We found Diamond Head was intermittently closed for hiking the trail for reparations. We were never able to do it. We did, however hike the Manoa Falls Trail which took us to waterfalls. On a scale of 1-10 difficulty was about a 5+ - we also hiked Pillbox, which took us up to a lookout over Lanikai. That was much more difficult, at 8+.
We didn’t expect to “enjoy” Pearl Harbor, and ended up spending a full 7 hours exploring the entire place (submarine, war planes, etc.). It was fascinating. I’m not sure if I had a very limited amount of time in Oahu if I’d choose it or not.
The Dole Plantation was meh. Not worth the time (except the shop there has Dole Whip!). Same for the Polynesian Cultural Center. Meh. The drive up that end (North Shore) is great tho.
One last rec…food…Opal Thai - in downtown Honolulu on Smith Street (near Chinatown) - Opal himself will greet you, and inquire about your tastes and dislikes, and will personally create a multi-course meal crafted and tailored just for you and your table. Go at lunch, and for about $20 p/p you will eat the best food of the entire trip. No kidding, no exaggeration. There aren’t really menus there - he has them for those folks who simply need a menu, but he’ll talk you out of whatever you “thought” you were going in there for.
My husband and I spent a week in Oahu for our 25th anniversary - be sure to stop at Leonard’s Bakery (yummy - guava cake and hot melasada Portugese donuts).
We did the Diamond Head hike - I was so worried about doing this because we had read the reviews before hand (proper footwear, when to go, hydration, etc.) - people were climbing it in flip flops while carrying babies!
Dole Plantation - we didn’t do the tour, but did stop at their gift shop and had a few pineapples sent home - delicious!
Hanauma Bay snorkeling - loved it but remember that the water was quite chilly (we went in January)
North Shore - we just parked on the side of the road and sat on the beach for a couple of hours watching the surfers - unbelievable!
We have enjoyed many a brunch at the Hau Tree Lanai at the New Otani Hotel, was always one of my mom’s favorite places. Porch seating right on the beach and less crowded than WB. And we agree with Coralbrook that HWAK has the best mai tai’s on the island!
I remember many years ago (40+) that there was a daily hula show in Kapiolani Park sponsored by Kodak. Wonder if the free hula show @Justamom mentions is the modern day offshoot of that tradition.
I live in Ca and have never been to Oahu. I’ve been to Kauai and Maui but never considered Oahu. All of you are convincing me that I should reconsider.
I have a question about the hula mound and food. I am familiar with the local hula shows on the Kuhio Beach hula mound Waikiki Beach at sunset. You need to check the schedule to make sure there is a show the night you want to go. Free and bring a towel or beach chair.
But I’m not aware of local food right there. Are you referencing the newly renovated International Market Place across the street? They also have a historical type show in their courtyard. I haven’t been there yet but my close married friends are the Emcee and Queen Emma in the show (parading around in a historical blue velvet dress). The show is sponsored by Hawaii Tourist Bureau i think.
One of my biggest claims to fame is I have danced hula on the Kuhio Beach Mound 15 yrs ago with my very small halau which was invited by Auntie Maiki’s (famous kumu from the 70s) daughter. I laugh because a bunch of haoles are in many Japanese tourist scrapbooks. They kept lining up to have their pictures taken with us, not really knowing that we were a very small guest group invited from off island.
@mom60, the only island other than Oahu i’ve been on is Maui. What I liked about Oahu is the big city fun, then 15 minutes away, it’s like you are on a different island.
I do think Maui was more beautiful topography wise.
Also, unless it’s a non-commercial event or party that you are invited to and is being put on by a native Hawaiian family, stay away from anything called a “Luau.” Commercial ones at hotels or on Waikiki are overpriced tourist traps - basically mediocre Hawaiian-style banquet food with some dancing on the side. The dancing (and for that matter the food) is a lot better at the PCC.
I’ve been to most of the HI islands several times, including Molakai and Lanai. I’ve been to Oahu once and I have no desire to go back. All the islands are beautiful, but personally, I think Maui is the best island if you’re looking for a vacation that’s somewhere between big city life and a deserted island.
I stayed both in the North Shore and Downtown Honolulu, but Honolulu was essentially Manhattan with crowded beaches. But it’s definitely worth a visit for sure.
Pure speculation, but I’d be a bit hesitant to go to the Big Island until they recover some from the volcano damage.
I have to share this story. When DH and I were enjoying an outdoor cocktail, a group of 20 something Australian young women sat down at the next table. They were apparently meeting up at the end of the day after going in several different directions and sharing notes. One young woman was so very excited; she had discovered this terrific clothes store with a bus that would take you right there from Waikiki: Ross Dress for Less.
Every time I hear a commercial for Ross, I remember the excitement. It was really charming. But perhaps I’m being cynical, maybe Honolulu’s Ross is worth a special trip!
One of our favorite meals in Honolulu was at the Side Street Inn, a recommendation from a couple of natives and a place they would go with family whenever they headed back to visit. We split an ahi appetizer, a pork chop, and a side order of fried rice, all notable dishes from them. We started with a couple of liliko’i daiquiris.
If you are walking down the strip, don’t forget to take a few minutes and stop in and poke around the old part of the Moana Surfrider, the original Waikiki hotel.
Matsumoto’s for shave ice if you head to the north shore, and don’t forget to get a scoop of vanilla ice cream in the bottom.
If you want to walk on Diamondhead, bring plenty of water, wear a hat and go right at sun-up. There is no shade, the rocks are all black and it can turn into an oven.
I have been to Waikiki twice, 1980 and last year. The place sure has changed.
A couple summers in a row we rented a house on the North Shore, next to Shark’s Cove. In the summer the waves are small. It was wonderful. They call it the “country”. No one was on the gorgeous beach in front of the house. My husband likes to cook, and we like to do just hang out at the beach and snorkel. Although, if you want action it is not the place for you.
@Magnetron , it’s funny how you say it’s changed. This year was my first time and when I came home and told people how much I loved the Waikiki area they would say “really”? When they were there 20 or so years ago, I guess it was sort of tacky, for lack of a better word. I said, are you sure? We thought it was like Rodeo Drive, Las Vegas Strip and Fifth Avenue all rolled up into one, but prettier. Tiki torches, Aloha spirit, the sidewalks are not concrete, but slate. Apparently, there was a $100 million dollar renovation. We found it very lovely. We were there in May before school was out, so I don’t think it was overly crowded at all, even the beach.
We did stop into the Moana Surfrider and it’s wonderful. That’s where DH wants to stay next time, although I’m eyeing the Sheraton too.
Be aware that Maui roads are essentially a star pattern radiating out from Kahului (where the airport is). Some of the popular resorts are at one end of one of the roads, which can mean a long drive to get to anything else.
The Big Island is pretty big, and much of it is essentially unaffected by the volcanic eruption.
Especially the trip to Hana. For the most part though, I’ve stayed at one end of the island and just parked myself on the beach and occasionally take day trips to the various tourist spots and/or whale watching/snorkeling trips. For me, Maui has a good balance.
Lanai and Molokai have essentially one main road from end to end IIRC.
I was thinking more about the air quality, but I just checked it and the air looks pretty good. Although, as you get closer to volcano, which is/was a popular tourist destination BTW, the air quality is approaching “moderate.”
The air quality on the Big Island has been excellent, even in Volcano, since August. Have a look at purpleair and compare it to where you live on the mainland. The recent lava flow covered 12 square miles. The Big Island is over 4000 square miles. For the vast majority of the island, there is nothing to recover from.
@mom60 - me too. My first time was in January of this year, I went with a friend for 12 days. My adult d was living there at the time & she insisted I give it a go - I used to live on Big Island ('87 & '88) and have visited it and Maui exclusively - I would go back to Oahu in a heartbeat; although my next trip is to Maui in February.
UPDATE: Thanks so much for all of your recommendations! We returned earlier this week after taking many of your excellent suggestions. We visited Iolani Palace, the Bishop Museum (and their fantastic cafe), Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, the PCC and the north shore food trucks. Ate at Matsumoto’s Shave Ice (way better than the other shave ice places we tried). Had some of the best Japanese food I’ve ever tried (the Japanese Food Hall was great), including natto, which I’d never had before. Now I need to find a place to get it up here in rural Maine.