VISITOR INFORMATION: www.gohawaii.com

A-Z Meet Hawaii Statewide 
courtesy HVCB - Production on Vimeo.

ISLAND BASICS – OAHU 101

Honolulu is Hawai'i’s largest city and is similar to any American metropolitan area; some even compare it to Los Angeles West. Unlike other American cities, however, Honolulu also consists of rainforests, canyons, waterfalls, mountains, gold-sand beaches, and more. The city center is about 12 miles (19 km) wide and 26 miles (42) long. Most of the residents live in the city proper, but there are a number of surrounding suburbs that also serve as residential neighborhoods.

Waikiki is the urban beach with over 170 high-rise hotels, hundreds of bars and restaurants, crowded streets, and constant action. This beach is the heart of it all.

Ala Moana is known for its famous shopping mall and beach. The mall has over 290 stores, 70 dining options and attracts over 42 million visitors a year.

Downtown is a small area that serves as the financial and business sector of Honolulu. Aloha attire is ubiquitous for business professionals, accomodating the temperate climate and celebrating Hawaii's unique culture.

Manoa Valley was one of the first areas inhabited by non-native settlers. Vintage houses, beautiful botanical gardens, splendid Manoa Falls, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa—over 18,000 students attend the flagship campus—inhabit this beautiful valley.

Hawai'i Convention Center Rooftop Courtyard
Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) / Dana Edmunds

Hawai'i only has two seasons, dry and rainy, both of which are warm. The year-round temperature varies no more than 10°F (6°C). On the leeward side, most of Honolulu and Waikiki, it is usually hot and dry, but on the windward side, Haleiwa and Waimanalo, it is cooler and moist.  Particularly in the summer months from June through August, be prepared for average temperatures around 82°F (28°C).