Car rentals for Kauai | Oahu | Molokai | Maui | Big Island

Oahu, the Gathering Place

Highway on Oahu

Photo by Casey Horner

Oahu is a volcanic island, also known as the “Gathering Place”, and is the third largest island in Hawaii. It’s also the most densely populated and the twentieth-largest island in the United States. Honolulu, located on the Southeast coast, is the County Seat and State Capital of Hawaii. Most of Oahu’s population is concentrated in Honolulu, which is the largest city, state capital, and main deepwater marine port for the state of Hawaii.

Oahu is famous for being the scene of the opening of the Second World War, with the Japanese Navy’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Today, it’s a popular shopping and tourism destination for millions of visitors who come here every year to enjoy a Hawaiian Island holiday experience.

Some of the most popular spots on the island include Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay, Kaneohe Bay, and the North Shore. The Ala Moana area has a long stretch of reef-protected white sandy beaches. The Polynesian Cultural Center, the USS Arizona Memorial, the Valley of the Temples, and the Honolulu Academy of Arts are also well-known on Oahu.

Oahu is also a favorite location for filmmakers because of its breathtaking landscapes and seascapes, offering unlimited opportunities to capture nature’s beauty on camera. Miles of beaches offer various ocean activities like surfing, kite surfing, fishing, diving, body-surfing, body boarding, windsurfing, and kayaking.

To make your holiday even better, Oahu offers convenient transport facilities within the islands to suit every taste and budget. Using HCR can help you find the best deals with some of the world’s top car rental agencies, such as Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, Dollar, and Thrifty.

There is one main airport on Oahu:

  • Honolulu International Airport (HNL) – On the south east coast of the island within the Honolulu metropolitan area.