Oahu Itinerary help request
 

Hello, my family (two adults, a 4 year old and a 1.5 year old) will be staying in Disney's Aulani resort for Saturday through Thursday in August. Afterward we have three unbooked nights before we fly out.
I'm hoping for some advice about where to stay next. I'd like to steer away from Waikiki, and after the Aulani I'm thinking we might enjoy something less 'resort-y.' That said, we have two small kids so we still need easy access to (calm) beaches and facilities.

Any recommendations?

P.S. This is our first time to Oahu, but we have visited Maui with the kids in the past. Here's a travelogue from one of those trips: http://www.hitherandthither.net/trav...gust-2013.html

I've stayed at the Aulani resort before...it's just beautiful and the kids will love it! I have a blog post here:
http://sulynnchen.com/travelblog/?p=745

After that...since you don't want to do Waikiki, how about North Shore of Oahu? Turtle Bay resort would be a good option but it is a "resort" atmosphere. The only thing is perhaps renting a condo on the north shore. 3 days is a bit short and some condos may not rent for 3 days - but some will.

Kailua is also another nice option...Kailua and Lanikai beaches are some of the most beautiful in Oahu and Kailua feels like a community as opposed to resort area. Most of the accomodation there is vacation rentals. Plenty to choose from.

Try airbnb or homeaway/vrbo.

Have a great time! We're headed there in November.

Kailua would be a great choice if you can find something for 3 days. No hotels though (except for Turtle Bay to the north, and the former Kahala Hilton to the east, the only hotels/resorts are in Waikiki and Ko Olina).

Thank you, @tifa2276 and @sf7307! I'll look into both of those areas. (And the travelogue--thank you!) Any additional thoughts on choosing between those spots, the North Shore vs the windward/East side?

They are both really beautiful spots. Kailua is like a beachside residential community with restaurants, stores and grocery stops. I do love the beaches on the east because they are one of the few which have white sand...it's striking with the blue water and the Mokulele islands in the distance (which you can kayak to, although is usually windy and scary, at least for me). Great brunch spost, Cinnamon's and Boots and Kimos are in Kailua. Also very good Italian at Prima

The North Shore has some amazing beaches (golden sand) too, including "turtle" beach where you'll always see basking turtles. It's located near sunset beach. The north is great to watch action in the waves...surfers, etc. However unless you are staying in Haleiwa or close to it, there are few options for restaurants, especially for dinner. During the day there are great food trucks all over, especially the popular shrimp trucks (our fave is Romy's). If you like Thai food, Opal Thai in Haleiwa is fantastic (reservations are a must).

Either, way I think some time spent on either area is a must do when visiting Oahu! I think you should base it around what lodging you can find that works for you.

BTW, love your travelogue/blog. I remember reading it before I went to Bali last year. Beautiful pictures!

Wow, that is one impressive travelogue! Someone has some serious photography talent, and clearly puts a lot of time and effort into it. Well done!
As far as your 3 days "away from Waikiki", there are a lot of condo's at the Turtle Bay Resort that can be rented (vrbo, or a couple of local agencies, we like using The Estates at Turtle Bay), instead of staying in the hotel proper, within a moderate price range. Yes, it's a resort area, but there is a lot of space there, and if you are seeking some solitude, you can find it. The beach there is not that busy, usually, at least when we go in late winter months. Protected area, quiet enough for kids. And a lot of other beaches near by, but you would need a car, of course.
It's so different from Waikiki. You might want to at least consider TBR.

and the Mokulele islands in the distance (which you can kayak to, although is usually windy and scary, at least for me)

We did it, and I'm not that brave!! It was one of the highlights of that trip.

These replies are so helpful, @tifa2276, @kanunu, and @sf7307. Thank you!
Will follow up on all of these. Really appreciate it.

The water clarity isn't the best, but there are usually a couple of resident turtles in lagoon 2 at Ko Olina.

Kailua would give you a nice neighborhood-y feel. Popoia island is closer to shore and a very easy paddle.

You might be interested in a cacao farm tour if one is offered during your trip http://www.eventbrite.com/o/madre-chocolate-3380744708