I loved our trip to Oahu last November. Some not to miss (on my list at least) things:

Hike Diamond Head
Head to North Shore and stop at Giovanni's Shrimp truck
Swim in beautiful Waimea Bay (favorite spot of all)
Have a Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation(you don't have to take the tour)

I can't advise on the volcano as we just stayed on Oahu our entire trip.

See Pearl Harbor. Rent a car for a day and drive around the island. Stop at Hanauma Bay, even if it is just for a look; it's beautiful. Have breakfast at the Shorebird Restaurant at the Outrigger Reef Hotel. Another good breakfast spot is the Hau Tree Lanai restaurant in the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. Drive up the Pali and see Punchbowl Cemetery. Hike to Manoa Falls. In the downtown area, see the Aloha Tower (take the elevator to the top; nice view), Chinatown, Hawaii Maritime Center, and Iolani Palace.

Look for Dusty's posts. He has the most thorough list of things to do on Oahu of anyone.

Can you tell I love Oahu?

I can happily spend all my time on Oahu. I wouldn't want to pay the money and spend the time going over to the Big Island just to see the volcano myself. Along with all the natural beauty, you can also visit Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, ShangriLa estate, etc. around Honolulu.

Carolyn, we are also going to be on Oahu soon. We've been there before a number of times. I CAN tell that you love Oahu, so I hope you won't mind me asking -- what is it about the Aloha Tower? We were very unimpressed when we went!

If you like Maui, you will like the Northshore of Ohau. Do you snorkle? Hanauma is beautiful as well but be sure to go very early.

One of our most enjoyable experiences was listening to Olomana & Jerry Santos at the Hilton:

http://www.olomanamusic.com/shows_bookings.html

The hike up Diamond Head was dry, hot and dusty. Prettier from afar IMHO.

Just looked up Bellows. Bellows AFB? It is some distance from Honolulu so you won't want to be running over there at night to see entertainment. I have been to Lanikai and I remember it being really lovely on that side.

sf7307, I think the Aloha Tower's main appeal is in its nostalgia. It has been there since the old days when all tourists arrived by ship. The view from the top is pretty, and the area around it has been developed with shops and restaurants on a pedestrianized walkway. My grandson liked feeding the tropical fish from the wharf, where fish food is for sale, of course.

We are going again in June with our three adult daughters, one of whom was born at Tripler Army Hospital. She now works for the VA, so we thought we might pay a visit to the hospital this trip.

Just got back. A surfing lesson is a really cool thing to do - my 8 year old granddaugher loved it (through Hawaiian Fire Surf School). We also went snorkeling at Haunama Bay and it is an amazing spot. We went to PCC and the luau and show later. Luau was okay, not outstanding in my opinion but once you've seen one....Show was GREAT! We really enjoyed visiting the Hawaiian Plantation Village - I would much rather spend my time hearing about how the various groups came to the island and what life was like for each group as they arrived than to spend any time at Dole Plantation. Skip the dole whip and head up to Matsumoto's for the best shaved ice that you'll ever remember. Be sure to get a holder and with ice cream. Granddaughter was in heaven - tip from adult, be careful of the flavor you choose or it will likely be way too sweet! Iolani Palace is a nice intro to the monarch before the U.S. took over. Bishop Museum is definitely worth the stop - one of my gd's fav.

We were going to Chinatown but changed our mind when Sunday's paper talked about the demand for increased policing. (Evidently it has been provided - be sure to read online newspapers before you go so that you will be aware of what is going on before your arrival.

Several problems there during the week before and week of our visit. One person killed and in a separate incident two people attacked. In another area, a 35 year old homeless person was shot by police when she refused to drop two metal objects (presumably for defense). They do have some problems with homeless. At the Diamond Head end of the beach, we witnessed some folks readying their spot under the lifeguard tower for the evening and a beating and kicking of one person by several men. This was very concerning at the onset of our vacation but things smoothed out over the rest of the time.

We had a great time and I would recommend it - just like any city, some of these problems exist.

Forgot to mention if you're renting a condo, be sure to stop by the Farmer's Market (Saturday) to pick up local produce and goods. Plenty of prepared foods too. I picked up hamburgers - 100% grass fed from cattle farm on north shore. Delicious honey, strange fruits (I think chamoira or something like that - taste like vanilla pudding!), local crafts.

Dole Plantation does have some good spice combos but there is a vendor at the market I mentioned that sells her own blend. Yes, we went to Dole. Yes, we got the Dole whip - not impressed. And yes, I even got on the Pineapple Express despite being advised not to waste my time. But with gd in tow, we did and she was supremely bored. Recorded track about pineapples grown there, reservoir, patriarch Dole, etc.

I saved shopping for last, and I have to say that Ala Moana shopping center has every type of food in its food court that you could possibly want (for mall food).

Hope this helps some!

Thank you everyone for the input and keep it comming it is very helpful and gets me through some days that seam to drag on.

oops! seem not seam

www.shangrilahawaii.org

Here's the website for the Shangri La estate tour. If you are intersted book in advance online from home. Because it's quite popular and there are limited number of days they do tours and they take a small number of people each time.

Lots of Oahu info. I missed your topic until mow as it is tagged "Minnesota".

http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/first-trip-to-hi.cfm

I guess the volcano tour for $300 is really personal choice, but no I wouldn't spend that. There's plenty to do for free or very low cost right on Oahu.

My husband is kama'aina and we go back a couple of times a year so I'm pretty familiar with the island. We also stay on Bellows and will be there in March . Frequently overlooked activities include the hike to the Makapu'u lighthouse (you can see it from Bellows beach) and if you're interested in military/island history, Fort Derussy can't be beat. It's an old bunker down by Waikiki and you can spend hours wandering around looking at some fantastic artifacts. It's open to the public and well worth the trip. There isn't parking right there, but you can park in the structure by the Hale Koa for the day. While there, you can visit the aquarium, browse the stores on Waikiki Beach (wicked expensive) and go to the International Market. Get out of the Market by dark, fyi. The Botanical Garden over on the windward side is stunning and take a moment to stop at the top of the Pali Lookout. Read up on the history of that battle before you go and it will be all the more meaningful. Don't wear a skirt or hat. The skirt will be over your head and the hat will be over the railing. The flea market in the Aloha Stadium is worth going to- go early in the day and take your own bottled water because they charge an arm and a leg. Boots & Kimos is the best place to get breakfast in Kailua, hands down, and Buzz's steakhouse has the best evening meal. There's also a wonderful Mexican place in the little strip mall across from Macy's, right in the corner. The live local music gets a little loud but the food is so good you can live with it. Same little mall has a store called 'So Kailua' that has neat stuff and really good sale prices.
I'm leaving in 2 weeks so this has helped me get in the island mood! Enjoy your trip

if the weather cooperates, kayak from kailua beach to moku lua islands. then treat yourself to macadamia pancakes at boots & kimo's! mmmmmmmm!