What is there to do near Diamondhead?

[DISFANSHAN]

We will be traveling to Aulani in July with the inlaws. Me, DH, and our two DS's would like to hike Diamondhead one morning, and then head to Pearl Harbor. Inlaws want to do Pearl Harbor but can't handle the Diamondhead hike. What is there for them to do nearby while we are hiking, and about how long will it take us total to do the hike. We are all in reasonably good shape.

 

[alohamom]

You pass right by Waikiki (or through, depending on what route you take) so perhaps they might like to stroll Waikiki, even walk along the beach or drop into the shops along Kalakaua Avenue. Pearl Harbor is back toward Aulani so you could pick them up on your way there. There are other places to go in the area but I assume you will be going fairly early and most things like the Bishop Museum or Iolani Palace wont be open

 

[DISFANSHAN]

Thank you Alohamom!

 

[nkereina]

What day of the week are you going? The Aloha Stadium Swap Meet is very close to Pearl Harbor, so you could drop them off there and then head to Diamond Head, picking them up on the way back. It's only open on Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday though.

I've not done Diamond Head yet but from my own research, it says to allow 1.5-2 hours total for the hike, including time for photos, etc. We booked a tour that picks up from our hotel in Waikiki and brings us back after, and the total tour time including driving is 3 hours.

 

[DISFANSHAN]

Thanks for your response, nkereina. We haven't nailed down our days yet. I did also want to hit the swap meet as well. I wonder if Diamondhead hike, Pearl Harbor, and Swap Meet all in one day is doable? Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[nkereina]

Thanks for your response, nkereina. We haven't nailed down our days yet. I did also want to hit the swap meet as well. I wonder if Diamondhead hike, Pearl Harbor, and Swap Meet all in one day is doable? Thank you for the suggestion!

I don't know from personal experience, but we're actually doing another tour on a different day that visits Pearl Harbor and the Swap Meet right after. It's a long day - picking up at 6:30am and returning us at 1:30pm. I would think Diamond Head could be done after since its open til dinner time I believe, it just might be a very warm hike. Hopefully someone else with experience can chime in, because it's a good question!

 

[rnorwo1]

We have in-laws and an older friend of the family with us, so I've been researching this, also. Supposedly right at the entrance to DH, there is a community college (KCC) that has nice grounds and a cactus garden. I am hoping that they'll go walk around that area while we hike; but, honestly, most of our folks will be happy sitting, talking, and people watching. It'll be too complicated with my group to really split up.

I think you want to do DIamond Head first thing in the morning because of the heat. Also, the swap meet closes around 3, I believe, and I've read on TA that some vendors may wrap things up sooner sometimes. We are going to do do the USS Arizona as early as possible (8, I think... We can reserve tickets tomorrow!), and then we will go to the swap meet after... Some of the DE on TA thought we would be at the swap meet around 10:30-11 doing that. We will then do Diamond Head on another day when we can be there as soon as it opens. We will either go to Wakiki after, or we will do a driving tour of other areas of the island after.

 

[TagsMissy]

Thanks for your response, nkereina. We haven't nailed down our days yet. I did also want to hit the swap meet as well. I wonder if Diamondhead hike, Pearl Harbor, and Swap Meet all in one day is doable? Thank you for the suggestion!

Don't push it all to one day. Pearl Harbour is a long day if you take it all in. We spent from probably 7:30-8am-ish until mid afternoon just at Pearl Harbour taking it all in. I suggest you hike Diamond Head another day. Perhaps as other suggested drop your parents off in Waikiki and let them do their own thing at their own pace in town then you can meet them back in the 'city'.

 

[DISFANSHAN]

Discussed our options with DH last night. We also decided to try to hit the North Shore and Dole Plantation. If anyone cares to give me their opinion on our plans, I would appreciate it. We will take three of our six days for sightseeing, the
other three we will spend at the resort.
Not sure which order we will do these things, but this is the itinerary per day of the three sightseeing days:

1. Pearl Harbor and Swap Meet
2. Hike Diamond Head and visit/tour Waikiki Beach, and maybe grab lunch somewhere casual but on the beach if anyone has suggestions!
3. North Shore and Dole Plantation

Any and all input would be great!
Thanks,
Shannon

 

[dclpluto]

Park at the bottom. A lot of people like to cheat a little and park on up. If everyone is physical capable of it park at the bottom free and better parking at the bottom. You do have to pay a little when you get to the parking area that's farther up.

 

[alohamom]

Hi again-sounds like you have a great plan shaping up!
Make sure to check the hours on the swap meet if you are doing it on the same day as Pearl Harbor and planning to go after Pearl.

I think you guys might like Dukes in Waikiki as a lunch spot, it is casual, fun and right on the beach and they do a lunch buffet or a menu option so you have some flexibility there. The food is usually very good BUT the last time we went my plate was so salty I almost could not eat it. I am hoping that was a one time thing as we are planning to go back for the breakfast buffet which we have never done but I hear is really good. I *think* they validate parking for a few select garages/specific time limits so you might want to use that to your advantage for exploring Waikiki too. Here is the link to the restaurant http://www.dukeswaikiki.com/
and to some reviews https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaura...iews-Duke_s_Waikiki-Honolulu_Oahu_Hawaii.html

 

[letsgoreds]

I suggest Hau Tree Lanai, near the base of Diamondhead. You will need reservations. It is a popular breakfast/brunch location. Also heard good things about The Shore Bird.

As far as Diamondhead hike. I did it with my 10yo and we were up an back in about an hour. There are tables/picnic tables at the trailhead that would be comfortable for waiting inlaws. My 5yo had fallen asleep in the car, so my mom stayed back (trail too uneven for her), and we snacked/hung out at the picnic tables afterwards. Love the pictures of my 5yo climbing trees 'inside' a volcano.

As far as parking...I am not sure what the PP meant. The only lot I know has a nominal charge, and fills up. We went later in the day, after Pearl Harbor and Aloha Stadium, and found parking about 2-3 hours before close. There were food/shaved ice trucks there when we arrived, but closed quickly.

After our hike/snack we tried to go to Hau Tree Lanai for dinner at 5pm, but they were booked solid. So...we parked along Waikiki beach and walked around a bit, then headed into the city and ended up at Hard Rock because I thought my kiddos would like it (found street parking). Not on the beach, but a good time.

 

[alohamom]

Also heard good things about The Shore Bird.

The Shore Bird is also right on the beach but a little further from Diamond Head, just inside the Outrigger Reef hotel. They do offer a breakfast buffet that isnt bad, but the quality can be iffy.

http://shorebirdwaikiki.com/breakfast/

One thing I like is the interconnected ceiling fans that run on one pulley system, it is reminiscent of old plantation days in the islands. Pretty sure you can find coupons and deals for the Shorebird too

 

[buffettgirl]

Can't get more casual or more on the beach than Steak Shack. https://www.yelp.com/biz/steak-shack-honolulu?sort_by=date_desc
It's nothing more than a take out shack, right on the sand at the Waikiki Shores apts. There are some shared tables for the other take out places, but you can also sit under the trees at Fort DeRussy park or just plop down on the sand.

 

[hopemax]

We made the mistake of doing the Diamond Head hike the same day as the farmer's market at the community college. It was really hard to find a parking spot, traffic was bad. The hike was basically a line of people all the way up too. The market looked pretty good, but by the time we finished our hike, it was ending for the day. However, if you get there early enough or plan for parking to be a hassle, the market would be something for your in-laws to do.

https://www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu/project/farmers-market/

 

[CateinPhoenix]

We enjoyed the Polynesia Cultural Center, did not do the luau or the evening show but there was lots to see and do.

http://www.polynesia.com/?jd=1&jt=1...gclid=CIi_tY2l68sCFcdhfgodwncHZw#.Vv1JE9jbKM8

 

[CateinPhoenix]

Also, we did the hop on-hop off trolley and I believe it has stops in DH.

http://www.waikikitrolley.com/