Oahu First Timers
 

My husband and I are going to Oahu for Labor Day week and would love some suggestions on what to see and do. We are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village because DH got a great deal with their points system (he travels a lot for work).

I would love to see Diamond Head, Punch Bowl, Koko Head, Crouching Lion, Halona Blowhole, Banzai Pipeline, Makapuu Point. Any other recommendations on what to see/do would be great!

We have compiled a list of restaurants we might like to try (DH likes to stuff his face), so if you have any thoughts about these, we would greatly appreciate it!
-Side Street Inn
-Little Oven
-Hank's Haute Dogs
-#1 I Love Sushi
-Boots and Kimo's (Pancakes with macademia nut sauce sounds delicious!)
-JJ Dolan's Pizza Pub
-The Yard House
-Kuru Kuru Sushi
-ING Direct Cafe (A friend told me about this for some quick eats and internet use)

Thanks so much!

I loved the Byodo-In...stop there for a beautiful peaceful location.

Also, the beaches near Kailua were my favorites.

My favorite breakfast restaurant is Cinnamon's in Kailua.

And you must try malasadas. The ones that I got from Leonard's were very tasty, but if you search this forum, you'll find long conversations about where to find the best malasadas on Oahu. Same for shave ice.

I don't know if the Banzai Pipeline will be much to see yet in early September. The waves get large during the winter months.

Also, be wary of stinging limu (seaweed) and Portuguese Man-of-War in some of the waters during September.

I agree with Cinnamon's in Kailua for breakfast. Another favorite of ours in that area is Pinky's Pupu Bar & Grille. Good food, fun and friendly atmosphere, and reasonable prices.

I agree with stopping at Byodo-Inn temple. The temple is beatiful, and the surrounding are spectacular. We particularly enjoyed driving around and stopping at remote beaches away from tourist areas, especially weekdays, when they were virtually desserted.

Lots of info:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm

Thanks for all of the info!

Now I just have to figure out if we should rent a car or not!

I would rent a car at least for one day, to do the drive around the island. This will enable you to explore remote beaches and places like Byodo-Inn temple easily, as well as the overlook [forget the name] on the road that goes across the island. It's not something you'll need beyond that.

Definitely rent a car for the days you plan to leave Honolulu. In my experience, Hawaii is one of the cheapest places to rent a car, but since you are staying in Honolulu, you have parking charges to deal with. If you group your island tour days together (you can do it all in one, but it's more enjoyable over two - especially if you plan to actually hike Diamond Head and "do" things rather than just drive by to see them), you'll minimize your rental/parking costs.

There's a fabulous 'shrimp truck' parked not too far from your hotel. Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood Co. on Kuhio between Launiu and Kaiolu. $12 range for a plate of wonderful seafood and sides. Open 10 to 10. You can eat in the parking lot where they have picnic tables set up under a tent, or better yet get it to-go and head to Fort de Russey park picnic area.

Try Ono Hawaiian on Kapahulu Ave. for local specialties also very reasonably priced.

Restaurants:

Wailana Coffee Shop for breakfast
Asia Manoa for lunch or dinner
Uncle's Fishmarket and Grill for lunch
La Mariana Sailing Club for lunch or dinner
Beach bar at the Hale Koa
Hau Tree Lanai for dinner
Duke's

nightxsky, whoa. You must be on Twitter. You named four of my top 10 restaurants!
www.tinyurl.com/mymmxtop10

The others come from
www.tinyurl.com/nctrnlbst

Don't forget to walk around Chinatown and explore the North Shore.

Genki Sushi in either Ward Center or Kapahulu-great value

Panda's Cuisine for chinese dim sum- must try for lunch

Just about any Vietnamese restaurant (can't think of a bad one) for pho

Sorabol for Korean (go with a big appetite)

These are all in town.

For a weeks stay on Oahu a car is essential unless you are willing to walk several miles daily to reach these sites and eateries.

Side Street is always a favorite.

JJ Dolan's I haven't yet tried but so many people have raved about it that I plan to try it soon.

Kuru Kuru Sushi is good but it gets crowded (and the parking in that shopping center can be tough), so go early.

Definitely snorkel at Hanauma Bay. It will cost a few bucks for admission, but the snorkelling is good. Also, the circle drive that goes up past Hanauma Bay, through Wiamanolo, then back south and west to Honolulu, is a pretty drive. At the McDonalds in Wiamanolo, there is a photo of Bill Clinton from when he ate there. Big deal, huh?? And, who can go to Honolulu without getting their picture taken in front of Dog the Bounty Hunter's Headquarters on Queen K street??? There are other places like the USS Arizona memorial, which is an absolute must see, but the television stuff is fun anyways.

Hi -

My favorite thing that I did was horseback riding along the beach at the Turtle Bay Resort. Really neat, and you don't need to be a guest at the resort to book a ride.

Definitely rent a car.
Sights:
North Shore
Byodo In Temple
Senator Fongs Plantation
Tantalus Run
Punchbowl
Doris Dukes Estate
Honolulu Academy of Arts
Iolani Palace
Chinatown
Hanauma Bay
Diamond Head
Hawaii Maritime Center (Stop in the Aloha Tower Marketplace)
Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona (A must)

Places to eat at or near HHVR
Singha Thai Cuisine
Hatsuhanas
Sergios
CJ's Deli
Wailana Coffee House

Also,
Panda Cuisine for great dim sum
Gordon Biersch and Chais at Aloha Tower
The cafe in the Honolulu Academy of Arts (If you are into art I cannot recommend this place enough. I found it fantastic)
Breakfast on the beach at Hau Tree Lanai
Lunch at House without a Key (Expensive)

I 2nd the suggestion of the Doris Duke ShangriLa estate tour and the HOnolulu Academy of the Arts (the tour gathers and leaves from the museum).

I think SangriLa is closed in September.

If you want to splurge and have an expensive but excellent meal try 3660 On the Rise or Alan Wongs. Both are a treat.

Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona are an absolute must-see. This can't be stressed enough - It was the highlight of our trip.

I also loved snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.

I enjoyed House without a Key at the Halekulani hotel, but you don't have to be able to afford a full lunch or dinner there. We just went for cocktails at sunset and it was gorgeous with lovely music and hula dancers. It was very romantic, and it was too bad I was there with my friend, not a SO.