Oahu in Depth - Honolulu, Waikiki and Oahu - page 64

Ono Wahoo, firmer and drier than the snappers, often served grilled and in sandwiches.
Opah Moonfish, rich and fatty, and versatile—cooked, raw, smoked, and broiled.
Opakapaka Pink snapper, light, flaky, and luxurious, suited for sashimi, poaching, sautéing,
and baking; the best-known upscale fish.
Papio Jack trevally, light, firm, and flavorful, and favored in Island cookery.
Shutome Broadbill swordfish, of beeflike texture and rich flavor.
Tombo Albacore tuna, with a high fat content, suitable for grilling.
Uhu Parrotfish, most often encountered steamed, Chinese style.
Uku Gray snapper of clear, pale-pink flesh, delicately flavored and moist.
Ulua Large jack trevally, firm-fleshed and versatile.
WHEN TO GO
Most visitors don't come to Hawaii when the weather's best in the islands; rather, they come
when it's at its worst everywhere else. Thus, the highseason —when prices are up and resorts
are often booked to capacity—is generally from mid-December through March or mid-April.
The last 2 weeks of December, in particular, are the prime time for travel to Hawaii. If you're
planning a holiday trip, make your reservations as early as possible, expect crowds, and pre-
pare to pay top dollar for accommodations, car rentals, and airfare.
The off-season, when the best rates are available and the islands are less crowded, is spring
(mid-Apr to mid-June) and fall (Sept to mid-Dec)—a paradox because these are the best sea-
sons to be in Hawaii, in terms of reliably great weather. If you're looking to save money, or if
you just want to avoid the crowds, this is the time to visit. Hotel rates and airfares tend to be
significantly lower, and good packages are often available.
Note: If you plan to come to Hawaii between the last week in April and early May, be sure
you book your accommodations, interisland air reservations, and car rentals in advance. In
Japan, the last week of April is called Golden Week because three Japanese holidays take
place one after the other. Waikiki is especially busy with Japanese tourists during this time,
but the neighboring islands also see dramatic increases.
Due to the large number of families traveling in summer (June-Aug), you won't get the
fantastic bargains of spring and fall. However, you'll still do much better on packages, airfare,
and accommodations than you will in the winter months.