Oahu

Oahu (Hawaiian: O‘ahu), the "Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous island in the State of Hawai‘i. Total land area is 608 mile² (1,600 km²). In greatest dimension, this volcanic island is 71 km (44 mi) long and 48 km (30 mi) across. The length of the shoreline is 366 km (227 mi). The island is the result of two separate shield volcanoes: Wai‘anae and Ko‘olau, with a broad "valley" or saddle (the central Oahu Plain) between them. The highest point is Mt. Ka‘ala in the Wai‘anae Range, rising to 1,225 m (4019 ft) above sea level (Macdonald, Abbott, & Peterson, 1983).

History

Kamehameha III moved his capital from Maui to O‘ahu in 1845. ‘Iolani Palace, built later by others of the royal family, still remains as evidence of the only monarchy now on American soil.

Related Topics:
Kamehameha III - ‘Iolani Palace - Monarchy

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O‘ahu was apparently the first of the Hawaiian Islands sighted by the crew of HMS Resolution on 18 January 1778 during Capt. James Cook's third Pacific expedition. Escorted by HMS Discovery, the expedition was surprised to find high islands this far north in the central Pacific. O‘ahu was not actually visited by Europeans until 28 February 1779 when Captain Clerke aboard HMS Resolution stepped ashore at Waimea Bay. Clerke had taken command of the ship after Capt. Cook was killed at Kealakekua Bay (Island of Hawai‘i) on February 14, and was leaving the islands for the North Pacific.

Related Topics:
1778 - James Cook - 1779 - Waimea Bay - Island of Hawai‘i

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Today, O‘ahu has become a tourism and shopping haven as over 5 million visitors (mainly from the American mainland and Japan) flock there every year to enjoy the quintessential island holiday experience that the Hawaiian Islands and her multicultural people now personify.

Related Topics:
American mainland - Japan

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