Hi there,

My husband and I are taking advantage of the great deals and will be on Oahu for a week in January. We are in our late 20's and are looking forward to relaxing after many months of working too much.

So, my question is what should we do?
1. Snorkeling? I have read about Hanauma Bay, which seems to be the best spot. We've never snorkeled before--do we need lessons?
2. Hiking? Of course we'll go up to Diamond Head, but are there any other good trails?
3. What about a Luau? I heard the food at PCC is awful. Any thoughts about Germaine's, Paradise Cove, or Outrigger Wailea?
4. Is the PCC worth our time? Or is it too museum-ish??
5. Can you recommend some of the good restaurants? I've already read about Hau Tree Lanai, Bali by the Sea, Michels, Alan Wongs, and 3660 on the Rise. We like good food and good drink!
6. Do we need to rent a car? Or is TheBus adequate?
7. Is the Dole Plantation worth our time?
8. Any other things we shouldn't miss?

We basically want to relax and enjoy ourselves on this trip and not feel like we have to hurry up and DO things. We are staying at the Ohano Maile Sky Court in Waikiki.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

Thanks!

Hanauma Bay is fun snorkeling--warning though--hold tightly to your wedding rings!! Both my husband and brother-in-law lost theirs here!!!

Hiking-we hiked an awesome trail called the Makiki-Manoa Cliffs Trail. There is a visitors center with maps. It is a trail that takes you through the rain forest with spectacular views of Honolulu.(there is a hike that takes about an hour or so the visitors center will give you the address of a house near the start of the trail)

The PCC "Horizons" show is awesome. The food was ok. Not sure about the rest but the show was excellent.

Make sure you take a drive to the North Shore. ( I would rent a car for this--I think you can get a basic car from Dollar Rent a Car for as cheap as $18-$20 bucks a day) You see the not so touristy side of Oahu. This is where the "big waves" are. It's fun to see the locals surf. Waimea Bay is a fun beach to swim. We rented kayaks near there and took them out. Make sure and stop at Kua Aina Sandwich in Haleiwa (66-214 Kamehameha hwy)for an awesome grilled fish sandwich and then stop at Matsumoto's shave ice for dessert. I think there is a tourist park here as well. Lots of beautiful scenery, hula dancing, cliff divers.(can't remember the name)

Dukes Restaurant at Outrigger Waikiki Hotel 2335 Kalakaua is awesome. They have Hawaiian entertainment 4-6pm and 10-12pm and make sure you have Kimo's orignial hula pie.

I always enjoy the view at the Pali Lookout. Bring a sweatshirt its breezy.

Enjoy your stay!!

Hanauma Bay is one of the most spectacular places I have ever seen. The snorkeling is good there, too. Snorkeling can be learned with very little instruction. You might want to see if you hotel offers a quick course. Otherwise, the tour groups that most people take to the bay will give you a quick instruction.

The beautiful park on the North Shore is Waimea Falls Park. There is good hiking there and also good hikes on the windward (east) side of Oahu. And the hike up around Round Top/Tantalus gives you unbelievable views of Honolulu and Waikiki!

If you like seafood and can spend $100+ for a very special meal, I highly recommend John Dominis just west of Fishermans Wharf in Honolulu, down a little street off Kapiolani Blvd.

Snorkeling really doesn't require any instruction. Make sure Hanauma Bay is open the day you want to go as they stagger open days to protect the reef. Buy some fish food and expect to be COVERED with fish!

By all means rent a car for at least a few days or you'll be standing on line for THE BUS FOR EVER. You don;t have time to waste.

Don't miss Matsumoto's Shave Ice in Haleiwa. My favorite flavor is watermelon, with vanilla ice cream on the bottom.

By all means spend half a day at the Arizona Memorial and USS Missouri. And if you want to eat while in the area, travel up the road just a little past Pearl Harbor and Pearlridge Mall and eat at the round place on the corner called Anna Parker's (upstairs, where you want to go). The best pies in Hawaii!

Personally I'd skip a luau on Oahu. Put the money toward another meal. I'd also skip the PCC.

Dole Plantation is interesting (ah, that fresh pineapple!) and a nice pit stop halfway up (or down) the island. Make sure you check out the little garden along the road with all the different pineapple plants)

You MUST have a Mai Tai and pupus (snacks) at sunset at the House Without a Key bar (outside)at the Halekulani Hotel on Waikiki Beach. The setting sun changes the color of Diamond Head every minute, the surfers rush past on their last daytime waves, people walk along the beach, a former Miss Hawaii dances the hula - there's NOTHING like it! I lived on Oahu for three years and this was one of the high points!

But really, you must spend a couple of days doing absolutely nothing but lying on the beach and patting yourselves on the back for getting there!

Correction - the little road to John Dominis restaurant is just off Ala Moana Blvd, not Kapiolani.

Fly to Maui.

Hanauma Bay is great. You have to get there early, especially on the weekend. Watch out for a strong outward current in the center of the bay. It will drag you right out into the bay. It is a absolutely beautiful place. Hike up to the top of Diamondhead. Take a bus ride completely around the Island. Get up early and go see the Arizona Memorial and the battleship Missouri at Pearl Harbor. Take the guided tour. Have breakfast or lunch at the Pacific Beach Hotel. They have a gigantic aquariom full of sea life you can watch while you eat. You can see a lot more with a car, but it depends on how many days you have to spend. The Dole Plantation is nice for a quick ice cream cone stop. I wouldn't go hiking anyplace off the beaten tourist path. Crime is everywhere, even in Paradise. Check out the north shore surfer beaches. Just walking up and down Waikiki is a experience that changes hourly.