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After all the research, planning, blogs and videos, you are probably ready for your Hawaii vacation to finally begin. Along the way, you may have come across a few local terms that are unfamiliar. Two of the most useful are “windward” and “leeward,” especially when reading about different parts of Oahu.
Windward and leeward describe which side of an island faces the prevailing trade winds. On Oahu, the windward side generally refers to the eastern side of the island, including areas such as Kailua, Kaneohe and Waimanalo. This side tends to be greener and wetter, with dramatic mountain scenery and lush valleys. One of the best-known places to appreciate the Windward Coast is the Nu’uanu Pali Lookout, which offers sweeping views over this side of Oahu.
The leeward side lies away from the prevailing trade winds and is generally drier and sunnier. On Oahu, this includes areas along the western coast such as Waianae and Ko Olina. The landscape can feel very different from the windward side, with more open, arid scenery and long stretches of coastline.
Knowing these terms can make Oahu easier to understand when reading directions, tour descriptions and weather forecasts. It also helps explain why the island can look so different from one side to the other even though the driving distance between them may not be very great.
If you want to see both sides of the island without planning every stop yourself, Oahu island sightseeing tours can include scenic coastlines, mountain lookouts, North Shore stops and other highlights in one day.
Once you understand the difference between windward and leeward Oahu, place names and tour routes become much easier to follow. It is one of those small pieces of local knowledge that can make exploring the island feel a little more intuitive.