4 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT OAHU
Oahu, known as the ‘Gathering Place’ to natives, is one of the country’s most popular vacationing destinations. Oahu is the place you visit for white sandy beaches, world-class shopping and unmatched food. You may think you know it all when it comes to this island in the middle of the pacific, but Oahu has a history that we’re betting you know very little about. Below are 4 things you should know about Hawaii before planning your next vacay in paradise.
Oahu’s population is greater than six U.S. states.
Oahu is home to more than 1 million people. According to statistics, that means Vermont, North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska and Delaware are all less populous than the Island of Oahu alone!
Waikiki was once a swamp.
Before the Ala Wai Canal was built in 1928, the now famous Waikiki was home to kalo (taro) and rice fields. After the Ala Wai Canal was constructed much of the surrounding marshland was drained, and Waikiki became the metropolitan playground that we know of today.
Oahu has the only royal palace in the U.S.
Most people who visit the islands are not aware that Hawaii was once its own country. When the capital of Hawaii was moved from Lahaina, Maui to Honolulu, a beautiful palace made from coral was built for royalty. When the original structure began to degrade, a new American Florentine style palace was built in its place and has stood there since. The royal palace of Hawaii, renamed in 1863 as ‘Iolani Palace’, complete with electricity and telephone lines, was unlike any other building in Hawaii at the time. Honolulu currently offers tours through the palace as well as a deeper insight into Hawaiian history. We recommend all visitors take some time to see it.
Oahu houses the most dangerous beach in Hawaii.
It’s not hard to find a beach on Oahu to soak up some rays and grab a tan. And while most beaches are family-friendly and generally safe, visitors should take extra precaution if planning on visiting Sandy Beach on the southeast side of Oahu. ‘Sandy’s’, as the locals call it, sits between Makapu’u and Hanauma Bay and is reported to have the most official swimming incidents and injuries of any beach in the state.
We hope you enjoyed learning something new about our most favorite place in the world! Oahu is one of the most sought after vacay destinations, and we can’t help but be proud of this paradise we get to call home. If you’re planning on making a visit to our beloved Oahu, be sure to contact us for any help in adventuring. We’ve got loads of rentals and lots of tours for the whole family to enjoy!
by | Apr 15, 2018 |