Best way to see Oahu

Old Jun 2nd, 2015, 06:00 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 33
Received 7 Likes on 3 Posts
Best way to see Oahu

We will be in Oahu for only 4 days, but we arrive on 4th of July. We would like to see fireworks, unless there is something better to do there on the evening of the 4th. Where should we go to see them?
On the 5th we were thinking we would go tour the USS Arizona et al. Any suggestions about that?
Beyond that, what else is a must see there? I'm not much for shopping. Would rather see something neat or interesting...
We have an 19 year old with us.
DrDebi is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 09:15 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Every year there is a fireworks show at Ala Moana Beach Park, which is close to Waikiki if you're staying there. I would either take a cab, bus or walk if you plan to be there - the traffic is ridiculous and people line up VERY early in the morning to get parking and set up their spot to spend the day at the beach with the fireworks to follow.

If you're not in Waikiki, there are other smaller fireworks shows around the island - I think there's one in Kailua, either the bases at Fort Shafter and/or Pearl Harbor do one and perhaps out at the marina in Hawaii Kai too.
chepar is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 10:32 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 11,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Drive up along the North Shore - it's really lovely.

I have a trip report from March 2014, if you're interested in seeing how we spent our time.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...awaii-2014.cfm

Lee Ann
ElendilPickle is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 01:20 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'd not only drive along the north shore, I'd drive across the island from the north shore to the east side (Kailua) or vice-versa because the highway is spectacular in parts. It's very easy to do in a day. We kayaked in the morning in Kailua, drove up to the north shore for lunch, and drove back to our hotel late afternoon.

Also, Diamondhead.
sf7307 is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 03:34 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,884
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Rent a car for at least one day and drive around the island, stopping where ever you like, e.g., Hanauma Bay, the Blow Hole, the little town of Haleiwa for shave ice (ice cream of your favorite flavor in the bottom and favorite syrup flavor over the ice. (My favorite is coconut ice cream with pineapple syrup.)

In town, see Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Chinatown, and the Aloha Tower. Eat breakfast at the Hau Tree in the New Otani Kaimana Hotel and lunch at the Pineapple Room in Macy's at the Ala Moana Mall. FYI, See's Chocolates at the Mall gives out free samples. Walk through the grounds and into the lobby of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and sit in a rocking chair on the veranda of the Moana Surfrider and pretend you are rich.

I agree to climb Diamond Head and drive over the Pali. Punchbowl Military Cemetery is nice, and the view from it of Honolulu and the ocean is lovely.
carolyn is offline  
Old Jun 3rd, 2015, 06:31 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 33
Received 7 Likes on 3 Posts
Thanx everyone. Sounds like just the ticket!
DrDebi is offline  
Old Jun 4th, 2015, 11:04 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,137
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
To me the natural beauty if the number one thing to see even right in the city... Waikiki Beach, Kapiolani Park, Diamondhead, Fort de Russy Park, Foster Botanical Gardens.

I found the tour at Iolani Palace fascinating!! I also enjoyed the tour of Doris Duke Shangri La estate, that meets at the Honolulu Academy of the Arts (also interesting museum). There's also the Bishop Museum.
suze is offline  
Old Jun 5th, 2015, 03:59 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 226
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Just an fyi - we arrive a few days before you, and just yesterday started looking at the Arizona Memorial area online - be aware: most of the tickets are now sold ahead of time and they're full! We had 3 days that could have worked (2nd, 3rd, 4th) and all were unavailable. They sell to individuals, and then to tour operators! They evidently have "some" tickets held back on a first-come, first-serve basis, but since it opens at 7am, we now understand that these tickets will disappear quickly each day.
Just last evening, we have opted through our hotel for a mini-van tour for about 4 hours at $36.50, which gets us admission to all of it. Also, we've been advised to bring virtually nothing with us - since 9/11, they don't allow purses, backpacks, something else I can't recall - probably camera bags. I was told bring a camera, carry the wallet in the pocket, a bottle of water is okay. We actually, by the way, booked for 4th of July itself, so I'm sure that the 5th is probably available. 2 of the 4 of us have been there before, 2 haven't, so it all seems worth it to us to go through. Good luck!
jo_ann is offline  
Old Jun 5th, 2015, 08:32 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,863
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Where is your hotel?

I wouldn't do a circle island drive on the 4th. Traffic will be extremely heavy and most of the places you'd like to stop will have no parking, especially if you get a late start.. Save that for Monday the 6th.

Depending on what time you arrive, that might be a good afternoon to go to the Pearl Harbor memorial and then head to Ala Moana park in the evening. As Chepar mentioned, take a bus, or walk to Ala Moana beach park if possible.Traffic gets very busy and many of the parking stalls at Ala Moana that usually offer you a chance are closed this year due to mall construction.

If you head down to Ala Moana about 6-ish, you will have better luck finding a parking stall on the very bottom level- enter between the mall and the Ala Moana Hotel on Mahukona Street. Pick up a picnic dinner at the food court at Ala Moana center and eat there until just before dark or take it to the park. Make sure you bring a towel or sheet to sit on, as you'll be on the grass.

Another option is to get reservations at the Mariposa in Nieman Marcos or go down to Ward Warehouse and get window seats at Kincaid's Restaurant.
lcuy is offline  
Old Jun 17th, 2015, 04:18 PM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 33
Received 7 Likes on 3 Posts
Thank you all for your suggestions. We are arriving on the 4th, staying at the Hale Koa [my son is in the military] which is, as I understand it, on the beach. We are hoping to watch the fireworks from somewhere near there. My biggest concern is getting to tour the USS Arizona. I understand that if you are there at 7AM there are 1300 tickets for that day and apparently there are tickets that go on sale the day before? Not quite sure about that, but that is the number one "tourist" thing we want to see. Beyond that, we just want to soak in the sunshine and drive around the island.
DrDebi is offline  
Old Jun 18th, 2015, 12:24 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 11,525
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Go to the recreation.gov link on the page I'm linking and see if you can reserve tickets. http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisi...servations.htm

Lee Ann
ElendilPickle is offline  
Old Jun 18th, 2015, 12:27 PM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 42,574
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Yes, the Hale Koa is right on the beach.
Dukey1 is offline  
Old Jun 18th, 2015, 01:57 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,137
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I thought most people reserved for Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona by doing it online and in advance?

Yes Hale Koa is a great hotel and right on Waikiki Beach (lucky you)!
suze is offline  
Old Jun 19th, 2015, 06:41 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Tickets for USS Arizona Memorial do not go "on sale". And the tours are not "sold out" in advance. Tickets are free and only a limited number can be reserved online in advance.

About 50% of the tickets for each day are for walk-ups.

NPS has removed the "Sold out" from the www.recreation.gov site, as it was confusing. It has been replaced with, "No Reservations available" and this notice: Notice:

Remember: If you get a no reservations available message.

1. 1,300 Walk-In tickets are available daily on a first come first served basis at the Park Visitor Center.
2. Each day at 7:00 am on-line ticket inventory is released for the next day.

Anyone can still make online reservation with the one day in advance option. A new set of tickets are made available for online reservations at 7am HST the day before.

Pre-register on the www.recreation.gov site so at 7am HST, you can make reservations as some of the tour times go fast.

This is the current policy for advanced reservations:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g2....Memorial.html

This is a forum thread that will answer most USS Arizona Memorial questions:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...hu_Hawaii.html

After you pre-register, this is a direct link to make USS Arizona Memorial advanced reservations:

http://www.recreation.gov/tourDetail...&tourId=317399
dusty56438 is offline  
Old Jul 27th, 2015, 04:03 PM
  #15  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pearl Harbor is a must-see when you're in Oahu, and seeing it by air is one of the best ways to do so. Pacific Warbirds offers flight tours in an authentic WWII aircraft- a unique and exciting experience for anyone. Their website is pacificwarbird.com. Aloha!
pw2015 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Governator
United States
14
Mar 6th, 2016 02:15 AM
Okie
United States
8
Aug 20th, 2014 04:36 PM
glgeis
United States
17
Feb 23rd, 2010 08:08 PM
cross_stitcher
United States
5
Apr 17th, 2007 10:02 AM
lmaz
United States
23
Aug 30th, 2003 02:51 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -