai islands, in Honolulu County; it is the third largest island in the state, after Hawaii and Maui. The most heavily populated of the Hawaiian islands, Oahu is known as the Gathering Place. It is about 64 km (about 40 mi) long and 42 km (26 mi) wide. Oahu is the commercial center of Hawaii and is important to United States defense in the Pacific. Pearl Harbor naval base is situated here. Two parallel mountain ranges, the Koolau Range and the Waianae Range, cross Oahu from northwest to southeast. A wide fertile plateau separates the two ranges. The chief agricultural industries in Oahu are the growing and processing of pineapples and sugarcane; tourism also is very important to the economy. Among the many popular beaches is the renowned Waikiki, backed by the famous Diamond Head, an extinct volcano. The largest community, Honolulu, is the state capital. Area, 1555 sq km (600 sq mi); population (1980) 762,534; (1990) 836,207.