First time to Oahu/Waikiki/Hawaii?
 

How is the weather in July? Is July a good time to visit? What should I pack? Any suggestions on things to do with a Five Year old? (We are on a tight budget)<BR>I am so excited !!! Thanks for any advice.<BR>

I just came back yesterday. The weather was warm - in the 80s. But, there were the occasional tropical showers. <BR><BR>Hope you have a car. If so, and you'd like to be in the sun all the time, head over to the Leeward (East) side of the island. It's pretty sunny out there. Head over to Ko Olina, where there are four lagoons that you can take your child to explore. There's no charge to swim in the lagoons.

I'll second the lagoons at Ko Olina for a safe water area for anyone. It's a beautiful area, and if one of the lagoons is crowded, you can always head to the next, just a two minute walk away. Each one has it's own restrooms and shower. They have a security check, but I'm sure you can just say you're going to the hotel. There are four places to eat there, so I'm sure outside guests would be welcome. While there, take your 5 yr. old to the little ponds to the side of the pool area. There is a shark pool and a sting ray pool, and they were setting up a third when we left about two weeks ago.

Kailua Beach is also very good for children. There is a natural reef that reduces the waves significantly. The beach is lovely - my very favorite on the island. A block or so up from the beach is a small shopping center with a few small plate-lunch restaurants and a shave-ice/t-shirt shop. Kailua beach is also popular with wind/kite surfers so there is plenty to watch even if you don't feel like getting in the water.

The lagoons at Ko Olina are open to the public so there's no need to fib.

See previous posting from family on a tight budget.<BR><BR>There is plenty of fastfood. Shaved ice is also pretty inexpensive. <BR><BR>For bargain shopping, there is an outlet mall and the swap meet at Aloha Stadium. Also, can get bargains at the numerous ABC stores, Long's Drug Store and Woolworth's.<BR><BR>You can take the Bus anywhere. Depending how long you are going for it may be more economical to buy a bus pass. (The 5 year old should be free.)

thanks for the ideas

Hi Rose. We just came back from Oahu and I have some pictures of different parts of the island including the Ko Olina lagoon that everyone is talking about here. It's <BR>http://community.webshots.com/user/gwenne111<BR>Have fun in Oahu!

We are going to Marriott in Waikiki Beach in 12 day.My first trip.I like to know if anyone know anything about this hotel? and in one week in 19 days we are going to Marriott Maui Ocean Club in Lahaina Hi.Anyone ever stay at eather one of this place?

We are going to Marriott in Waikiki Beach in 12 day.My first trip.I like to know if anyone know anything about this hotel? and in one week in 19 days we are going to Marriott Maui Ocean Club in Lahaina Hi.Anyone ever stay at eather one of this place?

Hi Betty and Rose.<BR><BR>Just checked out those pictures WOW. I use to love Makuha beach. I wished you named the beaches in your photos. I understand that the US military is doing target practise bombing in Makuha. I was wondering if you had a sense of this on your trip. Such a shame if you look at Betty's picture you can see how beautiful this is and to bomb there is pretty immoral. But it is next to the very poor Wainai (sp)so I guess they can get away with it.<BR>

A five year old, as well as parents would like the Pali Lookout on the Road to Kailua. Also, while over there (this is the windward side by the way, not leeward) the Byodo-In Buddist Temple is fun, ponds full of koi fish.<BR><BR>There is a free Kodak Hula Show in Kapiolani Park. The view from PunchBowl Crater is nice. The hike to Diamond Head might be fun. Although Waikiki is a bit tacky in my opinion, a five year old would also like the "International Market Place."<BR><BR>Kapiolani Palace is also inexpensive. Then, a day trip to Hanamuu Bay could be fun. Get her/him a snorkel mask and just let her/him peek under water. There's a Sea Life Park in that vicinity, too, kind of like Sea World San Diego.

ttt