Will be leaving in a few days for Oahu and BI. Staying 3 days on Oahu and a week on the BI and would like any tips for must sees with two boys, ages 12 & 10. Going to Pearl Harbor for sure but wonder about PCC. I want to go to North Shore to see the surf with the boys but hubby isn't keen on driving. Is it worth the trip? Will we see big surf on the BI? Do we do the museums on Oahu? Also, any tips on dealing with jet lag would be helpful.

I'd do the North Shore. To me, it's way different than the other parts of Oahu. More laidback. More beachy, surfy. Some great restaurants out that way, too. The drive's not a problem.

Jack, what route would you take from Waikiki to the Northshore?

I too say that the North Shore is worth it. The drive itself is fairly scenic once you leave the more populated areas. My kids were very little (1&3) and were mezmerized by the surf. Remember how active little ones can be and we all just sat watching the surfers and enjoyed the time to it's fullest. Actually it is one of my favorite Hawaii memories. On the Big Island, over in the Waikoloa resort area there is a petroglyph trail you can follow(wear strong walking shoes, not flip flops) that is very cool and I think boys of that age would get alot out of it. The trail starts around the beach area in front of the Outrigger Waikoloa Beach Hotel, I am sure if you ask at that hotel you will have no problems. Have a great time...

Oahuno particular order)
1. Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona (a must)
2. Waikiki Beach (gotta say ya went)
3. Hanauma Bay swim & snorkel(a must)
4. Hike up Diamond Head (a must)
5. N. Shore (highly highly recommend)

Big Island
1. Hapuna Beach(a must for beach lovers)
2. Fairwinds boat & snorkel cruise to Keakakua Bay (highly highly recommend) FYI- they have a web site
3. Volcano (long day but a must)
4. City of Refuge (highly recommend)
5. Waipio Valley (depending on time?)
6. Green sands beach (depending ..?)
7. Dolphin Quest (depending on ..?)
Enjoy - A Must!!

Another fun thing to do with kids on Oahu is to go to the Dole Plantation. Our kids really enjoyed it. You can all taste the famous Dole Whip, or whatever their fancy pineapple drink is called. Also, you can learn about pineapple growing. It is very commercial, but also very fun. So, if you're driving close by, stop in.

Girlfriendred, don't you have a map? There ain't too many routes from Waikiki to the North Shore !!

I usually get to the North Shore by taking the H-1 freeway heading west. The freeway will split and you will want to take the Mililani/Wahiawa ramp which goes North. Stay on that freeway until it comes to an end. Continue driving - you will see the Schofield base on your left and some apt. buildings on your right. Take the next right after you've passed the apt. buildings. From there, you'll drive down the middle of pineapple fields - hang a left at the end of that road. From that point on, follow the signs on the sides of the road that will lead you into Haleiwa.

Aloha!

Yes, Rusty I have a map, thank you! But there is several ways to go from Waikiki to the NorthShore. I just wanted to know the best way. If you don't have an answer, you don't need to reply. Thank you, linsin, for your answer.

Alohaaa Annette,
Kal's Jet Lag Cure=Mai Tais and/or Kona Fire Rock, if you're not driving. ;-)
(Of course, this is usually Kal's Cure for justy about "all that ails ya").

Also keep you and the kids lathered up in nothing less than #30 SPF sunscreen, even if you'll be in a car all day traveling around.
Mucho Mahalos,
Kal
319 mo' days

You're welcome! =) Glad I could help. Just another piece of advice... don't carry too many valuables (if any at all). I love the North Shore as well as the rest of this island that I live on...but there's always a bad apple lurking somewhere. Better safe than sorry.

Alohaz! =)