Hey guys, my parents are taking me to Oahu, Hawaii for my high school graduation. I was wondering about what kind of interesting things there are to do there besides just swimming and surfing. Please tell me about your experiences there, tips, and advice. Serious answers only, please.
Going to Hawaii
- Thread starter Azndude51
- Start date
Originally posted by: venk
:thumbsup: For my HS graduation, my parents took me to McDonalds.
:laugh:
Mrvile
Lifer
- Oct 16, 2004
- 14,066
- 1
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Ahh, Oahu. Probably the worst of the places I went to in Hawaii...the only good thing was Pearl Harbor really. I didn't even like Waikiki that much (the water was murky, the rocks at the bottom are killer, beach isn't free). See if your parents can detour to Maui, the best island in Hawaii. All the beaches are clean (except one along the western coast, forgot what it was called) and free, they have TONS of stuff to do, and the weather is great. Scuba diving was awesome (first time I've ever dived, and I went twice in two days ) snorkeling is fun, dunno how to surf , and the island is beautiful. We went on the Hana drive, which took all day and looked really awesome, it takes you to the back of the island where a lot of small beaches are located. We went to a pineapple farm (where I found out that I was allergic to pineapples...) which was fun, although it's hard to believe. Our hotel, the Grand Walea is amazing, a lot of it is outdoors and it's right up against the beach. I'd have to say it was probably the best vacation I ever took.
Sorry I can't say much about Oahu, we only spent a day and a half there, but congrats with your graduation and have fun!
) snorkeling is fun, dunno how to surf , and the island is beautiful. We went on the Hana drive, which took all day and looked really awesome, it takes you to the back of the island where a lot of small beaches are located. We went to a pineapple farm (where I found out that I was allergic to pineapples...) which was fun, although it's hard to believe. Our hotel, the Grand Walea is amazing, a lot of it is outdoors and it's right up against the beach. I'd have to say it was probably the best vacation I ever took.Sorry I can't say much about Oahu, we only spent a day and a half there, but congrats with your graduation and have fun!
codeyf
Lifer
- Sep 6, 2000
- 11,854
- 3
- 81
Depends on what you're interested in.
For cultural stuff, Polynesian Culture Center can't be beat. Spend an afternoon/evening in Waikiki just to see/do the tourist thing. There is always the Arizona Memorial, as well as the Missouri. Olomana golf course is fairly easy to get on, and reasonable on green fees after 3pm. It's the same course that Michelle Wie learned on, and it's very nice. Drive the H3 over to Kaneohe Bay, it's a VERY scenic drive that takes you right through the mountains. Lots of nice beaches on the North Shore, most notable being Waimea Bay. Across the street is Waimea Falls Park, albeit it's pricey to get in. You can stop by the Dole Planatation tourist stop on your way out to the North Shore. There is a really fun water park, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. It sounds like a touristy thing to do, but actually, it's close to the opposite. When I talk to my family, they're all "tired" of the beach, and they like to go there. Go figure.
There's tons of stuff to do, you'll have lots of fun.
For cultural stuff, Polynesian Culture Center can't be beat. Spend an afternoon/evening in Waikiki just to see/do the tourist thing. There is always the Arizona Memorial, as well as the Missouri. Olomana golf course is fairly easy to get on, and reasonable on green fees after 3pm. It's the same course that Michelle Wie learned on, and it's very nice. Drive the H3 over to Kaneohe Bay, it's a VERY scenic drive that takes you right through the mountains. Lots of nice beaches on the North Shore, most notable being Waimea Bay. Across the street is Waimea Falls Park, albeit it's pricey to get in. You can stop by the Dole Planatation tourist stop on your way out to the North Shore. There is a really fun water park, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. It sounds like a touristy thing to do, but actually, it's close to the opposite. When I talk to my family, they're all "tired" of the beach, and they like to go there. Go figure.
There's tons of stuff to do, you'll have lots of fun.
I'm pretty sure all the beaches in Hawaii are "free". There's a state law that says anyone can have full access to them. You may have to pay for parking though, but that's only a couple dollars or you could walk. I've been to the Big Island and Kauai, so I don't much about Oahu. For only a couple bucks you can pay for a bus ticket and get a drive around the island. Try going up north where it's less crowded than Waikiki. There's also a cultural center in Oahu that I saw a special on the Travel Channel. Seemed very interesting.
Thanks for the advice, my parents are renting a car so we aren't limited to Oahu, though our hotel is in Waikiki. Anyone else who lives in Hawaii or has been there, please contribute. I would like to know which attractions are worth seeing/doing and which aren't. Its better to get personal opinions than advice from some tourist website.
codeyf
Lifer
- Sep 6, 2000
- 11,854
- 3
- 81
Heh. A car does not allow you to go to other islands
I've been to the Maritime Museum near Aloha Tower, neat place. I've always dug checking out the swap meet on wednesdays, and weekends.
Fo sho, hit up North Shore. Stop and get a Matsumoto Shaved Ice, then go jump off the rock in Waimea Bay.
Shoot me a PM if you have any specific questions about your trip. I live in Oahu so pretty much have the scoop on what to do here, but don't have the time to make a long post at the moment. Theres lots to do here that is not in the touristy places btw, like the best beaches, shops, etc, that you never see tourists at. As long as you have a rental car you should explore the local areas instead of limiting yourself to the tourist spots like 99% of everyone else who visit here.
just got back yesterday....I go there every 3 months....Pearl Harbour for sure....hit the North Shore to watch the huge waves come in....swin in Wannohamo(spelling) Bay ( not to far from the North Shore)and feed the fish and my fav is****girl watch****
Oahu is indeed the worst place in Hawaii, but it's still better than the best place in, oh, half the states in the contiguous 48
Good things in Oahu:
Punch Bowl (Pacific theater veterans cemetary)
Pali lookout
North Shore
Duke's Restaurant
H3 (highway to north side, nice drive)
Highway 61 (nice drive around shore to Chinaman's Hat island)
Valley of the Temples near Kane'ohe, off highway 83
that should do it....have fun!
Good things in Oahu:
Punch Bowl (Pacific theater veterans cemetary)
Pali lookout
North Shore
Duke's Restaurant
H3 (highway to north side, nice drive)
Highway 61 (nice drive around shore to Chinaman's Hat island)
Valley of the Temples near Kane'ohe, off highway 83
that should do it....have fun!
Originally posted by: intogamer
Originally posted by: venk
:thumbsup: For my HS graduation, my parents took me to McDonalds.
:laugh:
lucky dog...
Anubis
No Lifer
Originally posted by: venk
:thumbsup: For my HS graduation, my parents took me to McDonalds.
i didnt even get that
Boze
Senior member
- Dec 20, 2004
- 634
- 14
- 91
If you're interested and can provide me with your tour dates, I might be able to arrange a tour of one of the nuclear submarines here at Pearl Harbor. Since I'm not longer attached to the USS Honolulu, I can't take you down myself, but I'm sure I could have a representative from one of the boats give you a tour, or maybe have someone at Squadron 7 take you down... PM me, but please don't think this is a 'done deal'; I'd have to run it by several folks first.
The beaches in Oahu are ok if you don't mind laying your towel down on a billion cigarette butts.
Wow, thanks for all the tips and advice guys, keep em coming. But I have a question, if i can't go to the other islands by car, how do I go to them and are they worth the time and/or money (if it costs money to get to another island)?
Go to Hanauma bay and snorkeling. It is to freaking awesome.
Last time I saw a turtle and followed it around the bay. it was cool.
Skip Waikiki (or however it's spelled) because it's too crowded.
If you're staying on the windward side, the Leeward side is better imho because
you don't get as much rain and it's warmer/better weather.
Where are you staying?
Last time I saw a turtle and followed it around the bay. it was cool.
Skip Waikiki (or however it's spelled) because it's too crowded.
If you're staying on the windward side, the Leeward side is better imho because
you don't get as much rain and it's warmer/better weather.
Where are you staying?
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,586
- 986
- 126
Unless you actually know how to surf you aren't going to enjoy surfing in Hawaii unless you rent a board and go out on one of the few beaches where there is a sand bottom and learn to surf with all the other groms. Then at least you won't hurt yourself or anyone else...hopefully.
why don't you do a bit of research first, op?
have you checked out gohawaii and trip advisor
each island has its own personality. find the best one to suit you.
we personally love the BI. we are getting married on hawaii in two months!
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