On What Island is Honolulu Located?

Honolulu is located on the southeast side of the 3rd largest island known as Oahu.

It can be confusing keeping track of all the Hawaiian islands because, well, there are 136 of them! But luckily, there’s only 8 major islands and 7 that are populated.

Oahu, where Honolulu is located, has a total area of 596.7 square miles, ranking in as the 20th largest island in the United States. The island is divided into four distinct regions, on the south east side of the island is Waikiki & Honolulu, western end of Wai’anae Leeward, Central Oahu, North shore, and East Windward. To bring it to scale, it takes about three hours to drive completely around the island. This drive will essentially take you around 2/3 of the island because the shore of Kaena Point near the North Shore remains impassable by car.

Oahu is referred to as “The Gathering Place” for obvious reasons. Oahu is by far the most populated island, even though it is only the third largest of the major 7 islands, with a total population of 953,207.

There’s absolutely no reason not to visit Oahu. Around this breathtaking island there’s something for everyone. Honolulu is not typically what people imagine of Hawaii, such as small tiki shacks with surfer bums playing the ukulele out on the front porch. Honolulu is a busy metropolitan area engulfed in turquoise seas and lush green valleys. Just walking Honolulu’s coastline you’ll pass through beautiful harbors, ritzy shops on Kalakaua Avenue, business districts on Ala Moana Boulevard, spacious parks like Kapiolani Park, surfer’s haven at Waikiki beach, luxury golf courses and family fun at Kuhio beach.

Oahu is home to major sights like Waikiki Beach, the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Iolani Palace, Leahi (Diamond Head crater), Nuuani Pali Lookout, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, and King Kamehameha Statue, just to name a few.

The North shore is world renown for it’s killer waves in the winter months, hosting professional surf and sea sport competitions such as the Pipeline masters.

Pearl Harbor is an area east of Honolulu that honors the beginning and ending of World War II with it’s honorable National Historic Landmark and museum.

Iolani Palace is the only place in the continental United States that is the residency to royalty. The Iolani Palace is open to the public as a museum.

Leahi, also better known as Diamond Head, is one of the most breathtaking hikes to see a panoramic view of world famous Waikiki and Honolulu.

Nuuanu Pali Lookout is also a popular hike located on the Windward side of Oahu (West) with views of Koolau mountains and turquoise ocean.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is an island favorite, it is a marine life conservation area that is so pristine and perfect, you’ll be missing out if you do not snorkel this bay. Whether you’re a beginner or expert swimmer, diver, or snorkeler, Hanauma Bay anyone will be blown away with its saturated beauty.

King Kamehameha, as mentioned earlier, was the King of Hawaii deeming Honolulu as the most important harbor within the Hawaiian islands. The famous statue of this royal is located in front of Alliiolani Hale in downtown Honolulu.