We are visiting Oahu in August and would like to drive from Waikiki to Waimea. Which highway do we take? The 83 along the beaches or the H1/H2 to the 99? How long is the drive? Suggested stops along the way?

H2 to either 80 to 99. Or H2 to 99. The numbering of hiways is a little weird on the island but with the aid of a map it's easy. You could go the other way (83), it a much longer and slower but very pretty.

The fastest way would be to take the H1-H2 up through Mililani. figure 45 minutes. You can r go back the same way, but try to avoid the H1 in town during afternoon rush hours of 3:30 to 6pm.

If it were me, I'd drive back around the north shore on Kamehaeha Highway (is that 83?) to do what we call a circle island tour.

Its a much more scenic return. You can go all around the southeast corner of the island (through Waimanalo), or cut back earlier from Kaneohe. I'd recommend coming back on the Pali Highway and stopping at the Pali lookout if its a nice day.

You may find that there is road construction on the Kamahameha Hwy during your trip. During our visit earlier this month the Kam hwy was narrowed in places to 1 lane, west of Sunset Beach at Sharks Cove. Traffic moved very slowly. Then too, stretches of that "highway" have 35 mph speed limits around Turtle Bay, lower limits around Wamea (with good reason), and, the road connects small towns with similar limits on the east side, whatever it is numbered.

I also recommend the circle island tour around the east coast, perhaps cutting back through H-3, which is very scenic, to Honolulu

Last year, we did the "circle island tour" in the opposite direction -- from west of Waikiki to Kailua, then from Kailua on the H3 to the H2, to 99 to 83 (our destination that day was Haleiwa). It's a beautiful drive move of the way (not quite all!), and in parts a spectacular drive.

North shore is on Driving Tour #2 on this thread.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

The big problem I see for you is that Waimea Beach is one of the last beaches on the list. By the time you get there, the parking lot may be full.

I always love the sweet corn and shrimp carts/trucks on North Shore roads (they're mostly near Haleiwa). The corn is the best corn I have ever had from anywhere, it's not cooked, so only if you have a way to broil or grill it. I'm allergic to shrimp, but I've heard these are good. Also sometimes there is quality poi. Be sure to stop if you see any of these. Not sure if there are any on the highway.

Tux:

There are many shrimp trucks and restaurants on that Kameameaha Highway in and around Kahuku (east of Turtle Bay). There are also some shrimp trucks and restaurants featuring shrimp plates (e.g., Ted's Bakery) between Turtle Bay and Haleiwa. We ate at Romy's near Kahuku a couple weeks ago. Our family thought the shrimp (the garlic and spicey varieties) were quite greasy, though very tasty. The flies were a real problem, as all seating at Romy's (and many others) is picnic table outdoors.

Also, there is a fruit/vegetable stand just west of Turtle Bay entrance (south side of road) that sells cooked sweet corn by the ear.