Island of O‘ahu The Gathering Place; the Heart of Nicknames Hawai‘i (translates to "sheltered Capital City bay") Population 900,000 Square Miles 597 Waikīkī, North Shore, Ko‘olina, Resort Areas Kāhala Visitors Bureau www.visit‐.com Flower/Plant ‘ilima

Mountain Ka‘ala Ali'i Kākuhihewa Color melemele (yellow)

‘O O‘ahu, ka ‘ōnohi o ke kai, O‘ahu o Kākuhihewa O‘ahu, the gem of the sea, O‘ahu of Chief Kākuhihewa O‘AHU

O‘ahu is home to the majority of Hawai‘i’s residents. It became the hub of the modern Hawaiian monarchy in 1845 when the capital was moved from Lahaina, Maui to Honolulu. It is said that Kūkaniloko on this island is so sacred that the highest ranking chiefs would have their wives come here to bear their children, thus increasing the newly born chief’s mana (power or authority). Located on this island is world‐renowned Waikīkī beach, which once was the playground of Hawai‘i’s royalty. The area was previously a natural swamp where kalo (taro) was cultivated. O‘ahu has become the gathering place for Hawai‘i residents and visitors. Honolulu, O‘ahu

Sites of Interest Historic Honolulu and Chinatown are home to historic Hawaiian landmarks including ‘Iolani Palace, the King statue, Kawaiaha‘o Church, and (former home of Queen Lili‘uokalani and current home of the Governor), as well as modern landmarks like the Hawai‘i State Capitol and (headquarters of the City & County of Honolulu). Many of the buildings in this area date back to the mid‐ to late‐1800s. In nearby is the , which was opened in 1889. The museum houses the finest examples of royal and Hawaiian cultural artifacts.

Waikīkī Once a playground for the aristocracy of O‘ahu, Waikīkī is arguably the world’s most famous beach. It was from the breaks of Waikīkī that Hawai‘i’s indigenous sport of surfing became known to the world. He‘e nalu, or “wave sliding,” was practiced (with a variety of specially shaped boards) in Waikīkī and at other locations throughout the Islands. At the far end of Waikīkī stands Lē‘ahi, an extinct crater that was named by Native Hawaiian for its resemblance to the brow of a strong ‘ahi (tuna) fish. It is most commonly known by its nickname, “Diamond Head,” which was coined after a group of 19th century British sailors thought they had discovered diamonds on the slopes of Lē‘ahi.

Sacred Precipices Overlooking lush Kāne‘ohe and Kailua and the majestic Ko‘olau Mountain range is the Nu‘uanu Pali (cliff), which was the site of the infamous Battle of Nu‘uanu. It was here, high atop these cliffs in 1795, that Kamehameha I won the decisive battle that helped him conquer O‘ahu and bring it into his Kingdom.

Below is a mele (song) written for O‘ahu.

LĒ‘AHI Diamond Head A SONG FOR O‘AHU Lē‘ahi, ‘uhe‘uhene Lē‘ahi, what fun! Kaimana Hila, ‘uhe‘uhene Diamond Head, what fun! Mary Pūla‘a Robins wrote about Hōkū o ka ‘ale kai Māmala, Star over the billows of Māmala Bay, Lē‘ahi, Diamond Head, which ‘Uhe‘uhene What fun! marks the eastern boundary of Māmala Bay.

Mālama pono ‘oe, ‘uheuhene Now watch out, what fun! Mary Robins’ husband was a I ka poe , ‘uhe‘uhene For the buoy with the bell, what fun! lighthouse keeper, so she had a O ili kāua i ka pūko‘a, We might get stuck on a coral head, special awareness of things like ‘Uhe‘uhene What fun! buoys, reefs, and bays; but more than simple maritime Hā‘awi ke aloha, ‘uhe‘uhene Give a heartfelt greeting; what fun! observation may be at hand in Lūlū lima, ‘uhe‘uhene Shake hands, what fun! this mele (song).

Me nā huapala maka onaona With the sweet‐faced young beauties, The song speaks of the simple ‘Uhe‘uhene What fun! beauties of Lē‘ahi and Waikīkī.

Kau aku ‘oe, ‘uhe‘uhene You now get onto, what fun! I ke ka‘api‘o, ‘uhe‘uhene A carriage, what fun! Pā ana ka uepa kiani The driver’s whip is so graceful, ‘Uhe‘uhene What fun!

Hā‘ina ‘ia mai, ‘uhe‘uhene Let it be told, what fun! Ana ka puana, ‘uhe‘uhene Through this story, what fun! Goodbye kāua, e ke aloha, “Goodbye” my dearest love, ‘Uhe‘uhene What fun!

Words by Mary Pūla‘a Robins