Going to Oahu for a reunion in early August. I spent a lot of time in the Waikiki area back when it was beautiful (over 40 years ago) and really don't have any desire to spend time there this trip. Our event it at the Ko'olau Golf Club, so I'm thinking we'd like to stay on the windward side. I haven't been to the island in 15 years, and was never very familiar with the windward side anyway, so would appreciate some suggestions.
Also, my husband's only "bucket list" item that we didn't accomplish on previous trips is a surfing lesson. Of course, he's 60 now, so it will need to be a fairly tame experience. Can anyone offer suggestions for this aspect of the trip as well that would allow us to stay away from Waikiki?

There aren't any hotels on that side, but there are bed & breakfast and airbnb type lodgings. Kailua is a great town to base yourself in.

Just a little farther up the coast - https://www.paradisebayresort.com

It is about 6 or 7 miles from the golf course.

Kailua and Kaneohe were that way back in the mid-60's when I first lived in Hawaii...no hotels but there was an outdoor drive-in theatre! Windward is IMO a great place. You can look at GoogleMaps for possibilities looks as if someone above already has.