Hi All,

I am planning to spend about a week around late summer in Oahu (Waikiki)- August/Sept. I would like some suggestions for things to do solo, and recommendations for hotels more geared towards singles rather than couples/families. Also, any safety precautions for exploring Oahu.

Thanks in advance, R

Duke's Canoe Club is a Restaurant/Bar in the middle of Waikiki. On the beach. Bands on Sunday afternoon/evening. Singles hangout. I think the hotel where it is located is one of the Outriggers, but I'm not positive.

Thanks Diana!

I understand that a hostel-type hotel called the Banana Bungalows has people handing out flyers just outside the airport.
I've read numerous bad reviews about it on another bulletin board. So, if you're tempted to stay there where there's also a lot of singles, ask to see ALL the facilities before paying. Look for cleanliness in your room, bathrooms, and kitchen, working toilets, and clean bed linens -- the cause of most complaints about it.

Thanks for that tip BJ. I decided
on the Outrigger on the beach that has
the Duke's that Diana mentioned. Since this will be my first trip out there, I'm thinking safety and convenience first.

R.....believe me you will have no trouble being lonesome in waikiki...i've been there five times and have never felt unsafe. i stay at the hawaiiana hotel on beachwalk. very reasonable, but be sure you ask for a room away from city traffic, because it can be noisy. this place is great. i just got back in may and as usual had a wonderful time. there are many nightclubs. pick up free weekly guides avaliable in all hotels and even on the main streets of wakiki. they have coupons and all kinds of information you can use. you will not want to leave....believe me....you will truly be in paradise.

Rosmarie, I paid for the Outrigger package already but I will go with your recommendation for my next trip. Thanks for all the great tips!! Now, I'm really excited

The best thing that we did when we were there was to rent a van (we had total of six people) and drove aroung the island. You need the map of the island if you fly United they give you a great map of the island, I'm not sure of the other airlines. Many hotels have great maps also. They people are so nic eand we wanted to see how they really lived. You will find people on the side of the rode selling hats and baskets and other things made of pineapple leaves do stop even if you will not buy a thing they are full of stories to tell and good advice about the island. If you like shrimp you have to stop by Giovanni's. I am an expert when it comes to seafood, they are the best. It is literally a truck on the side of the road that prepares it for you and serves it with a side of rice. They are great there really fun group of people. That is the only thing that they serve there so if you are not into shrimp pass them by. I'm not sure of the highway but it is the same highway that you take to Pali Lookout a very popular site so you can ask around. You have picked a great place to travel to. The outriggers are also great there very and clean. Germaines luau is also wonderful and not as pricey as the others. You are a woman so I must also include the International Market Place what bargains. Can't leave there empty handed. There are many others to recommend. If you are interested email me and I will dig out all my other things and pass them on to you.
ALOHA

R- Several years ago in August, I spent a great week exploring Oahu solo from a resort in Makaha. I worked in the timeshare world and someone couldn't use their vacation week at the last minute, but I could. Makaha is no Waikiki. Personally, I don't vacation in beautiful places to spend it amongst thousands of others and wouldn't have gone if the resort was in Waikiki.

Went with no plans, left my guidebook at SFO, was miles from anywhere and never rented a car; but I did have fun. I met locals and played v-ball on the beach. Rode a borrowed 3-speed (stuck in 1 speed), around the NW point to the north shore and got a bird's eyeview from a glider plane. (Say hi to Don from the blonde from Tahoe who bicycled from Makaha.) Public bussed it over to Kualua (sp) Ranch to see a concert . . . and of course, I got in plenty of beaching and snorkeling.

I generally felt safe, but was always alert, careful and realistic. What really devastated me was to see that all over Oahu people didn't respect the beauty of the island and trashed it.

Good luck and happy trails! Aloha, Z

Z, I like your style! The Waianae coast has beautiful beaches and is not spoiled by mega tourist traffic. The ranch you took the bus to is Kualoa Ranch. It is a great spot for mountain biking and horseback riding, and R, solos are accommodated.
R I have held off on answering this question, since I am an old married fut (ok, not THAT old), but definitely not in the singles scene.
OK, let me think. It sounds as if you have made your hotel choice, so that's out of the way. Since you'll be in Waikiki, sign up for a surf lesson, rent a boogy board, take a latin dance lesson at the Aqua restaurant, walk the beach,
Be sure to pick up a copy of the Honolulu Weekly when you arrive, and check out the calendar for live music around town and movies at the Honolulu Academy of Art. Go to Borders and Starbucks at Ward Centre. Sign up for tandem skydiving at Mokuleia (ok, that may not be your cup of tea). I would not be deterred by being solo, just follow your interests. Honolulu has one of the lowest crime rates for cities its size, and everyone's friendly. Just use common sense. You'll have fun.
Aloha,
k

Susie, Z and Kalena, thanks a lot for those tips.

Z, I'm like you in the sense that I tend to stay away from the crowds, I had been looking at staying at a B&B near Waimanalo Beach in Oahu. But, it's my first time ever travelling alone and I'm not the most social person normally so I would have spent the entire time lying on what I hear is a beautiful beach reading. Not bad, but I want to force myself to get out and about, meet the locals and have a good time.

Kalena, I'll be sure to pick up the Honolulu Weekly to see what's going on around the Island.

Thanks again all!!

R-

Think you'll like your hotel choice for location and access to all the "buzz" in Waikiki. A couple of dining suggestions in addition to Duke's which is a must stop for me on every trip.

Keo's- right off Kalakaua Avenue (main street through Waikiki. Very good Thai food

3660 On the Rise- About a 10 to 15 min drive from Waikiki. Ask hotel to make reservations and get good directions. Totally worth the drive. A bit more pricey but worth it and on a typical tourist spot. They have a ridiculously long martini menu and Wed's all of them are something like $3.50 so take a cab if you go that night

Enjoy!