Oahu in 1 week, then on to Maui
Mar 23rd, 2006 | 07:11 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Oahu in 1 week, then on to Maui
1st trip 5 nights each place. Getting excited and nervous. Wondering what I should book ahead. Any advice on an itinerary. We'll depart next Thursday, the 30th after a very long flight to Oahu. Wondering about a luau for that first evening.
Friday - See a sunrise - figure we'll be up early, where would you recommend? Then maybe go to Pearl Harbor.
Saturday - day at the beach
Sunday - open for any suggestions
Monday -
Need ideas for dining, drinks,
We'll leave Tuesday at noon for Maui,
Wondering about Warren and Annabelle's for that 1st evening. We'll be staying at the Mahana Kaanapali.
Would like to do the drive to Hana.
Need any suggestions, I'm taking notes like crazy! I've got Maui Revealed and Oahu Revealed. I bought the entertainment coupon book. Looking forward to any last minute tips. It's our 20th anniversary. Thank you.
Friday - See a sunrise - figure we'll be up early, where would you recommend? Then maybe go to Pearl Harbor.
Saturday - day at the beach
Sunday - open for any suggestions
Monday -
Need ideas for dining, drinks,
We'll leave Tuesday at noon for Maui,
Wondering about Warren and Annabelle's for that 1st evening. We'll be staying at the Mahana Kaanapali.
Would like to do the drive to Hana.
Need any suggestions, I'm taking notes like crazy! I've got Maui Revealed and Oahu Revealed. I bought the entertainment coupon book. Looking forward to any last minute tips. It's our 20th anniversary. Thank you.
Mar 23rd, 2006 | 11:39 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 98,198
Likes: 12
Where are you staying on Oahu? In Honolulu/Waikiki or another part of the island?
I would definitely *not* schedule a luau for your first night after a long plane ride. Just have a nice dinner and drinks on the beach somewhere and save the luau for another evening.
I would definitely *not* schedule a luau for your first night after a long plane ride. Just have a nice dinner and drinks on the beach somewhere and save the luau for another evening.
Mar 23rd, 2006 | 04:14 PM
#6
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
At Waikiki, eat at Dukes Canoe Club in the Outrigger Waikiki. Great hawaiian feel about the place and good food. Wait and go to Old Lahaina Luau. Too many good reviews on the place. On Maui, if you are staying in Kaanapali area, go to Whalers Village and have one dinner at Leilani's and another at the Hula Grill. Both great seafood and have great views on the beach and sunsets. Have fun!
Mar 24th, 2006 | 04:47 AM
#7
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
hey there,
for sunrise, you can drive to one of the lookouts around diamond head, or there is another lookout nearby in which I'm forgetting the name (maybe someone else can help out) or just get some coffee and breakfast and watch from the beach in waikiki. if you are going to pearl harbor that day you'll need an early start. we were there at 7:15 (they open the doors at 7:30) and there were already hundreds of folks in line.
will you have a car on oahu? this will dictate some of what you can do. the windward coast and north shores are not to be missed if you have a car.
personally, I think the food at dukes is awful. go for a mai-tai and to experience the place...but go someplace else for dinner. I have had several good meals at tikis (and it is in your hotel...)
we've done the Feast at Lele two times. The first in 2003 was incredible. a few weeks ago we took my parents and I was disappointed... it just didn't seem to have the same magic, there were some issues with our seating, and the food wasn't as good for the money, I would rather have dinner at Pacific'O, but if you really want to experience a luau you could do the Old Lahaina (more people, buffet style seating etc) or the Feast which is much more intimate.
Hopefully, I'll have my maui trip report done before you leave!
for sunrise, you can drive to one of the lookouts around diamond head, or there is another lookout nearby in which I'm forgetting the name (maybe someone else can help out) or just get some coffee and breakfast and watch from the beach in waikiki. if you are going to pearl harbor that day you'll need an early start. we were there at 7:15 (they open the doors at 7:30) and there were already hundreds of folks in line.
will you have a car on oahu? this will dictate some of what you can do. the windward coast and north shores are not to be missed if you have a car.
personally, I think the food at dukes is awful. go for a mai-tai and to experience the place...but go someplace else for dinner. I have had several good meals at tikis (and it is in your hotel...)
we've done the Feast at Lele two times. The first in 2003 was incredible. a few weeks ago we took my parents and I was disappointed... it just didn't seem to have the same magic, there were some issues with our seating, and the food wasn't as good for the money, I would rather have dinner at Pacific'O, but if you really want to experience a luau you could do the Old Lahaina (more people, buffet style seating etc) or the Feast which is much more intimate.
Hopefully, I'll have my maui trip report done before you leave!
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Mar 24th, 2006 | 04:55 AM
#9
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
On Oahu definitely eat at the Shorebird in the Outrigger. They have a great dinner and breakfast and it's open air and right on the beach.
On Maui definitely go to the Old Lahaina Luau. We loved it!! Lot's of food, great drinks, great setting w/the ocean in the background. If you have time try to do the bike ride down Haleakala (spelling?). It was one of the highlights of our trip!! It was just amazing!!
Good luck and have a great time! ; )
On Maui definitely go to the Old Lahaina Luau. We loved it!! Lot's of food, great drinks, great setting w/the ocean in the background. If you have time try to do the bike ride down Haleakala (spelling?). It was one of the highlights of our trip!! It was just amazing!!
Good luck and have a great time! ; )
Mar 24th, 2006 | 08:16 PM
#11
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
List of things to do on Oahu
These are some hints/suggestions for things to do and see on Oahu. Many of the websites listed are good for all islands.
Arizona Memorial: (free) get there early, preferably by 8am. Opens at 7:30am. If you get there after 10am the lines can get long and you may spend 1-2 hours in line. Battleship USS Missouri and Submarine USS Bowfin are in the same area. These are about $15 each so you can go or skip them. Look for coupons in brochures for two for one. You can take pictures of them from Arizona Visitors Center and the Arizona tour ferry. Go on the lawn behind the Visitor's Center (Circle of Remembrance) for great pictures. You can also walk around the Bowfin Memorial area for free without taking the tour. Its worth the time. The Swap Meet is only a couple blocks from here at Aloha Stadium.
Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC): www.polynesia.com General Admission about $50 or the luau buffet package ($80). The evening 'Horizons' show is the best Polynesian show in all of Hawaii. It comes with all ticket price options. The higher priced ticket packages get the better seating for 'Horizons'. Also the earlier you get there, the better the seating is for 'Horizons'. The Ali'i Luau Show that is part of the luau package is also a good Polynesian show. IMAX, Canoe Pageant, Samoa and Tonga villages and Canoe ride are the best other attractions (these are included with any type ticket). Plan on this as an all day event. Get there by 1pm (earlier if possible), leave around 9:30pm. When I take visitors, I try to keep on this schedule: IMAX 1:30, Canoe Pageant 2:30, Samoa 3:00, Tonga 4:00, Canoe Ride around 4:30, regular buffet or Ali'i luau buffet 5pm and 'Horizons' at 7:30. The other villages are nice also, but there is not enough time for all of them. You will have time to do some shopping or looking around between the buffet or luau and 'Horizons'. Closed on Sundays. You can go back for free for two days. Check with PCC employees for instructions before leaving the Center if you want the extra days.
Coupon in Entertainment Book to save $36.
Diamond Head Summit: Drive right into the crater and hike to the top. ($5 per carload or $1 each if you walk into the crater). I prefer to drive in. Awesome 360 degree view from the summit. Best time is around 8am or around 4pm. In between it can get hot walking to the top. Takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours roundtrip.
Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific): (free) While you are there, drive to the overlook area. Short walk to the summit that overlooks the entire city. If you have time, take the Mt. Tantalus/Round Top drive through a rain forest. Stop at the Puu Ualakaa State Wayside about 2/3 of the way to the top of the mountain. It has an awesome view of the city from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. Punchbowl is near the bottom of Mt. Tantalus.
Hanauma Bay: Snorkel. Its for any age. You can rent snorkeling equipment there or some places in Waikiki or bring your own. Closed on Tuesdays. Try to get there as early as possible. If you drive, the parking lot gets filled up by 9:00 or 10:00. ($1 for parking, $5 for each person). You can reserve snorkel tours with several companies. They provide equipment, transportation, etc. They seem to have better equipment than the park does. You can also take the city bus. But the first city bus doesn't leave Waikiki until 8:30 am. Website:
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/f...ay/welcome.htm
Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples): $2 each. Just past Kaneohe. Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe is close by.
Chinaman's Hat: (free) Kualoa Regional Park is just past Byodo-In-Temple. Nice for pictures, picnic, swimming. Also nearby is Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet just before Kualoa Regional Park. Kualoa Ranch is across the street.
Swap Meet: You can buy almost any souvenirs here much cheaper than anywhere else. All items are new. Vendors wrap around the stadium twice. Located at Aloha Stadium near Arizona Memorial. Open Wed, Sat, Sun.
Hilo Hattie's: Nice place to shop. Higher prices than swap meet, but not too much more on many items. Has good selection of clothing, candies and souvenirs. Check brochures for coupons. Can take free Hilo Hattie's shuttle from Waikiki.
Ala Moana Beach Park: (free) Nice beach. Great sunset location in the winter. Walk all the way out to the end of Magic Island. Great view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, Ala Wai Boat Harbor (shown in opening scene of Gilligan's Island).
Hike to Manoa Falls: $5 for parking at Treetops. One mile one way. Short hike through a rain forest. Also small bamboo forest there. Treetops restaurant there (at the previous Paradise Park site) has a good Chinese buffet. Lyon Arboretum is nearby. It is a nice botanical garden. You can park there and walk a short distance to Manoa Falls trail.
Hike to Makapuu Point Lighthouse: (free) Great view from here. Easy one mile hike. In winter months (mid-November to mid-April) it's great for whale watching.
Other Hiking on Oahu:
http://www.hawaiitrails.org/ (good for all islands)
http://www.backyardoahu.com/
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/oahuhikingtrails/home.html
http://oahuhiking.com/
North Shore Beaches: Haleiwa, Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach), Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach, Shark's Cove (Pupukea) & Laniakea Beach. Laniakea Beach has sea turtles. Other nice stops for pictures in the area. Can be huge waves in winter. Good snorkeling at Shark's Cove in the summer. Laniakea Beach is located about 1/2 way between Waimea Bay and Haleiwa.
Other beaches: There are close to 100 beaches on Oahu. Besides North Shore and Waikiki beaches these are some of the better ones: Makaha Beach (west shore), Waimanalo Beach, Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area, Lanikai Beach, Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach (east/Windward side), Ala Moana Beach Park (south shore). All public beaches are free except Haunama Bay.
Dole Pineapple Plantation: On H-2 just past Wahiawa. Can visit on the way to or back from the North Shore. Nice gift shop to browse, but expensive. Go behind the center for pineapple exhibits, gardens and carp feeding pond.
Kualoa Ranch: Several movies have been set here: (Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young and others), ATV rides, horseback riding, tours. Located across from Kualoa Regional Park.
Waikiki: Beaches, shopping, dining, nightclubs, shows, some museums. Wide range in dining prices. $3-4 breakfasts, $6-10 lunch buffets, $20-$25 fine dining and anywhere in between. Best Waikiki shows: Creation: A Polynesian Journey, John Hirokawa's Magic of Polynesia, Society of Seven, Blue Hawaii (Elvis impersonator), many more to chose from. Many Waikiki shows offer cocktail show along with the dinner show. They seat you after everyone else has eaten. Regular price of shows around $40-$60. Cocktail show about $25-$35. There are several other short free hula shows and other demonstrations in Waikiki daily. Check the brochures for location, days and times. Check brochures &Entertainment Book for coupons for shows/dining/shopping, etc.
Downtown Area: Aloha Tower (take elevator to the top, nice view), Chinatown, Hawaii Maritime Center, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, other museums.
Botanical Gardens: Oahu has many botanical gardens. Most are free, the others charge a few bucks. Haiku Garden in Kaneohe is nice and is a nice stop if you are taking an island driving tour. Located near Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples).
Here is a nice site for gardens in the state:
http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/botgarden.html (all islands)
Check brochures or get info on-line for others. Search: oahu botanical gardens
Other: Sea Life Park, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Children's Discovery Center dinner cruises, whale watching cruise, submarine tours, parasailing, helicopter tours, horseback riding, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, scuba, surfing lessons, other luau shows (Germaine's, Paradise Cove). Many other attractions, things to do. Check the brochures.
Brochures: (free) Can be found in the airport baggage claim area or at hundreds of news stands throughout Waikiki, in hotels, in stores, and at some attractions. These are excellent "things to do and see" guide books (maps, attractions, beaches, dining, night clubs, etc.). There are a lot of coupons in these for dining, shopping, etc. The best brochures are: 'This Week on Oahu', 'Oahu Gold', '101 Things Oahu', 'The BEST of Oahu'. Some of these brochures can also be found for other islands (Maui, Kauai, Big Island) unique to that island. Most of these brochures also have on-line versions.
Websites:
www.thisweek.com 'This Week On Oahu' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also This Week Maui, Kauai, Big Island.
www.spotlighthawaii.com 'Oahu Gold' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also Maui Gold, Big Island Gold, Kauai Gold.
www.gohawaii.com This is the official site for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. They will send a free brochure.
www.101thingstodo.com
www.visit-oahu.com Oahu Visitors Bureau, for free brochure 1-877-525-6248 (toll free)
www.hawaii.com Good site for comparing hotel locations, prices, etc.
www.hawaiiweb.com
www.alternative-hawaii.com
www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii
www.alohatower.com
www.chinatownhi.com
www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/tours (driving and walking tours)
www.driveguidemagazines.com Good island maps including many detailed maps. Also good restaurant guide. Good for all islands
www.discoveringhawaii.com Free (pdf) circle island tour map. Also free (pdf) download Oahu movie location map.
www.hawaii-hotels.com Compare hotels
www.bookit.com Compare hotels
www.alohafriends.com
www.alohafriendshawaii.com
www.honoluluadvertiser.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, has dining & entertainment guides, TGIF calendar
www.starbulletin.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, also has dining &entertainment guides
Automobiles: Oahu is the only island that you can get around by bus. Oahu has a good bus system, but a rental vehicle gets around a lot better. Parking in Waikiki can be a problem at times. If you plan on renting a car, make sure your hotel allows parking at the hotel or in a nearby lot or garage. Get the parking pass at the hotel registration area. Probably $8-$14/day to park at the hotel. You can get city bus passes at any ABC store in Waikiki for $20 for 4 days ($40/month). Or you can pay $2.00 per trip. There are also many shuttles, tour buses and vans and trolleys that go to many places (some are free). Also 1 or 4 day Waikiki Trolley passes available.
www.thebus.org
www.waikikitrolley.com
Internet Search Engines: Use Yahoo, Google, Dogpile or any other search engine to find information on any thing else on Oahu (or other island) that may interest you. Type in: hiking hawaii, hiking oahu, bed and breakfast oahu, condominiums oahu, botanical gardens oahu, oahu hotels or any other terms that will get you information.
Hotels: Most hotels (or hotel chains) have their own 800 numbers and/or websites:
www.outrigger.com
www.sheraton.com
www.ohanahotels.com
, etc. Or you can use a search engine to find the website or use the search engine's yellow pages for the phone number.
also try www.vrbo.com for more options
Entertainment Book
Entertainment books for Hawaii and many other locations can be purchased online at:
www.entertainment.com.
They cost around $35-$40 plus shipping or if you wait until mid-March, the price is reduced to about $25 (or less) with free shipping, $15 after mid-May. Expires November 1.
Coupons include half price tickets for John Hirokawa's Magic Show. Hundreds of other coupons for reduce price luaus, shopping, dining, movies, attractions, etc. The Hawaii book also has many mainland coupons for hotels, car rentals, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc.
These are some hints/suggestions for things to do and see on Oahu. Many of the websites listed are good for all islands.
Arizona Memorial: (free) get there early, preferably by 8am. Opens at 7:30am. If you get there after 10am the lines can get long and you may spend 1-2 hours in line. Battleship USS Missouri and Submarine USS Bowfin are in the same area. These are about $15 each so you can go or skip them. Look for coupons in brochures for two for one. You can take pictures of them from Arizona Visitors Center and the Arizona tour ferry. Go on the lawn behind the Visitor's Center (Circle of Remembrance) for great pictures. You can also walk around the Bowfin Memorial area for free without taking the tour. Its worth the time. The Swap Meet is only a couple blocks from here at Aloha Stadium.
Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC): www.polynesia.com General Admission about $50 or the luau buffet package ($80). The evening 'Horizons' show is the best Polynesian show in all of Hawaii. It comes with all ticket price options. The higher priced ticket packages get the better seating for 'Horizons'. Also the earlier you get there, the better the seating is for 'Horizons'. The Ali'i Luau Show that is part of the luau package is also a good Polynesian show. IMAX, Canoe Pageant, Samoa and Tonga villages and Canoe ride are the best other attractions (these are included with any type ticket). Plan on this as an all day event. Get there by 1pm (earlier if possible), leave around 9:30pm. When I take visitors, I try to keep on this schedule: IMAX 1:30, Canoe Pageant 2:30, Samoa 3:00, Tonga 4:00, Canoe Ride around 4:30, regular buffet or Ali'i luau buffet 5pm and 'Horizons' at 7:30. The other villages are nice also, but there is not enough time for all of them. You will have time to do some shopping or looking around between the buffet or luau and 'Horizons'. Closed on Sundays. You can go back for free for two days. Check with PCC employees for instructions before leaving the Center if you want the extra days.
Coupon in Entertainment Book to save $36.
Diamond Head Summit: Drive right into the crater and hike to the top. ($5 per carload or $1 each if you walk into the crater). I prefer to drive in. Awesome 360 degree view from the summit. Best time is around 8am or around 4pm. In between it can get hot walking to the top. Takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours roundtrip.
Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific): (free) While you are there, drive to the overlook area. Short walk to the summit that overlooks the entire city. If you have time, take the Mt. Tantalus/Round Top drive through a rain forest. Stop at the Puu Ualakaa State Wayside about 2/3 of the way to the top of the mountain. It has an awesome view of the city from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. Punchbowl is near the bottom of Mt. Tantalus.
Hanauma Bay: Snorkel. Its for any age. You can rent snorkeling equipment there or some places in Waikiki or bring your own. Closed on Tuesdays. Try to get there as early as possible. If you drive, the parking lot gets filled up by 9:00 or 10:00. ($1 for parking, $5 for each person). You can reserve snorkel tours with several companies. They provide equipment, transportation, etc. They seem to have better equipment than the park does. You can also take the city bus. But the first city bus doesn't leave Waikiki until 8:30 am. Website:
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/f...ay/welcome.htm
Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples): $2 each. Just past Kaneohe. Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe is close by.
Chinaman's Hat: (free) Kualoa Regional Park is just past Byodo-In-Temple. Nice for pictures, picnic, swimming. Also nearby is Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet just before Kualoa Regional Park. Kualoa Ranch is across the street.
Swap Meet: You can buy almost any souvenirs here much cheaper than anywhere else. All items are new. Vendors wrap around the stadium twice. Located at Aloha Stadium near Arizona Memorial. Open Wed, Sat, Sun.
Hilo Hattie's: Nice place to shop. Higher prices than swap meet, but not too much more on many items. Has good selection of clothing, candies and souvenirs. Check brochures for coupons. Can take free Hilo Hattie's shuttle from Waikiki.
Ala Moana Beach Park: (free) Nice beach. Great sunset location in the winter. Walk all the way out to the end of Magic Island. Great view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, Ala Wai Boat Harbor (shown in opening scene of Gilligan's Island).
Hike to Manoa Falls: $5 for parking at Treetops. One mile one way. Short hike through a rain forest. Also small bamboo forest there. Treetops restaurant there (at the previous Paradise Park site) has a good Chinese buffet. Lyon Arboretum is nearby. It is a nice botanical garden. You can park there and walk a short distance to Manoa Falls trail.
Hike to Makapuu Point Lighthouse: (free) Great view from here. Easy one mile hike. In winter months (mid-November to mid-April) it's great for whale watching.
Other Hiking on Oahu:
http://www.hawaiitrails.org/ (good for all islands)
http://www.backyardoahu.com/
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/oahuhikingtrails/home.html
http://oahuhiking.com/
North Shore Beaches: Haleiwa, Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach), Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach, Shark's Cove (Pupukea) & Laniakea Beach. Laniakea Beach has sea turtles. Other nice stops for pictures in the area. Can be huge waves in winter. Good snorkeling at Shark's Cove in the summer. Laniakea Beach is located about 1/2 way between Waimea Bay and Haleiwa.
Other beaches: There are close to 100 beaches on Oahu. Besides North Shore and Waikiki beaches these are some of the better ones: Makaha Beach (west shore), Waimanalo Beach, Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area, Lanikai Beach, Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach (east/Windward side), Ala Moana Beach Park (south shore). All public beaches are free except Haunama Bay.
Dole Pineapple Plantation: On H-2 just past Wahiawa. Can visit on the way to or back from the North Shore. Nice gift shop to browse, but expensive. Go behind the center for pineapple exhibits, gardens and carp feeding pond.
Kualoa Ranch: Several movies have been set here: (Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young and others), ATV rides, horseback riding, tours. Located across from Kualoa Regional Park.
Waikiki: Beaches, shopping, dining, nightclubs, shows, some museums. Wide range in dining prices. $3-4 breakfasts, $6-10 lunch buffets, $20-$25 fine dining and anywhere in between. Best Waikiki shows: Creation: A Polynesian Journey, John Hirokawa's Magic of Polynesia, Society of Seven, Blue Hawaii (Elvis impersonator), many more to chose from. Many Waikiki shows offer cocktail show along with the dinner show. They seat you after everyone else has eaten. Regular price of shows around $40-$60. Cocktail show about $25-$35. There are several other short free hula shows and other demonstrations in Waikiki daily. Check the brochures for location, days and times. Check brochures &Entertainment Book for coupons for shows/dining/shopping, etc.
Downtown Area: Aloha Tower (take elevator to the top, nice view), Chinatown, Hawaii Maritime Center, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, other museums.
Botanical Gardens: Oahu has many botanical gardens. Most are free, the others charge a few bucks. Haiku Garden in Kaneohe is nice and is a nice stop if you are taking an island driving tour. Located near Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples).
Here is a nice site for gardens in the state:
http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/botgarden.html (all islands)
Check brochures or get info on-line for others. Search: oahu botanical gardens
Other: Sea Life Park, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Children's Discovery Center dinner cruises, whale watching cruise, submarine tours, parasailing, helicopter tours, horseback riding, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, scuba, surfing lessons, other luau shows (Germaine's, Paradise Cove). Many other attractions, things to do. Check the brochures.
Brochures: (free) Can be found in the airport baggage claim area or at hundreds of news stands throughout Waikiki, in hotels, in stores, and at some attractions. These are excellent "things to do and see" guide books (maps, attractions, beaches, dining, night clubs, etc.). There are a lot of coupons in these for dining, shopping, etc. The best brochures are: 'This Week on Oahu', 'Oahu Gold', '101 Things Oahu', 'The BEST of Oahu'. Some of these brochures can also be found for other islands (Maui, Kauai, Big Island) unique to that island. Most of these brochures also have on-line versions.
Websites:
www.thisweek.com 'This Week On Oahu' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also This Week Maui, Kauai, Big Island.
www.spotlighthawaii.com 'Oahu Gold' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also Maui Gold, Big Island Gold, Kauai Gold.
www.gohawaii.com This is the official site for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. They will send a free brochure.
www.101thingstodo.com
www.visit-oahu.com Oahu Visitors Bureau, for free brochure 1-877-525-6248 (toll free)
www.hawaii.com Good site for comparing hotel locations, prices, etc.
www.hawaiiweb.com
www.alternative-hawaii.com
www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii
www.alohatower.com
www.chinatownhi.com
www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/tours (driving and walking tours)
www.driveguidemagazines.com Good island maps including many detailed maps. Also good restaurant guide. Good for all islands
www.discoveringhawaii.com Free (pdf) circle island tour map. Also free (pdf) download Oahu movie location map.
www.hawaii-hotels.com Compare hotels
www.bookit.com Compare hotels
www.alohafriends.com
www.alohafriendshawaii.com
www.honoluluadvertiser.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, has dining & entertainment guides, TGIF calendar
www.starbulletin.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, also has dining &entertainment guides
Automobiles: Oahu is the only island that you can get around by bus. Oahu has a good bus system, but a rental vehicle gets around a lot better. Parking in Waikiki can be a problem at times. If you plan on renting a car, make sure your hotel allows parking at the hotel or in a nearby lot or garage. Get the parking pass at the hotel registration area. Probably $8-$14/day to park at the hotel. You can get city bus passes at any ABC store in Waikiki for $20 for 4 days ($40/month). Or you can pay $2.00 per trip. There are also many shuttles, tour buses and vans and trolleys that go to many places (some are free). Also 1 or 4 day Waikiki Trolley passes available.
www.thebus.org
www.waikikitrolley.com
Internet Search Engines: Use Yahoo, Google, Dogpile or any other search engine to find information on any thing else on Oahu (or other island) that may interest you. Type in: hiking hawaii, hiking oahu, bed and breakfast oahu, condominiums oahu, botanical gardens oahu, oahu hotels or any other terms that will get you information.
Hotels: Most hotels (or hotel chains) have their own 800 numbers and/or websites:
www.outrigger.com
www.sheraton.com
www.ohanahotels.com
, etc. Or you can use a search engine to find the website or use the search engine's yellow pages for the phone number.
also try www.vrbo.com for more options
Entertainment Book
Entertainment books for Hawaii and many other locations can be purchased online at:
www.entertainment.com.
They cost around $35-$40 plus shipping or if you wait until mid-March, the price is reduced to about $25 (or less) with free shipping, $15 after mid-May. Expires November 1.
Coupons include half price tickets for John Hirokawa's Magic Show. Hundreds of other coupons for reduce price luaus, shopping, dining, movies, attractions, etc. The Hawaii book also has many mainland coupons for hotels, car rentals, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc.
Mar 24th, 2006 | 08:20 PM
#12
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
Here are two driving tours on Oahu. You can combine the two if you want, but it is better to split them especially if you make frequent stops and want some beach/dining/shopping time.
1. Mini-circle island tour.
Start in Waikiki:
Diamond Head Lookout &Lighthouse on Diamond Head Road.
Continue on Diamond Head Road. When Diamond Head Road turns to go around Diamond Head, go straight on Kahala Ave. This will go through a residential area with nice houses. (Note): You can also take Diamond Head around to the entrance to Diamond Head. Even if you cannot do the hike, you can go through the tunnel into the crater to see what it looks like. Turn around just before the pay booth. Also Kapiolani Community College (KCC) has a nice cactus display. KCC is almost straight across from the entrance to Diamond Head.
After about 2 miles on Kahala Ave, turn left onto Keala'olu Ave (just before Kahala Mandarin Hotel).
Take Keala'olu Ave to Kalaniana'ole Hwy (72).
Continue around island to Hanauma Bay (don't need to go to the visitors center). You can get some excellent views &pictures from the steps and lookouts that go up and to the left of the visitors center. $1 for parking.
Continue to Halona Blowhole and Halona Cove (From Here to Eternity Beach) next to it. Halona Blowhole lookout also overlooks Sandy Beach.
Sandy Beach - Nice beach.
Makapuu Lighthouse Trail - Just past Sandy Beach and just after the road turns inland, look for a gate and a paved trail on the right. Trail is about 1 mile one way. You can often see whales from near the lighthouse.
Continue to Makapuu Pt. Lookout. Overlooks Manana (Rabbit) Island &Makapuu Beach &Sea Life Park.
Continue to Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area (just past Waimanalo Beach). Scenic isolated beach (just before Bellows AFB). Bellows Beach is also nice. Open to the public on weekends.
Continue to Highway 61 (Pali Highway). Make a left onto Pali Highway. Take it back to Honolulu, stopping at Pali Lookout.
Note: If you were to make a right onto Pali Hwy (63), you could go to Kailua and Lanikai Beaches. You can stop there with either tour.
2. Circle island tour.
Start in Waikiki
Take McCully or Kapahulu to H-1 West
Take Pali Highway (61) across to Kaneohe. Stop at Pali Lookout.
Continue to Kaneohe. Make a left onto Highway (83) to Kaneohe (or go straight if you want to go to Kailua and Lanikai Beaches).
At the far side of Windward Mall in Kaneohe, make a left onto Haiku Road. Take Haiku Rd. across Kahekili Highway to Haiku Gardens. The botanical garden is just below Haleiwa Joe's Restaurant. Nice small Botanical garden with a Koi pond. It's free.
Go back to Kahekili Hwy. Turn left. Go about two miles. Turn left into Valley of the Temples (Byodo-In Temple). Very Scenic.
Back to Kahekili Hwy. Continue around the island. In a mile or so Kahekili Hwy will end and intersect with Kamehameha Hwy (83). Continue around the island to Haleiwa.
Stops on Kamehameha Hwy:
Kualoa Regional Park/Chinaman's Hat (nice for pictures). There is a Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet on the right just before Kualoa Park. Nice stop for free samples, coffee trees, macadamia trees. They have an inexpensive tour if you want. Kualoa Ranch is across from Kualoa Park.
In Laie, make a right at the stoplight. Go to Laie Pt. Scenic, good for pictures. Polynesian Cultural Center is in Laie. Also Mormon Temple is in Laie.
Just past Laie, is Makaekahana State Recreation Area. Scenic with an isolated beach &several islands.
Kahuku - Several shrimp trucks including Giovanni's. Romy's is just on the other side of Kahuku. Those are the two most popular shrimp trucks.
North Shore Beaches:
Sunset Beach Park
Ehukai Beach Park (Banzai Pipeline)
Pupukea Beach Park (Shark's Cove) Scenic with lots of small lava islands. Nice for snorkeling in the summer. If you make a left on Pupukea Road (at the stoplight), go up the hill and park off to the side where the road to the Heiau starts. Walk back on Pupukea Road about 1/2 block for great view of some of the beaches. Then drive to the end of the road to the Heiau about 1 mile) and park in the Heiau parking area. Take the short (about 1 block) red dirt trail straight ahead for a nice view of Waimea Bay.
Waimea Bay Beach Park - Best scenic beach on the north shore.
Laniakea Beach - About 1/2 way between Waimea Bay and Haleiwa. Look for parking on the opposite side of the road. Several sea turtles are here.
Just before Haleiwa, make a left onto the bypass to Honolulu. (Go through Haleiwa if you have more time). Take Highway 99 to Honolulu. Follow signs to Honolulu. You will pass Dole Pineapple Center. Stop there if you have time.
Continue to Honolulu.
Here are three sites/links with driving tour info:
www.discoveringhawaii.com Free (pdf) download Circle Island Driving tour map. Also free (pdf) download Oahu movie location map.
http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/tours/ Good driving & walking tours.
www.alternative-hawaii.com Good narrative drive guide w/photos.
1. Mini-circle island tour.
Start in Waikiki:
Diamond Head Lookout &Lighthouse on Diamond Head Road.
Continue on Diamond Head Road. When Diamond Head Road turns to go around Diamond Head, go straight on Kahala Ave. This will go through a residential area with nice houses. (Note): You can also take Diamond Head around to the entrance to Diamond Head. Even if you cannot do the hike, you can go through the tunnel into the crater to see what it looks like. Turn around just before the pay booth. Also Kapiolani Community College (KCC) has a nice cactus display. KCC is almost straight across from the entrance to Diamond Head.
After about 2 miles on Kahala Ave, turn left onto Keala'olu Ave (just before Kahala Mandarin Hotel).
Take Keala'olu Ave to Kalaniana'ole Hwy (72).
Continue around island to Hanauma Bay (don't need to go to the visitors center). You can get some excellent views &pictures from the steps and lookouts that go up and to the left of the visitors center. $1 for parking.
Continue to Halona Blowhole and Halona Cove (From Here to Eternity Beach) next to it. Halona Blowhole lookout also overlooks Sandy Beach.
Sandy Beach - Nice beach.
Makapuu Lighthouse Trail - Just past Sandy Beach and just after the road turns inland, look for a gate and a paved trail on the right. Trail is about 1 mile one way. You can often see whales from near the lighthouse.
Continue to Makapuu Pt. Lookout. Overlooks Manana (Rabbit) Island &Makapuu Beach &Sea Life Park.
Continue to Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area (just past Waimanalo Beach). Scenic isolated beach (just before Bellows AFB). Bellows Beach is also nice. Open to the public on weekends.
Continue to Highway 61 (Pali Highway). Make a left onto Pali Highway. Take it back to Honolulu, stopping at Pali Lookout.
Note: If you were to make a right onto Pali Hwy (63), you could go to Kailua and Lanikai Beaches. You can stop there with either tour.
2. Circle island tour.
Start in Waikiki
Take McCully or Kapahulu to H-1 West
Take Pali Highway (61) across to Kaneohe. Stop at Pali Lookout.
Continue to Kaneohe. Make a left onto Highway (83) to Kaneohe (or go straight if you want to go to Kailua and Lanikai Beaches).
At the far side of Windward Mall in Kaneohe, make a left onto Haiku Road. Take Haiku Rd. across Kahekili Highway to Haiku Gardens. The botanical garden is just below Haleiwa Joe's Restaurant. Nice small Botanical garden with a Koi pond. It's free.
Go back to Kahekili Hwy. Turn left. Go about two miles. Turn left into Valley of the Temples (Byodo-In Temple). Very Scenic.
Back to Kahekili Hwy. Continue around the island. In a mile or so Kahekili Hwy will end and intersect with Kamehameha Hwy (83). Continue around the island to Haleiwa.
Stops on Kamehameha Hwy:
Kualoa Regional Park/Chinaman's Hat (nice for pictures). There is a Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet on the right just before Kualoa Park. Nice stop for free samples, coffee trees, macadamia trees. They have an inexpensive tour if you want. Kualoa Ranch is across from Kualoa Park.
In Laie, make a right at the stoplight. Go to Laie Pt. Scenic, good for pictures. Polynesian Cultural Center is in Laie. Also Mormon Temple is in Laie.
Just past Laie, is Makaekahana State Recreation Area. Scenic with an isolated beach &several islands.
Kahuku - Several shrimp trucks including Giovanni's. Romy's is just on the other side of Kahuku. Those are the two most popular shrimp trucks.
North Shore Beaches:
Sunset Beach Park
Ehukai Beach Park (Banzai Pipeline)
Pupukea Beach Park (Shark's Cove) Scenic with lots of small lava islands. Nice for snorkeling in the summer. If you make a left on Pupukea Road (at the stoplight), go up the hill and park off to the side where the road to the Heiau starts. Walk back on Pupukea Road about 1/2 block for great view of some of the beaches. Then drive to the end of the road to the Heiau about 1 mile) and park in the Heiau parking area. Take the short (about 1 block) red dirt trail straight ahead for a nice view of Waimea Bay.
Waimea Bay Beach Park - Best scenic beach on the north shore.
Laniakea Beach - About 1/2 way between Waimea Bay and Haleiwa. Look for parking on the opposite side of the road. Several sea turtles are here.
Just before Haleiwa, make a left onto the bypass to Honolulu. (Go through Haleiwa if you have more time). Take Highway 99 to Honolulu. Follow signs to Honolulu. You will pass Dole Pineapple Center. Stop there if you have time.
Continue to Honolulu.
Here are three sites/links with driving tour info:
www.discoveringhawaii.com Free (pdf) download Circle Island Driving tour map. Also free (pdf) download Oahu movie location map.
http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/tours/ Good driving & walking tours.
www.alternative-hawaii.com Good narrative drive guide w/photos.
Mar 24th, 2006 | 08:29 PM
#13
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
If you can fit in Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu, you can skip all other luaus. None on any other island compares to PCC.
Drums of the Pacific at Hyatt is a good luau on Maui. They have the best fire knife dancer on the island.
For Road to Hana, the Maui Revealed you have is probably as good as info as you can get.
But here are somne other links with some info:
www.alternative-hawaii.com Good drive guides w/photos including Road To Hana
http://www.alohafriendshawaii.com/roadtohana.html
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~volcano/te...Haleakala.html
http://www.hawaiianstylemedia.com/Gu...ana-Deluxe.htm
Haleakala sunrise is nice, as is Iao Valley and strolling Lahaina.
Drums of the Pacific at Hyatt is a good luau on Maui. They have the best fire knife dancer on the island.
For Road to Hana, the Maui Revealed you have is probably as good as info as you can get.
But here are somne other links with some info:
www.alternative-hawaii.com Good drive guides w/photos including Road To Hana
http://www.alohafriendshawaii.com/roadtohana.html
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~volcano/te...Haleakala.html
http://www.hawaiianstylemedia.com/Gu...ana-Deluxe.htm
Haleakala sunrise is nice, as is Iao Valley and strolling Lahaina.
Mar 25th, 2006 | 03:52 AM
#14
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
We did the Atlantis submarine if you can get the 64 passenger as it has larger viewing ports should be able to find some discounts. Heard the Oahu one is better because of artifical reefs. We saw sea turtles, sharks, and a vast array of sealife. A sunset dinner cruise is very nice also, haven't seen anything like a sunset in Hawaii yet.
Mar 25th, 2006 | 10:09 AM
#15
Original Poster
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Wow! Thank you for all the itinerary ideas. I'm so thrilled. So much to see and do.... so little time. We weren't planning on renting a car in Oahu, would it be worthwhile to pay for a tour company to take us, or rent a car for a day and do it ourselves? Any thoughts?
Mar 25th, 2006 | 10:45 AM
#16
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
Rent a car for the day and do it yourselves... it's a wonderful island to explore and good to take at your own pace. You should be able to pick up a car in Waikiki... I know Alamo has a location there as well as at the airport. Use your guide books and have fun!!
Aloha!!
Aloha!!
