Oahu-Maui trip finalized...have questions!!
 

We finally have our 25th anniversary trip in October figured out!! We have decided to stay 2 nights in Oahu (mainly to see the Arizona Memorial) and 7 nights in Maui. We are staying in an oceanfront room at the Park Shore Waikiki hotel in Oahu, and then in Maui we are renting a condo from the owner at Ekahi Village in Wailea. We know we are renting a car in Maui, we plan to drive to Hana. But in Oahu we are not sure what we should do. We will be arriving around 2:00 pm on our first day, the second day we have a full day and then the third day we leave at 12:20 pm for Maui. If we dont rent a car is it quicker to take a taxi from the airport to our hotel than a shuttle? Also what about getting to the memorial, if we do rent a car is there adequate parking there? Should we take a tour that includes the memorial to make more use of our time? The 4 things I would like to do during our short stay is 1).Arizona Memorial, 2).Visit Waikiki Beach ,3).Visit Diamondhead, 4). See the North Shore. I dont know if there is enough time or what transportation to use. Can anyone help? Also I have a question about the road to Hana. Where exactly does it start? We are staying in Wailea, what is the shortest route to get to the starting point? I know we have to start early, we plan on 6am. Do we have to go all around the west side to get to the starting point? I really would appreciate any help. Thanks a bunch!!

The Park Shore is at the end of Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. If you are energetic, theoretically, you could check in, drop your bags, change your clothes and then drive to Diamond Head (5 min) and climb it. If you do this, I'd recommend going at 5-ish so it's not so hot.

Waikiki Beach is across the street from your hotel; it's about a 2 mile stretch. You could also do that. Check both off your list....

The next day you'll go to the Arizona, I assume. You'll have time to go to the North Shore, but that sure is a lot of driving! Are you sure dusty's list didn't help you when you asked this the first time around?

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=35009511

Yes, Dustys list was helpful. But nothing can beat personal experience. Thank you for replying.

The Hana Highway begins in Kahului where the airport is. Take a look at this map. Take 31 to 380 to 36.

http://visitormagazines.com/maui/map...i-big-1105.jpg

Thanks Iamq for a great map. I will definetly print it and take it with me.

Yes a taxi from the Honolulu airport into Waikiki is quicker than the hotel shuttle bus services (which stop at various hotels along the way to drop other people off).

With only 1-1/2 days basically on Oahu, I'm not sure you'll have time to include going out to the North Shore.

When you arrive at the airport in Maui there are stands with tons of free brochures/magazines with maps and all other sorts of info such as things to do, restaurants, scenic road trips, and of course, coupons.
Just pick up some and take with you to your condo. Enjoy your trip!!

I highly recommend you visit the PunchBowl Crater while on Oahu. It won't take more than 1-2 hours...but is breathtaking. A very spiritual place and has WONDERFUL views of diamondhead and the beach.

For the short time you will be on Oahu I would definately rent a car either at the airport or in Waikiki and than follow Melissa's suggestion.

Thanks everyone for your great suggestions. We will probably skip the north shore and maybe include the punchbowl crater.

If you skip the North Shore and go to Punchbowl instead, I can almost guarantee you'll join the masses of people who claim Oahu is too "city" and too commercialized. Why not do the following:

DAY 1
Arrive at hotel
Hike Diamond Head (as another poster suggested)
Dinner in Waikiki and sleep.

DAY 2
Pearl Harbor (as early as possible -- you'll probably be up before dawn bc of jet lag)
Punchbowl
North Shore (pick one beach and relax for the rest of the afternoon -- Sunset Beach or Waimea Bay are both beautiful)

DAY 3
Spend the morning on Waikiki Beach before your flight

hmmmmm I would do Punchbowl OR the North Shore as an addition to Pearl Harbor, but not both. If you go to Punchbowl after Pearl Harbor, that would mean back tracking before going to the North Shore.

On Oahu, I would definitely visit the North Shore- Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach- both are so beautiful. And a trip to Oahu wouldn't be complete without a stop at Matsumoto's for Shave Ice (also on the North Shore)! It is amazing!

I would rent a car at the airport when you arrive. You will rent for two days, but it is easier that way. The rates aren't too bad if you shop around and book it early.

If you are very organized with maps and such before your arrival, you could visit Punchbowl Crater after picking up the rental car. Or you could also visit the Arizona Memorial that day. There is plenty of parking there. It is actually best IMO to visit it in the afternoon because all the tour groups are usually long gone. The wait is minimal that way. Just be sure you don't leave any valuables within view when you lock your car. This goes for anywhere on the islands. Put everything in the trunk and lock your car.

Not too far from Waikiki in Kapahulu (933 Kapahulu Avenue (808)737-5591) is a place called Leonard's Bakery. They're famous for their hot malasadas- kind of like a donut without the hole in the center and sugar coated. Yum!

A great place for lunch is the Patisserie Bakery in Kahala Mall. They may have a location in Waikiki, but I have only visited the one in the mall. They have all types of sandwiches, German dishes too, and the prices are reasonable. When we went there two years ago, the sandwiches were still around $4- the same prices from the 1980's!

October is my favorite time to visit because the weather is usually cooler than the summer months! Enjoy!

If we could get the Arizona Memorial out of the way on our arrival day that would be awesome (its really my husbands top priority, I could take it or leave it.) Thanks Odyssey4. (The donuts sound yummy.) That way we would have the entire next day to explore. Maybe then just do Diamondhead and the North Shore.(I love shaved ice ).Renting a car looks like the way to go. Thanks again to everyone, you have really helped me figure it out.