Forgot to mention we have also visited Maui.

Touristy? If you think parts of Maui and the Big Island aren't at all "touristy" then you aren't going to like Oahu IMO despite the great beaches and all there is to see and do.

<will Oahu be disappointing and touristy, compared to the Big Island and Kauai?>

Waikiki certainly will be. The North Shore, not-so-much.

If you haven't been to the Arizona memorial or done a loop, done Punch bowl and the view from Pali lookout or watched surfers on the north shore, then spend a couple of days on Oahu then head over to the Big Island.

Waikiki is touristy, but not in the way that places like Myrtle Beach or Atlantic City are and you can't beat the weather in HI.

Have a fantastic trip.

I love Oahu. I don't think it's overly "touristy" if you get outside Waikiki. That said, personally I like cities so for me having all there is to see and do even IN Honolulu/Waikiki (museums, historical sights, arts, etc.) is a bonus along with the great weather and natural beauty of the rest of the island.

I am just back from a week on Oahu (my annual trip) and I was never wondering what to do next. Yes, Waikiki is touristy. Traffic on Oahu around Honolulu can be horrendous!

I spent a couple of days on the southwest side (Ko Olina). If quiet is what you are seeking, this might be an option. You can still do the Arizona, Punchbowl, Pali, etc etc and island drive(s) from there, rather than from Waikiki area.

Some people actually equate the term "touristy" with "Japanese."

Oahu isn't 'touristy', but Waikki IS. And in winter you may not want to risk the wind and rain of the less touristy north shores on Kauai or Oahu.

We visit Hawaii to escape Chicagoland winter. We've enjoyed Poipu on Kauai, the Kohala coast on Big Island, and now stay in South Kihei on Maui. If I had never 'done the sights' of Honolulu, I would go to Waikiki for a week, but I have, and I won't be back. (If I could find as nice a condo as we have on Maui in Kailua, I'd give that a try.)

I love Oahu, and I've been to all the islands except Molokai. It you love the Big Island you'll love Oahu. It has all the perks of BI and more stuff to do. Downtown Waikiki and Honolulu are amazing for their cultural advantages (Iolani Palace, USS Arizona Memorial, Punchbowl, Diamond Head for hiking, Waikiki Beach, farmer's markets, Chinatown and the true Hawaii feel and mix of cultures.)

There is also a bigger variety of environments on Oahu. There is the North Shore which is a much slower pace, beautiful mountain scenery with nice trails and waterfalls, and of course the famous North Shore beaches like Pipeline, Sunset, and Waimea Bay.

Melnq8: I've followed your travel advice on other trips! Was it New Zealand? Yes, I think so. can you recommend any particular sites and hotels on the North Shore? I like your travel style.

Thanks everybody! I feel like I'm getting a glimpse of Oahu through all of your eyes. Maybe we will give Oahu a try, and split our stay between the North Shore and the south or west side.

simpsonc510: Thanks I will look into the SW of Oahu.

If anybody has any more tips for Oahu, especially about less-touristy and less-crowded spots which would still be good in January, I'd love to hear it. We might enjoy splitting our stay between 2 different sides of the island.

Melissa -

Yes, it was NZ.

We stayed at the Turtle Bay Hilton, but that was eons ago. No idea what it's like these days.

Both Makapu'u and Sandy Beach are great places but with the former (which is across the road from Sea Life Park) you have to get there fairly early for parking because they are so popular but worth the effort IMO.

If you haven't been to Kauai - get there. See Sondoc's reports.

And spend a couple of days at the North Shore in Oahu if you have time. Mornings there are great.

If you want to snorkel -- in January -- you are not going to the north shores of any island in Hawaii.

We've stayed in a Turtle Bay cottage twice. The hotel 'OK' (overpriced), but the location is the Real Deal, and that's not best in winter. Think 'Surfing Championships' and 30-foot waves.

Turtle Bay is the only hotel on/near the North Shore. Other than that, it's private rentals only(same for the "east" side - Kailua and Lanikai, no hotels).

Think 'Surfing Championships' and 30-foot waves - fabulous to sit and watch, but definitely not safe to swim.

each island has it's own beauty. I guess it depends on what you like to do. there certainly is more shopping on Oahu than Kauai and yet the North shore of Oahu is as inviting as the BI or Kauai. More entertainment in waikiki than Poipu or the Kohala Coast of BI if that is important to you but there are such wonderful historic sights on Oahu. Highly recommend Doris Due estate Shangri La for a visit which can only be done thru the Academy of Art in waikiki. tix on line as they sell out and only have limited admission...have a great Hawaiian vacation. don't ya love being so close. we often go to HNL for 4 days cause it is so close but now that air fares have gone up so much probably won't be dong a lot of that for awhile.

that would be the DORIS DUKE estate! sure wish they had spell check.....

Was fortunate once years ago (late 70's)- to stay in the guest house at the Doris Duke Estate (long story - old law school classmate was "bestowed" the priviledge of renting it - along with his lovely wife) - but have never seen the 30 foot waves at Waimea - which has always been my dream.

Have stayed at Waimea several times - as another good friend (he's the son of a former boss of mine - and he was the first resident MD on the north shore - also going back to the late 70's) - lives right on the edge of Waimea Bay.

He said when the 20 footers come in - it's incredibly loud/spectacular - the 30 footers make it feel like there is an earthquake - as the ground shakes along with the loud roar - and they break onto the small lawn they have in front of their home - but when the get the 40 footers crash in - maybe every 5 years or decade - they have to evacuate!!!

They actually jacked up the front house so that the waves could wash under it without causing too much damage.

I have seen a nice 10 foot rip curl at Sunset - with the spray being highlighted by the setting sun - but that's it so far on Oahu.

Oh yes, once during a winter trip - did see Hanalei harbor on Kauai closed out with mere 15-20 footers, but still waiting to catch the fabled big surf at the north shore of Oahu.

BTW - they rent their cottage above the garage - and it's very cute and old Hawaiian style. Check VRBO - and he might also show you his hobby - how he makes Ukuleles - and has become quite accomplished at doing that - even using colorful Mango wood - which is unusual for Uke artists. I think this is the VRBO add but not sure: http://www.vrbo.com/44333

Dr. "T" says could bring in more dough making Ukes - rather than practicing medicine - if he went full time at it.

But then his darling wife - the nurse/office manager - might be out of a job? Double

Thanks everybody for the interesting info!