The first in our four-part series of Hawaii vacations takes us to the island of Oahu, "the Gathering Place". In subsequent articles, we'll explore the islands of Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.

Oahu is Hawaii's third-largest island and its most developed. Honolulu is the "hub" of all the islands combined, providing many activities and accommodations, along with a feeling of escape and pure relaxation in year-round balmy weather.

Nearly three-quarters of Hawaii's approximate 1.2 million reside on Oahu and about 400,000 live in Honolulu.

Oahu is a good place to start your Hawaiian vacation. More flights arrive in Honolulu from the U.S. mainland and elsewhere than at any other airport on the Hawaiian Islands.

It is also the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit. The only one of the islands that has inexpensive island-wide bus service, it is possible to experience the island without having to rent a car.

Oahu boasts mountains rising from the coast to 2,000 feet with fragrant flowers, sparkling waterfalls, and a jungle-like tropical forest. Daily average temperatures are in the low 70s during the coolest months, February and March, and around 85 degrees in the hottest months, August and September.

Most hotels on Oahu are found around Waikiki, a good base for your adventures on the island. In addition to the usual shopping malls, bookstores, restaurants, bars, art museums, entertainment and cultural activities of a typical American city, Honolulu has unique Hawaiian offerings.

Hanauma Bay, east of Waikiki, is the best snorkeling area in all of the islands, while Kailua Bay is the island's top windsurfing spot. There are many types of activity. From surfing or snorkeling lessons to helicopter tours and dinner cruises, you can find it here.

You can discover the underwater world on a submarine tour. "Atlantis Submarines" will take you directly to the island's plentiful sea life, from exotic fishes to coral and turtles, all circling around you as you descend to the floor of the ocean.

Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial remain one of the most visited sights on the islands. Be sure to include it in your Oahu itinerary. The visitor center for the memorial is located six miles west of Honolulu.

For the hardier, more adventurous traveler, the hiking possibilities are wide open. You can either set out on your own (some very intricate but well-traveled hiking trails are reachable by bus) or book a tour with one of the island's hiking companies.

You can literally go from viewing ancient Hawaiian temples to 21st-Century high-rises, then move from the "Town" to the "Country," just 45 minutes away.

No Oahu trip would be complete without a visit to the North Shore, the world's surfing capital. This part of Oahu remains rural and undeveloped in places. The hotel and golf course at Turtle Bay comprise the only resort in the area.

Haleiwa, the main town of the North Shore, is 24 miles north of Honolulu. It has been a mecca for surfers from all over the world since the 1960s, however it is not an area for inexperienced surfers. This is an easy day trip from Waikiki.

Whatever adventures you encounter on Oahu, whether it is learning to surf at Wakiki, climbing the stack at Diamaond Head, or enjoying the warm sand of a beach, your vacation will end too soon for you to discover all this island has to offer. Perhaps next time....

Bob Freer likes to share his love of traveling. His current passion is Hawaii. He writes about the Hawaiian islandson his website: Hawaii-Travel-Online.com.

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