My husband and I are planning a trip for our 10th anniversary the end of March, 2004. We are considering Oahu. Our biggest concern is the weather. The information I have read indicates through March is rainy season. We very much enjoy the warm sun and reading a book on the beach.

Any comparisons of Oahu in March to a caribbean island in March? We have been to several caribbean islands and wonder if it is similar.

Also, we are thinking about the Outrigger Reef on Waikiki Beach. Has anyone stayed there?

Any other information, suggestions, or feedback about Oahu would be greatly appreciated.

Bev

Since Y2K my wife and I have been to Hawaii in February and March and have not experienced more than 15-30 minutes of rain at a time, and in general the weather was beautiful. In our experience one can usually escape the rain by driving to another part of the island(s). Here is a link to monthly weather averages for HNL airport on the island of Oahu:http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?hihobs

I think the concept of a rainy season applies better to the Carribean. Hawaii is paradise!

It is extremely rare that the whole island would be covered in rain so you can always find a sunny spot. As a rule Waikiki is always sunny and hot. Hard rain is not so common. Most rain does burn off in a few minutes. A storm could roll in, there's just no way of knowing. Usually Nov or Dec is when I remember a long bout of rain.

March and April are the months we usually visit Hawaii and we've seldomly encountered more than a few showers. However, winter is technically the 'rainy' season and it's impossible to predict what it will be like next year. I think there was an unusually rainy and high humidity week this past March (toward the end). But most of the time, it's very pleasant with low humidity (for a tropical climate) this time of year.

Islandmom is right--Hawaii is unusual in that we have a lot of microclimates--you can drive 15 miles in another direction and get totally different weather. I used to live in Nuuanu Valley, and wake up to a rainy looking sky. Then I'd drive over to Diamond Head for my run, where it was blazing hot!

Hi Bev,

I love Oahu & have visited twice in late February. The temperature was wonderful and any rain was of short duration. I would highly recommend Oahu Nature Tours (www.oahunaturetours.com). I went on their sunrise Diamond Head hike and their hidden waterfalls tour. They were very inexpensive, not overly strenuous and had a reasonably small number of participants making it personal & fun.

I've visited Pearl Harbor both by myself and on a tour. I definitely recommend going on your own over the tour. Being herded through like cattle and barked at by a bus driver can ruin the experience for you. It's very user friendly to do on your own & it's nice to take your time. Just go early before it's overly crowded.

I loved snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. This is actually better to do on a tour, because nearby parking is severely limited.

I also loved visiting Byodo In temple in the Valley of the Temples on the north shore. It's beautiful and worth the drive.

There are so many wonderful places on Oahu. While Waikiki & Honolulu are tons of fun, getting out & exploring the rest of the island is even better. Have great trip!

It hardly ever rains on the south sides of the Hawaiian Islands and Waikiki is on the south side of Oahu.

We were at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach in July and we liked it. We enjoyed the pool and hot tubs. We had a standard room which was nothing too special, but we were hardly in the room.
The bathroom was small with a shower only. There are nice restaurants and handy shops in the lobby. The beach in front of Ft. DeRussy park is a nice size and the park itself is nice. Close walking to restaurants and shopping.

I didn't stay at the Outrigger Reef, but since my hotel was just down the street, I was in and out of the OR many times during my recent two weeks there. It seems like a nice hotel. I did eat a nice breakfast buffet in their "Shore Bird" restaurant. There are coupons for $1 off the breakfast buffet in the "To Do" books all over Waikiki. It's nice to eat in there and look out on the beach and the ocean, but beware of the little birds who are quite tame as well as brazen and will gladly hop right up on your table and help themselves to your food! But it's fun and they're so cute!

In the lobby, by valet, there is a lei stand. The prices are reasonable, but if you want a neat experience, you can make your own lei. They charge about $8 for a lei, but if you have one of their lessons and make your own it's only $5 and you get the fun of making it yourself.

We always go the first week in January, weather has always been in the 80's. We love Oahu. We buy a 5 day buss pass for $15.00, the bus will take you everywhere!! Senior passes are $25.00 for 2 YEARS!