I am traveling to Hawaii for my honeymoon in October. We are spending most of our time in Kauai and Maui. However, we are taking a quick trip to Oahu for a day and a half (one night). We are trying to decide what to do in our short time there. This was our original plan:

Day one-
Breakfast at Longhi
Polynesian Cultural Center (we would not stay for the luau, doing that in Maui and Kauai)
Dinner somewhere in Waikiki - any suggestions on the water or beach?

Day two-
Pearl Harbor, Punch bowl
Diamond Head
Lunch at Duke's
(We have an evening flight)

Is the Polynesian Cultural Center worth the time? I know it's a tourist trap, but sometimes they can be fun. Another option is to drive to the north shore for the day. I've heard great things about that area.

I'd love to hear peoples thoughts and suggestions. Thanks.

Well, I would say that if you have never been to the Ploynesian Cultural Center that it's OK. I've been twice..the visits were many years apart. If all the venues are active, if you can get through the silly dialogue that they do...they think it's cute and funny I guess...there are a lot of interesting things to learn about the different cultures of the Pacific. The boats coming down the canal representing the different cultures, and the dancing, and the music is fun. I personally have stayed away from the "Mormon pitch" that they give and at this point, as far as I'm concerned I've been there, done that. Frankly, for the limited time you have, I would drive around the island and try to see more of the scenery. I love going to the Buddist Temple..I ring the gong, light some incense, look at the ground and all the koi in the pond. I find it peaceful even if it's sometimes crowded. JMHO

If I only had a day and a half on Oahu, I would not use it to see PCC (unless you have younger children, I think the only reason for going there is the evening show, which is terrific!) I don't know how long your trip will be, but I would allow more time for Oahu if I possibly could. It's a beautiful island, with so much to offer, Waikiki (which I enjoy) being just part of it! Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip!

I would definitely skip PCC, especially with such a short stay on Oahu.

You can easily spend 1-1/2 days just kicking around Waikiki. I was there earlier this year for 8 days all in Waikiki and didn't do a single thing on your list(!) oh except for dinner(s) with a view.

I especially like the Banyan Veranda restaurant at the old Moana Surfrider hotel. Very romantic.

Thanks for the suggestions. Has anyone been to the north shore? Is it worth the drive? Any other must see sights in Oahu?

OMG, the North Shore is beautiful! And so is the rest of the island ... Go to alternative-hawaii.com, and look at the photos of this gorgeous island! You will get great ideas from that site ...

I never made it up to the north shore in two trips now, since I didn't have a rental car (planned to go on The Bus but was having too much fun in Waikiki!). If you do include it I think you need to give it most of a day, so would necessitate paring down your in-town Honolulu list.

Be careful with the PCC and as the other poster put it, and their "morman pitch."

I don't know if they changed how they do this (I hope they have), but when we went, we took the tram ride thinking we'd get a nice look at the area. We stopped at an auditorium type building and they herded us in.

I thought I was going to see a film on Polynesia or maybe the history of the center. Imagine my surprise when it turned into a true "pitch" for the morman faith. They even tell you to sign a card upon leaving.

They own the PCC, so I wasn't surprised there would be some type of tie in to mormanism, but my goodness, at least let us know what we would be in for so we can decide whether we want to sit through an indoctrination video.

Talk about a captive audience.

The evening show 'Horizons' at PCC is the best Polynesian show in all of Hawaii. So, if you are going to PCC, stay the entire day. If not, then go to PCC on a return trip.

Here's a thread with lots to do on Oahu.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34652188

Having been to both the PCC and the North Shore, I would skip PCC in favor of a long drive and the gorgeous scenery. We lucked into a surfing competition on the North Shore--so fun! PCC, IMO, ranges from dull to hokey and back again; add the anxiety of dodging Mormon proselytizers, and it really goes downhill. Happy Honeymoon!

I've never liked Longhi's restaurants. While the food is OK, the waiter reciting the menu (sans prices) while standing (or sitting!) at your table is annoying at the least. They're overpriced as well. Two friends ate breakfast there (didn't take my advice), ate nothing special, and spent $65.00...which I find horrible. Go somewhere else for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Remember that Pearl harbor operates on a time assigned basis and that to complete the tour early, you will have to be on line very verry early... we arrived at 8:15 am and were assigned the 12:30pm tour... It may be easier in October with the kids in school but I would plan accordingly...

As far as the PCC goes, I found it to be the biggest travel rip off ever... it cost over $40 each just to walk around, and the shows were spaced in time to consume most of the day... after the first three islands, we were tired of the same coconut opening demo and hawking of extra inflated items for sale....

when we returned to our hotel, (the Hilton Hawaiian Village) we were surprised to see the same performers doing the same demonstrations and dances at the free friday night cultural show... I could have saved $160...