I'll be travelling to Honolulu for a business trip in mid-November, but will have two days (Sunday and Wednesday) available for sightseeing and relaxing. I am considering a possible daytrip to Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach. However, I do not plan to rent a car during my visit. Thanks in advance for helping to answer these questions.

1. How long and expensive would the bus trip (#56 or #57; transfer to #70) be from the Ala Moana Center to Kailua Beach on a Sunday? Is it better to take a taxi there instead?

2. To buy a picnic lunch, is the Kalapawai Café and Deli the best option? Is Buzz's Original Steakhouse more of a dinner destination (as opposed to an informal lunch)?

3. If one were to rent a kayak for a half-day, how long does it take to reach the islands close to Lanikai Beach?

4. What is the difference in atmosphere between Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach? Are there any sights within walking distance of Kailua Beach that are worth exploring?

5. In Honolulu, if you only had a day, which of these sights are worth exploring?
a) Iolani Palace
b) Hawaii Maritime Center
c) Chinatown (Oahu Market, Kuan Yin Temple)
d) Contemporary Art Museum
e) Bishop Museum

3. If one were to rent a kayak for a half-day, how long does it take to reach the islands close to Lanikai Beach?


We did a 4-hour kayaking "tour" with Kailua Sailboards -- stopped at the wildlife sanctuary island, then at Lanikai and back to Kailua. We were first timers. No problem doing that in 4 hours.

I would estimate that the bus trip from Ala Moana to Kailua would take at least 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and number of stops. The adult bus fare one way is $2.25, one transfer is free.

Reaching the Mokoluas (the two islands off Lanikai) depends on the current and wind conditions. It can get rather windy out there and on such days it could be difficult. The wave action against the shore of these islands could also be hazardous, there have been people swept off the island by waves.

Easier to get to is Flat Island, which is also a bird sanctuary, I believe. It's not very far out at all (I used to swim out there from the beach) and has a nice sandy area that makes it easy to get in/out of the kayak.

Keep an eye out for turtles while you're out there, they're fun to spot.

Link to Kailua Beach. Also info for Lanikai Beach in the Kailua Beach info.

http://www.thebus.org/pop/beaches.asp

Maritime Museum is closed right now due to the economy.

I would add USS Arizona Memorial & National Cemetery of the Pacific

I'd put Bishop Museum at the top of your list. It will give you a fascinating intro to Hawaii. Check out their website for special activities. I know they have a hula demonstration.

We took the self guided Iolani Palace tour ($12) a few weeks ago. It took about an hour, interesting, but a one time event for me. If you're a history buff, you'll love it. (Chinatown is nearby)

Definitely take the bus to Kailua Beach. We hadn't been there in 10 years and were shocked by the erosion, but it still is a lovely area. The Lanikai beaches were gorgeous, but I don't know if you can get to them on the bus. They don't have a central access park area. On Sun. the beaches will be more crowded. (Not like Waikiki, however)

Buzz's is very informal and a good lunch option. I love to picnic, and Kalapawai Market is right at Kailua Beach. It's more expensive then a regular grocery store, but more fun and convenient!

Thanks for your helpful suggestions. I'll definitely plan to take the bus to Kailua Beach and kayak to Flat Island if it's too windy to go to the Mokoluas. Also, I'll plan on going to the Bishop Museum instead of the Iolani Palace tour if there's time on Wednesday. Are there cafes/restaurants or pleasant neighborhood walks around the Bishop Museum?

For a morning or afternoon day hike on Wednesday, would you recommend taking the Makiki Valley Loop trail (near the Contemporary Art Museum), or the Manoa Falls Trail?

Kailua Beach has a shower and bathroom facilities and is more accessible if you are planning to go kayaking. The downside is that it can get a little windy so if you're planning on sunbathing, most people do it on the grass and not on the sand. Lanikai gets less wind, the water is a little calmer, the sand is a little softer but it's farther in than Kailua and there's only one bus that goes through there. It would be a pretty long walk with a kayak in tow and there are no public restrooms. If you're going to spend the day there, you may want to kayak in the morning, eat lunch at Kalapawai and then walk into Lanikai - it would be about a 20 - 30 minute walk. Funny. . .I've lived in Kailua for over 40 years and I've never been to Buzz's. . .on my list of things to do.

My all time favorite place on this island is Sandy Beach. The drive from Waimanalo to Hawaii Kai is BEAUTIFUL. I've seen people moped past there - a little dangerous with the tight windy road but it is beautiful out there. That's my 2 cents. . .

1) The bus ride is a little over an hour, give or take. And will cost $2.75. Remember to ask the driver for a free transfer. Visit the official Oahu transportation site to learn more - http://www.thebus.org/

2) Never ate there before, if you want a quick guide to some of the restaurants in Oahu, their cuisine and cost visit - http://www.sharinghawaii.com/oahu/restaurants

3) You can kayak to the 2 Mokoluas islands off Lanikai in less than 20 minutes. If you are a strong swimmer you could even swim out to them, though not recommended. - http://www.sharinghawaii.com/attract.../lanikai-beach

4) Kailua and Lanikai beach are neighboring beaches (almost one in the same), picture a long stretch of beach with half called kailua and the other half called Lanikai. - Beach info at http://www.sharinghawaii.com/attract...u-best-beaches

5) If you can I recommend visiting all. It is a personal preference as to which one you would be more interested in. Here is a link that you can use to learn about each and get a feel for where you want to go - http://www.sharinghawaii.com/attract...ric-activities There is also driving directions and maps of each if you click the "read more" for each activity.

skippy, is that sharinghawaii.com website your own?

A one way adult fare on The Bus is $2.25.