I'm planning a visit to Oahu and looking for funky small towns similar to Paia and Makawao on Maui. I am also interested in nice areas in the mountains. Thanks for suggestions!

i'm interested in this question too

Kailua is my personal favorite. Also loved Haleiwa. I could move to either one tomorrow

The closest thing to funky that I can think of on Oahu is Haleiwa first, Kailua second.

As far as mountains, I can't think of anything like Maui's upcountry. Our "mountains" have multi-million dollar homes sitting on them.

funky towns,
Wailua
Hauula
Punaluu
Haleiwa
Kailua
Waimanalo
Pupukea

Nice areas in mountains

Tantalus
Waahila Ridge(St. Louis Heights)
Pupukea hills(you wouldn't believe what's back there)
Aiea loop trail
Manoa Falls

Every mountain and valley on Oahu has a trail from civilization thru the rain forest. Check the Dept of Land and Natural Resources(State of Hawaii) for trail maps

Aloha!

Forgot about Hauula - that's really way out there. I wonder if Laie has much of a town - it's been years since I've been that far out there.

Aiea Loop Trail brings back fond memories - when I was in high school, a bunch of us went hiking there. We (really stupidly) deliberately decided to go "exploring" and went off the trail.

Several hours later and a couple of mountain ridges over I was beginning to have visions of us being on the 10pm news and helicoptered out of there.

Luckily we found our way out, bursting back onto the trail from some bushes on the side and scaring the crap out of a family that we landed in front of.

Wow! Thanks for all the responses. This gives me a great start to researching.

hawaiiantraveler- Can you give more insight on your comment:

Pupukea hills(you wouldn't believe what's back there)

Like, crazed hippies with pitchforks are back there or, alternatively, gorgeous foot-wide orchids and waterfalls are back there? Thanks

chepar,
I think there is the 4 mile loop and the 7 mile one. You need a map to know where to turn off.

Blue,
hahaha Pupukea, let's see....there is a Girl Scout tented camp.....Army Stryker force training area......and some of the most beautiful hiking areas with gorgeous views . It's off the beaten path though(so to say). Yes there are waterfalls. Hmmmmmm...might be too difficult for the unguided. Tourists never go there.
Waahila Ridge would probably be better, closer, easier and still offer great viewing.

Aloha!