Waikiki vs. Honolulu vs. All of Oahu
by ryliecoyote
When a lot of people think of Hawaii, they think of Waikiki (or they think we live in grass shacks and wear grass skirts!). Waikiki is actually part of Honolulu which is actually a really big city made up of smaller districts. The main areas most tourists go to are Waikiki and Ala Moana (the place with the huge shopping mall).
Many people don't really explore the rest of "town" (that's pretty much what we refer to as all of Honolulu) or the rest of Oahu unless it's to visit friends or family (or they take the wrong bus haha)...I would suggest that, if you've rented a car, just hop in and explore ALL of the island; you can drive around the whole thing in a day! Get out of Waikiki and maybe check out some of the interesting places that the business district and Chinatown have to offer. There's also Manoa: where the main university is (UH) and tantalus (a twisty mountain that you drive up and park on the side and get a miraculous view of the city).
Also, definitely get out of the city and drive out to Kailua and Kaneohe (visit the Byodo-In temple); this side of the island (the windward side) has some of the most beautiful beaches around! There's also the North Shore (Haleiwa) which is a real old-fashioned touristy type place: have some shave ice and Matsumoto's!
Go out and explore! It's hard to get lost on an island lol!
Hanauma Bay
by tom_2727
Hanauma Bay has the best snorkeling I've ever seen. Lots of fish in shallow water for beginners. Good reef in deeper water for folks with more experience. Amazing fish. Great water clarity.
Tip: Get there early! You HAVE TO sit through a 10 minute safety / enviromental movie before they let you go to the beach. Later in the day, lines get long, and you might need to wait up to 2 hours to get to the beach from the time you get there. If you're planning on coming back, give them your name when you leave, and you can bypass this step when you come back.
A cab ride is about $35 from Wakiki Beach. This is the best way to get there if you have more than 2 people and you have your own gear. If you don't have your own gear, go on one of the many organized snorkel shuttles. I tried out my underwater camera case for the first time on this trip. Here is a sample picture.
The beaches on Oahu are...
by Boogyman1964
The beaches on Oahu are plentiful. The surf is very high in the winter months on the North Shore, as high as 30+ feet. There is no surf on the south and east shores during winter to speak of. The south and east shores get the higher surf during the summer months. Be aware that the temperature year round is between 70 - 90 degrees farenheit. I have been on the beach on the North Shore on Christmas day with a bathing suit and no shirt watching the surfers. Keep this in mind if you are looking for an escape from freezing cold. If you want cold in Hawaii, travel to the Big Island (Hawai'i) and drive up to the top of Mauna Kea. There is usually snow there. Sitting on the beach on Christmas day with my kids playing in the sand and calling my family in South Carolina. They were freezing and we were sweating.
Everything! Pali Lookout...
by kahiwa
Everything! Pali Lookout (very windy),
Punchbowl (National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific), Banzai Pipeline (in the winter for 20
ft.waves), white sand beaches, sunshine, Diamond Head, Waikiki (tacky but fun). If you're heading here and want some suggestions, send me an e-mail!
Eat some Fresh Fruit
by DJ_Rolo
While you are driving around the island you are bound to see a number of fresh fruit stands. You absolutely have to stop at one of them. Pick up some Pineapples, Mangos, whatever they got and eat it. Its some good stuff!!! You might even be able to get yourself a crazy hat!! I dont remember exactly where this one was located, but im sure you wont have any problem finding one....
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