Jailynsmommie

Thos summer my family (Mother, grandmother and daughter 9) and myself will be visiting Oahu for the very first time. We are supper excited by im a little nervous trying to plan out itenerary. So much to do and so little time. And not knowing the area doesnt help either. I have come up with a tentative plan and would like experienced visitors honest opinion. If there are things that you would skip, or if you see that I have planned this as a entire day activity and know that it will not take that long, please include that. I dont know, just give me as much feedback as you can. Thank you and you input is much appreciated.

We will arrive on Monday Aug 29: I figured we would just hang out and chill on the beach close to the hotel. Grab dinner and turn in rather early.

Tuesday
Diamond head hike
Honolulu Zoo

Wednesday
Aloha Stadium Swapmeet ( Im thinking about scrapping this)

Thursday
Hanauma Bay

Friday
Manoa Falls hike
Waikiki Aquarium

Saturday
Northshore ( needs ideas of what to do up here)

Sunday
Chinatown
Ali'i Kai Catamaran dinner cruise

Monday
Leaving for the mainland

suze

I think that looks fine for the outline of a plan. You're not trying to squeeze in too much and have left time for relaxing.

I've never been to the swap meet, for me it is something I'd take off the list. That would give you an entire day free to add a few more things.

Are you interested in the history... either Iolani Palace or the Bishop Museum are excellent things to do in Honolulu.

On Saturday morning there is a Farmers Market at Kapiolani Community College (just south of Waikiki) with food, entertainment, etc.

Maybe go to the North Shore on Wed. And stay in town on Sat.?

charnees

Beaches, beaches, beaches! As for hiking, remember that it will be hot (79-85) and humid, and you must, must take hats and water. Unless you are accustomed to that kind of weather, you may fine it more than you want to endure, especially is the trail is sunny.

North Shore, visit Haleiwa (ha lay ee va) a nice little town. As for the swap meet, it's huge, but ot's also very hot, as there is zero shade. But the range of Hawaiian stuff is huge. I don't think you will want to spend more than a couple of hours there.

SiteC_er

looks good, However, is there a reason you're not going to Pearl Harbor?

nanabee

On the North Shore you could go to Waiamea Bay drive past Sunset Beach and spend some time in Haleiwa (which a really cute town). It is beautiful there very different from Waikiki.
I would also spend a day in Hanauma Bay. But get there really early before they open - otherwise you'll have to wait for hours in along line. I think they limit the number of people inside the state reserve at any one time too - so that is another reason to get their early (like around 7:00 am or even before they officially open).

http://www1.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/

http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/hanauma_bay_beach.html

sf7307

If you're up for a little exercise/adventure, I'd seriously consider kayaking. We did the 4-hour trip with Kailua Sailboards and loved it, but they do shorter trips too. (Of course, I wouldn't go to a swap meet anywhere anytime....)

carolyn

The swap meet is near Pearl Harbor. You could go early to PH (need to be in line early) and then on to the swap meet if you like, although you can find lots of the same stuff at the ubiquitous ABC stores all over Waikiki. You can also take the free Hilo Hattie trolley out to that big shop. It will be somewhat more expensive, but they have a lot of stuff. Better than that, in the next block is a Sam Choy restaurant that we really enjoy and then ride the HH trolley back.

The Diamond Head hike and the zoo won't take your whole day. You'll have plenty of beach time.

We enjoy just driving around the island and stopping at Kailua Beach for a swim or a wade and a beach walk, at various places for photo ops, and then at Haleiwa for a meal and some shave ice. You can see Hanauma from the top if you don't want to go down to the bay. Stop at the Blow Hole, Punchbowl Cemetery, and the Pali overlook.

You are in for a treat. Oahu is my favorite.

dusty56438

Are you renting a car?

You can see Oahu much better with a car.

By the time you pay for airport transportation, cabs, buses & tours you can do on your own, you won't save any $$ by not renting a car.

Don't miss the Swap Meet. There are many more items available & cheaper prices.

For sure stop at USS Arizona Memorial the same day as the Swap Meet.

Lots of Oahu info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

birdergirl

You can do Diamondhead, the Aquarium, and the Zoo the same day, I think. I'd probably drop the Zoo, or put it last on the list for that day. Diamondhead is strenuous, and you need to climb through an old gun turret to get to the very top. Grandmom and your kid may not want to go all the way. If you go, do it early in the day, as it will be blazing hot there in the middle of August.

I'd skip the swap meet. To get out of the heat, try the Bishop Museum and/or the Iolani Palace. I'll bet your daughter would like to see a REAL princess's palace!

And where's the time to spend bumming around Waikiki? There are several really fabulous old hotels that I wouldn't miss wandering through. Stop in one for lunch, even if (like me) you can't afford to stay.

Don't miss Hanauma Bay. That will be a memory your daughter will carry the rest of her life- swimming with all of those fishes! And she's old enough to appreciate the educational exhibits, too. That's definitely a full day, and you'll all sleep very soundly that night.

If you're going to the North Shore, I recommend stopping at Waimea Valley along the way. It used to be an Audubon property, but has been purchased by the state and is now both gardens and cultural center.

And, as hokey as it sounds, I would throw a luau in there, but I'd personally skip the Polynesian Cultural Center. The performers at your average luau belong to a local hula school (called a halau) and those performances are how they raise money to maintain the halau. So while you enjoy the entertainment, you are also indirectly contributing to the continuation of Hawaiian culture.

Aloha, and have a fabulous visit!

dbdurand

No one has said this, so I will. Assuming you're from the mainland, there is little reason to spend any of your few days at an aquarium, a zoo, or a swap meet. There's nothing particularly Hawaiian about them, and the mainland has them all in spades.

Don't worry about the heat, unless someone in your party is unusually sensitive to it. Hawaiians walk around in it all the time, and your body will adjust to it. Certainly go to the Bishop Museum and the Iolani Palace (but not to just get out of the heat).

Luaus are not hokey. If you can find one put on by a local church group, it'll be more "authentic". Check for discount tickets for the more commercial luaus. Sometimes they're handing them out on the street. Require everyone in your party to eat some poi. It'll give you something to talk about.

Grandma may be old enough to remember Pearl Harbor. I was 11 on that day and found about it when I came to pick my newspapers for delivery. (yes, kids did that then). The war came and went and the years passed by. In my mid 70's I visited Pearl Harbor and forgotten memories of that day and the subsequent war years came flooding back. It was an unexpected emotional experience.

Jailynsmommie

Thanks everyone for your input. All great suggestions.