We leave for Honolulu 6/5 and will return 6/11. Have read the Fodor's guide, but am interested in more recent experiences and recommendations from Fodorites. We anticipate Pearl Harbor, hiking Diamond Head, parasailing (my daughter wants surfing lessons-scary), luau and renting a car to go to North Shore. I've also read about some evening cruises.

Recommendations? Thanks!

Polynesian Cultural Center has the best Polynesian entertainment in Hawaii.

Lots of Oahu info:

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

You can arrange surf lessons right at Waikiki beach. The water is quite calm where they teach beginners there. Not scary at all.

I'm a fan of the Doris Duke ShangriLa estate tour, as given thru the Honolulu Academy of the Arts.

Thanks Dusty and Suze. I had seen Dusty's link and it looked like great information-just wasn't sure how much was still accurate since it was first posted in 2006.

Is it a lot of trouble to rent a car just for a day to drive around the island, say up to North Shore, etc.? We're staying at Aston Waikiki Beach. I know we're planning Pearl Harbor, hiking Diamond Head, and probably Polynesian Cultural Center. I had read where the Arizona was closed, but assume it's now open? Is Dole plantation worthwhile? With only 5 full days, we want to be busy, but also not too structured and scheduled. Is any one of these something that should definitely be reserved well in advance?

No it's no problem to rent a car for a day. There's lots of places around Waikiki from local 'rent a dent' type places or thru your hotel front desk. I've never done it myself (so far I've just stayed in Waikiki-Honolulu and yet to run out of stuff to see and do).

The only thing I've had to reserve before leaving home was the tour of Doris Duke ShangriLa estate thru Honolulu Academy of the Arts. Because the tours are small and limited in times and days.

I do not know specifically about North Shore, Pearl Harbor or PCC as I've never done those myself.

Not only is it not a lot of trouble, you definitely should do it! Driving around and across the island is easy, often beautiful (and sometimes downright ugly), but it's the best way to get to a lot of places in one day -- you can do Pearl Harbor in the early a.m. followed by the North Shore (Haleiwa and beaches). Or you can do the east side (Kailua/Lanikai). From Kailua you can cut across the island (gorgeous) to the north shore. Probably a little tight to do all 3 in one day.

For a great dinner, Alan Wongs. I also like Doris Duke ShangriLa estate tour. I suggest Waimea Falls park, I don't know who's running it now. Go to Byodoin Temple. Pearl Harbor is a must. You have to walk Waikiki and visit the Pink Palace just because it's there. Shaved Ice in Haleiwa. Snorkel shark's cove.

For some ideas, you might check out

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~turner/oahu/oahu.htm

Aloha.