Kailua Living on Oahu
Nicknamed the Gathering Place, Oahu is for most visitors the gateway to the Hawaiian Islands. Arrival at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, named for Hawaii's long-serving U.S. senator, brings dazzling views of the Honolulu skyline and famed Waikiki Beach, the dramatic crater of Diamond Head, and the Ko'olau Range, a lush volcanic ridge commonly referred to as "the Pali." The island's verdant Leeward and Windward coasts are dotted by quiet rural communities and seldom-trodden beaches, and the windswept North Shore, with its renowned waves and 7 miles of sand, is renowned as the birthplace of surfing. In Honolulu, in contrast, is a bustling business hub of 400,000 people that's also home to vibrant shopping, dining, and arts scenes.