21 days on oahu !!!!!
 

my husband and I will be based in Waikiki for 21 days from the 4th november this year<BR>we have a good idea of lots of things to do and see but,we would really like to explore the whole island.can anyone recommend things to do that aren't mentioned in all the guide books.we are in our early thirties and willing to do or see anything we havent done already.<BR>also will there be any christmas/holiday events on in november or is it too early.<BR>any suggestions greatly recieved.

ttt

Don't miss the Star of Honolulu harbor cruise. You have a wonderful breakfast and lunch, hula demonstrations and lessons, lei making lessons, and a history of Pearl Harbor. It was the high light of our 1 1/2 days in Honolulu.

Take a day trip to Maui !!! Watch the sunrise on the top of the volcano and then bike down. If you have a few days do the drive to Hanna and swim in the 7 sacred pools. Also a swim with the turtles was nice.

Become a local for 21 days. Pick-up MidWeek and find out what is happening in the local scene. Go to the local congregation of your faith and make some new friends. Sometimes it's easier at chuch to make those connections if you already have some values in common.

As you said, you should explore the whole island, section by section. You could easily spend an entire day on the windward coast (Sandy Beach, Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe, and north to Turtle Bay), checking out the wonderful beaches, watching the bodyboarders at Sunset Beach, and visiting the Byodo (spelling?) Temple; save Hanauma Bay snorkeling for a day by itself; an entire day on the north shore (shopping in Haleiwa, stopping for shave ice at least twice at Matsumoto's, watching the surfers at Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay if the winter surf is up, visiting Dole Plantation and the little pineapple garden in Wahiawa on the drive home to Waikiki - and maybe the Army's famous Schofield Barracks if it's open to the public these days); one day visiting the Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri, with an hour or two of shopping at Pearlridge Mall, a slice of pie at Anna Miller's just below the mall, and a look at Ihilani Resort near Ewa Beach (I don't recommend going past that on the Leeward/Waianae coast for safety reasons), and a full day to stay in the downtown Honolulu area to see the Mission Houses and Church and Iolani Palace, going up to Punchbowl Cemetery for the beautiful view, and then going farther up the hill to Round Top/Tantalus for a hike and even better view, and then a drive through the tunnel to the Pali Lookout before returning to Waikiki.<BR><BR>Phew, I'm exhausted! Any more questions, please feel free to e-mail me! (Can you tell I love Oahu? I lived there three years.)

I'm not sure why you're spending 21 days on Oahu but the best recommendation I could give would be to spend less than a wk there and spend a wk on Kauai and wk on the Big Island. However, while on Oahu, definitely hike up Diamond Head and do not miss the USS Arizona Memorial. PS: If you have to stay on Oahu for some reason (business trip?) then I'd try and spend as much time on the N. Shore as possible. Enjoy!

No doubt you will run into "Brunch on the Beach," a once-monthly event that happens on a sunday on Waikiki beach. Free admission; there are food vendors along the way to provide the brunch. There is also a once-monthly movie on the beach event, right at dusk, usually on Waikiki beach. Again, admission is free; just bring a beach blanket and enjoy!<BR><BR>Spend a few days in a beach house on the North Shore. Then you can experience the beauty of Waimea Bay, Haleiwa Town, and all that good stuff.<BR><BR>I second the whole Tantalus/Round Top hiking deal....that is lovely!<BR><BR>There will also be LOTS of craft fairs all around the island at that time, where you can buy some nice handcrafted stuff. I don't know the dates off the top of my head--you'd have to check with www.starbulletin.com or www.honoluluadvertiser.com for the lists of events.

I'd second the idea of flying to another island. Although you could find lots to do on Oahu (hiking, beaches, etc.) it would be a pity to fly all the way to Hawaii, have the luxury of 21 days and only see 1 island.<BR><BR>You have the Volanoes National Park on the Big Island, a beautiful lush paradise on Kauai and Maui as well.<BR><BR>Lots of good suggestions on the replies though (Haleiwa/North Shore, Hanauma Bay, Tantalus, Waimea Bay, hiking up Diamond Head, etc. etc.).<BR><BR>Have fun!

Don't forget to try all the different types of cuisine while you are there. Some good restaurants to try:<BR><BR>Keo's (Thai - there's one in Waikiki)<BR>Roy's or Alan Wong's for Pan Asian<BR>Sorabol (Korean)<BR>Plus lots of good Japanese, Chinese and of course western cuisine.<BR><BR>

The Polynesian Cultural Center offers free readmission within three days if you want immersion in some of the cultural areas. Some people enjoy their day as a spectator and then go back for some hands-on tutoring in starting fire with sticks, hula dancing, learning to twirl the poi balls, spear throwing, etc. It's called "Free Within Three" - ask at the front desk.

thank you all for all your replies.<BR>in answer to some of the above posts<BR>the reason we are spending three weeks on oahu is because we are traveling from the uk on a buy two weeks get one free deal at a fantastic price.also when we go on holiday we like to spend a log time in one place to go indepth.<BR>for example ,we enjoyed orlando yes we did disney and universal but we also used it as a base to see some beautiful <BR>places just a short drive away ,iam sure Oahu will be similar. keep the replies coming

Can't believe that I am suggesting this because I am a true believer in immersing oneself in one island and I think that Oahu has a huge amount to offer an inquistive and adventurous traveler but.... I would suggest a day trip over to the Hilo side of the Big Island to visit the Volcano. That day trip could include a trip down to Pahoa to the naturally heated "millionaire's pond" for a swim and a visit to a new black sand beach or it could include a stroll around Hilo with a visit to the Tsunami museum. Hawaiian Air is offering $49.99 each way flights on their website (for selected departures only; www.hawaiianair.com) that would make this trip fairly affordable. I love Kauai and Maui as well but you can find plenty of beauty and hiking, nature, etc. on Oahu. The volcano on the Big Island is pretty amazing and it would be a wonderful side trip when you are coming all the way from the UK.

I forgot to mention the museums! Bishop Museum will give you a good idea of Hawaii's history & ancient culture. The Academy of Arts on Beretania Street is a great place to unwind. Anyone know if their cafe is still open? It's supposed to be good. Also, when you go up to Tantalus/Round Top, make a day of it....The Contemporary Museum is up there and is also very nice. I love their cafe, as well.<BR><BR>Explore Chinatown and check out the boutiques and little art galleries located there. Then have your afternoon tea at Tea at 1024 (1024 Nuuanu Avenue).

ttt

I second all the opinions that say go to other islands, at least for a day. I went about 15 years ago (I was 26 and poor!) and went to Oahu and Maui - and I could not believe how different the two islands were. I wish I had had the time and money to check out some of the other islands - each seems to be unique.<BR><BR>Have a wonderful time!<BR><BR>Aloha!

whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahoooo for you. You will have a great time will post more later. For now will tell you the Hawaii International film festival is on in November. Get to go to many movie houses if not for free a small fee. You get to hear directors/actors talk about movies then watch the movies. Know this might not be why you come to Hawaii but it is great in Hawaii because you don't battle the crowds the way I have in NYC or the cost of Sundance. <BR><BR>There is a very old theatre in or near china town I would see something here. Where ever you go this can be great fun. You get to see some films that due to budgets just won't make it mainland U.S.. This films often give a good window into other cultures. I remember seeing a film (drama) set in Kazakhastan. I also saw great films from Korea, New Zealand and Australia. Don't miss this and contact the Hawaii visitors bureau and find out how you can have free passes mailed to you. We did living on Oahu perhaps they will do this if you plan a visit also, not sure.<BR>

ssss,<BR> Thank-you so much for your post,my hsband and I are mad about films so this is fantastic news.Do yuo know where I might obtain more info on this festival ? thank-you ,linda

I am guessing this is the same organization that puts on the November festival http://www.hiff.org/ but call the Hawaii visitors bureau you can get there toll free number if the to www.gohawaii.com<BR><BR>

Stay as little time on Oahu that you can. Fly to Maui!!! Oahu is nasty! It is nothing to drive on the island and see abandoned cars rusting away. There is some nice shopping at Oahu. Turtle Bay resort is on the North Side and it is terribly outdated! Maui has several nice resorts. We stayed at Maui Prince Hotel for about $170 per night in January. If I go back to Hawaii, I will never go to Oahu again but I will try the other islands.