The island of Oahu, with 1575 km ², the third largest island of the archipelago and is considered by many visitors as synonymous with Hawaii. For most tourists to Hawaii is synonymous with Honolulu Oahu. The modern world capital of the island and its surrounding area comprise almost the entire southeast coast of the island. Here live the majority of island residents (approximately 830,000 people, about 80 percent of the residents of Hawaii), here are the most hotels, especially in the suburb of Waikiki, and it rages the pulsating life of an American city. Oahu is the island of Hawaii's economic leadership and the various cultures of immigrant groups are most evident here. The revenue from

tourism will be complemented by economic sectors such as shipbuilding, sugar cane and pineapple cultivation, financial services, oil and its role as the largest military base in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. And of course, offers Honolulu, as the capital and seat of many authorities and the government, many jobs.  Geographically Oahu is an island of contrasts: in the south of the dichtbebaute Center of Honolulu and the hotel skyscraper Waikikis, banana and sugarcane plantations in the north, the rain forests of the mountainous areas, rocky shores and beaches. Two mountain chains of volcanic origin which Koolaus in the east and the Waianae Mountains to the west, run from north to south across the island . In between lies a wide fertile plain. The whalers and traders, in the subsequent period after the discovery of the islands by Captain Cook in the year 1781 arrived, found the advantages of the island of Oahu: Marine secured a long strip, in which their ships could anchor, sufficient fresh water by rivers and mountains broad, fertile plains, which were suitable for agriculture. 1840 was Honolulu, capital of the island kingdom, when King Kamehameha III. its seat of Lahaina (on Maui) moved here. Today Oahu thrilled by beautiful, wide sandy beaches, wide, secluded coves and surf spots, deeply incised valleys in the mountains and imposing cliffs on the coast, but also the bustling life of an American big city like Honolulu has its own unique charms. In short, Oahu offers something for everyone.