What are some things to definitely not miss on a trip to Hawaii (Oahu)?

Question

Things that either are or aren't touristy. Sites that are must-see. Stuff that you can't see anywhere else. Stuff like that.

Answer 1

Here's a cool website to check out and here's my 2 cents! http://sparks-mexico.com/hawaii/......

I am a nature nut and hawaii is a great place to enjoy our beautiful planet! I put this together earlier but wanted to share it with you cause there are some things here that will help you out! Hawaii is definately worth it! I just can't get enough of that place! I have been 6 times and I have found enough on Oahu to do that i haven't even ventured out to the other islands yet! Here are some things in Waikiki and around the island to do;Dukes is def cool and right on the beach, and if you want to dance with the youngsters you can head over to scruples. There are a ton of eating places down on the strip but the real hawaii is out of town. Take the bus or drive up to manoa and experience the rainforest and a natural waterfall! Take a trip to the north shore and go to waimaia valley and see some of the most spectacular fauna anywhere! If you adventurous hike along the ridges and see paradise from 4000 feet! I did that and loved every second of it..ok well it was more like 8 hours of it but anyway..lol. Diving and snorkeling are pretty awesome too! Hanuama bay is touristy and with good reason. You are guaranteed to see tons of fish and have a nice afternoon at a beautiful beach! Diving can be done just off shore and runs around 100 bucks for 2 tanks and you don't need to be experienced. Not far out of town you can jetski or parasail. Wouldn't really bother with the jetskiing cause they have too many rules in hawaii but the parasailing is something you should atleast try once. After that it gets kind of boring. In town the international market place is def cool and worth strolling through...a tip..go to all the kiosks and then go back and don't be affraid to barter..that's how it works there! On the weekend a really cool thing to do it go to aloha stadium for a huge flea market!!! I mean huge the tents go all around the stadium and everything you find for suviners in waikiki you will find there for way i mean way cheaper!! Oh one last thing, you have to go to a luau and the paradise cove luau is the best. oh crap...just thought of something else that will help you out. Go to Entertaiment.com and buy the book for hawaii and it will give you so many discount coupons it will pay for it self right away. I did and it worked great. Don't forget that part..really do it you won't be sorry. Many 2-1 coupons on dinners in waikiki which is really expensive.I have been to hawaii 6 times now and would love to live there. I hope you make it cause you won't forget it! Aloha!

Some more stuff:

Must See Attractions

Paradise Cove Luau - Best on the Island (get entertainmetn coupon"
Polynesian Cultural Center - North Shore ( can catch show here) Make sure you get the "entertainment coupon"
Diamond Head - Cause everyone's doing it
Waikiki- Can't go to hawaii and miss the strip
Manoa Falls - An easy hike with views and feel of the jungle and it's free!
Hanuama Bay - Best tourist snorkeling in the islands!
Drive the Pali Highway and go to the lookout

Makiki Heights drive - Tourists don't find this gem and it's amazing! MUST SEE. Check your map to get to Makiki Heights. Great views of the island

Restaurants: There are tons of restaurants in Waikiki. If you are young and like to drink then drink b/4 you go out! The Pacific Beach Hotel has drink specials all week long and there a good deal. There are Mai Tai specials all over but DIXIES has the screamin Mai TAi which comes in a 32 oz glass and is about 6 bucks!!! Good Eats there too! For cheaper eats go outside of town over towards the Kaneohe side. If you do want to eat in Waikiki then i would highly recommend that you go to www.entertainment.com and buy the book for hawaii. This coupon book will save you a ton on the island! Seriously everytime i go i get the book and use all the 2-1 deals in it! Check ebay for it too sometimes you can get it dirt cheap!

Hotels; Best hotel for the money is the Ocean Resort Hotel on the east end of the strip. Very close to the beach, decent rooms, service is good and you will pay under a 100 a night for most rooms and the parking is much cheaper than the other hotels!

Have a great trip your gonna love it!

Answer 2

I'm sorry but DON"T do a luau. They are soooo touristy and I don't think they are worth any amount of money. I would say you should rent a car for a day or two and drive around the island stopping at all the bays and beaches along the way. Start out early and you'll get to experience the best Oahu has to offer. If you are in Waikiki start off by going along the South shore and head all the way up to the north shore. Then just cut through the island to get back to Waikiki. You will not be sorry you went, every beach is unique and has something great to offer. If you want to avoid a huge crowd though, definetely skip Hanauma Bay. There is great snorkling elsewhere and it is free. Have a great trip!

Answer 3

You might want to take one day off Maui and add to Oahu (shouldn't be a problem, there are tons of flights each day between the islands). What do you want to do? - there are outdoor activities on both islands--Maui has the Haleakala Crater, Iao Valley and other areas. Keep up on the shark activity--there is pressure to reduce the amount of it as it attracts the sharks too close to where people surf. There is a world-class oceanarium on Maui; the one on Oahu is good but much smaller (near Waikiki). - shopping would be best on Oahu, but I would spend maybe a day total doing that (Ala Moana plus Waikiki). - some interesting parts of Maui: you can spend a day going to a lavender farm, a goat cheese farm, and a winery--all in the beautiful upcountry Maui (beautiful views). On Oahu, a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center (you can get a PCC bus from Waikiki) is interesting if a bit touristy (a look at 5 Polynesian cultures with hula, fire dancing, etc. and a luau).

Answer 4

Hike to the top of Diamond Head.
Kewala Basin (about 1/4 mile west from the Ala Moana Shopping center) has all kinds of water sports available - snorkeling off boats, scuba, para-sailing, whale watching, etc.
Shopping, Ala Moana Shopping Center is the big mall - nice but pretty much like any mall in a big city. Instead, try:
ALOHA STADIUM SWAP MEET
99-500 Salt Lake Boulevard
Aiea, HI 96701
(West Honolulu District)
Tel. [phone]
Hawaii's largest flea market - 100's of vendors and 1000's of bargains. Nominal admission charge. Free parking. Open 3 days per week - Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday from 6am-3pm.
The International Market place on Waikiki is fun. Of course any trip to Oahu should include several visits to the ABC Stores (just about on every corner).

Pearl Harbor - a must - USS Arizona memorial.

Rent a car if you can and drive up the coast to the North Shore - stop along the way to visit the beaches and shoreline.

The interior of the island has some rain forests, very pretty to explore.

Aloha.

Answer 5

The bay where you can snorkel
of course pearl harbor
The pineapple plantation (has a neat maze)
The north shore where the surfers are
The night Luau
I liked the flea market at the Aloha Bowl

Answer 6

Drive up to the Pali lookout and walk down the old Pali road (its all overgrown with beautiful views all the way down). You can see the road looking down from the lookout area. Hold onto your hat, it's VERY windy - lots of fun to lean into the wind and let it hold you up. The wind is reduced as you walk down the road. Take your camera, you'll be glad you did.

Answer 7

You have to go to Lanikai beach in Kailua. Don't forget MAtsumotos shave ice in Haleiwa also.

Answer 8

you must absolutely do a luau. the best one to check out is called paradise cove.