Hawaii Help

[Patricia]

While I agree that the other islands are well worth the visit, with 6 days I think your time will be too short to visit them. It short changes Oahu, which has many beautiful places to visit. IMO, just enjoy the time you have on Oahu. One more fun thing to do if you are into a mild hike, climb Diamond Head. After 5 trips to Hawaii, we finally did it this last time. I loved it! It is a bit challenging in some spots, especially where you have to climb through a narrow window to get to a look out. If you are in decent shape, it's a beautiful view. Snorkeling equipment is available at Hanauma Bay for rent. It's a great first timers snorkel experience.

 

[Wis2InTink]

Duke's restaurant (Waikiki Beach) on Sundays, for the food, entertainment, and the beach party! Do you remember Samantha Brown's segment? Jimmy Buffet showed up when we were there and performed 2 songs. Hula pie is a must!

 

[DawnCt1]

Gosh--thanks everyone for the replies!!

A question--we are not military or government employees. I had thought I read that the luau at Hale Koa was open to the public if there was room. does anyone know if this is true? We are staying right next door (I think) at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. If there is no way possible to get in, we will be doing the luau at Poly. Cul. Center.

All these Hawaiian words for city names has me very confused. I think I need to buy a map.

we really want to snorkel, but do not own any gear--is there somewhere we can rent it at? I am going to have to look at the beaches mentioned.

I am looking forward to the "native" food. I love shrimp and am looking so forward to the shrimp trucks I have read about. Are they easy to find? Are they only in the North Shore area? The plate lunches are something else I am interested in finding. I am not sure that I will like everything on the plate, but am willing to try it.

We are going to be in Hawaii for 6 nights--do you feel that we should go to another island? will there be enough time? I just have no idea how much time to budget for all the things we want to do.

You can go to the Hale Koa luau if there is room. We had a couple at our table that were not hotel guests or members of the military. Its your best deal. I think you can find enough to do on Oahu but if you had an extra day, you could go to another island for 3 nights. I would chose something very different; Volcano National Park on the Big Island. The Big Island is big, so stick to the Hilo side if you like hiking and hot lava! But then, there is Kauai, beautiful! Maui I love. Molokai for a day. Best day trip I ever took in my life was to Kaulapapa, the leper colony on Molokai. Very spiritual. We rode down on mules to the peninsula. 6 nights is tough. I probably would cover every square in of Oahu.

 

[hereyago]

I would give anything to have some Garlic Cheese balls from Big Kahuna's right about now. Or some malasadas from Leonards.

I like to snorkel at Shark's cove on North SHore, but October is kind of iffy because of the "winter" surf. Go hiking Diamond Head early in the morning.
The is a little tiny grassy park area between Hale Koa and Hilton Hawaiian Village, stop by the HHP and look at the penguins.

Go to Pali lookout, but take a jacket. You will have a great time. Whatever you don't see, well that's just another reason to return another time.

 

[jelloarms]

If you are going in October I highly recommend Polynesian Cultural Center. On Halloween (and a few weeks before it) during the evenings, they have something called the "Haunted Lagoon." It's exactly what it sounds like. You are taken around a lagoon, told a story, and of course, along the way, things pop out of the water and scare you. The line to do this can be crazy long though, I know some people have waited like 3ish hours. The do sell fast passes for an extra cost though. I guess its those Fast Passes that make the line move even slower. Just like at Disney!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We just did the tour of Poly cultural. we didn't do any of the extra activities. We had kids with us and they enjoyed it.

I have heard the Hale Koa luau is great.

Of note--it may not matter to you, but the poly cultural center is alcohol free. So if you are envisioning a tropical drink in a coconut with alcohol, you will not get it there.

Totally recommend Duke's .

We stayed at HHV. It was adequate. But we were on points so had little control over our specific accomodations.

I would be leary of island hopping. In a post-9/11 world, your trip to island hop will take longer. Even if it is just one island over.

If you want HI to be relaxing--I highly recommend sticking to one for your 6 days and packing only when you are (not) ready to return home.

Do not miss pearl harbour and if you care to extend you visit to the base, the USS Missouri is worth a tour as well.

Folks will tell you to hit the market at the stadium for deals. My first trip to Oahu, I Found deals. But on our 2nd trip--It seemed that we didn't find much better than what we could find in Waikiki.

Be prepared for.....RUSH HOUR!!! I did not expect this. So if you plan on renting a car and hitting an excursion at a specific time--be very mindful and plan for rush hour. For some reason--I was not expecting that. But since most of those who wokr in Waikiki do not live there--the highway gets pretty jammed up. Tour groups do plan for that though, so no worries if you are on a tour.

Oahu is not known for waterfalls. They do have one--but they tend (from what I hear) to be inferior to the other islands.

Definitely get an insider guide at the book store and do some research. Then you can find what will really float your boat so to speak.