After planning to spend next Thanksgiving in Rome I have made a complete 180 and will be spending 8 days on Oahu. I will be traveling with my 2 nephews (12 and 6 when we go) and my mom. She has always wanted to go to HI and really wanted to go to the Big Island however, I only had FF points to get us to HNL. We will be departing Nashville on 11/19/08 and leaving HNL late the evening of 11/27/08 (Thanksgiving Day).

I have already purchased Oahu Revealed and read through it this weekend. Are there any other guidebooks that are recommended for Oahu? This one seemed pretty complete and had maps and beautiful pictures as well as frank assessments of attractions,beaches, etc. I plan on getting a road map of the island also.

We are currently booked at the Royal Grove Hotel. I saw it mentioned in several threads and the reviews on Tripadvisor were very good. I am always a budget traveler and don't need more than a bed and shower. We will be renting a car for our week also.

In or near Honolulu we plan on visting Pearl Harbor (also USS Missouri/Bowfin), Iolani Palace, International Marketplace, Chinatown, hike up Diamond Head and Haunama Bay.

For day trips we want to visit Polynesian Cultural Center, Turtle Bay, Waimea Bay and Kailua.

We want to do some easy to moderate hiking and visit lots of beaches.

Any recommendations on beaches, hikes, other sights we shouldn't miss in our 8 days are appreciated. Also, where would be a good place to have Thanksgiving dinner since we will have checked out of our hotel and I believe most attractions will be closed?

I know it's 11 months away but I love the planning process as much as the trip itself and can't wait to dive in and come up with a great itinerary.

Thanks to any and all who assist us!

Great getting reservations at the Royal Grove hotel(!) it's popular and often booked up. I've only heard good things & walked by to see it earlier this year. Looked fun to me. Some rooms are right on a busy street so would be worth mentioning you'd like something quiet or in the back.

I don't think you need more than one guidebook, there's tons of free information everywhere after you arrive Waikiki (hotel lobbies, sidewalk stands).

While it would be easy to find enough to do the entire time on Oahu a daytrip over to the BI shouldn't be ruled out.
Unless there is a big change in interisland airfares it can be quite affordable.
Fodors also offers a good guidebook however as Suze said one should be plenty.
The one problem that has come up about the " Revealed " series has been the recommending of parking and cutting through on private property.

Suze - Thanks. Will definitely check for local info and hopefully some coupons of discounts too when we arrive.

hulajake - We will strive to be good visitors and only park in lots for the beaches. I don't mind paying a bit for that. I will check into the daytrip. Mom would love to at least hit Hilo for a day.

The tours of Doris Duke ShangriLa estate is the only thing I've ever booked in advance myself (because I was very intersted in seeing it and they only take small groups so the daily tours fill up in advance).

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564