I'm arriving in Honolulu at 9:10 on Mon morning and leaving at 9:30 on Mon evening in Nov. Interested in a quick tour either in a group or on my own.

(1) Should I rent a car for 1/2 day or should I take the bus/shuttle/taxi?

(2) Beach, hiking, waterfall, and lookout view are on my to-do list if possible.

Waikiki Beach or Hanauma Beach
Manoa Falls Trail
Pali Lookout

What's possible in 12 hours including the time to get out and get back to the airport? Are all three places above too far apart, difficult to get to etc? Should I go elsewhere?

(3) Are there shower facilities at the beach or at the airport?

I'd really appreciate your info!

I would definitely rent a car for that time period. You would waste too much time waiting for buses, etc. Another great viewpoint of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor is Punchbowl Cementary. Its close to the downtown area. Have fun!

Waikiki Beach - good choice
Hanauma Beach - good if you want to snorkel
Manoa Falls Trail- humid and very small waterfall- maybe not worth the limited time
Pali Lookout- nice

Rent a car drive up to the Pali lookout, then over to snorkel an hour or so in Hanauma then go to Waikiki and back to the airport.

Some beaches will have showers in the bathroom. Most beaches have the kind that are outside and open.

Thank you so much for the info, carbogilligan and islandmom!

I recommend the car as well, but please be advised that there's no car company I know of in Hawaii that will let you rent a car for a 1/2 day.

Keep in mind that the parking to Hanauma Bay is limited - and it is usually full by 9:00 a.m. I'm not sure if you're willing to sit and wait for a space to open up.

I'm not sure when it starts emptying out, but perhaps mid to late afternoon you would have a better chance of finding a spot as soon as you get there.

Thank you chepar. I read somewhere that parking at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center and take a bus to the Hanauma Bay is an option? Do you have any info on this?

We rented a car, drove up to Diamondhead, hiked up to the top, snapped some pictures, then drove back to the airport on a 4 hour layover. We were even able to get on an earlier flight to the BI on standby. It was fun. Check the airport website to see which rental companies are onsite to save some additional time.

>I read somewhere that parking at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center and take a bus to the Hanauma Bay is an option?<

That's a good idea, as long as you can find a direct route there and back.

This is the website for The Bus (www.thebus.org) - and it provides the routes. It looks like Route 22 is pretty direct and stops right at Hanauma.

I'm not sure what bus runs the other way, going west back to Hawaii Kai.

Best bet is to either call them or send an email, so you can be sure. With as little time as you have, you don't want to get on the wrong bus and waste time riding around.

My biggest question: where are you coming from? Another island, or is this your only stop in Hawaii?

I think you could make a nice day of beach, hiking, waterfall and Lookout with the time you have. You'll need to rent a car, drive up to the Pali lookout, then head into Manoa. Hike up to the falls, then go to Waikiki for the remainder of your day.

I wouldn't go out to Hanauma bay, as you might hit traffic.

I recommend San Souci beach, which is at the end of Waikiki beach; just past the aquarium and on the left of the Natatorium. More parking than in Waikiki proper, and you can stroll back toward Waikiki if you still feel active.
You might be able to get an early dinner at the Hau Tree Lanai at the New Ohtani hotel right there on the beach.

Showers are available on the beach. If you have dinner, leave by 6:45. You'll make it back to the car return by 7:15 and to the airport at 7:30.

Should be fun!

Any car rental company will rent a car for a half of a day. You can even rent for an hour if you want. But you have to PAY for a full day.

Hey Rusty, you're absolutely right; but it's all semantics. The car companies will tell you that there is no such thing as a half-day rental, but (as you said) you can return the car within the 24 hours, as long as you pay the full-day rental price for the car.

two words THE BUS.
I KNOW I SURE would not waste a full
days car rental cost to only get 12
hours use on it.
THE BUS has express routes.
And since you will be there in NOV and
the northshore waves will be getting
higher go up there. Because the bus's
schedule changes from time to time
it is wise to check the website
and http://www.thebus.org

Thank you everyone! I couldn't find the bus to Pali, so I think I will rent a car. I'll try the bus 22 from Hawaii Kai and make sure I call the bus and the bay beforehand. If Hanauma Bay is not going to work for me, then I'll try San Souci. Where do I park in Waikiki? Is it easy to find parking spots?

Isn't that Queen's beach?

Queen's beach is Ewa of the of the aquarium.

there should be plenty of parking on a Monday in November, unless it's a holiday. either park in the courved road right in front of San Souci and the Natatorium (free) or in the metered stalls all along kalakaua Avenue in the park, or at the parking lot at the Waikiki Shell or the Zoo.

From the Hawaii kai Center, you can take the bus or walk if you're good walkers. It isn't far, but you are going up a steep hill to the turnoff, then there's more walking to the entry gate. You can catch a trolley from there down to the water.

We just did something similar just last week. On our way back to the DC area from Maui - we routed our flight through Honolulu. We got in at 12:30pm and didn't have to be back at the airport until our 10:30pm flight. It was also nice because we were able to check our bags all the way through - so didn't have to deal with baggage claim, etc.

We had rented a car for the day through Priceline. Ended up getting a standard car through National for $30 - not bad at all! And they even upgraded us for free to a convertible - which was really fun for tooling around the town!

We were out of the airport and in our rental car within 30 minutes of landing. Our first stop was Pearl Harbor - very close to the airport. We were lucky to get tickets for just 45 minutes after we arrived (this was on a Thursday). We did the tour (very worthwhile) and we back on the road by 3pm. We drove up to the Pali lookout which we really enjoyed. Then took a nice drive around the island - driving through Diamond Head and getting to watch the sun set over Waikiki. We then drove out to Sand Island and had a really enjoyable dinner at La Marianna... great place!

We had plenty of time to return our rental car and even spend some time doing last minute souvenier shopping in the airport before our flight.

Hope this helps! Have fun!!!

Just got back from Honolulu - I had so much fun, thanks everyone! I drove my rental car to Pali Lookout first; the mountains looked so green and thick driving up, and you'll see the panoramic view from up there, just beautiful! Then through the Pali tunnels to the northern side; a few minutes from turning right onto another highway, I saw a parking lot towards the ocean. Walked right up to the beach there. It was so blue and gorgeous! Then I drove to Hanauma Bay and snorkeled for a couple of hours. It was great to see fish so close! Then I drove to Waikiki Beach, took a short nap on the beach, walked from Hilton to Sheraton Princess, caught an incredible sunset, and walked back on a big street a block from the beach. Just a wonderful experience, thanks again everyone!

I hear the Doris Duke mansion is awesome to see. Contact the Honolulu Academy of Arts if you are interested.

Glad you had fun! You picked a good route for your explorations!