My girlfriend and I are have booked a hotel in Waikiki beach for a week in November. We are from Seattle and have a few questions. We want to relax, enjoy the Hawaiian culture, and check out some cool places you don't find in Seattle. We are both in our early 30s.

Are there any must-eat dishes or must-try restaurants? We are looking to try Poke, Shaved Ice, Loco Moco, and to go to a Luau. We are excited to dine at The Pig and The Lady. Any suggestion for an affordable Luau to try?

We plan to rent a car for several days to explore the island. Overnight parking at our resort (near Queen Kapiolani Beach) is about $45 a night which is too pricey for us. Any suggestions as what to do? I was thinking of trying to rent the car just during the day instead of overnight. Another idea my girlfriend had was to park the car further out and Uber to the car.

Other then renting a car how should we be getting around the island? Is Uber, taxi, and public transit a viable option?

Our current plan is to spend most of the time in Waikiki, spend a day in downtown, an afternoon at the Dale Plantation, and an afternoon at Diamond Head. Any other suggestions in things to check out?

Are there any tourist or local coupon books that we can take advantage of? If so, where can we find these coupon books?

Yes you can get around Oahu with public transportation. The system is called The Bus and it's world-class. TheBus

Besides renting a car on your own there are all kinds of tours (Roberts, etc. etc.) you could join. Or doing it on The Bus is possible but of course takes longer and doesn't get you everywhere a car could.

After arrival just watch along the sidewalks and in hotel lobby. You will find brochures like Oahu Gold and 101 Things to Do that have great maps, coupons, short write ups on all the famous places. You can plan as you go along, you don't have to have things pinned down in advance. Honolulu Star is the newspaper name, read that too.

Besides of course the beach, parks, pool, I enjoyed (this is over several different trips don't try to squeeze them all in)... Iolani Palace (my #1 recommendation), the Doris Duke ShangriLa Estate tour, Foster Botanical Gardens and the Quan Kin temple there (pairs well with lunch in Chinatown). There's also the Bishop Museum.

You can often find free music and dance performances around Waikiki, at the Royal Hawaiian shopping center stage, at the Hula Mound, etc. I have never gone to luau on Oahu myself to help with that. You can find poke literally everywhere (grocery store, ABC, nice restaurants, etc). Same with loco moco any 'plate lunch' place will offer that like Rainbow Drive-In or ME Korean BBQ to name a couple I've been to.

I've never been to a luau either but really enjoy the hula at House Without a Key at the Halekulani https://www.halekulani.com/dining/house-without-a-key The Pig & The Lady is great!

There are hop on, hop off trolleys https://waikikitrolley.com/ and all sorts of shuttle services to the most popular tourist attractions (you'll find these in the brochures that are everywhere). The last time I was there, we only spent time in Honolulu/Waikiki so just used uber.

I would spend a day going around the island. You can stop at Dole on that day. I would check to see if there are any particular events going on the week that you're there. The farmer's markets are also good for trying food. Several of the shopping centers have free cultural programs https://www.royalhawaiiancenter.com/culturalprogramming

Actually I have been to a Luau but it was on a family trip to Maui. We went to Old Lahaina Luau which was fantastic. But I have not heard as good of things about the ones around Waikiki/Honolulu.

For Farmer's Markets check out the big one at KCC (Kapiolani Community College) on Saturday mornings. I believe there's also still the street market at King's Village on certain days.

We always rent a car when in Waikiki.. but only for one day!! Parking is stupid expensive, and you certainly dont need a car in town. We also take the regular bus to Diamond Head or just walk.. if we can walk there I am sure its an easy walk for you.

We have taken the bus to Hanauma Bay and Pearl Harbour too.. easy and cheap.

The car is for the one day we drive the island loop.. see the north shore beaches.. stop at a shrimp truck, visit Dole and get a Dole whip .. If you leave early enough in the day you can stop in the Polynesion Cultural Center ( I say early enough as you need at least 2-3 hours there.. ) ..

I would not rent a car and park it somewhere far away and cheap.. what if it gets broken into .. and the cost of paying to go back and forth to it seems unnecessary .

Another idea my girlfriend had was to park the car further out and Uber to the car.

I don't think that is worth the time or effort. I agree with either no car or just get a car on the day you want to use it. You don't need it to get around Waikiki.

Oddly enough, it's actually "shave" ice, not "shaved." No idea why except that it might be pidjin.

I'd get a car as needed, and Uber or Lyft the rest of the time. My favorite shave ice places (in town, not on the north shore) are Waiola Shave Ice (very popular, but worth the line) and Jung Shave Ice (truly a hole in the wall) and Shimazu. I haven't been for a while, and I don't know why. Tomorrow!

Unless you are very old , out of shape, or mobility impaired there is no need for a car to get around Waikiki.. you can easily walk from end to end .... and I dont think its smart to take a taxi or Uber to sightseeig sights an hour or more away.. pricey.. rent a car for that.