azureashe

My friend and I are heading to Oahu later this week for seven days and staying at the aston coral reef. Based on tons of research, plus reading many of the posts here, we've come up with the following itinerary which should take care of both our love of adventure and need for relaxation.

(scout day)
-see waikiki, honolulu and chinatown
-ride thebus around island


(stuff day)
-diamond head
-arazona memorial


(beach day)
-surf lesson
-snorkel


(hike day)
-grand eco-tour hikes


(culture day)
-museum
-luau


(beach day, rent car)
-surf (board & wind), snorkel, veg


(anything goes day)


(leave day)
-bum around until flight leaves


does this sound feasable? are there "off the beaten" things which we are missing and are a must see/do? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

JohnD

Suggest you split the Arizona and Diamond head onto two different mornings, rather than the same day, as Diamond head gets very hot after 10 AM, and it is also good to do the Arizona early in the morning because it gets crowded and you will have to wait longer in line. We tried to do both on same day in 2002, Arizona was fine in the morning but Diamond Head at 10-11AM was miserably hot. #39;(

KimF

When I was on Oahu in November, I took a sunrise Diamond Head hike with Oahu Nature Tours. It was inexpensive and outstanding. Due to the angle of the sun at sunrise you see the silhouettes of 5 other islands as the sun comes up on a clear day. As well, early in the morning you frequently see a rainbow over Waikiki from the top of the crater. The early morning hour also affords lower temperatures, no crowds and leaves you the rest of the day free with a major vacation goal accomplished so early.

I would also advise that you go to Pearl Harbor on your own - don't go with a tour operator. I've done both and the cattle herding mentality of tour operators can ruin your experience. The park service and Navy have created a very user-friendly visitor center. It's nice to take your time and not be rushed out by a tour operator. Go early - it gets VERY crowded and be sure to not miss the outdoor exhibit area.
Aloha!

Helen_in_Hawaii

Some of the must-sees we recommend to our visitors from the mainland are the Arizona Memorial, Pali lookout, Polynesian Cultural Center (and luau), Byodo-in Japanese temple, hike up Diamond Head, and Circle Island tour.

NikkiS

I would not take the bus around the island. If you want to stop for a picture spot you may end up spending alot of time waiting for the next bus. I'd just drive the day you have the car. You can not actually drive all the way around Oahu. If that is your beach day, you'll probably hit the North Shore and that is almost halfway around from Waikiki.

islandmom

Your first day may be too full to get a great view of the island after going to Chinatown. Chinatown is most happening early in the morning though.

Are you hiking with a paid tour? Haven't heard of that here. Where are you going? How about going free with the Seirra Club? I like the Manoa Falls hike.

We really like Bellows or Shearwoods beach.

ON Weds-
AT&T WILDEST SHOW IN TOWN (O`ahu) Honolulu Zoo as part of the AT&T Hawaii Wildest Show in Town. Gates open at 4:35 p.m. and the show will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. A $1 donation will be collected. Information 531-0101

June 19th - CONCERT IN THE COURTYARD (O`ahu) The Sheraton Moana Surfrider and 99.5 The Breeze presents, "Concert in the Courtyard" series. The concert will be broadcast live on 99.5 The Breeze radio station from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There is no admission charge for the two-hour event; appetizers and beverages will be available for purchase. Featuring Hawaii's top entertainers. Sheraton Moana Surfrider 922-3111

TASTE OF HONOLULU (O`ahu) Easter Seals Hawai`i and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation celebrate the 12th anniversary of TASTE OF HONOLULU on Friday, June 20, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, June 21, 11:00 a.m. - 10 p.m.; and Sunday, June 22, 11:00 a.m. -7 p.m. at the Honolulu Civic Center grounds adjacent to Honolulu Hale. TASTE OF HONOLULU is Hawaii?s largest outdoor food, wine, and entertainment festival. Many of Hawaii?s top restaurants will participate. There will also be many fun and educational activities, cooking demonstrations, and non-stop local entertainment. Scrip is sold for tasting portions. This is a fund-raiser for Easter Seals Hawai`i, a non-profit organization that works with children and adults with disabilities. Easter Seals Hawai`i 808-536-1015

30TH KING KAMEHAMEHA HULA COMPETITION (O`ahu) An international cultural event featuring dance troups from the mainland, Japan, and Hawai'i. Both traditional and contemporary styles of hula are performed by groups in the categories of male groups, female groups, and mixed groups. Kupuna wahine are featured in the 'auana division. Individual chanters in the kahiko division. Event held at the Blasidell Center Arena in Honolulu, Friday at 6 p.m & Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets: $8.50, 9.50,11.50,& 20.00 per night. Group tours of 15 persons or more are sold beginning in November 2002. Ph. 808 536-6540. R-M. Keahi Allen 808 536-6540

20th- KAPIOLANI BANDSTAND CONCERTS (O`ahu) Clark College Jazz Band - Acclaimed group visits from Vancouver, Washington. Free parking, bench or lawn seating. Outdoors and casual. 5:30-6:30 p.m. Kapiolani Park Bandstand, Waikiki. City Office of Economic Development 843-8002

Jun 21/22 HLF STEINLAGER SERIES - HAWAIIAN STYLE KEWALOS KUP (O`ahu) Professional and amateur longboard surf contest. Kewalo Basin, from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm both days. Free for spectators. Hawaiian Longboard Federation 808-988-1726

21/22 SUNSET ON THE BEACH (O`ahu) Picnic as the sun sets in Waikiki and the moon rises while listening to the sounds of Island Rhythms and watching classic films under the stars at 6:30 p.m., Queen's Surf Beach. Taste spectacular dishes from Waikiki's leading restaurants, 4 to 9 p.m. Event is subject to the weather. Information 523-4811

islandmom

Kailua town and beach are great spots. Or a bit over to Lani Kai.

princess2448

I would definitely recommend the Polynesian Cultural Center. The show was really fun to watch, and it was one of my favorite luaus. I would also recommend stopping by the North Shore and getting a shaved ice. It was superb.

stevecat

I would say skip Diamond Head as a hike, it's not really even a hike, just a walk up stairs and pavement in a very hot environment. Diamond Head isn't really that high either, so unless views of towering skyscrappers is your idea of scenic, I would head to the Koolau's and do some hiking there. Wa'ahila ridge is just a few minutes up from Waikiki, with a graded ridge trail. Absolutely a must do just to get a real feel for Hawaii's mountains.

islandmom

Ditto on Diamond Head. I would do Makapuu lighthouse at sunrise.

islandmom

A good bakery to hit before your hike is Panya on Kapiolani and McCully by 7-11. Try the ham and cheese rolls. Not sure where those originated but were tradition when I worked downtown.

Pumpy

1. I agree about splitting up your second day itinerary. I would suggest the Arizona Memorial and then maybe heading back to Waikiki for a surf lesson or snorkel session.

2. I disagree with the above poster about skipping the Diamond Head hike. We thoroughly enjoyed the hike (he is correct that a portion is climbing stairs - this actually helps) and loved the view from the top. It is also interesting in the respect to learn that this was was originally developed for fire prevention reasons and was later used to look for enemy ship during WWII. The pictures you can take from up their are well worth the 45 minute walk up.

3. I would also encourage you to rent a car for the day you plan on driving around the island.

Enjoy!

Rusty

Do some people REALLY plan every detail of every day of their Hawaii visit in advance? Doesn't sound like much fun to me, but each to their own.

Sarah

I dont't see Iolani Palace on here. I think it is a must do. I would also not skip Makapu lighthouse on your drive or Byodo temple. You want to spend some time walking around at both places.

Coral Reef use to be a great cheap hotel in Waikiki. It was $60 a night in the mid 90's. You will have to tell us about it when you get back.

RUSTY. It is good to know what is out there and have an outline in your head. This helps to balance the experiences of the trip. I have not planned on places that I knew very well thinking I will figure it out, no need to over plan. Well I got to this one destination that I am thinking about and I should have just flushed $7,000 dollars down the toilet. Your mornings fly by first and then your days, quicker than you think even when you know a place. You end up doing too much of what comes to mine rather than balancing activities, I do anyway. When you are too tired or too excited to think about what to do, where to go, it is nice to already have a plan in place. Hawaii is not only about beaches and tropical cocktails, planning helps you to see this.

I see what you are saying though rusty. I think you can see that I am not a planner by nature. Here it is Saturday afternoon at 3:40pm and I am in a chatroom on the internet? Have fun azureashe!

Sarah

PS an early morning hike to Makapu lighthouse will be far less crowded and provide more scenic views IMO than Diamond head.

If you are without a car and want something walking, do Makapu during the week and as early as possible. The sun gets hot and the crowds throng here.

stevecat

There's just so many better places to hike on Oahu that are less crowded, cooler, and have more reflection on Hawaii's geography than Diamond Head. If you're too out of shape to hike, drive up Tantalus road in Makiki Heights and turn into the state park up there. At 1500 feet high, the views you'll get of Honolulu are way beyond that of Diamond Head.

islandmom

FYI- did you know the FAA and also secret gov't stuff still goes on under Diamond Head? There are 15 - 20 stories of secret offices with monitors etc. under there at least.

islandmom

A hidden jewel for shaved ice is Waiola store in Moiliili. Haven't been there in a while....wonder if it is still there?