Waikiki is the center of the island's visitor industry and home to its largest concentration of accommodations, stores, restaurants, and nightclubs. Dominated by Diamond Head crater, Waikiki's less populated eastern end includes a zoo, an aquarium, and a beautiful park designed for sports.

Take some time to explore the neighborhoods that are located just outside of Waikiki, such as Kaimuki, whose main street, Waialae Avenue, reveals myriad architectural styles alongside boutique shopping and a vast number of eateries. Kahala boasts some of the most luxurious real estate on the island. Ala Moana, west of Waikiki, is brimming with shops that begin with the Ala Moana Center and continue with the five retail complexes of Victoria Ward Centers. Farther west is Downtown Honolulu, the center of Hawai'i's capital city, a bustling blend of history and modern-day commerce. Along its edges, historic Chinatown awaits.

The East O'ahu coast is fringed with white-sand beaches and turquoise seas, and you can drive right over the top of the Ko'olau Mountains. Breeze past modern residential neighborhoods such as Hawai'i Kai to the sleepy slopes of Waimanalo. Finally, a circle-island tour takes you to central, northern, and windward O'ahu, where shoes and cell phones give way to sandy toes and Hawaiian time. Take a time-out to discover the local windward communities of Kailua and Kaneohe, whose beaches are a haven for family fun. On the North Shore, Hale'iwa is a visit back in time, and in winter, it is the place to catch a glimpse of ocean waves that reach heights of 20 ft and more.

To stay oriented on the island, keep in mind that directions on O'ahu are often given as mauka (toward the mountains) or makai (toward the ocean). In Honolulu and Waikiki, you may also hear people referring to "Diamond Head" (toward that landmark) and 'ewa -- away from Diamond Head.