Oahu itinerary
 

I have just spent hours looking over the past posts to get an idea for our schedule. We arrive 5:30 pm into Oahu and plan to stay at Outrigger Waikiki or Reef. The first night we will have supper (Duke's?), walk the beach and turn in. Now, I am thinking that we could do:
Day 1: Diamond Head, then head to the Polynesian Cultural Centre for the rest of the day and eve.
Day 2: Pearl Harbor, Circle Island Tour with our own car then would we have time to make the Society of Seven show?
Day 3: Hanauma Bay then airport for a flight to Kauai?
What do you think? Did I miss anything? We are not into museums etc. as travelling with 2 boys aged 7 and 11.
We would have liked to fit in Captain Bob's sailing adventure but don't think this is possible. We do plan to do a Napali coast sail and snorkel in Kauai though.

Depending on the night, you could could have a two hour wait at Duke's. It has a single's bar feel at night too. I think their breakfast buffet is much more enjoyable if you wanted to hit it before DH. I would recommend eating at an outdoor setting at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider in the evening. Day two depends on how often you stop to enjoy spots along the drive. The kids may like the maze at Dole Plantation while you shop for goodies. Stop by a 7-11 along the way and have the kids try mochi icecream and maunapua. Also if you stop by a grocery have them try chichi mochi. And stop at stands along the north shore for apple bananas.

On day 1, specify what you mean by diamond head. Are you going to hike to the top? That would eat up a lot of time if you plan on driving out to PCC. PCC is on the opposite side of the island and depending on traffic, you might not be able to make it out there.Also by driving out to PCC, that is basically what you would see on a circle island tour.Day three could also be a problem depending on what time your flight is. Basically, I think youre trying to fit too much in in only three days. Here's my suggestion. Day 1 head out to PCC in the morning by driving over the pali(You might want to check out the pali lookout) Then head north on the windward side(Very scenic) until PCC. After PCC head to the north shore and have shave ice at Matsumotos in Haleiwa. Then head back south to waikiki. This way you cover the circle island and will avoid most of Oahus crazy commuter traffic. Maybe Hanauma bay on day 2. (Check to see if its open)Then drive around the east side of Oahu, past sandy beach and makapuu. Save pearl harbor for the last day as you can go there early then head back to waikiki to get ready for kauai.

That's a good idea if you aren't staying to late at PCC.

We were in Hawaii last month for our honeymoon. You can definitely do Diamond Head and PCC in one day. PCC doesn't open until 12:00 p.m. BUT that means waking up early to do Diamond Head - you can do it 2 hours max. It is a very simple hike and once you are up there, there isn't much to do except stand there in a crowded area and look at the view which you can't do for more than 25-30 minutes tops. So, we were back down by 11:00 and then from there you can drive to PCC by 12:00 and have the whole day there. That would be fine - HAVE FUN!

I am still confused because we wanted to stay for the eve show at PCC. How would you split up these activities considering a 3 or 4pm flight to KAuai on Day 3? Does it make sense to drive out to PCC on one day then do the island tour on another? We don't want to miss anything important.

I think your original plan made perfect sense. We were done hiking Diamond Head by 9am. Of course we were up at 5am most days still on East Coast time.
You could do the hike and then continue on your way to the Polynesian Culture Center and take in the sights along the way. Or even have time to head back to Waikiki to swim or nap. Thats what we did and it took about 45 minutes to reach the Center from Waikiki driving in mid afternoon. We stayed at the Outrigger Reef by the way and really liked it. There is also plenty for your boys in Waikiki such as the aquarium or zoo. Or if they are like my kids, the hotel pool is the favorite on most vacations. I don't know what days of the week you are there, but there are family movies somewhere on the beach on weekends.

My suggestion is to split these into 2 days since you want to stay for the evening show. PCC is basically half way around the island so if you try to do a circle island the same day that would involve a lot of backtracking. Your original itinerary sounds fine.

Head to Diamond Head early if you plan to hike in order to beat the sun and crowds. Captain Bob's - my nieces and nephew went on that earlier this year and loved it, but I don't think you can fit it in unless you scratch one of the other activities off your list. The Na Pali coast sail is spectacular though so perhaps it's better to save the sail/snorkel activity for Kauai.

You'll need reservations at Duke's if you plan on dining there the first evening unless you don't mind a long wait. I'll try to think of another option your kids might enjoy. The terrace of the Sheraton Moana has a wonderful atmosphere but always struck me as more quiet and sedate. But then again I've never had dinner there only breakfast and Sunday Brunch so perhaps they do cater to families more that I realize.

The movies that KimV mentioned is called Sunset on the Beach and happens most Friday and Saturday nights. You can find info and schedule here:

http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/events/...ents/index.htm

Another fun event is Brunch on the Beach which happens one Sunday a month. Info is on the same site above.

Should we drive out to PCC ourselves therefore having flexibility or take the all day package from Waikiki that leaves at 10am? Plus, it it okay to do Hanauma Bay then expect to get to the airport for a 3 or 4pm flight? Any suggestions for dinner the first night would be great. A few more questions, is it worth to get a lei greeting at the airport, the quote I received was quite expensive. I am thinking I should give up the Society of Seven show if we are doing the PCC eve show plus a luau in Kauai? Any thoughts? It might make for a long day for the boys if we do the circle island plus an eve show?

The night show is the best part of the PCC. Don't skip the night show and don't short change yourself by trying to put too much into one day.

My only suggestion is to do the PCC on Day Two instead of Day One. You'll want to reduce your jet lag as much as possible before being out late for a night show that is 45' from Waikiki.

Can you do Pearl Harbor and the Circle Island drive on Day One? Be sure to include the Byodo-In Buddhist Temple in your Circle Island stops.

My husband spent a good bit for an airport lei to surprise me. A young girl said,"Here". That was it. So when I saw how much he spent later, I'd say no it isn't worth it. You may get a lei if you do the luau package at the Polynesian Culture Center. The Reef also has a stand where you can make your own for around $5. There is also another stand at the International Market Place.

It sounds like you are planning to be on-the-go the whole time. You might want to forgo one of your planned activities so you can go to the beach in Waikiki which the kids will enjoy. For 5 bucks they can go out on an outrigger canoe and ride the waves!

Personally, I would skip the PCC. Especially an all afternoon and evening visit. I know my own kids would much prefer hanging out in Waikiki to being trapped at the PCC! However, if it is a must-do, you might want to add PCC to the end of your "circle island tour" and just attend the evening luau instead of Society of Seven. That way you could have beach/relaxing time after the Diamond Head hike.

I would not do "circle island" on one day and then go back to PCC the next. Your time on Oahu is too short.

Diamond Head has to be done early! early! early! or else else you will be exhausted by the heat and wiped out for the rest of the day.

Not sure if the kids would like Society of Seven, check and see if Sunset on the Beach is going on during your stay (most Saturdays and Sundays in Waikiki).
The outdoor movies preceeded by live music is always fun. And its free. You can get take out from Wolfgang Puck or buy food from the vendors, cheap evening.

I second the notion of breakfast at Dukes instead of dinner, if you arrive in Waikiki around 7PM you may have a very long wait to eat unless you can call ahead for reservations. Upstairs is for family dining in my opinion, skip the downstairs bar scene.

Make sure you are not planning to go to Hanauma Bay on Tuesdays when it is closed. You may even want to skip that altogether as it is kind of a production to go there...where are you going to change clothes for your Kauai flight if hotle check out is at its usual noon?

On the right side of the pool at Sheraton Moana is a good family spot for dinner. The Terrace is a bit different as mentioned above.

You should always drive in my opinion for the freedom of it.

If you snorkel early and get back to the hotel by noon you might could make your flight. In my opinion Haunama is great for kids!

To throw another opinion out there - LOL - what luau are you seeing in Kauai? I like Oahu luaus better.

Okay, I realize that I have too much stuff here and I haven't left any time to let the boys be boys on Waikiki Beach.Why stay on the beach if we aren't going to utilize it. So, how about this for a more realistic plan:
Day 1: Hanauma Bay then Waikiki Beach with outrigger canoe ride and relax.
Day 2:Diamond Head then circle around the island.
Day 3 Pearl Harbor, Free hula show and whatever until we catch the flight to Kauai.
We will plan on breakfast or lunch at Duke's instead of supper. Could we hike Diamond Head in mid afternoon on Day one instead, or too hot? This plan means we will miss PCC this trip.

While your original itinerary was do-able, I like your new one better.

Day 1 - looks good as long as Day 1 is not a Tuesday, your older kid may also enjoy a surf lesson right off Waikiki beach, the outrigger ride is fun but not as much of a thrill as I had expected

Day 2 - great idea, start early and continue counter-clockwise after Diamond Head

Day 3 - get to the memorial early or you might have a long wait, they start distributing tickets at 7:30am

Late afternoon Diamond Head is a possibility for Day 1 but it will still be hotter than early morning. Just depends on how well you do with heat - I don't unless I'm in the water :-)

There are free nightly hula shows right on Kuhio beach:

http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/moca/calendar/index.htm

Dancers from the PCC do a 'mini-show' several days a week at the Royal Hawaiian shopping center:

http://www.shopwaikiki.com/daily.shtml#pccshow

Throw the itinerary away. An itinerary is something that you follow when you are home, not on vacation in Hawaii !!

It would be easier to do DH mid-morning then on to your drive around the island. If you are coming in the winter it will be slightly cooler. Still imagine a desert hike with strong sun as you climb stairs.

And I agree with your plan to hang out on the beach rather than go to PCC.

Your new plan seems just right. Three days really isnt that long to do everything on oahu. Your new itinerary is just right for some relaxing and sightseeing.

Just a suggestion. After Hanauma Bay, continue east. You can check out the blowhole(A lavatube that shoots water in the air) Then Sandy Beach. The kids will love seeing sandys. Dont let them swim here before talking to the lifeguards. The best bodysurfing/boogie boarding on oahu.(But also real dangerous) Then drive around Makapuu(Another famous body surfing beach with awesome scenery) COntinue past waimanalo and Kailua, then come up Pali highway and stop at the Nuuanu pali lookout. This place is famous for a famous battle in old hawaii and offers awesome views of the windward side. The kids will love the strong winds here. People like to use jackets and lean into the wind, fun stuff. From here its just a short drive back to waikiki.

I can't understand why everyone is telling you there is such a long wait at Dukes!! If you know you want to go there ahead of time- call and make reservations (at least 1-2 weeks ahead of time). This is what we did and while others sat and waited, my husband and I were escorted to our table right next to the railing overlooking Waikiki Beach. Reservations mean you don't have as long a wait just like any other restaurant in any other city.
We also got up early, arrived at Diamond Head by 6:45 and were finished by 8 pm (it's not that strenuous or long) - drove around to Hananuma Bay and got the last parking space and spent the morning there - it is worth it, especially if you have kids. If you have time to drive the north shore there is a "shrimp shack" where they raise their own shrimp and langostinos - it's worth stopping there for a dozen prepared in their various ways. Enjoy

A girlfriend of ours is one of the many people paralyzed from sandys- she was just 18. I would never take young kids there to get into the water because they just don't have the skill in the situation of the water breaking right into the sand.