Oahu which is nicknamed the gathering place for good reason. The island has a little bit of everything for everyone and features fine dining, music, a great food selection and luxury resorts. Along with that, there is an immense amount of culture and history to explore among the island.

OAHU

WHAT TO EXPECT

Language: Hawaii is the only US state to have two official languages. Both English and Hawaiian are spoken on Oahu.

Currency: The US Dollar ($) - However, Hawaii is the most expensive state in the U.S. For example, 1 USD on the mainland is equal to only 84 cents in Hawaii which means prices are about 15% higher.

Credit Cards and Banks: Credit cards are widely accepted all over the island. This includes Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. There are plenty of ATMs, if you would like to have cash on hand for tipping or while attending a local flea or farmer's market.

Best Time to Visit: If you can, visit any island just before or after the summer. April to May or September to October will allow you to have the best weather. The winter months, from November to March can be a hit or miss due to it being more rainy, and June to November is hurricane season.

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WHERE TO EAT

WHAT TO DO

WHERE TO STAY

GETTING AROUND ON OAHU

The easiest way to get around Oahu is with a rental car. While Oahu isn’t huge, the most efficient way to see all the island has to offer is by renting your own set of wheels. There are two options when it comes to renting a car. One is to rent a car through two main locations Honolulu Airport (HNL) or Waikiki. These areas have national rental car companies like Avis, Budget Hertz, and Enterprise. Another option for many is to rent through Turo.

Oahu has the best public bus service of all the Hawaiian islands and is ultimately the cheapest way to get around. However, it is also one of the slowest options and can be highly unpredictable. There were a few times while living on the island where the bus did not show up at all, broke down, or could not continue due to roads being closed.

If you are wanting to get from point A to point B quickly without a rental car, rideshare is your best option. This can be a great option if you’re not going too far, or you’re using a route that is frequented by taxis and uber/lyfts.

Mopeds are another option for those visiting Oahu. However, mopeds are not allowed on the main freeways of the island which may make traveling to certain locations more timely.