Another first timer threads, lots of questions

[Skywalker3]

Just a few weeks from our trip! yay! But we have not finalized very many plans at all, and we really need to do that ASAP
The kids (17 and 20) are really wanting to do some good, fun, scenic hiking. We do have DIamondhead booked for Monday. A lot of state parks come up when we search, so what are your recommendations for good scenic hikes, that would be moderate to easy. Kids should be able to handle moderate.
We do plan to check out the Makapu'u lighthouse and tidepools nearby. Are they easy to access, park?
We also are looking to do something at Kualoa Ranch. What tours do y'all recommend? or are they all good, just need to pick one? What else can you do there, if not doing a tour?
Waimea Falls, and the area. We do very much want to go here one day. How much time should we devote, and what all is there?
Anyone use the hop on, hop off trolley? and is it worthwhile?
How are uber/lyft there, easy to book, extra pricey?
And as always, looking for food recommendations, not just around Aulani, but around the sites we plan to see, mentioned above.
We are very excited, but we don't want to get there and not have some sort of plans/itinerary, subject to change of course. I also expect to have to split up sometimes, due to mobility issues, so even though we'll have a rental car, we might need a rideshare.
I'm going to get busy now re-reading trip reports, and getting as much info as I can on these fabulous threads here!!

 

[achinforsomebacon]

The lighthouse hike isn't too strenuous. It's all paved and I think only a mile or so to the top but there are some steep parts. Great views during the hike and at the top. There is parking but the lot is small and fills very quickly. We've had to park along the main road multiple times. Not a big deal but it does add to the hike. You can always take one for the team and drop everyone off before parking. This also gives you a chance to check for any open spaces. We had intentions of trying to do it for sunrise before we were adjusted to the time but didn't make it. We talked to some people who did it and said it was amazing. I think parking opens at 7 so you would have to park along the road then too. Also, no bathrooms!

Hopefully your Diamondhead time is early. In general it's better to get the hiking done in the morning before it gets too hot. Did you reserve parking if needed? There are bathrooms here and water bottle refill stations. One time there were food trucks all along one side but not the last time. Maybe it's only certain days.

You could look into the Pillbox hikes (old WWII bunkers). We did the one on the North Shore. It wasn't that difficult and I feel like we were in the woods most of the time (i.e. not too scenic but also shaded) but the views from the Pillboxes were great. Not sure about the other ones. You'll be able to go into bunkers at the lighthouse and Diamondhead too.

There's cliff jumping at Waimea Bay, which was really cool. The beach there is big and there are places to snorkel of that's on your list. We saw turtles swimming right up to the rocks and dolphins out in the ocean. Parking was limited so we ended up at a neighborhood a ways away (no sidewalks so not the best option but we really wanted to do it). There's also a bathroom.

Sorry, can't help with food recommendations. Most in our party are very picky and we get a 1 bedroom so we make most meals in the room. I will say that if you drive by the Dole plantation, stop for a fresh pineapple. Best pineapple I've ever had.

I recommend trying to plan a few things together so you're not driving all over the island all the time. Maybe do the lighthouse or Diamondhead in the morning and then head to a beach or the ranch. If you do end up at Waimea Bay, stop somewhere along the North Shore to eat (I've heard there are great food trucks somewhere) and maybe grab a pineapple on the way back.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

My go-to cuisine in Oahu is Japanese since my home area doesn’t have many good non-sushi Japanese restaurants. We love Kazoku sushi, tanka ramen, curry house coco, and ramen-ya in Kapolei, marugame udon in Waikiki, and ringer hut and Kikuya in Honolulu.

 

[jimmymc]

We do plan to check out the Makapu'u lighthouse and tidepools nearby. Are they easy to access, park?

• There is parking, but it can be limited. Usually enough people are coming and going that you can snag a space.

We also are looking to do something at Kualoa Ranch. What tours do y'all recommend? or are they all good, just need to pick one?

• The UTV tour is really fun, but I think they'd all be good.

What else can you do there, if not doing a tour?

• There's a little shop, but you don't get the nice views. At least do the basic bus tour.

Waimea Falls, and the area. We do very much want to go here one day. How much time should we devote, and what all is there?

• It can be done in as little as an hour, but you're welcome to take your time exploring and swim at the waterfall. I would combine it with lunch in Haleiwa and seeing a north shore beach.

How are uber/lyft there, easy to book, extra pricey?

• Prices weren't crazy, but it's been a few years since I've been. Just getting around local areas won't be too much, but I would rent a car if you plan on driving across the island.

Places I recommend going, in no particular order:

• Pearl Harbor
• Haleiwa
• Kawela Bay Beach
• Ka'ena Point State Park
• Kualoa Ranch
• Makapu'u Pointt
• Halona Beach
• Koko Crater
• Diamond Head (get there very early)

Food recommendations:

• Sunrise Shack
• Leonard's Malasadas
• Foodland
• Moke's Bread and Breakfast
• Jax Wood Fired Pizza
• Kono's BBQ
• Food trucks on Kamehameha Highway - I though Giovanni's was overrated, but there are tons of other options
• Zippy's
• Any ramen, pho, or other noodle place you find. Oahu has great noodles

 

[OKW Lover]

We do plan to check out the Makapu'u lighthouse and tidepools nearby. Are they easy to access, park?

• There is parking, but it can be limited. Usually enough people are coming and going that you can snag a space.

We also are looking to do something at Kualoa Ranch. What tours do y'all recommend? or are they all good, just need to pick one?

• The UTV tour is really fun, but I think they'd all be good.

What else can you do there, if not doing a tour?

• There's a little shop, but you don't get the nice views. At least do the basic bus tour.

Waimea Falls, and the area. We do very much want to go here one day. How much time should we devote, and what all is there?

• It can be done in as little as an hour, but you're welcome to take your time exploring and swim at the waterfall. I would combine it with lunch in Haleiwa and seeing a north shore beach.

How are uber/lyft there, easy to book, extra pricey?

• Prices weren't crazy, but it's been a few years since I've been. Just getting around local areas won't be too much, but I would rent a car if you plan on driving across the island.

Places I recommend going, in no particular order:

• Pearl Harbor
• Haleiwa
• Kawela Bay Beach
• Ka'ena Point State Park
• Kualoa Ranch
• Makapu'u Pointt
• Halona Beach
• Koko Crater
• Diamond Head (get there very early)

Food recommendations:

• Sunrise Shack
• Leonard's Malasadas
• Foodland
• Moke's Bread and Breakfast
• Jax Wood Fired Pizza
• Kono's BBQ
• Food trucks on Kamehameha Highway - I though Giovanni's was overrated, but there are tons of other options
• Zippy's
• Any ramen, pho, or other noodle place you find. Oahu has great noodles

Great answers here. I'd add one more thing to the Food recommendations - Beach House on your way to Haleiwa.

Also something probably not on your radar - Ko Hana rum factory. They do a tour of the whole process and there is a tasting at the end.

 

[jimmymac613]

Can you please give more details on where the Beach House is?

 

[OKW Lover]

Can you please give more details on where the Beach House is?

Here is there website: https://www.haleiwabeachhouse.com/

 

[Skywalker3]

Thank you all, leaving in a few days, and can't wait.
So far plans are:
Pearl Harbor, hopefully good weather for Arizona, and hopefully will have time after this to do something else, like the Lighthouse, Makapu-u
Diamondhead (we'll see how far I make it) Check in at Aulani, hopefully make it in time for the DVC thing that Monday night, but also need to go grocery shopping.
Waimea Falls/park, drive up to Turtle Bay, back down , maybe stopping at Dole Plantation gift shop. IF there's looking like more time, we might try and find a hiking trail
Kualoa Ranch- have the Jungle expedition tour, and the boat. Boat wasn't' really on my itinerary , but others want it. likely nothing else that day,
Catch-all day-hope to do the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, maybe the outlook, maybe Manoa Falls, maybe another hike/park in the vicinity/on that side of the island, enjoy the resort
Last day- DD wants to go to Hanauma Bay. She's looked it up, and wants to try it, but she knows it'll mean getting reservations. I dont' know if anyone else wants to go. That night we have a dinner cruise.
We might look at that Pillbox hike too. DS really wants to do hikes, so that'll be what Thursday is all about likely.
Very much appreciate all the recommendations!!

 

[Tigger's ally]

Thank you all, leaving in a few days, and can't wait.
So far plans are:
Pearl Harbor, hopefully good weather for Arizona, and hopefully will have time after this to do something else, like the Lighthouse, Makapu-u
Diamondhead (we'll see how far I make it) Check in at Aulani, hopefully make it in time for the DVC thing that Monday night, but also need to go grocery shopping.
Waimea Falls/park, drive up to Turtle Bay, back down , maybe stopping at Dole Plantation gift shop. IF there's looking like more time, we might try and find a hiking trail
Kualoa Ranch- have the Jungle expedition tour, and the boat. Boat wasn't' really on my itinerary , but others want it. likely nothing else that day,
Catch-all day-hope to do the Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, maybe the outlook, maybe Manoa Falls, maybe another hike/park in the vicinity/on that side of the island, enjoy the resort
Last day- DD wants to go to Hanauma Bay. She's looked it up, and wants to try it, but she knows it'll mean getting reservations. I dont' know if anyone else wants to go. That night we have a dinner cruise.
We might look at that Pillbox hike too. DS really wants to do hikes, so that'll be what Thursday is all about likely.
Very much appreciate all the recommendations!!

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Skywalker3]

Thank you all! We’ve been in Hawai’i since late Saturday. Travel kicked all out butts, but except for the flight having screaming kids, and my beyond moody DD who spent half the flight complaining about not having a window seat, it went smoothly.
We’ve been at Aulani since Monday night , but today , Thursday , is the first day we’ve not had some activity planned that we have to drive through. I have done one thing at Aulani except walk to the beach at dusk/ darkness and put my feet in the water. So today is beach, swim, explore resort etc. I still need to stop by the DVC desk for whatever gift . I wanted a resort mug, still might get one even tho we’re leaving Saturday . It’ll make a good souvenir.
I am beyond proud of myself for making it to the top of Diamondhead.i am not in great shape, and can’t do stairs easily. I actually stopped like 5 mins in and contemplated turning back DH and kids went on without me. But I took it verrrrrry slow, and steady. Stopped a lot, drank water, was very thankful it wasn’t too busy , so I could pull off to the sides and let people pas me, but I made it!
Waimea falls was beautiful. But a whole lot longer than we thought. Do not trust AI responses on google. MIL had to ride the golf cart back and should have taken it to begin with. DD swam in the falls area, DS did not.
Pearl Harbor was incredibly moving. On a personal note, day started off with a lot of stress and family drama, but I tried to block that out and enjoy the experience. My uncle, my dad’s brother, was a pilot in WW II, shot down , killed over Japan,1945. 2 of my moms brothers were in the navy , and the husbands of all of my dads sisters fought , most in Europe. It’s a wonderful experience and memorial .well worth the time. We didn’t do the Missouri or he Bowfin, but both looked like good experiences , .
Kualoa Ranch was awesome! We did the Jungle expedition. Fabulous tour guide, Laka. Very bumpy and fun, but there is a short , but steep and kinda muddy hike. I wish I’d used the walking stick they offered. I was the last one up, but did it!! Also did the ocean voyage which was good, not as fun as the jungle expedition, but nice to be on a boat.
So back to today. Been enjoying coffee on the balcony . We found some Lions coffee pods at. target. Legs and feet are sore .
need to go find out where you rent stuff like snorkel gear, boogie boards etc and get pool wrist bands etc . I haven’t even been in the gift shop. DD did meet Stitch . Hope to do whatever that scavenger hunt thing is. But just want to watch the ocean and relax
Got supper from the grocery store across the street last night . Great selections and good food both nights .
Thanks again for all the advice. Our tour guide yesterday had an inspiring story about serendipity. We are where we’re supposed to be . with the work news I’m getting from coworkers and on the news, it was perfect timing to hear that.

 

[crazydad123]

We did a meal of just appetizers at the Olelo Room one night. Sat outside and just noshed and chatted with our kids (early 30's at the time). In Kapolei, Koa Pancake House is great for an informal breakfast, Thai Lao for Asian sit-down, DB Grill for more "hip" cuisine with an Asian Fusion, Zippy's for down-home Hawaiian coffee shop food. You've got some great choices on hikes. Don't plan too tight--it is a real gift to just be family and hang out.
Oh--get malasadas from Leonard's, either at the food truck or in Honolulu. For those interested, on Sunday go to the Episcopal Cathedral in Honolulu. Built by Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV in the 1860's. Beautiful building and multiple groups worship there.
We'll be there in mid-May. Can't wait!

 

[WillGan]

Just a few weeks from our trip! yay! But we have not finalized very many plans at all, and we really need to do that ASAP
The kids (17 and 20) are really wanting to do some good, fun, scenic hiking. We do have DIamondhead booked for Monday. A lot of state parks come up when we search, so what are your recommendations for good scenic hikes, that would be moderate to easy. Kids should be able to handle moderate.
We do plan to check out the Makapu'u lighthouse and tidepools nearby. Are they easy to access, park?
We also are looking to do something at Kualoa Ranch. What tours do y'all recommend? or are they all good, just need to pick one? What else can you do there, if not doing a tour?
Waimea Falls, and the area. We do very much want to go here one day. How much time should we devote, and what all is there?
Anyone use the hop on, hop off trolley? and is it worthwhile?
How are uber/lyft there, easy to book, extra pricey?
And as always, looking for food recommendations, not just around Aulani, but around the sites we plan to see, mentioned above.
We are very excited, but we don't want to get there and not have some sort of plans/itinerary, subject to change of course. I also expect to have to split up sometimes, due to mobility issues, so even though we'll have a rental car, we might need a rideshare.
I'm going to get busy now re-reading trip reports, and getting as much info as I can on these fabulous threads here!!

This is a luau that should get your attention!