The Enduring Appeal of Oahu

As anyone who has ever traveled to Hawaii knows, when you first announce to your friends that you plan on visiting the Aloha State, you receive a ton of ideas and suggestions about what to do when you are there. And heaven help you if you don't have a favorite island!

Among my friends, the veteran Hawaii-goers collectively made a very strong pitch for Maui. "It's like Hawaii used to be," is the way things were explained to me, "Back before Oahu got all tourist-y and built up." Of course, I was going there as a tourist, so things been oriented towards the traveler isn't necessarily a turn off to me. I mean, I live in Orange County home of Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, and I actually like those places. But point taken.

Of particular emphasis was Haleakala National Park with its beautiful waterfalls and black sand beaches, and of course, the really cool extinct volcanoes. Also a number of fantastic hotels were recommended. So, I listened intently and filed that information away.

My more geomorphically oriented friends emphasized a different island, of course: the Big Island that shares the name of the state, Hawaii. These friends were outdoorsy types who thrilled at the idea of climbing Mauna Kea or Mauna Loa, and of hiking in to see rivers of hot running lava. Exciting to be sure, but my own idea of camping is a ten minute nature hike then back to the hotel for brunch, so this wasn't quite my style. Still, I listened carefully, and made note of what was said.

A few people suggested that I make sure I didn't miss Kauai. There were two quite different reasons for going to this location. One, it is apparently the place where the first few black and white episodes of Gilligan's Island were filmed. Okay, that is interesting, but what else? It is also a growing site for eco tourism, a destination for those who are trying to find primeval forests, and get deep into untouched nature.

But to me, this wasn't really what I was looking for. As I reflected on my own impressions of Hawai'i over the years, I realized that the images in my mind were all from Hawaii 5-0, Magnum P.I. and even, yes I admit it, the Brady Bunch special where they went to Honolulu. I was wanting to see urban Hawaii, Chinatown, Pearl, the North Shore, and Waikiki. When I went back to my friends and explained this I got essentially two answers: "Uh, well you can stay home and see strip malls..." and the more charitable "Well, everyone should see Oahu at least once."

What I can tell you, having gone to Hawaii and spent all my time on Oahu is - the Hawai'i you saw on television still exists! I went to Honolulu, ate duck soup in Chinatown, visited the legislature, traveled to the Dole Plantation, hung out on Waikiki, and did all those things the tourists do and had a wonderful time. I tracked down places where my favorite TV shows were filmed, and spent lots of time interacting with the people of Hawaii. I rode transit, ate shrimp on the North Shore, and ate at some nice restaurants.

So, at the end of the day, I experienced the aloha spirit and it lived up to all my expectations. The reason why? Hawaii I discovered is less about the place, although it is spectacular and beautiful, than it is about the people. And most of the people there are on Oahu - the most populated and built up island - and my favorite.