Hawaii's capital city, and the place where westerners first came into contact with native Hawaiians, Honolulu, which means "good harbor" in the native Hawaiian language, is a beautiful and modern city that is an excellent place to start your visit to Oahu, the largest of the five principle Hawaiian islands. It is today home to nearly a million people, and has a thriving economy and culture. It also can boast of the famous beachside suburb Waikiki, which by some measures accounts for half of the tourism for the entire state.

Though Hawaii most often (if not exclusively) conjures up images of fantastic sun and beaches in people's minds, Honolulu itself has more to offer. The new Hawaii State Art Museum, just opened in 2002, is the impressive result of many years of effort by various governmental and civic groups, and it is a fitting showcase for work produced by artists who live in Hawaii. A fun place to walk during the day, and one best avoided at night, Honolulu's Chinatown is a vast panorama of light and sound where it seems like one can buy just about anything.

The best beach in the immediate area is Ala Moana Beach Park. It also has the advantage of being lightly touristed and popular with locals. For a nice hike of low to moderate difficulty, hike to the summit of Diamond Head, from where you can enjoy impressive views of the city.

Most people choose to stay in Waikiki, where Kalakaua Ave is filled with pricey hotels and resorts. A short walk from the beach on some of the back streets reveals less expensive options. For evening entertainment, the Banyan Veranda, located at the historic Sheraton Moana Surfrider, puts on a fantastic sunset buffet complete with live Hawaiian music.