tagging along on hubby's biz trip...
 

Hi I'll be flying out for 9 days to be w/ my husband who's in Oahu on business. We'll be together on the weekends but he'll be working (w/ the car) on the weekdays. I'm wondering what fun things I can do solo (besides the beach and shopping.) Any suggestions? We'll be staying in Waikiki.
Thanks for your help!

Hi cali1,

Would you be interested in taking a bus tour to other areas of the island by yourself? Hubby and I did three bus tours of various parts of the island and although we were together, I would have been more than comfortable going solo. There are a multitude of various tours you can take including a loop around the island, pearl harbor, polynesian cultural center (I personally didn't care for it, but others love it), etc. etc.

Public transportation is also very good so you probably won't have to rent a car unless you're so inclined.

Have fun,
Tracey

You didn't say where you're staying in Waikiki, but like the previous poster said, The Bus runs all over the place so you should be able to get around without hubby or the car.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Iolani Palace tour ($20 pp)and took The Bus down there (ask at your hotel which one to take) and then walked around the state capital building which is right near there, then walked over to Washington Place - a beautiful mansion (formerly Queen Lilioukalani's home, then a governor's mansion) and then walked the several blocks to Chinatown. I enjoyed shopping in Chinatown, and walked over to Hotel St (in the daylight!) in search of food - and found great choices. When I got tired I caught another bus and went back to the hotel.

Also, there are some really great rocking chairs on the front lanai of the Sheraton Moana Surfrider Hotel where it's great fun to people watch. Of course there's the Int'l Market Place, the Royal Hawaiian Shoppng Center and Ala Moana Shopping Center to lose yourself (and several dollars) in for hours at a time if shopping is your thing.

There are also other tours that take you to Punchbowl, Dole Plantation (great gift shop and yummy pineapple ice cream), Pearl Harbor, Hilo Hattie's - a really fun place to go. Also, there are tours at Bishop Museum and Queen Emma's Summer House that you might find interesting.

There's no place else I'd rather be to chill out and relax - I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself. And be sure to talk to the locals - they're so friendly and tell lots of great stories.

Great stuff...thanks! I think I will do a bus tour (or two.) Also, we're staying at the Marriott in Waikiki.

Cali1:

The Marriott has some _great_ Hawaiian music at sunset -- especially Aunty Genoa Keawe (Thursdays), and the trio of Martin Pahinui, Aaron Mahi & George Kuo (Sundays). Free...the pupu menu is our dinner when we go, and the drinks are plentiful! :-)

Aunty Genoa is the beloved "Queen of Hawaiian Music", and Martin Pahinui's dad was the legendary "King of Slack Key", Gabby Pahinui.

I did the tour of Doris Duke's Shangri La estate. You need to make reservations a few weeks ahead of time (google it, there's a website). You meet at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and go in 2 vans (12 people each) out to the house (past Diamond Head). Fascinating, gorgeous, and low-key activity.

Iolani Palace will be my tour next trip (I'm not big on getting too booked up on vacation and do only a few formal activities each time).

I booked a facial one afternoon at the spa at Outrigger Reef hotel that was heavenly. They also offer other services like massage, etc.

I took The Bus to Ala Moana shopping center (actually this wasn't for shopping but for the food court there, where I bought pineapple shaped gift-boxed shortbread cookies to bring home, and picked up an excellent inexpensive dinner for that night from the Lahaina Chicken booth).

I was in Waikiki solo just last month, so these ideas are fresh in my mind.

www.shangrilahawaii.org

go to 'Shangri La' and then 'virtual tour'

cali - I forgot to mention something else I did that was fun, different and you might enjoy. In the lobby of the Outrigger Reef there is a flower shop. For $5 (2 years ago)the lady that worked there taught me how to make my own lei - it was fun and nice to "talk stories" with her and then I got to brag that "I made it myself!"

Thanks BashfuL V! Great ideas that I'll be sure to do!