Oahu 5/14-5/24
 

Hello!
I have most details of Oahu planned except the following:

I wanted to hike the little falls ex: Manoa, is this safe and easy for a first time hawaii'er?

Doing Chinatown Fri night, which place is best for dim sum? And dancing?

Snorkeling at Hanauama Bay - is it better to do a tour or just drive in early one morning and then rent the snorkel gear?

thank you!

I can only answer one of your questions and that is about Manoa Falls.

My family, three adult daughters, one son-in-law, a 12-yo grandson, my husband (at 71) who has had heart and breathing problems, and I (at 70) did that hike. So, yes, safe, but watch your step. It isn't a paved trail, and there are places where vertically challenged me needed to pull myself up a step by the nearest tree.

It's a pretty hike. Do be sure to take advantage of the offer of mosquito spray.

Manoa Falls trail is easy. Park at Lyon Arboretum & donate $5 to them instead of $5 to park near Treetops Restaurant parking lot. Stroll through Lyon Arboretum also.

Lots of info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

manoa falls is a 45 minute walk not really a hike. You just want good shoes that you don't care about staining if its wet.

My favorite dim sum is Ruby Restaurant & Bakery. Chow hound suggests Mei sum.
www.chinatownhi is web link for chinatown, check it out.

Hanama bay? I would not make that place more complicated than it already is. Take the bus, go early and when the trades are down if you have that option. When you are done be sure to take the bus out to sealife park for the drive (ka iwi coastline)along the way. Turn around and go home or head into Kailua. Turn around time on the bus at Sealife is about 30 minutes. You could head down to the breath taking beach at makapu or you could just get on next bus coming.

That is my suggestion, good luck. Have fun.

Dancing in Chinatown....several bars:
39 Hotel
Next Door
Indigo

www.chinatownhi.com

re: Hanauma Bay. No need to book a tour, just go in on your own!

Thank you everyone for you help! I am so excited about my first trip to this beautiful place.

We went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay twice on our recent trip. The first time we arrived right around 8am and the parking lot was already very full. The next time we went earlier, arriving a bit before 7:30. The problem with that, that we didn't realize, is that the rental place there didnt open til 8am. So if you go early, either bring your gear with you or plan to wait til they open.