OAHU!!

[wildewoman]

We will be in Oahu for 6 ngihts ~ have you been? What are the top things to do there?? Please keep in mind we like "adventure"!!

Thanks so much!!

Linda

[rogue]

Two easy ones are Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center.

[SmooCruise]

1. Polynesian Cultural Center (this is an all day event...tour the grounds during the day, stay for the luau)

2. Pearl Harbor (very moving)

3. International Marketplace

4. Waikiki Beach

5. Go see the turtles at Laniakea Turtle Beach

[wildewoman]

Thanks so much!!

What is the international market place?? It is like a swap meet?? Where??

We will be staying a block from Waikiki Beach - & will have a rental car for the entire time.

Linda

[zebra]

You have to go to a Luau - it was the BEST!!!!

The International Markets on the beachfront, with just lots booths - I bought fantastic Fire Opal jewelry there!

[zebra]

Sorry Linda, I meant to say google - Paradise Cove Luau - it's wonderful.

[wildewoman]

Great!! Thanks so much!!

Sounds like the Luau is a must!!

I'll check out all these sites!!!

L

[radiofreebcj]

Before I moved to Canada, I lived on Oahu. I lived in Kailua, and went to school there. I have been back many times, and I love it. So, I'd love to help you out, but I have a nasty habit of killing threads on this site...so I hope someone posts after me, so that other people even bother to open the thread. Here are my tips:

Okay, you're staying in Waikiki. Here's what I would do in Waikiki/Honolulu:

- Count the ABC stores...it's a full day adventure.

- Visit Ala Moana Shopping Center. It's awesome!

- Rent a surfboard and try the waves...they're really nice and mellow there.

- Try not to trip over tourists on the beach, it's harder than it sounds.

- Go to "Dukes" for a drink. That's a full day adventure.

- Park your car in the Japanese parking lot near the International Marketplace.

- Don't buy anything at the marketplace...unless you like being ripped off.

- Don't let a local tell you to go to Hotel Street. It's the ghetto.

- Don't let anyone call you a "haole". It's racist...lots of Hawaiians hate tourists.

- Sing some karaoke! There are many small bars that are lots of fun.

- Go to Hooters right beside the ships in the Aloha Tower complex...haha.

- Get a parking validation from them, and you can park there overnight.

- Walk to the Waikiki Bandshell, it's a nice park.

- Climb Diamond Head

- The Ice Palace...go ice skating in Hawaii...now there's a unique tour.

- Get out of Honolulu, the rest of the island is SO MUCH BETTER.

- Shave Ice...mmm

Leeward side:

- Go to a luau...all of them are the same. Touristy and overpriced...but fun.

- Go to the Aloha Stadium Flea Market to buy the things you saw at the "I.M.P."

- Go to Pearl Harbour, knowing that the US knew the Japanese code weeks in advance

- Drive through the island to the North Shore.

- Shave Ice...mmm.

North Shore:

- Waimea Falls...so beautiful you'll want to stay there.

- Ekuhai Beach Park, the home of Jack Johnson and the Banzai Pipeline

- Turtle Bay Hilton, visit it while you're up there.

- Shave Ice...mmm.

Windward Side:

- Polynesian Cultural Center, the #1 tourist attraction in HI...run by Mormons.

- Crouching Lion: a very unique rock formation that looks like a...you guess.

- Chinaman's Hat...made famous in "Along Came Polly"...try to spot it in the movie.

- Rent a boat and go out to the Kaneohe sand bars in the bay...so nice. No tourists.

- Visit the dump, in between Kaneohe and Kailua...it's still America.

- Nuuanu Pali Lookout: An amazing cliff that overlooks the entire shoreline.

- Go into Kailua, to see how the locals live...it's a nice suburb.

- Visit my school, Kailua Intermediate School!

- Check out Kailua Beach Park (near the canal).

- Lanikai Beach Park is very nice, and is very quiet.

- Enchanted Lakes is also very nice...and is a sacred site.

- Drive through Waimanalo, one of the most authentic Hawaiian towns

- Visit Sea Life Park.

- Shave Ice...mmm. Island Snow in Kailua is the place for that...best in Hawaii.

South Coast (not Honolulu):

- Sandy Beach Park, for some bodysurfing

- Hanauma Bay for snorkeling.

- The "Toilet Bowl" is around the left side of the bay, and is not to be missed...

- Hawaii Kai is a nice town, and driving along the inlet is pretty...nice homes

- Shave Ice...mmm.

That's a whirlwind around the island. It's a beautiful spot, and I have hundreds of photos of all of these places if you're interested. I would love to be useful to this group for something other than tax law and politics, so hopefully this post doesn't kill this thread!

Aloha & Mahalo (the longer you pronounce the "o" in aloha, the more respect you show)

[mickey02454]

Wow!! You can do all that in week??

[radiofreebcj]

All depends on how fast you go ;)