Hawaii, the only American state made up entirely of islands, occupies most of an archipelago in the translucent warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Honolulu, the capital of Oahu, is the most populous city and, with an average 278 days of sunshine per year, the island attracts millions of visitors from all over the world.
Palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze, the sweet aroma of lilies hanging in the air, fearless surfers riding the waves, soft strains of Hawaiian music in the distance and bright sunshine flooding across the golden sands, Waikiki is the place to be. For those intent on burning up energy there is an endless list of activities on the beach or in the sea and, for the rest of us, a cool cocktail with a comfy sun lounger and sun shade is just the ticket.
For those seeking a more secluded beach, the luxurious Kahala Resort situated on Kahala Avenue, is the ideal spot. I was fortunate to reserve the gorgeous Kahala Beach suite, measuring 116 sq metres and, with a wrap-around patio with ocean views and steps away from the soft, white sands of Kahala Beach, it ticks all the boxes.
The sumptuous four-poster bed, swathed in cool, white linens and festooned with plump pillows, provided a deep slumber and I was up with the larks. As expected, the service is first-class, the beach is simply breath-taking, and again there is a wide choice of sports, including parasailing, kayaking, surfing and stand up paddling lessons, spear fishing and fly fishing, but all at a much more sedate pace.
I highly recommend the thrilling and exhilarating canoe ride. As we paddled out towards the reef, admiring the spectacular surroundings, we were fortunate to meet a rather irate seal determined to protect his territory by displaying his most intent stare!
For those of us who love marine life, the Kahala Resort offers the most rewarding opportunity, the rare chance to interact with the Dolphin Quest Oahu resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. The resort features a 26,000 square feet natural lagoon set within lush, verdant, tropical gardens and the dolphin trainers, who are clearly in love with their ‘students’, delight in playing with these graceful creatures who are experts at attracting human attention.
Most visitors, including me, succumbed to the temptation and joined in, swimming alongside these fascinating creatures. Adults and children alike squealed with joy and the whole experience was utterly unforgettable. I wound up the day with a delicious seafood feast at the resort’s Plumeria Beach House. It is a first-class restaurant with comfortable seating, superb service, and it offers a truly exceptional dining experience.
The vast majority of visitors to Oahu ensure that they include a trip to Pearl Harbour, the largest natural harbour in Hawaii and a WWII ‘Valour in the Pacific’ national monument. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s statement ‘Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan’ still hangs ominously in the air as visitors wander around the site, which is the only US naval base to be designated a national historical landmark.
The aerial attack resulted in over 2,000 fatalities and hundreds were wounded. Many vessels were lost, including the USS Arizona battleship along with her 1,100 crew. I wandered around the Road to War Museum, which displays the Japanese plans for expansion throughout the Pacific and FDR’s final appeal for peace on the eve of the war. The whole spectacle is a very moving and rewarding experience.
Another popular attraction is the volcanic tuff cone known as Diamond Head, which was named by British sailors in the 19th century, when they observed calcite crystals on the neighbouring beach.
Feeling a trifle weary after my explorations, I returned to the Kahala Resort and headed for the soft, golden sands of Kahala beach, which is 800 feet long, and as I relaxed on my comfortable sun lounger and with a deliciously chilled daiquiri in my hand, I reflected on the words of the American novelist Paul Theroux: ‘Hawaii is not a state of mind but a state of grace’.
Visit Oahu and experience a taste of paradise.
Factbox
Flights: Depart from London Heathrow with British Airways to Los Angeles, then on to Honolulu with Hawaiian Airlines.
Accommodation: For more details of the featured hotel visit kahalaresort.com
Attractions: To learn more about things to do in Honolulu visit gohawaii.com
