Oahu: Take H3 or Hwy 61?
 

If you were returning to Waikiki from Kailua, would you take H3 or Hwy 61? The blue book said H3 was the most scenic, but the Pali lookout sounded interesting too.

Recommendations? Or would you try to do somehow do both?
Thanks, Joan

The Pali Hwy (I'd never heard it called Hwy 61).

H3 drops you over by the Aloha Stadium; almost as far from Waikiki as Kailua.

H3 is scenic, and one of the most expensive roads in the nation to build, but there is nowhere to stop and take in the view.

Here are some pics of the Pali Lookout:

http://www.portlandbridges.com/00,DR...waii-oahu.html

and at early daybreak:

http://www.portlandbridges.com/00,5D...waii-oahu.html

(kinda creepy at that hour when it was dark and no one else was around - but a nice view.)

Both highways offer nice views - if you are going both ways, I'd try to take both. The Pali Highway is really nice, though.

Take Pali Highway. It is as scenic as H-3. Plus you can stop at Pali Lookout.

If you take Pali Highway, you can also take Nuuanu Pali Drive. You leave Pali Highway & take about a 3 mile scenic drive & then it takes you right back to Pali Highway.

Several other stops nearby like Kapena Falls & Liliuokalani Gardens that only take a few minutes each

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/ar.../il/il16a.html

The Pali is much more convenient to getting to Waikiki.

Pali is much closer to get you back to waikiki and you can stop off at the Pali look out, but if you have an opportunity to drive over the H-3 at some time do it! It has breath-taking views (but it's true you cannot stop along the raod to take a photo).
Aloha

Thank you all. This is all really good advice. If I get a chance, I may try to go on H3 also.

Dusty, you mentioned Nuuanu Pali Drive. Is there a sign? Is that drive close to the lookout?

I wanted to hike Diamondhead, then drive to Hanauma Bay, etc. to Kailua, and then return on possibly the Pali Hwy.

I have been to Oahu before (6 years ago) and honestly can't remember how we returned to Waikiki from the PCC. Thanks for the advice!

Nuuanu Pali Drive is about 1/2 way between downtown Honolulu & Pali Lookout. So it is fairly close to the lookout.

The link says it is 2 miles.

The link also has a map (not a very good one) of the area. It shows Nuuanu Pali Drive. It goes right by Jackass Ginger/Judd Memorial Trail. Street signs are pretty good in the area.

Pali Lookout and Nuuanu Drive are both spectacular! Just be sure you don't have any bacon in the car with you... ;)

I'd take the Pali. I'm used to the NJ Turnpike, so that seemed amazingly scenic to me! The lookout was a nice stop. ((R))