The volcanic cataclysms that pushed Oahu through the surface of the Pacific four to six million years ago originated in a fault in the earth's crust at the bottom of the ocean. Complete with rumbling, sputtering and spectacular fireworks, it was a dramatic premiere performance. Today this gentle island, green and golden, belies its violent birth. A millennium of rain, sunshine, waves and trade winds have sculpted Oahu into a tropical jewel of lush valleys, mountains and curved sandy beaches.

The Polynesians were the first to successfully sail the vast reaches of the uncharted Pacific to land in Hawaii. They dragged their huge double-hulled canoes ashore more than 1000 years ago. The original inhabitants of Oahu from the Marquesas Islands were followed by several waves of Tahitian immigrants.

Their primitive way of life came to an end with the arrival of Captain Cook in 1778. By the middle of the 19th century Honolulu Harbor had become a key Pacific port for whalers, sandalwood and fur traders. In 1850 the Hawaiian Royal Court moved permanently to Honolulu which has been the seat of government for monarchy, republic, territory and state.

Immigrants came to Hawaii's tropical shores in continuing waves. New England missionaries made their first hazardous trip around Cape Horn in 1820 bringing new concepts of religion, agriculture, commerce and democratic government. As the native population dwindled due to western diseases, laborers were needed to work the fields for the rapidly growing sugar industry. Chinese, Japanese and Filipino immigrants followed by Koreans, Portuguese and Puerto Ricans added new languages and cultures to the island population.

In 1893 a provisional government was set up to replace the monarchy and one year later the Republic of Hawaii was founded. The islands were annexed by the U.S. in 1898 and made a territory in 1900. In 1959 Hawaii first flew the stars and stripes as a full-fledged state.

Today Oahu welcomes an astounding number of visitors to share its exotic scenery, eternal summer climate and warm aloha spirit.