Beyond Honolulu, Honolulu

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Pali Highway is officially designated State Route 61, this scenic highway runs from Kailua to Honolulu.It is the main highway connecting downtown Honolulu, Hawaii with windward O‘ahu. From downtown, it traverses up Nu‘uanu Valley and the residential neighborhood of Nu‘uanu, passes through the Nu‘uanu Pali Tunnels, and descends to the major windward communities of Kâne‘ohe (reached by Kamehameha Highway, State Route 83) and Kailua.

The current Pali Highway is actually the third roadway to be built here. The original Pali "highway" went along much of the same route and portions of the old road still exist, although closed to vehicular traffic. When the current Pali Highway and its tunnels opened, the original roadway was closed and is now used by hikers. The Old Pali Highway, as it is now called, is noted in the popular culture of Hawai‘i for being a place with strong spiritual connections. Many "ghost stories" have settings along this old highway. The road is covered with nature tree tunnels and has many creeks flowing along side.

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This view of eastern honolulu beside the diamond head crater This eastern is quite scenic and most of the area is part of Koko Head Regional Park, administered by the City & County of Honolulu. they say that the Koko Crater is a massive tuff crater that visually dominates the area. Within the crater are horse stables and the Koko Crater Botanical Garden specializing in cacti and succulents. Koko Head is an ancient tuff cone that is somewhat dwarfed by its neighboring tuff cone, Koko Crater, with its peak, Kohelepelepe (or Puʻu Mai), rising to 1208 ft or 368 m. Koko Head itself has three significant depressions or old vents, the largest of which forms the well-known Hanauma Bay. Maunalua Bay is a bay on the South side of the island of Oahu, between Diamond Head and Koko Head, and forming the shoreline of the Hawaii Kai area of Honolulu.

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Again Kahuku is now known at a Sweet Shrimp area and is now popular in the North Shore due to the Shrimp Trucks churning out sweet and succulent shrimps and prawns. Some shrimp trucks have farms like Giovanni's and Romy's and some of these shrimp trucks offer you a chance to harvest your own shrimp or prawn in their ponds and you can ask them to cook your harvest for a minimal cooking charge of $ 4 or you just get your harvest back home and cook it yourself. the going rate here is $ 14 a pound for the prawn/shrimps and they offer free use of harvesting gear.

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Dole was founded in 1901 in Hawaiʻi as Hawaiian Pineapple Company by James Dole, who opened his first pineapple plantation in the central plateau of the Hawaiian island of Oʻahu. Today the company is a multinational conglomerate that does business in over 90 countries and takes in upwards of $5.3 billion in annual revenue. Presently, It is owned by billionaire David H. Murdock.

All that is left of the vast Dole plantation is a pictorial display of the pineapple's history and a country store offers fresh pineappels and gifts. In the back, nearly two acres of rich, red earth have been turned into the world's largest maze (recognized by the Guinness Book of Records) with a path 1.7 miles long. It is built from 11,400 tropical plants, including hibiscus and fragrant plumeria; in the center is a garden in the form of a golden pineapple

Visiting Dole Plantation is free.
Pineapple Express Adults - $7.75, Children - $5.75
Pineapple Garden Maze Adults - $6.00, Children - $4.00
Plantation Garden Tour Adults - $4.00, Children - $3.25

This is on the drive towards the North Shore. The plantation contains a visitor center with a variety of pineapple related products for sale. The pineapple ice cream is really good as is the fresh pineapple juice. There are tours of the plantation itself available. Nearby are growing exhibits of different types of pineapples. This is a nice getaway from the big city of Honolulu. It also shows a different aspect of Oahu with its pineapple history.

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Hawaii Kai appears to be a luxurious golf retreat. It does provide a great stopping point to viewing the East Shore of Oahu and also seems to have a good variety of restaurants and shops to keep yourself busy. The over touristy feel that I get in Waikiki is not as present here and not having to walk through a gauntlet of prostitutes to get back to my car made it more comfortable.
In addition to the golfing and restaurants many hikes can be found nearby. For more info about things to do visit my Hawaii Kai Page.

Barbers point is a small city but provides at least one great attraction. The Barbers Point lighthouse is a great secluded beach during the day and an excellent place to catch a sunset.
If partying is more of your style Germaine’s Luau seems to be pretty lively at night. It is however, quite expensive. For More information visit my Barbers Point Page.

Kailua is a town of confusing roads but beautiful scenery. Leave the busyness of Honolulu behind and go to Kailua to relax. Lanikai and Kailua beaches are some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere on the island.
The beach can be enjoyed by snorkeling, canoing, or by just lying in the sun and enjoying the scenery. Either way it is certain to be one of the best relaxing beaches on the island. For more information visit my Kailua page.