Going on our 4th trip to the islands in Sept Will only have 2 days/3nites on Oahu and has been 15 years since we have been there. Suggestions on what sightseeing to "cram" in that short time frame. Will have time to relax on Big Island and Maui so want to see as much as possible on Oahu.

Thanks for the advice!!!

Polynesian cultural center is the number one visited tourist sight and is well worth the admission price. Try to stay for the evening meal and show also. Spectacular! Try to drive the north shore to take a look at the Bonzi Pipeline. If you're lucky you'll be there to see some world class surfing. As the case with the other Islands the north shore is the most beautiful part of the island.

John, My first priority would be Pearl Harbor for the Arizona Memorial and the Mighty Missouri; then the Bishop Museum and Punchbowl Cemetery. That would really jam one day. Maybe the next day, see Iolani Palace, Mission Houses Museum, the historic things in downtown Honolulu, and go over to the Aloha Marketplace and Tower at the harbor for the afternoon, have lunch there, and explore the Mariner's Museum, etc.

I don't think I would spend the entire day at Polynesian Culture Center - I think the most worthwhile part of it is the evening show which is just spectacular, maybe with their luau first. And I'd do one of the tours where they pick you up at your hotel, and bring you back at night, rather than drive back at 10:30 PM. The different villages are nice, especially for children, but I don't think I would spend my afternoon hours there unless I had children with me.

If you're staying in Waikiki, I'd do a stroll down the beach at sunset as all the lights come on, and you can hear the music starting in the outdoor bars. It's really glorious, like nothing else!

E-mail me if I can be helpful with any more info. Have a wonderful time!

Aloha, Ruth

Aloha from Hawaii!

15 years, huh? Well, the Polynesian Cultural Center has pretty much been the same in 15 years and so has the Arizona Memorial. Therefore, I would recommend a visit to the Battleship USS Missouri which is now in Hawaii near the Arizona.

I would also take in the Saturday and Sunday evening Hula Show near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at Waikiki Beach.

I would also recommend a wonderful dinner at either Sam Choy's, Alan Wong's or Pacific Cafe to sample how far Hawaii Regional cuisine has come in 15 years. Finish off any Friday evening with the fireworks on the beach at the Hilton Hawaiian village at 8pm.

Welcome Back!

Tiare

Aloha from Hawaii!

15 years, huh? Well, the Polynesian Cultural Center has pretty much been the same in 15 years and so has the Arizona Memorial. Therefore, I would recommend a visit to the Battleship USS Missouri which is now in Hawaii near the Arizona.

I would also take in the Saturday and Sunday evening Hula Show near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at Waikiki Beach.

I would also recommend a wonderful dinner at either Sam Choy's, Alan Wong's or Pacific Cafe to sample how far Hawaii Regional cuisine has come in 15 years. Finish off any Friday evening with the fireworks on the beach at the Hilton Hawaiian village at 8pm.

Welcome Back!

Tiare

Aloha from Hawaii!

15 years, huh? Well, the Polynesian Cultural Center has pretty much been the same in 15 years and so has the Arizona Memorial. Therefore, I would recommend a visit to the Battleship USS Missouri which is now in Hawaii near the Arizona.

I would also take in the Saturday and Sunday evening Hula Show near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at Waikiki Beach.

I would also recommend a wonderful dinner at either Sam Choy's, Alan Wong's or Pacific Cafe to sample how far Hawaii Regional cuisine has come in 15 years. Finish off any Friday evening with the fireworks on the beach at the Hilton Hawaiian village at 8pm.

Welcome Back!

Tiare

We just returned from our trip and I would say you must see The Bishop Museum. It was superb in every way and had a fantastic hula show, as well as a wonderful planetarium show about navigating the Pacific Ocean. Pearl Harbor, Hanama Bay, and the north shore were also terrific. We stayed in Kailua and just watching the windsurfers was fantastic - the most I've every seen in one place, as well as one of the top beaches in the world. Polynesian Cultural Center would not be on my list - parking lot was deserted when we drove by. Too hokey!

A correction to my previous post on this thread: It's not the "Mariner's Museum" (was thinking of another city!), it's the "Hawaii Maritime Center" at Aloha Marketplace. Sorry!