mikepmcm

Just returned from a 8-day trip to Oahu in September. Thought we would run out of things to do there but found eight days wasn't enough to explore all of Oahu's sights.
I know that you are thinking that you may never get back there again so you'd like to see all of the islands. Believe me when I say "You will return". Everyone who visits gets caught up in the magic of Hawaii and will return, you will find the way, believe me.

mikepmcm

Must do's:
Pearl harbor Arizona Memorial & Missouri battleship (take the chief's tour)

View from the Pali Lookout & Manoa falls hike.

Polynesian Cultural Center villages & Luau. (Non Alchoholic Luau, run by Mormons) If you ar loking for a Luau with drinks try Paradise Cove but still visit the villages at PCC for the afternoon.

Great dinnner at the Sunset Grill in restaurant row in Waikiki.

Didn't think the sunset dinner cruises were worth the money, instead splurge on a great meal on the oceanfront watching the sunset.

Check out the Honolulu Advertizer newspaper for peoples choice restaurants in entertainment section:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/

Jillwen

The Outrigger has a catamaran that you can take a 1 1/2 hour trip on. It's great to see Waikiki/Diamond Head from the water - and alot cheaper than taking one of those sunset dinner cruises.
The Hilton has fireworks on Friday night with a free hula show before.
The aquarium is very nice
Foster Botantical gardens is worth visiting
Punchbowl Cemetary (which is the Arlington Cemetary of the Pacific) is worth a visit. Great views of Honolulu, Waikiki and Diamond Head.
If you drive up to Punchbowl continue up Tantalus Drive for great views and houses.
When you get to Waikiki, get those tourist mags in the boxes on the streets. They have coupons (like $5 off the catamaran) and can give you some ideas of stuff to do.
Definitely get to the North Shore since at that time of year you'll see some great surfing and giant waves.
If I was only going to take 1 day to go to another island I'd go to Hawaii to see the volcano. Not many places in the world where you can see an active volcano. Fly into Hilo. It's an easy day trip to do on your own - just rent a car for the day.

stillbrowns

Jillwen:

Would you do the helicopter ride over the volcano? I'm a tad squeemish (sp?) about flying, but I heard the only way to be sure to see hot lava is by air.

Thanks for the tip on the catamaran - that sounds great. My husband and I are big boaters, but have never been on a cat. Can't wait!

Do you think 9-10 days is enough to fit Oahu, Hawaii and either Kaui or Maui? I'd love to see the beautiful waterfalls, but I also want to have time to relax on this trip.

Jillwen

Checkout out the schedule for the catamaran - when I was there in May it was 9, 11, 1 and a sunset one. Somedays the 9 is a snorkeling trip. We were lucky and had the catamaran to ourselves (me, my parents, and my 2 teenagers). It's surprising how there's virtually no waves on Waikiki but once out in the water you do hit waves and will get wet!

I wouldn't do the helicopter ride but I'm a chicken about those things.

I think there's so much to do on Oahu I would only do one day trip to another island. But you can decide when you're there. There are frequent flights to the other islands - check out the Aloha Air and Hawaiian airline schedules on their website.

stillbrowns

Thanks to everybody for the tips. I can't wait to go!