We are thinking about go to Honolulu for our anniversary in the fall and wanted to get opinions on that particular island. We are on a tight budget and we always see good deals for Honolulu. Is this a beautiful Hawaiian island? I hear Maui & Kaui are really beautiful but what about Honolulu? Is it worth visiting or to city like.
Some people refer to Honolulu as Miami beach.
Is Honolulu and Oahu the same?
Please help...
Thanks!

Been to the big island and Oahu. My wife has been to a couple other islands. We prefer Oahu. All the islands have great beaches and views, but Oahu offers much more, especially if you tend to vacations with city things.

The other islands are limited to the beach, golf, resort type of trip. I get a little bored after a hour on the beach, so Oahu offers other things.

Depends what youre looking for. Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii located on the south shore of oahu. Its the 11th largest city in the U.S. If city action(shopping, nightlife etc) is what you like,Honolulu is the place. The rural areas,like the north shore and windward oahu have awesome beaches.If a slow pace is what you want, then the neighbor islands might be more what youre looking for.

Despite the negatives that one hears from people, Honolulu (on the island of Oahu) can be a very interesting place to visit. Hawaii is a multi-ethnic paradise and it's interesting to see a part of America that's not "Iowa." If you are into good, inexpensive eating...avoid Waikiki and check out the neighborhood restaurants. The island of Oahu has more beautiful swimmable beaches than the other islands. It would be best to rent an automobile so that you can drive the circuit. They also have a bus system that makes it possible to circle the island for a dollar. Best deal in the world. In short, is Honolulu worth visiting? Yes!

Thanks for the information. So it sounds like going to Honolulu would be worth the trip even if you can't make it to the other islands? Am I correct?
What are some good hotels (economical) located on the beach?

Karla..
A trip to ANY Hawaiian island is definently worth it..and if you can't afford to make it to say, Kaui, my fav, or Maui, my wife's fav..Oahu will do very nicely. I'd look into the Hilton Hawaiian Village, its kinda away from the crowds, and very nice.
Rent a car and get out of the city during the days..While not as scenic IMHO as the other islands, Oahu still has some stunning scenery.
Aloha

I'd watch the Hilton Hawaiian Village because, although the grounds are lovely, I know of a few people who have stayed and not at all liked the rooms...not Hilton quality. The buffet we had there was really bad and it is at the end of Waikiki so to speak. Depending on your budget, you could look into the entertainment rate at the Hawaiian Regent which I hear is now a Marriott, I believe or the Sheraton Moana Surfrider. Hope this helps.

Personally -I do find Honolulu to be KINDA like a Miami atmosphere-
I prefer Kauai & Maui!
It is a personal choice!!Oahu has more hustle & bustle & lots to do just to touristy for my liking.I prefer laid back & relaxed.Maui,to me ,is a great combination for a first trip-enough to keep you busy & enough to really relax!
Kauai is even more relaxed-
Each Hawaiian Island has a true flavor of it's own!If I had just gone to Oahu for my first visit, I doubt that I'd have ever returned -you just do not get the true feeling for Hawaii in Oahu ALONE. Tho it is worth going, do not get me wrong,you will enjoy Oahu ,but do not be fooled into thinking all of Hawaii is like that it is not!If you can divide your trip & do a few days in Oahu & a few on another it would be truly worth it! NO doubt what ever you do ,in Hawaii it will be enjoyed!ALOHA!

you might want to look at the virtual 360's on www.pleasantholidays.com site it will show you some ..
they also so some split packages-that we have used..I am NOT an agent or in any way connected to them-just remembered they had some virtual stuff!

Hi Karla,

I'm from Canada, so know all about going to Hawaii on a tight budget! Trips to Honolulu are definitely lower priced than the other islands, at least from here. Also, there's lots of free entertainment and things to do around Waikiki if you want. There are a lot of cheap places to eat as well as nicer restaurants.

If you want to visit quiet and beautiful areas:
Windward side beaches
Hiking around the Hawaiian Nature Center
Manoa Falls hike
Lyon Arboretum (fabulous scenery, especially Inspiration point)
Byodo-In temple (especially gorgeous and surrounded by those beautiful green mountains)
Pali lookout (I think you might need a car to get here)

More touristy or crowded, but worthwhile activities are:
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay
Diamondhead hike
Pearl Harbour

Sunset catarmaran rides off Waikiki beach are nice and $10-12 per person.
Even Waikiki beach isn't crowded in the evening, so you can go for nice walks on the beach.
Really the only thing I don't like about Waikiki is that the main streets are noisy with traffic. Don't get a low floor room fronting a main street.

I've also seen some of Kauai on a day trip, and have found places just as beautiful on Oahu. You have to spend some time out of Waikiki though.

Avoid budget accommodation in Waikiki,hookers frequent many of these establishments even though they look like clean family hotels.

How do you like LA. Honolulu is just like a little LA with hookers, drugs and crime.

If I were you I'd go to Maui. There is a new Inn that has rooms that start at just $49.00 per night. Maui offers a lot of things to do, but is much more safe and much more beautiful than Oahu.

vist www.MauiDreamInn.com

The reason why we chose Oahu/Honolulu as our first guidebook was exactly because of the kinds of disparaging inaccurate commments seen here and elsewhere. Most people who have negative things to say about Oahu haven't ever stepped foot outside Waikiki.
No other Hawaiian Island has beautiful deserted offshore islands on which you can play Robinson Crusoe and claim as your very own [Goat Island, Chinaman's Hat, Moku Nui]. No other island has more swimmable beaches, most of which are virtually deserted during the week. There is more to do on Oahu per square foot than any other island, period.
We love every Hawaiian island, but we are always surprised at the unfair beating Oahu takes from those people who have never even been outside the city limits.
If you're not convinced, have a look for yourself on our website:
http://www.discoveringhawaii.com

Agree with you 100% Richard! After having stepped on Waimanalo Beach (and others) for the first time, there is NOTHING to compare to them on the other islands, not even the UGLY, OVERRATED beaches of Wailea or Kaanapali!!

I would give Honolulu a try. Why not? I've heard some good things in Honolulu.
Lots to do and see. Just do some research about the island/activities etc.. You probably will find some good deals and interesting things about Honolulu.
Good Luck!

Honolulu isn't anywhere near the top 10 in the US in population koa.
In fact if you're measuring metro areas (which is what gives the traveler the 'feel' of the size of an area) Honolulu isn't even in the top FIFTY cities in the US in poulation.

As for the original question: Oahu has a lot to offer, and if you would like to experience "Hawaii", stay a couple nights in Honolulu but then get out to the more beautiful areas the island has to offer. Honolulu is not "Hawaii" as you're probably thinking of it. And I agree with Sarah about budget hotels in town. Beware. Honolulu definitely has an underbelly better left unexplored.

After living in Hawaii (Oahu) for three years and visiting several times (and the other main islands)since then, I can tell you that Oahu remains my favorite island because there's so much to do besides just Waikiki, and an incredible bus system to help you do it!

As an added note, if perhaps you are retired military, you can stay at the Army's Hale Koa Hotel on the best part of Waikiki Beach for less than $90 per night. There are also many other military lodgings available at other parts of the island.

If you want to try to see one of the other islands, Roberts Hawaii usually has a great deal on a one-day trip, about $189 for two people including airfare and rental car for the day. Don't forget the interisland flights are less than an hour!

One thing I forgot to mention is that Waikiki has become more Japanese than American - the Army's hotel is the only American owned hotel on Waikiki Beach, according to statistics. The last time I walked on Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki, I saw more signs in Japanese than English. This lends an exotic feel to Waikiki that it didn't have before, but if you long for the Southern California surfer dude atmosphere, you'll find it on the North Shore of Oahu!

Celeste what you are seeing in Hawaii is called diversity. Starwood hotel group is not Japanese owned and they own Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Moana, Sheraton Waikiki, Sheraton Kaiulani (SP). This is just off the top of my head there are a number of other hotels. Ilikai is owned by the Renaissance hotel group another. I know you did not miss the Hilton Hawaiian Village the largest hotel on Waikiki and pretty darn close to the Army hotel you spoke off. I know your words were not ill intentioned but anyone looking for California in Hawaii should stay home. Looking into Asian cultural on Oahu can be one of the richest part of your travel experience to Oahu. You have the Japanese cultural center…see how the Japanese lived through WWII, you have beautiful temples that I have never seen outside of Asia. And don’t even get me started on the AMAZING ASIAN FOOD FOUND ON OAHU.

There is a presence of Japanese on Oahu (for about 100 years now) they helped build many of the plantations, are responsible for the development of many of the exports you are familiar with, Kona Coffee, Macadamia nuts. Your not in Iowa anymore when you go to Oahu you should not try to find it while you are here. Sorry Celeste I hate to be snippy. I have been snipped at on this site before. But you are missing something if you don’t value Oahu for what it is.

Some things that impressed me in Honolulu that are distinctively Asian and or foreign. Every year I seek out the Bon dances that happen at Buddhist temples around Oahu just consult Hawaii Visitors Bureau Guide for August. A traditional dance used with a chant that recognizes people that have passed, not sobering more joyous when you watch. Please remember to be respectful and discreet as you are attending a religious ritual, people are welcoming but I do not dance out of respect. You can usually catch Hawaii’s Mayor Jeremy Harris falling in on the fun. I could be dated on the Mayor this was last summer and before I speak of. Every Labor Day there is an Okinawa festival in Kapiolani park where you can see people of Okinawa ancestry perform traditional music and more in traditional dress. Also many booths with crafts and info on the cultural/history. If memory serves every March the Japanese Cultural center brings together Japanese and Hawaiians, there are a series of events through out the city were you can watch Kabuki, Kimono fashion shows, Japanese Drum performances, Tea Ceremonies(NOT TO BE MISSED)all of which culminates with a parade. The parade is a true spectacle that you would expect to see in Tokyo. Many shrines are flown in from Japan and carried. I remember what looked like a three story tower of lanterns, beautiful. The mood of the parade is very inviting everyone happy to be connecting with the past and future. Call the Japanese cultural center for the date of this event. In July you have the Dragon Boat races this I am guessing is Chinese, colorful, colorful dragon decorated boats race against the backdrop of the crystal blue pacific.

Walk around China town and by accident have the Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, lunch of your life. I could go on and on. If you are there in November go to the Hawaii film international film festival and try to catch at show at one of the oldest theatres in Hawaii. I live in NYC it is easier to get seats at this film festival and fun to hear the directors speak of their works. But do seek out traditional Buddhist temples open to the public. One just near the outskirts of china town, the name escapes me but there is a great garden with some very different looking palm trees. In most guide books as the grounds are extensive. Never miss Byon temple on the windward side but I did not need to tell you that on. SEEK SEEK SEEK. Don’t just go to the standard stuff on Oahu.