Hotel/Activities on Oaho
 

We're going on honey moon in Sept. We picked Oahu/Waikiki area is where we'll hang out for 5 days. <BR>Which hotel has the best ocean view and price? I look at Royal Hawaiian as potential. <BR>What to do on the island for 5 days? We plan to see Pearl Harbor, Laus. <BR>Should we rent a car? some friends recommended walking or taking bus. <BR> <BR>Many thanks in advance <BR> <BR> <BR>

We will be there in Sept. also. Wherever you end up staying, go to Hilton Hawaiian Village Super Pool on any Friday at 5:30 PM for a wonderful ceremony called the Kings Jubilee, followed by Hawaiian music & Hula, followed by some VERY cool fireworks on the beach at 8PM, all free for the price of 1 drink to sit poolside. <BR>Also, Sept. 15 is this years Aloha Week Parade, which you may have seen televised on Thanksgiving in previous years, very colorful, floral and Hawaiian! It's a big deal, and festivities go on all week before making the route of all the islands for a week on each one. Check it out if you'll be there then. <BR>As for hotels, all depends how much you are willing to spend per night. <BR>You may only want a car for 1 or 2 days, to drive around the island and over Pali Hwy. Otherwise, walk or let tour operators come get you! The Bus is good, too. Search the many Hawaii websites for TOO many ideas. Have Fun!

We were in Oahu for the first time in April for 10 days. It was beautiful. You could do without a car especially most tours come with tour buses. We rented a condo a block from waikiki beach which provided free parking for cars. So we rented a car. Otherwise, hotels typically charge $$$ for parking. We went to the north shore, the west, the east, a different part of the island everyday. We loved the car expecially for the convenience. Its totally a choice of convenience and it was less than $200 for the 10 days. We also took the car to Chinatown and the Outlet mall many people don't know about. Hope this helps

Waikiki for a honeymoon? I would advise against too much city element. Why not consider the Kahala Mandarin or a rental on Lanikai beach on the windward side. I don't know anyone that actually enjoys their time on Waikiki once they have experienced the more scenic parts of the island. If you must than please drive to windward side for Byon Temple. This is the temple shown in Pearl Harbor when they are pretending to show Japan. A MUST ON ANY TRIP TO OAHU! I would also check out Kualoa Ranch the grounds are great, maybe go for horseback riding. Check out china town if you are culturally inquisitive and if not sealife park is fun. Stay away from Polynesian Cultural Center. Do check out Festival mentioned earlier great music and fun. I also enjoyed Waimea falls Park, seek out hiking great spots around the island. My favorite is Light house near Makapu (sp). RECONSIDER WAIKIKI UNLESS YOU DON'T PLAN ON LEAVING THAT HOTEL ROOM. I could see 1-2 nights but 5 oohhhh. Post another message simply on Waikiki alone and see if you don't get a lot of negative responses back.

I lived on Oahu for three years and Waikiki still remains one of my favorite areas, even though I also liked the other parts of the island that have been mentioned. I was raised in the city and always enjoyed walking through Waikiki, over to Ala Moana Mall and on to Honolulu. I think for a first time visit, Waikiki is definitely the best place to stay, keeping in mind that there is plenty to see on other parts of Oahu!

I live in Honolulu, and have many, many friends visit here. As only family gets to stay with us, everyone else stays in Waikiki. I have never yet had a friend regret staying there, especially first timers. The hotels are nice and there is everything from a hostel to 5 star hotels in Waikiki, there is nightlife from people watching to Hiltons hawaiian show with fireworks on Fridays showroom entertainment, there are lots of good restaraunts, there is a great beach with nice surfing in the summer, and the main street has recently undergone a huge renovation that is complete with waterfalls and a torch lighting ceremony each evening. Rental cars are cheap and the bus is even cheaper so you can explore lots of really great shopping, beaches and entertainment elsewhere on the island. <BR>Best of all, there is something for every budget. Waikiki is not the snob 'IN' spot and I love going to the neighbor islands for the wonderful and unique experiences they offer, but Oahu can be fun and romantic and adventurous. <BR>PS the temple is Byodo-In in the Valley of the temples just past Kaneohe.

Anyone know anything about the Hawaiian Waikiki Beach Hotel? We were just informed that renovations are starting a week before we get there on July 10th. What else might be available at this late date? (we got ocean front for $150/nt).

Things to do on Oahu:<BR><BR>1 - Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay (East Oahu) $5/person<BR>2 - Hike Diamond Head (40 minutes) (East of Waikiki) $2/person (if memory serves)<BR>3 - Atlantis Submarine (Waikiki). Fun way to see the bottom of the ocean (100 ft) without getting wet. About $40/person<BR>4 - USS Arizon memorial (Pearl Harbor area). Go early and avoid the lines. I don't remember the price, but it's nominal.<BR>5 - World's largest maze @ Dole Plantation (central Oahu). Do it on your way to/from the North Shore. $5 per person. Photo opportunity. Get a waffle cone of pineapple flavored frozen yogurt too. Yummy.<BR>6 - Old Haleiwa Town (North Oahu) Bay Watch was filmed there. Park the car, get out, and walk the strip - or just take a slow drive through it on your way to the North Shore.<BR>7 - Waimea Beach Park (North Oahu). Spend the day boogy boarding, but not a beach to take the small kids. The small powerful waves are great for boogy boarding, but not good for little kids. Beautifuly beach on the North Shore<BR>8 - Ala Moana Shopping Mall (Waikiki). If you need a break from the beach and bikinis, this is a world class shopping center. Everything from Sears to Prada; JC Penney to Cartier. Great food court too!<BR>9 - Paradise Cove Luau (West Oahu). Nice luau if your hotel doesn't offer one w/your stay. $60/person<BR>10 - Koalua Ranch - North/East Oahu. Too many activities to mention, but horseback riding through the valley they filmed parts of Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, etc. is a nice family thing to do. Unsure of price.<BR><BR>Rent a car - do not take the bus. Get a map ahead of time and study it on the plane. Do not drive and read the map at the same time (i.e. do not drive like a tourist).<BR><BR>Do not waste your $ on the Polynesian Cultural Center.<BR><BR>Eat dinner at the Shorebird Broiler ($$$) or lunch at the Surf Room at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel ($$). Inexpensive but very good: Dukes in Waikiki for lunch ($). <BR><BR>Single? Go to Dukes for drinks in the evening. The Ocean Club (23 yrs old and older) (small cover charge).<BR><BR>Too many other things to list...have fun! ...Steve

I have never paid a fee to see the Arizona Memorial.

Celeste - You're probably correct. I went once 9 years ago (when I first arrived here on Oahu) and haven't been the Arizona Memoral since then. I couldn't remember for sure if there was or wasn't a fee. Another thing to do for the military history buffs is tour the USS Missouri (the ship on which the Japanese surrendered to America) which is now a floating museum just 5 minutes (by car) from the USS Arizona memorial. I know for sure that the USS Missouri charges a fee. I think it's like $5-$10 per person.<BR><BR>...Steve