Honolulu Vacations

Only one airline is Hawaiian

Hawaiian Airlines offers daily nonstop flights to Honolulu from nine West Coast gateways. So your Honolulu air travel is convenient and flexible. It’s affordable as well. In fact, Honolulu airfare and Honolulu travel packages on Hawaiian Airlines make it even easier to experience the island.

The destinations of Oahu and Honolulu are often synonymous to those who’ve never taken Hawaii Vacations. Others consider Honolulu and Waikiki one in the same, which really isn’t that far off base. Waikiki is actually a Honolulu neighborhood – one that’s entirely unique from any other on the island with its resort atmosphere and famous stretch of sand recognized around the world.

Planning Honolulu vacations becomes as easy as sipping a mai tai on the beach thanks to Hawaiian Airlines affordable flights to Honolulu and Oahu. Many first timers to Hawaii find so much to see and do that they never leave the area. If that’s your plan, still consider taking a circle island tour or a Waikiki Trolley ride.

When you book flights to Honolulu for Oahu and Honolulu vacations, you’ll likely head from the airport straight to Waikiki Beach. This was a favorite south shore retreat for Hawaiian royalty who coveted its seaside beaches, fish-rich reefs and bountiful coconut groves. Today, it’s loved by visitors from around the world.

Sprawling from Ala Moana Beach Park to Diamond Head, the 1.5-square-mile beach zone shakes with a vivid dreamlike climate, stunning scenery, ethnic festivals, sizzling nightlife, and global shopping and dining options.

At one end of Waikiki is Diamond Head, Hawaii’s most famous natural landmark. The Hawaiians originally called it Leahi, which translates to "brow of the yellowfin tuna." British sailors later nicknamed it Diamond Head, as they mistook the worthless calcite crystals sprinkled along its slopes for diamonds.

At the base of Diamond Head lies Kapiolani Park, home to the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Waikiki Shell Ampitheatre and dozens of festivals throughout the year that celebrate all things Hawaiian. The park thrives with recreation that includes tennis courts, running paths, and both softball and soccer fields.

What Waikiki emits with fun in the sun appeal, Honolulu delivers in culture and history. The business center of Oahu and government center of the state, Hawaii’s "big city" is home to the State Capitol, King Kamehameha Statue and various judiciary buildings.

Its most distinctive attraction, however, is Iolani Palace, the only royal palace on U.S. soil. You can still catch the Royal Hawaiian Band performing noontime concerts at the palace grounds gazebo each Friday.

What makes Downtown Honolulu so captivating is its eclectic tone. Structures dating back to the 1800s are intermingled with modern mirror-tinted skyscrapers that reflect the Koolau Mountains in one direction and clear, sunny skies toward the ocean. It’s a modern metropolis brimming with contrasts, where historic churches lie near back alley bars.

This melting pot community links one ethnic neighborhood to another – with the most colorful being Chinatown. Filled with the clamor of shoppers and vendors, this delightful sliver of Downtown is an exciting mix of mystery, history and delicious local flavor.

From Waikiki’s outrigger canoe rides and international boutiques to Downtown Honolulu’s lei stands and dim sum shops, Oahu’s south shore is packed with engaging diversions for every taste. Check out Oahu vacations to learn more about the island’s shopping, dining and annual events.

So why wait? Now’s the perfect time to check out Oahu flights and purchase your Oahu airline tickets on Hawaiian Airlines. You’ll be surprised what a breeze your Oahu travel is with Hawaiian-style Oahu and Honolulu travel packages!

Honolulu Tidbits

• The Ala Wai Golf Course just beyond Waikiki Beach was Hawaii’s first municipal golf course.
• Who knew Honolulu was such a sizable city? According to the Hawaii state constitution, any island (or islet) not named as belonging to a county belongs to Honolulu. This makes all islands within the Hawaiian Archipelago that stretch to Midway Island (1,500 miles northwest of Hawaii) part of Honolulu. So technically, Honolulu is about 1,500 miles long!
• Within Honolulu's boundaries, you'll find rainforests, deep canyons, waterfalls, valleys and a mountain range that’s nearly a mile high – plus a slew of beaches!
• Honolulu’s Foster Botanical Garden is a living museum of tropical plants that have been collected over a period of 140-plus years.
• Each August and September, Aloha Festivals showcases Hawaii's music, dance and history. Oahu’s most popular events include the Downtown and Waikiki Hoolauleas (street party) and the colorful Aloha Festivals Floral Parade that streams through Waikiki.
• One of the world’s largest marathons, the Honolulu Marathon is held each year on the second Sunday of December. Between 25,000 – 30,000 runners combine hustle with muscle as they tread from Ala Moana Beach Park through Downtown Honolulu, through Waikiki to Hawaii Kai and back to Waikiki for the finish at Kapiolani Park.

Top Honolulu Travel Tips

• Make a point to soak in the Honolulu and Waikiki skyline from offshore – whether on a sunset dinner cruise, daytime harbor cruise or even a deep sea fishing charter.
• Mark a museum visit on your calendar. Honolulu oozes with these cultural and historic gems, including Bishop Museum, Mission Houses Museum and Hawaii Maritime Center. In Waikiki, check out the U.S. Army Museum at Fort DeRussy.
• Catch the panorama from Diamond Head. A mellow hour-long hike takes off from the crater’s mountain side parking lot. Water, sunscreen and a flashlight are recommended for the trek that travels through a 30-ft. stretch of dark stairway. The views are well worth the effort, spanning over Waikiki across two mountain ranges and to Koko Head eastward.
• Hotels and shopping centers celebrate Hawaii’s culture with daily events that include lessons in lei making, weaving and hula. Get into the action and impress your friends back home!

Honolulu Fast Factoids

• Status: State Capital and County Seat
• Area: Approximately 86 square miles
• Orientation: The city of Honolulu and Waikiki Beach are situated on Oahu’s south shore, east of Honolulu International Airport.
• Average Temperature: 75 - 85F
• Accommodations: Waikiki offers 31,000 of Oahu’s 36,000 hotel rooms and condominium units.

Honolulu Airport:

The primary aviation gateway for the state, Honolulu International Airport (HNL) is the major hub for domestic overseas and interisland flights. One of three Hawaii airports accommodating international flights, the facility lies nine miles west of Waikiki Beach.

Your Hawaiian Connection: Hawaiian Airlines operates scheduled nonstop service between Honolulu on Oahu and Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland and Seattle. Hawaiian also provides scheduled interisland service daily between Honolulu and Kahului on Maui, Lihue on Kauai, and both Hilo and Kona on the Big Island. Code-share service is operated to Molokai, Lanai and Kapalua in West Maui.

Visitors Bureau: www.visit-oahu.com