Oahu

Oahu is home to Honolulu and Waikiki and is the economic, social and cultural epicenter of the islands. If you want nightclubs and expansive options for finer dining, Oahu is your island. Because of the sheer number of people on Oahu, there are higher end areas throughout the island, but all areas experience the urban impacts; i.e. heavy traffic, big crowds at beaches. Oahu, nonetheless, offers spectacular beaches and all the ocean activities elsewhere. If nightlife and social/cultural activities close by are important, then Oahu will score extra points, but if you want serenity and fewer people, more of an “escape” setting, then you will want to skip Oahu in your search.