We have an 8 hour lay over on Oaho going to Fiji, this Friday night. Land at 4:21, leave at 12:45 am. What should we do (definitely get away from the airport)?

Drive (or take a bus or other transportation) to Waikiki and have dinner at a number of great restaurants. Stroll Waikiki. It's nice at night.

Lots of Oahu transportation:

http://www.budgettravelonline.com/bt...081901179.html

Aloha Tower Marketplace also has some good restaurants.

www.alohatower.com

Drive up Mt. Tantalus, great view of the city at night.

8 hours in Oahu in the afternoon...any rent a car?

If you do have a rent a car, I'd also find Tantalus Road and drive up there for the view of the city or go up Diamond Head road and hike up 1.5 mile for the city/beach view. Then I'd drive the Highway 3 for the beautiful view to the other side of the island and then drive through Kailua and check out the awesome beaches and drive around the east side of the island through Hawaii Kai and see Hanauma Bay. In Hawaii Kai stop by KoKo Marina shopping center, pick up a shaved ice or eat at Hawaii Kai Town center and eat at Roy's (a little expensive but nice restaurant). Then get back in the car and drive back to Waikiki and check out the night time scenery there until it's time to get back on the plane to Fiji.

Aloha

Since we aren't planning on renting a car for that duration, (esp. comdiersing we are in between flights), a cab to great place for a sunset and dinner sounds good. Any recommendations, esp. that we will be in the middle of traveling (more casual), but not noisy and nice food ?

With no car, your choices are limited.

Take a cab or bus to Aloha Tower Marketplace or Waikiki.

You'll only have about one hour of light as the sun sets about 6pm right now.

Also Restaurant Row (about 1/2 way between downtown Honolulu and Waikiki) has some nice restaurants with views.

Is your luggage checked thru hopefully?

Then I'd take a taxi to Waikiki and asked to be dropped at the Old Moana Surfrider hotel, as a reasonable central landmark. Have some drinks and dinner on the veranda there then stroll along the beach and/or the main boulevard.

By the time you get out of the airport, into Waikiki, and then back to the airport allowing sufficient time for your next flight... I'd say you have more like 4-5 hours max to spend.