If you only know a little about Hawaii, this is the island you have heard about. Oahu is nicknamed the Gathering Place and is the site of many of Hawaii's famous tourist attractions. Honolulu, Waikiki, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor are located on Oahu and are familiar even to
most people who have never traveled to Hawaii. It is
the third largest of the islands with a population of 873,000 in 1998, which is more than 75% of the
state's population. It is the hub of the state's
economy, politics, and entertainment.

Towering skyscrapers dominate downtown Honolulu
which is the nation's eleventh largest city. But the majority of the island is mountainous, largely undeveloped, and filled with spectacular scenery. The island has lush greenery on the windward side and the North Shore contains some of most famous surfing beaches in the world.