Linda,

Yvonne is outdated. The Turtle Bay Resort has new owners, new managers, new golf course (two now), new rooms - a total facelift.

Crowds on Oahu and Maui are about the same, except there is more to see and do on Oahu.

It has been said that Hawaii is more like a tossed salad than a melting pot. There are millionaires living in the nicest houses and hippies living in a shack. The U.S. military is a large part of the economy and many of the military people transfer in and out and do their thing and don't mix with the local scene. Americans with Asian ancestry make up more than half of the population. The laid-back surfer's paradise of Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach is only a fifteen minute ride from the serious and wholesome Mormon pioneer town of Laie. There are Hawaiian villages (kuleana land) where you can still get a feel for the historical traditions of the Hawaiian people but with a modern twist. The feeling of aloha and the natural hospitality of the islands and the tolerance of those with diverse views and lifestyles is part of what gives Hawaii it's charm.

My suggestion is to spend time getting to know each of the diverse parts that makes up Hawaii. Waikiki is fun for a couple of days but then you should get out and explore the island. If you have a rental car you could spend a lot of time between Makapuu Point all the way around the north shore to Haleiwa Town. That part of the island is less crowded than on the Honolulu and Waikiki side. Make some local friends and they will take you to places that most visitors don't ever get to enjoy.

Linda, there is a hike called the "Stairway to Heaven" which starts in the Haiku Valley and goes up to an old WWII coast guard lookout station on the highest peak between Honolulu and Kaneohe. It is a series of steps and ladders, some of them straight up the side of the cliff. It has long been a popular hike for local college kids. The state is improving some sections of the trail to make it safer for the general public and was discouraging hikers while this work was being done. I don't know the current status but do know a lot of hikers still go up on clear days, especially on weekends. If you pick a good day the view will be fabulous. You likely won't find this hike written up in any guide book and may need a local to help you find the start of the trail. Despite its local popularity be careful if you go.

I'm from Maui so i would suggest doing some island hopping and go to Maui (where I'm from) and then to Kauai. Very nice. Lived in Oahu for 10 years and it's very busy and exciting. All my friends that go there I always tell them to go and get the "plate lunch". Local grinds you must try. Any any local on the street and they will tell you the best places. I sure miss my Maui. You are the envy!

If you like culture & the arts, the University of Hawaii has a lot of good stuff going on, too.
http://www.hawaii.edu/culture/
As you get closer to the date, check the calendar for the Theatres:
http://diamondheadtheatre.org/calendar/the_season.htm
http://www.manoavalleytheater.com/
http://www.hawaiitheatre.com/index.html

check out the open markets for fresh local produce.
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/programs/pom/index.htm

And here are the other misc. FREE events
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/events/waikiki_events/index.htm
or
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/moca/index.htm

If you are into ghost stories and spooky stuff, Glen Grant conducts "Ghost Tours" on a trolley throughout various parts of Honolulu. The November calendar is not up yet, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you are REALLY into spooky things, because it's totally freaky!
http://www.chicken-skin.com/GhostTours.html

Oahu is NOT nasty. It's a great place to live & visit. There is an incredible amount of stuff to see & do, whether you follow the guidebooks or go off the beaten path.

thank-you to all the posts with good advice we are very grateful.we will be making day trips to other islands and we pretty much know what we are doing in that department.to all the posters telling us not to stay in Oahu,WE WANT TO STAY IN OAHU.sorry to be a bit rude but we have already chosen to stay on Oahu,its non negotiable and we really would like to enjoy it to the full.
people on this site say that waikiki is hell,too crowded and touristy, we like in a valley in Wales,its very picturesque but the nearest shop is 40 miles away, we long for hustle and bustle.
more suggestions still welcome.
thank-you ,linda

sorry meant to say we LIVE in a valley in Wales not like.

Linda,

Don't worry about or listen to others who say you won't like Oahu - they either haven't gone with the right attitude or haven't explored the island.

There are lots of beautiful places and beaches which you are fortunate enough to have the time to experience - just read the posts above.

Enjoy!

21 days on "the rock aka Oahu? If you can get off to some of the others islands, you've got to do so. Mainlanders don't get the real feel unless they go to Molokai for at least three days and perhaps to Maui where you should the Lahaina tourist traps and drive to Hana, stay a couple of days at least and visit as many secluded waterfalls you can. Ok, let's say you have to stay on Oahu, then buy yourself the entertainment book via online. We do this every year and save bucks all the time. Lots of 2fors on Oahu. If you like coffee, be sure to try Kona Estates Peaberry bean-yummy! Be sure to buy items at the ABC-save the receipts and get free mugs-good for the mainland gift bag.

Enjoy but get off the ROCK!!!!!

Janet,
What is a mainlander?

I lived on Oahu and it is a great island. Always makes me laugh that people go to the islands and they think they know the place with their 3-day stay. I don't know where you are coming from. I was coming from NYC I loved Oahu for it's clear influence of Asian culture. Never was immersed like this before in an eastern culture. You see this in the food, rituals, superstitions, and ideas about life. Blows me away to explore the very authentic, Chinese and Japanese temples on the island. Not just the obvious Byodo but the hidden temples all over the island. The ones that don't stand out as tourist attractions but serve as spiritual centers for observant residents. I am not religious in any respect, just fun to be exposed to different ways of thinking about life. You can see that at these temples. You might not see how interesting this is if you come from a part of the mainland U.S that has this already i.e. SF, parts of California. We have a stronger European influence in the northeast. Of course there is an Asian presence here but not like Hawaii.

Linda you will really be absorbing where you are. These people that say go somewhere for 3-4 days, they are beach and hotel loungers. They leave understanding squat about Hawaiians, the state, and the history. OAHU IS WHERE YOU LEARN ALL OF THIS. Events, festivals, musical appearances, Art exhibits all take place for the most part on Oahu.

In terms of Christmas, their light arrangements are better than NYC's. There is a section in downtown Honolulu that becomes a center for this. Don't miss the electric company; they usually have the most impressive lights. Hawaii is very enthusiastic about Xmas when the boats with first fur trees come over it makes local news. There is a parade but I missed it each year. Find out I am guessing through the Hawaii visitors bureau and participate. What I loved best was walking in the Marina near the Ilikai in Waikiki and looking at all the boats with lights trailing down from the top of the mast (sp) and this reflected off the water.


OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH One thing I forgot to mention you must try to see Kabuki at the University of Hawaii. This group performs in NYC. I was told by a long time resident and transplant from NY that this is one of the best things you can do in all of the islands.

Hey are you staying at the Ilikai by chance? Go to the Star bulletin online and get on a daily email about news. Very handy to have this it will help you to become acquainted with Hawaii, Oahu in particular.

thank-you again sss,
Iam printing off all your suggestions.im glad someone does not think our holiday will be a waste of time.fantastic to hear about the Christmas lights. American Christmas lights are so much better than british one's,glad to hear Hawaii puts on a show.
because we are coming from the Uk things that Americans would find boring are foriegn and exciting to us ,we may speak the same language but that is as far as it goes,the cultural differences are huge.
keep up the good ideas my printer is waiting.
linda

Hi Linda there is great info on this forum if you do an archive search. There was a cheap eats on Oahu that leads to a discussion of local food and then Asian food. I am on an email list of one gentleman in Honolulu that writes a column on Chinese food around town. Someone hooked me up through this chat he emails articles he writes on Chinese chefs in Honolulu. BTW!!! You will find more authentic Asian food here than most areas in the U.S SO GET YOUR CHOPSTICKS READY. You can buy pretty painted chopsticks (Japanese). Legend's Seafood is a favorite restaurant of mine. What you find here will be very different than what you find in England. I can't even find Asian food this good in NYC. I could go on forever about this and other topics on Oahu. The Asian stores like Sheraqia (sp) (alamoana mall) close to Waikiki where you can enjoy Japanese pastries (take out) flown in from Tokyo. Some of the fish based noodles soups that I could probably only find at Nobu yet they are available as fast food here.

I would contact Japanese Cultural Center and find out if any tea demonstrations are on or any other events. I seem to remember some royalty from Japan visiting last year and special demonstrations where on, they usually are on throughout the year (different times)some tea masters live on the island.

So much to talk about I would do an archive search you can find info going back to 1998.

PS. Polynesian Cultural Center is more of a theme park. I had a very bad experience with a British guest who as I, expected a more formal introduction to Polynesian Culture. You can read more of what others think by doing an archive search just wanted to alert you to this.

21 Days think about spending and evening at the Bishop Museum Planetarium (have never done myself)they have one night a month where there is public view time at a telescope along with lecture. You know about Hawaii's prominence in terms of ideal location for astronomy. Here is your chance to do a view on a high powered telescope.


My favorite beaches Waimanalo or Bellows Military base open to public on weekends. Try to get a pass to drive over Kolikoli on the extreme eastern side. Absolute favorite beach on Oahu is Makua (spelling) (not to be confused with the more popular Makaha beach) on the eastern side but car break ins are frequent here, go in a wreck. THIS BEACH IS COMPRABLE TO ANY SPECTACULAR BEACH on the North Shore of Kauai or Maui or Big Island. Almost always deserted and ripe for a skinny dip. We have had our car locks picked on a couple of trips here but still go back when I can. On your trip and you will know why. Waimanalo is nice in the evening or if you don’t want to endure that 45 minute drive from Waikiki.
Also like Kailua beach park, Lanikai worth a sunset stroll. Sun does not set on the water here but nice pinkesh colors accent this very blue water. THESE REPLYS REALLY PUT ME IN A STATE. Windward side beaches are SPECIAL and it is only a 20 minute drive from Waikiki if you spike over te Pali. Beautiful drive around coast going up diamond head drive.

Don't listen to the Oahu bashers. I've been there on three separate trips, it's great island and IMO has some of the best beaches in all of the Hawaiian islands. You won't be disappointed.

i second the oahu enthusiasts. i was born here and have spent years in mainland and asian cities, where i always end up missing the sight of green mountains and blue skies and ocean in one view, and the richness of the cultural diversity. but yes, u do have to know where to look, or u'll miss a lot.

hi melissa, i was at the academy of arts last week and yes, the cafe is still open for lunch. lots of local produce on the menu, small but nice wine selection, and great chance to see exhibits of indonesian, indian, chinese and japanese carvings, religious artifacts, textiles, ceramics, etc.

hawaii internat'l spring film festival starts this week, and this time the venues are all at the dole cannery square theaters across town from waikiki. linda, i think it's near a bus route from waikiki/ilikai, but u may be happier w/ a car. again, great chance to see films from japan, china, korea, philippines, southeast asia as well as australia, europe, middle east, and local indies from hawaii producers. tickets have been running $7.

sat next to a visitor from wales at hawaii opera theater production last month. she was thrilled to be here. if u're into symphony, the honolulu symphony may be performing around then (not sure abt opera). u can ck schedules at the blaisdell center. the honolulu weekly, a free newspaper distributed around town, also has good listings of various kinds of performances. i think there are sunday concerts by the royal hawaiian band in kapiolani park, w/ hula dancing; good to have a picnic lunch by.

finally, if u do go to maui, pls spend some time upcountry on haleakala--not just driving up for the sunrise, but then stopping for breakfast or lunch at kula lodge, which has nice gardens and a breathtaking view from abt 4000-foot elevation taking in the green slopes of the volcano, the towns of kahului and wailuku on the north and kihei and maalaea on the south and the dramatic west maui mountains beyond, and on clear days, lanai and molokai on the horizon. driving around the huge forests and horse and cow pastures of upcountry is my favorite thing to do on maui.

am sure that w/ ur inquisitive attitude and some great advice here, u will have a wonderful time.

my printer is begging for mercy,but keep the info coming.
on the subject of crime we know about car crime on oahu(in the uk it is rife also so we know to be cautious,but what about crime such as muggings etc,are they a problem .we try not to look to much like tourists(but with our sun starved skin that is quite difficult)we are never flashy with jewellry or cameras.any tips or things to avoid?
i have already drooled at the cheap eats oahu thread can't wait.
thanks Linda

I must say "sss", you do know what you're talking about. Just a couple of things though. The name of the Japanese store in Ala Moana is Shirokiya. It was almost closed due to financial difficulties of the parent co. back in Japan, but lucky for us the local managers bought them out and kept it open. Kolekole Pass is on the western side and part of Schofield Barracks, i think it might be impossible to get on base without a DoD ID because of 9/11. but I'm glad you enjoy the islands as much as we do.

Where our guests say they want to go when come to Oahu:

1. Waikiki
2. Arizona Memorial
3. Polynesian Cultural Center
4. Pali lookout
5. Dinner cruise
6. Shopping Ala Moana
7. Waimea Bay
8. Dole Plantation

What our guests say they enjoy after been in Oahu:

1. Waikiki
2. Polynesian Cultural Center
3. Pali lookout
4. Arizona Memorial
5. Shopping Ala Moana
6. Byodo-In temple
7. Waimea Bay/Banzai Pipe/Sunset
8. Magic Polynesia magic show

Hey, mari! Long time no see on the board. Now I feel like eating at the cafe.....

Linda, I forgot to mention--if you like plants and such, the Lyon Arboretum is a nice place. Pack a lunch, eat on the grounds (wear mosquito repellant) and hike a little.

As for crime--like anywhere else, just be aware of your surroundings. I don't believe muggings are a problem, but I heard that people do break into rental cars at Waimea Bay and at the Arizona Memorial. So don't pack more than you need.

Linda,

The other posters here have done a really thorough job, so here are just a few more random suggestions:

If you like to hike, get a copy of Hawaii's Best Hiking Trails, by Robert Smith. I bought mine from Amazon.com. At the very least, do the obvious hike to the top of Diamond Head for the spectacular views. Do it in the morning, when it is cooler and the sun will be behind you instead of in your eyes when you get to the lookout at the top.

My favorite beaches are Kailua, Lanikai, and Bellows. The only car breakins I heard about were on the west coast. Be VERY careful of strong and dangerous surf on the west and north shores in the winter.

There are a couple of catamarans that sail from in front of the Royal Hawaiian and Outrigger hotels, right in the heart of Waikiki. 90 minutes for only $12.00. We did a sunset sail last week and it was great.

Check out Queen Kapiolani park, towards Diamond Head from Waikiki. The beaches there are less crowed. There is a small zoo and a great aquarium. The beach at the end at the New Otani hotel is very calm and there is an underwater reserve where you can snorkle.

Hanauma Bay is super crowed on the weekends, but if you get there early on a weekday, you can beat the crowds and get out by lunch. If you have not snorkled before, this is the place to try it.

I didn't notice if anyone answered your question, but a mainlander is anyone from the continental U.S., as opposed to the islands.

Have fun!!!