First Time Oahu in March - Help!
 

Mom taking high school senior daughter to Oahu first (maybe last?) time to JW Marriott Ihilini in March. Looking for 'the very best' and 'the very worst' for this trip.

Definately take her snorkeling at Hanauma Bay and take a hike up Diamond Head.

Go very early snorkeling. You have to park, by a ticket, wait to watch a short film of the park, walk down the path to the bay, get fins, snorkels etc all before you are in the water snorkeling. This takes at least 30 minutes if you aren't in any lines. We went at 8 am, by the time we left at 10 am, the water was getting cloudy from all the people stirring up the water and when we got back to the entrance, the line to buy tickets and watch the little movies was very long. Those people in line to by tickets at 10 am probably didn't get their feet wet in the water until 11:30.

Diamond is a spectacular view. People say to go early, but we went around 10 am after a leisurely breakfast and we didn't find it too gruely. It takes about 45 min. to get to the top with a few 5 min. rests (with a view) along the way up. And what a nice reward when you get to the top. Go on a clear day (doesn't have to be no clouds, but don't go if there is serious overcast - it won't be a pretty).

I took my daughter to Hawaii for her high school graduation present. We had a wonderful time.

Take her to a luau, drive around the island, see Punchbowl Cemetery and the Pali lookout, see the Arizona at Pearl Harbor, eat 10-napkin cheeseburgers at Cheeseburgers in Paradise, shop at Ala Moana, watch the sunset, eat fresh pineapple (Dole Plantation is fun), look for rainbows. Have a wonderful trip; Oahu is wonderful.

My husband and I stayed at Ihilani last March for 3 nights - one of my favorite parts of the trip! We weren't crazy about Oahu - we spent the following week in Maui which we loved. The drive around the island was definitely worth it though and we did have a fun dinner at Tiki Grill on "strip" in Waikiki and enjoyed shopping there. Plan to spend some time relaxing at Ihilani - they have great lagoons which you can walk around and swim in as well as a very under utilized beach. The pool fills up though. We did a free yoga class and indulged in a massage in the spa. We really liked their breakfast buffet but thought the Italian night buffet was not that good for the money. I love their bath products - I just used up the last of the bath gel which makes me sad - it smells so good!

Enjoy!

Don't drive to Hanauma Bay - parking is a major hassle. We had theives punch the lock on our rental and steal stuff from the car while parked there. Take the bus - it's cheap and efficient.

Here's a "20 Secret Bargains of Oahu" link:

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3081266/

My teens loved the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Atlantis Submarine.

Kudos to Fodors for this site! I am so glad I posted early and hope I hear 50 more great responses like the ones already. I plan to purchase the driving book and will take all your advice to heart. Keep the good ideas coming!

Got to hit Matsumoto's for the BEST shaved ice on the North shore-they will mix up to 3 flavors in your cup for you. We picked up a funky t-shirt there too.

If you think she'll enjoy snorkeling Hanauma Bay is a great choice, as Nancy said. But Shark's Cove on the North shore also offers great snorkeling and caves to explore.

Be sure to drive down to Chinatown and wonder around there-plenty of restaurants for Dim Sum.

And before you leave, make a stop at Hilo Hattie's main flagship store. They'll even pick you up free from Waikiki to shop and then return you to the beach.

We never know what the future holds for us so be sure to take several CF cards for your digital camera-this is definitely the stuff that heavenly memories are made of!

My husband and I are going back in April-can't wait! We wanted something more private this visit so we've booked an oceanfront cottage on the NE shore. It truly IS paradise!

Snorkeling on the North Shore (where Shark's Cove is located) in March can be iffy.

Conditions are still rough most of the time in March - late winter swells still make snorkeling/swimming dangerous most of the time that early.