I'll be going to Hawai'i in a month or so. Just wanted to get some input from people who have been as to what i should go and see. I have 5 nights on Oahu and 3 nights on the Big Island
Never been to the Big Island, but been to Oahu twice. The must sees are: Pearl Harbor Wakiki Beach (I'm sure you're staying somwhere near here. Plenty of shopping but the actual beach is not as big as you think it would be) Hanahuma Bay (snorkeling) Banzai Pipeline Kailua Beach (not as crowded as Wakiki, but just as nice) Not so fun: Dole Pineapple farm (tourist trap) If you'd like to go offshore fishing I recommend this guy, his prices are good, you don't go out all that far and it seems from reports on his site that you're pretty much guarenteed a fish. http://www.kuuloakai.com/
I echo everything that was said about Oahu. If you can make it to Kauai (this vacation or in the future) go!!!!! Such a naturally beautiful island and much less crowded than Hawaii or Oahu.
Just got back from Oahu a week ago so I can let you know...I'm about to head out and I'll edit this later...
One day in Oahu drive around to the North Shore. Great sand and it's away from the high volume of Wakiki. Unfortunately you usually can't get in and swim (only surfing) because the waves are so big. Truly the biggest waves I've ever seen when I went. It's also nice to just walk down the beach and look at some of the scenics.
If you dont want to spring for a rental car, take the bus around. dude, I forgot the route# but one of them goes around the entire island of oahu (north shore in places was gorgeous). you get to see some beautiful scenery while traveling around for relatively cheap (esp. with gas prices). You can stop along the way as well (Talk to the bus drivers, they are friendly and will tell you stuff you wouldnt find out on your own). Also, if you'd like, you can go to the swap meet near the stadium (where the pro bowl is played). Nice souvenir-y stuff there. Haunuma Bay is cool (I saw turtles!), and IMO, there were a lot of tourists, but in the water snorkeling, it wasn't crowded. Im not a fan of Dole, but my parents enjoyed it. I didn't really care for Diamond Head Monument. Screw shopping at regular stores, its all jacked up there. Just go and buy stuff that you usually wouldn't find here. Its pointless to waste time shopping when you can be sitting on the beach. I stayed right near the beach and would wake up in the morning and go running on the beach (which was way more physical than I expected). Pearl Harbor was one of my favorites, and we also went on a dinner/sunset cruise (great for family, we had fun). All in all, great time, spend as much time outside as possible!
On the Big Island, you must go to Volcano National Park and take a hike - go during the day or at least be on the return portion of your trip right before it gets dark (there aren't any lights so you could step into molten lava!). It's quite an experience knowing that you're walking around a live volcano. In terms of dining, some of my best sushi experiences have been in Hawaii - the fish is soooooo fresh there. But even if you don't eat sushi, you should try some of the local fish cooked. Enjoy! I've been to Hawaii twice and they were two of the most enjoyable trips I've ever taken.
LOL, I did almost exactly everything you mentioned when we went to Hawaii... Dole Pineapple farm was a tourist trap, but the ice cream was soooo good
I live on Oahu in Waikiki, born and raised here. It depends what you like to do. The places mentioned above are packed with tourists. There are some really ghetto hotels in Waikiki, I hope your staying at a nice hotel and not a "back alley" one. Hawaii is very safe but there are a lot of bums around asking for money in Waikiki, and people can get jacked. Here are the places I recommend: Ala Moana Shopping Center for shopping its one of the largest malls in the world. It has every store you can think of. Hanauma Bay is great for snorkeling and seeing fishes up close where you can actually touch them. Makapu beach is nice because its not that packed and theres good waves. Polynesian Cultural Center offers a luau fest you can go to and watch. Waialae Golf course if you golf, its right alongside the beach. North Shore is fun, just be prepared to get slammed by big waves. When your there try eating at Giovanni Shrimp Shack (best garlic shrimp you'll ever eat in your life). Red Lion night club is where all tourists go in Waikiki I was there last night becase my friend was DJing it was pretty packed and its really cheap for drinks. And when your done partying, there are a lot of hookers that walk around Waikiki, so have yourself a blast when you come down.
I LOVED Hawaii! I went to Oahu and spent 10 days there...Absolutely beautiful! I did most of things that aka ace suggested. Also, I'd suggest Kahua Ranch.
if you're on the Big Island, explore the Volcano National Park, but don't worry about stepping in molten lava. there are rangers and scientists on site. I would take it a step further and stay in "Volcano House." It's on park grounds and very close to the visitors section. it is a famous cabin, used by many old classic writers. the main lodge has a fire in the fireplace that has ben constantly burning for like 80 years. there is always somebody tending the fire. people travel to Volcano House just for the restaurant alone. incredible views on the volcano. the rooms are available in different price levels. very cabin-y. drive south down to Green Sand Beach, and keep going further to the Southernmost point of the United States of America. and the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory is on Big. there's also a helicopter tour (it was too expensive for me) if you are in Oahu, you have to eat at Duke's! it's a surf style, casual, stand-around-the-bar drinking pina coladas, watching fine women, and eating great appetizers! did some mention the Red Lion? I think I played there with Led BLimpie when we were in town. it's a local hangout. make sure you don't wear your brand new Hawaiin shirt uyou bought at HIlo Hattie's that day, take the hike to the top of Diamond Head. Absolutely the best views of Oahu and Waikiki.
north shore- visit Waimea Falls park. a beautiful hike through a nature preserve, full of exotic fauna and creatures, with a waterfall/swimming hole at the end of the park.
There's a lot to do on Oahu, but here's what we did: - Pipeline beach, Sunset Beach, and Shark's Cove on the Northshore...Call for the surf report before you go to find out how rough it'll be... - Waimea Bay (be sure to jump off the big rock)... - Giovanni's shrimp wagon in Kahuku (very very good)... - Hanauma Bay (best place to snorkel but there weren't as many fish as I thought there would be, but get there early) - Luau at Paradise Cove or KoO'lina Resort luau (very touristy, but kind of fun)... - Lanikai Beach in Kailua is very nice... - Kailua Beach was my absolute favorite (sand is like powdered sugar)...My girl swam from here to an island (1/2 mile away), very cool... - Mokulua islands (only way to get there is by kayak)... - Any of the four Lagoons at the Ko'Olina Resort where we stayed, but there are 3 more lagoons not on the property nearby where we snorkeled (2nd lagoon was the best) that were great... - Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (only open three days a week to get great gifts) - I'olani Palace - Dole Plantation - You know, i wouldn't do it again, but the kids liked it... - Matsumoto shaved ice...heard about this place and waited 40 minutes for it...eh, all snow cones taste alike... - Waikiki beach was pretty cool...lots of surfers...At night was nice to walk around... - Just drive around the island and drive through all three tunnels... - Diamond Head, but go early as we went at noon and it was way too hot... - Pearl Harbor, but get there by 7 a.m. to try and avoid the heat... - Do Not go to Monoa Falls...what a waste... Next time we go, I want to do the Big Island but more importantly, just be lazy, as shown above, we were constantly on the go...
