The island of Oahu is the third largest island in the state of Hawaii. Oahu has long been known as “The Gathering Place” for two main reasons. First, Oahu is the most populous island in Hawaii. Second, it has the most visitors of any island. About 4.5 million people visit the island each year. Visitors from around the world travel to Oahu to enjoy and experience its rich culture and history, as well as its natural beauty.

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Honolulu Zoo, Sea Life Park and the Bernice P. Bishop Museum are just a few of the most popular tourist attractions in the island. Oahu also has a number of accessible beaches with white sand. The largest beach is Waimanalo and the most famous is Waikiki Beach. Oahu’s good weather makes it a perfect place for golfing, which is one of the biggest sporting activities in Hawaii.

Oahu has several ethnic communities with unique traditions and beliefs, yet these diverse cultures have blended to form a local culture on the island. Each year there are numerous festivals held here, including the Honolulu Festival, Lei Day, King Kamehameha Day Floral Parade, Aloha Festivals, Hawaii International Film Festival and Chinese New Year.

The island’s major industries are tourism, construction/manufacturing and agriculture. There are three airports in the area-the Honolulu International Airport, the Dillingham Airfield and the Kalaeloa Airport.