Oahu

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Island (pop., 2000: 876,165) of Hawaii, U.S.

Situated between the islands of Kauai and Molokai, it occupies 607 sq mi (1,574 sq km) and is the third largest and most densely populated of the Hawaiian Islands. Of volcanic origin, it has two parallel mountain groups, the Koolau Range and Waianae Ranges, which are connected by a central plateau. It is the site of Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, and Waikiki. Military installations, tourism, pineapples, and sugar are important to its economy.

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Waikiki - Resort area, southern coast of Oahu island, Hawaii, U.S.

Kamehameha IV - Hawaiian ruler (1855-63).

Pearl Harbor - Inlet, southern coast of Oahu island, Hawaii, U.S.

Hawaii - State (pop., 2000: 1,211,537), U.S., comprising a group of islands in the central Pacific Ocean that covers 6,459 sq mi (16,729 sq km).

surfing - Sport of riding breaking waves toward the shore, especially with a surfboard.

More on "Oahu" from the 32 Volume Encyclopædia Britannica:

Oahu - island, Honolulu county, Hawaii, U.S. It is separated from the islands of Kauai (northwest) and Molokai (southeast) by the Kauai and Kaiwi channels, respectively. Oahu, which is of volcanic origin, is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands, occupying an area of 597 square miles (1,546 square km), and supports the greatest number of people. Two parallel mountain groups, the Koolau and Waianae ...

Waianae Range - mountain range forming the western coast of Oahu island, Hawaii, U.S. The range is the oldest area of volcanic activity on the island. It is 22 miles (35 km) long and 9 miles (14 km) wide and is composed of three lava groups. The original caldera, 3 miles (5 km) wide and 5 miles (8 km) long, was at the head of Lualualei Valley (near Kolekole Pass) but was buried through submergence and erosion.

Kailua-Lanikai - twin residential communities, southeastern Oahu island, Hawaii, U.S. Extending along Kailua Bay, they lie 13 miles (21 km) northeast of Honolulu and just south of Kaneohe. According to Hawaiian legend, the mountainous area surrounding Kailua was formed from a giant turned to stone. The communities occupy a superb white-sand beach where Oahu's ancient kings lived; the beach is now a popular ...

Wahiawa - city, Honolulu county, central Oahu island, Hawaii, U.S. Lying 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Honolulu, it is situated on the 1,000-foot- (300-metre-) high Leilehua Plateau between the two forks of the Kaukonahua Stream. The area was once used as a training ground for Oahu warriors, and from at least the 14th century it was considered a sacred place where royal mothers went to give birth to ensure ...

Koolau Range - mountains paralleling for 37 miles (60 km) the eastern coast of Oahu island, Hawaii, U.S. The range was formed by volcanic eruptions and has an average width of 13 miles (21 km). The original caldera, 6 miles (10 km) long and 4 miles (6 km) wide and the second largest in the state, is now a hill near the town of Kaneohe. The Diamond Head and Koko Head capes (east of Honolulu) resulted from the ...

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