Need your suggestions at O'ahu
 

I need your suggestion. I and my two daughters 13 and 8 will be in Oahu for 3 days and Maui for 4 day. My kids love everything, from beach to hiking, shopping, restaurants. I am not renting a car in Oahu but I do in Maui. Please tell me what would you do for these given days. How would you start your day. Thanks

With a good breakfast!!....joking of course....

I would definately visit Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial and the Missouri. It is an essential part of our history. Also a hike up Diamond Head is a must. Start early, it gets hot. Spend some time on the beach, consider the Polynesian Cultural Center, China Town, the Iolani Palace.

Take The Bus up to the North Shore and wander around Haleiwa. Do not miss shave ice (with vanilla ice cream on the bottom) at Matsumoto's Shave Ice on the east side of Haleiwa. Ask the bus driver to tell you when to exit the bus. There's nothing you can't do by bus on Oahu.

If the kids love to shop, head over to the crazy shirts outlet. They have a great selection and great prices.

With 2 girls I would not consider Pearl Harbor, Arizona or the Missouri must-dos...unless the girls are really interested in military history.

While on O'ahu, where will you be staying? It is definitely possible to get around the whole island by bus, but it can be very time-consuming, so I would probably concentrate on things you can get to via shorter bus rides, taxi, or walking.

When staying in Waikiki, I like to start the day soon after sunrise walking on the beach (there are few people out that early) and then have breakfast at the Shore Bird buffet.

Your girls will probably enjoy the Arizona..the boat ride over is fun for kids.

They might also enjoy a surfing lesson on Waikiki beach. The beachboys are excellent teachers. Cost is about $35 for a lesson & board or $12 for just the board for 2 hours if you don't need a lesson.

Diamond Head is fun for kids, but do start early, take your time, and bring water. It gets hot, but the view at the top bunker is well worth it.

Shop at either Ala Moana Center or Ward Center & Ward Warehouse. There's also a movie theatre and a Dave & Busters at ward if you want some AC time.

The aquarium in Kapiolani park (end of Waikiki) is nice for kids too.

My 6 and 8 year old girls loved the Arizona Memorial. After a year they still talk about it, and Duke's Canoe Club at the Outrigger.
Cannot imagine going to Honolulu without a pilgrimage to Pearl Harbor. If you want to imbue your childen with a sense of history and respect for those who made a tremendous sacrifice you and your childern shouldn't miss the experience.

Surfing lessons is an excellent idea, my daughter loved it and wish she had taken more than the one she had. The beachs, of course. Head to downtown Honolulu and learn some of Hawaii's history. My daughter was moved by the plight of Hawaii's last queen.

I would suggest the Mighty Mo over the Arizona. 1. It's more fun for the kids, they can run around and touch lots of stuff - see big guns, the bridge, etc. And 2. You can see the Arizona from the Mo. anyway. If they are not up for a history lesson - watch the video, wait for a boat, etc. then go tour the Mo. It's very historical as well.

Denise

1. surf lessons on waikiki
2. Not into surfing, go for outrigger ride
3. Shopping: Ala Moana for everything from daily java to trinkets to gifts
4. Hang out at local ala moana surf park for the boys
5. Check out the Blaisdell Center

To start the day on Oahu, get the whole family over to Leonard's Bakery for some hot malasadas. This is a local place and the malasadas are excellent.

These are good suggestions . . . but I don't know what the point of checking out the Blaisdell Center is for. It's just an arena - unless you're going to an event being held there, or you're going to buy tickets at the box office for an event, I don't know what there is to see.

There is a pond that circles partway around the arena - but there's not much to see in it - a few fish - mostly tilapia.

I second the North Shore suggestion - summer time to snorkel, winter to see the waves.

Going the other direction on the island, there is Sea Life park. A little pricy, but I love their huge aquarium.

Thank you so much to all for taking your time. I'll give all these and my own to my children and let them choose.