Hello all, we've been once before to Oahu 3 years ago. We did the traditional things, snorkling Hanauma, did the North Shore for a day, stayed in downtown Waikiki, and the like

We'd like to do a few different things this time and I'd like to hear from people what they recommend not to miss. We are staying on North Shore this time on a Condo, but we dont dislike Waikiki. We just really enjoy that area and wanted the ability to get out of the huge area of Waikiki

Lots of info;

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

We went in a sailplane at Dillingham Field really enjoyed the view they also have skydiving available and I believe ultralites.
You didn't say if you have been to Pearl Harbor and the Punchbowl plus the Aloha Tower.
There have also been many changes in Waikiki in the last three years from Beachwalk down through the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.

The Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is wonderful. If you haven't been, it's a "must see."
Have you been to the Polynesian Cultural Center? It's another great place to go.

Ah, early morning at Sandy Beach when it is almost empty (and easy to make friends, most anywhere you can make friends away from the hustle by saying hello, how are you, with a smile - I was talking with some guys from Laie and I asked if they were Mormon and being Hawaiians they laughed and said, "Spossed to be, you know, dah wife nevah like da beer and da pakalolo," sunsets from the Waianea harbor while eating Mahi plate from Makaha Drive Inn, or the sunset from the House With No Key (Halekulani) while sipping a drink and watching the hula if you are a bit more upscale $$$.

It all depends on time and budget. I like eating and bars and shops in Chinatown (our teenagers founds the hip little upstairs place with an open stage with slam poetry, folk music, rap, and such). We like hiking a lot and surfing etc.

I would not consider it a "must see" but I loved the tour of Doris Duke's ShangriLa estate near DiamondHead. You can look at the website to see if it interest you. Tickets are thru the Honolulu Academy of the Arts.

How about learning more about the culture and history of the islands?

Bishop Museum -- the state's museum of culture and history:
http://www.bishopmuseum.org/

`Iolani Palace -- the only official palace in the United States:
http://www.iolanipalace.org/

Queen Emma Summer Palace:
http://www.daughtersofhawaii.org/summerpalace/

Hawai`i State Art Museum:
http://www.hawaiimuseums.org/mc/isoahu_hisam.htm

Honolulu Academy of Arts
http://www.honoluluacademy.org/cmsha...emy/index.aspx