Oahu isn't the biggest Hawaiian island geographically, but it is the largest, by far, in population, and the state's definitive center of commerce. Honolulu, once a sleepy state capital, has grown into a veritable metropolis, with a population of one million at last count. Nearby, Waikiki is a bustling, touristy mile-long stretch of shops, restaurants, beaches, and high-rise hotels along the island's southeast coast. Serenity and natural beauty are more easily found elsewhere on the island - like the man-made lagoons of Ko Olina or the lush North Shore, home to legendary surfing beaches. Read more