We are planning to stay at the Outrigger Waikiki for 7 nights, I have poured over the tour books and here is the itinerary that I thought would allow 2 senior citizens to get a good flavor of Oahu. Our plan is to rent a car 2 days.
Day 1, Arrive, check in and relax
Day 2 Polynesian Culture Center including the Lu'au
Day 3 Pearl Harbor Memorial,USS Arizona, Bowfin Sub , Punchbowl Cemetary, Plantation Village
Day 4 Drive around the North Shore Sights and Dole Pineapple as shown in the Oahu Revealed tour book. Rented car
Day 5. Diamond Head, Drive around the East Shore as described in Oahu Revealed Tour book. Rented Car
Day 6 Tour Honolulu including Chinatown,King Kamehameha Statue, Hawaii STate Capital,Royal Iolani Palace, International Market Place
Day 7 Day of Leisure
Day 8 Leave for the Big Island
Is this doable but at the same time not be too hurried, or have I stretched it out to much?
What are the must see shows in addition to the Polynesian Cultural Center Lu'au?
In addition to Dukes Canoe Club what are some good suggestions on moderately priced restaurants.
Thank you for your suggestions.

On Day 3, is that a tour? Otherwise, I'd go straight from Pearl harbor to the Plantation village, then stop at Punchbowl on the way home.

Better yet, come back to Waikiki from Plantation village and visit international mktplace that evening as it is open late.

On Day 6, is that also a tour, or are you taking the bus? That would be a good day to visit Punchbowl after or before the other downtown sites.

If days 3 & 6 are tour bus trips, just go as planned, since you won't care about backtracking if you aren't driving.

I agree with lcuy and would like to add....Punchbowl closes at 5 or 6, I think, so I agree you should combine it with other "town" activities, like on day 6. While you're at it, don't forget to visit historic Aloha Tower!


You can do International Marketplace on Day 1 or Day 7 or...... actually, they're open till 11 p.m. so you have all night to see it if you're staying in Waikiki, on any given day.

If Day 6 is not a bus tour, please also keep in mind that the free tours of the State Capitol are conducted once a week, I think, on Fridays? Call (808) 586-7200 to set up the tour or find out the tour days. When I was working there a few months ago, the tours were done once a week and you had to report to a specific room there at 1:30 or something like that.

Thanks for your responses and suggestions. I was planning to drive on the North Shore and East Shore excursions. On the Pearl Harbor trip I thought that perhaps I would take public transit. Are you suggesting that taking a tour might be a better way to go?

Sounds good but, no relaxing beach time? You are going to need a vacation after your vacation. My favorite beaches on Oahu are Kailua and Waimanalo.

Reasonable priced restaurants in Waikiki (near Fort deRussy park area):

Lewers Street Loft & Lanai (220 block of Lewers) for decent breakfast $3.50-$4.75 and "plate lunch" meals lunch and dinner $7.00.

Buzz's Steak & Lobster Restaurant & Lounge at 225 Saratoga Road. Low-key steak and seafood place with good salad bar. Entrees >$20.

For drinks at sunset I preferred the Sheraton Waikiki Sand Bar with large open patio seating and live music.

More expensive but very enjoyable is the restaurant along the veranda at Sheraton Moana Surfrider.

Sorry although I just returned I'm no help with your itinerary, since during my 8 days stay I took only one tour (Doris Duke Shangri La estate)... Do allow some time for relaxing and strolling about.

Fort deRussy park is a huge grassy spot to sit and have a picnic or watch the sunset. You can get heaping beautiful fresh fruit to-go bowls from Henry's on Beach Walk nearby for $3.65.

Near your hotel you can see free music, and hula dance in the early evening (dancers were from Polynesian Culture Center the nights I saw it) at the street-side stage at Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.

bump up

There are other good shows in Waikiki to see. 'Creation: A Polynesian Journey' in the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and 'John Hirokawa, Magic Show' in the Beachcomber are two of the best.

But, the 'Ali'i Luau' at Polynesian Cultural Center is a good show. Their evening show 'Horizons' is the best show in all of Hawaii. And with the luau package you are getting, the seats will be excellent. You'll be more than satisfied if they are the only two shows you see.

I like your itinerary and it's very doable. I agree that you should do the International Market Place at night. We usually do since it's open late. Don't forget Hanauma Bay. You could probably fit something in on the morning of Day 2 when you go to the Polynesian Cultural Center. I BELIEVE they don't pick you up until some time in the afternoon to go there.

For good shopping, don't forget the swap meet, Aloha Towers, and Ala Moana Mall too.

What is Plantation Village? When do you go? We leave in 2 weeks, might see you schlepping the streets!

iceeu2 - here is a website for Plantation Village.

I've lived on Oahu for five years now and still have not been to this place, so I don't know much about it.

It is located in Waipahu.

http://hawaiiplantationvillage.org/

The Hawaii Plantation Village first opened in September 1992, displaying original structures and replica homes of multiethnic groups who arrived to Hawaii between the late 1800s and the 1940s to work as plantation laborers.

Visit and experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere that was part of Hawaii in the early 1900s. Guided tours are conducted at the start of each hour beginning Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. and on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. The last guided tour is at 3:00 pm

Thanks for the responses, any additional thoughts?

When you go to the Arizona Memorial, I second the thought about going to the swap meet - you'll find "cheaper" stuff to bring home if you're on a budget.

I'm not sure where you are staying but there are a number of good places to eat in Waikiki. Royal Hawaiian's brunch is very good but a bit pricey. Todai is a buffet and they have incorporated some of the local food. My suggestion is to also go to AlaMoana's food court - there are a number of different restaurants and you will get a taste of food from all over (Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian, Mexican, etc.)

When you hit the North Shore, don't forget to stop at Matsumoto's for shaved ice (snow cones). A very nice treat after a day in the sun!