A Drive Around Oahu, Hawaii

Stop 2 - Waikiki & Diamond Head

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head

Waikiki Beach, with the Diamond Head crater in the background, is probably one of the most famous beaches in the world. Surprisingly (according to our tour bus driver) Waikiki is actually a man-made beach with most of the sand imported from Australia! Nevertheless, this beach almost symbolizes Hawaii.

Waikiki's first hotel, the Royal Hawaiian

Sculpture in the courtyard of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center

The heart of the Waikiki district is Kalakaua Avenue, along which many of the finest hotels and shopping centers are located. Here, for example, we find the Sheraton Royal Hawaiian Hotel, the first hotel in the area, and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, with its unique combination of quality stores and many free cultural shows and displays. Everything is just a short walk from Waikiki Beach.

Hawaiian Monk Seal at the Waikiki Aquarium

In addition to colorful flamingoes, the Honolulu Zoo has lions, and tigers, and bears -- Oh my!

At the far eastern end of the Waikiki district, are the Waikiki Aquarium and the Honolulu Zoo. The aquarium has many interesting and educational exhibits showcasing the sea creatures found in and around the Pacific Ocean, while the zoo has a full range of traditional exhibits, including different types of apes and birds, plus lions, tigers, bears, elephants, and so on.

The Kodak Hula Show

A short walk away from the aquarium and zoo, at Kapiolani Park, the Eastman Kodak Company puts on a free hula show several days each week. This is the longest running hula show in all of Hawaii, and is a favorite of visitors to Oahu.

Diamond Head, as seen from Kapiolani Park

Honolulu, as seen from Diamond Head

Our tour bus now leaves Honolulu and as we drive out towards Diamond Head, an extinct volcano where, before and during World War II, the U.S. military had lookout stations and gun batteries ready to defend the island from attack. Although we can drive right into the volcano's crater, it's a long hike up to the ridge where we see the magnificent view of Honolulu shown above. Incidentally, the name "Diamond Head" came from a type of rock found inside the crater that were originally mistaken for diamonds.

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Last Updated: January 1, 2003