First Time in Oahu
Jul 17th, 2007, 12:42 PM
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First Time in Oahu
My husband and I and our 13 and 15 year old children are going to Oahu for 6 days in August. My husband has business on one of these afternoons, but we are free the rest of the time. What MUST we do? What should we avoid? We'll be renting a car and we are staying on the Air Force Base. I'd appreciate any help. This is such a great forum!
Jul 17th, 2007, 01:39 PM
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I don't know about must do's as not everybody enjoys the same things but some of the things we have found.
The Arizona Memorial- can be quite moving and an opportunity to meet at least one or two survivors.
Nuuanu Pali lookout- on Highway 61 very scenic and part of Hawaiian history.
Northshore- just because and the shrimp trucks.
Diamond Head- yes you can buy the postcard with the same view you'll see but you can have someone take your pic and be in it instead.
The windward side- drive and stop at many of the beaches along the way.
Wakiki and Ala Moana- if you want to shop or get your pic in front the statue of Duke and smile and wave at the webcam on the streetlight.
The Arizona Memorial- can be quite moving and an opportunity to meet at least one or two survivors.
Nuuanu Pali lookout- on Highway 61 very scenic and part of Hawaiian history.
Northshore- just because and the shrimp trucks.
Diamond Head- yes you can buy the postcard with the same view you'll see but you can have someone take your pic and be in it instead.
The windward side- drive and stop at many of the beaches along the way.
Wakiki and Ala Moana- if you want to shop or get your pic in front the statue of Duke and smile and wave at the webcam on the streetlight.
Jul 17th, 2007, 02:38 PM
#3
Can recommend the Navy tour for AZ memorial more than other commercial ones.
Suggest you take the youngsters to hike Diamond Head. Bring a small flashlight because part of the hike has a tunnel.
Drive over the Pali Highway (or LikeLike) or actually from Hickam you can take H-3 to get to the Windward Side.
Recommend Bellows AS on the Windward side (Pali is best route probably but check a map). If you have military ID you can get in all week to the best beaches on the island; if not, you can get in at least part way on the weekends. Get or borrow or buy boogie boards for the kids (great waves); watch out for the portugese man of war and bring some meat tenderizer in case of a sting. (All well worth the risk from my sons' points of view.) Even if they don't swim a lot they are gorgeous beaches.
Waikiki has gentler waves, more people, fewer critters in the water.
The kids might like to do a little small scale shopping at the International Marketplace in Waikiki (stuff like those little sandal charms, lots of low costs but fun stuff).
Again of you have military ID Ft. DeRussy is next to Hilton Hawaiian Village and both places have great facilities and lower density--the beach areas adjoin. They can get the Waikiki experience, still walk along downtown Waikiki (which now has a nice walkway and is really getting cleaned up).
Suggest you take the youngsters to hike Diamond Head. Bring a small flashlight because part of the hike has a tunnel.
Drive over the Pali Highway (or LikeLike) or actually from Hickam you can take H-3 to get to the Windward Side.
Recommend Bellows AS on the Windward side (Pali is best route probably but check a map). If you have military ID you can get in all week to the best beaches on the island; if not, you can get in at least part way on the weekends. Get or borrow or buy boogie boards for the kids (great waves); watch out for the portugese man of war and bring some meat tenderizer in case of a sting. (All well worth the risk from my sons' points of view.) Even if they don't swim a lot they are gorgeous beaches.
Waikiki has gentler waves, more people, fewer critters in the water.
The kids might like to do a little small scale shopping at the International Marketplace in Waikiki (stuff like those little sandal charms, lots of low costs but fun stuff).
Again of you have military ID Ft. DeRussy is next to Hilton Hawaiian Village and both places have great facilities and lower density--the beach areas adjoin. They can get the Waikiki experience, still walk along downtown Waikiki (which now has a nice walkway and is really getting cleaned up).
Jul 17th, 2007, 03:08 PM
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The Navy Exchange is the largest Navy Exchange. It is actually a mall.
Polynesian Cultural Center is the best Polynesian entertainment in Hawaii. But, if you are on a budget, then the luau at Hale Koa Hotel (military) is decent & inexpensive.
Lots of Oahu info:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564
Polynesian Cultural Center is the best Polynesian entertainment in Hawaii. But, if you are on a budget, then the luau at Hale Koa Hotel (military) is decent & inexpensive.
Lots of Oahu info:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564
Jul 18th, 2007, 04:40 AM
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Wow -- hulajake, you pretty much listed every one of my suggestions.
I'm also going to add the Polynesian Cultural Center -- we missed it on our trip (too busy eating pancakes in Kailua) but my parents just went and RAVED. We went to the luaua at Royal Hawaiian, but from their pics, the one at PCC looks much more fun. No alcohol, but your kids are underage anyway
I'm also going to add the Polynesian Cultural Center -- we missed it on our trip (too busy eating pancakes in Kailua) but my parents just went and RAVED. We went to the luaua at Royal Hawaiian, but from their pics, the one at PCC looks much more fun. No alcohol, but your kids are underage anyway
Jul 18th, 2007, 11:51 AM
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You no longer need a flashlight for the Diamond Head hike. The tunnel now has electric lights.
Haunauma Bay is gorgeous, but you need to get there early as the parking lot fills up.
Drive around the island for beautiful scenery and fairly empty beaches. Kailua is very pretty.
Eat shave ice in Haliewa. We got it at the General Store because of an ad saying that locals think it's the best--get it with ice cream in the bottom and flavored ice on top. Yummy.
See the Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace for Hawaiian history.
Haunauma Bay is gorgeous, but you need to get there early as the parking lot fills up.
Drive around the island for beautiful scenery and fairly empty beaches. Kailua is very pretty.
Eat shave ice in Haliewa. We got it at the General Store because of an ad saying that locals think it's the best--get it with ice cream in the bottom and flavored ice on top. Yummy.
See the Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace for Hawaiian history.
Jul 18th, 2007, 11:58 AM
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If you want to go snorkeling, go to Shark's Cove--it is like swimming in an aquarium!
Chinatown is fascinating! The Audubon Center hikes are wonderful if you want to see the interesting species of flora that abound on the islands.
The Punchbowl Cemetary has one of the best views of Honolulu and Diamond Head.
Chinatown is fascinating! The Audubon Center hikes are wonderful if you want to see the interesting species of flora that abound on the islands.
The Punchbowl Cemetary has one of the best views of Honolulu and Diamond Head.
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