Travel 1: A great Itinerary to see Oahu, Hawaii (v1.0)

 

My niece visited Oahu for 2 weeks as a vacation. I thought her plan was extremely good and I thought I should share it. The key trick is to see all the important sights but at a relaxed pace, so it is not stressful. Also, the idea is to focus on truly wonderful sights that natives would pick instead of just tourist traps.

Day 1: arrival. Unpack and relax the rest of the day.

Day 2: Kailua beach park or Kalama beach park, Bellows beach park. These beaches are on the beautiful eastern windward side and really super and not crowded, but bellows is a functioning military base and only open to public on Friday and weekends. Kalama and Kailua beaches are adjacent.

Day 3: Pearl Harbor National Memorial. The Bowfin WWII submarine is especially nice. You need to take a boat ride to USS Arizona but remember this is a memorial and be respectful. The exhibition display on what all transpired before and during the attack is informative.

Day 4: Polynesian Cultural Center. There are many Polynesian villages. I especially like Hawaii, Tonga, Tahiti village shows. The late show is also great. The alii Luau is great.

Day 5: Sunrise at Makapu’u point. Hanauma bay (need reservations that opens 48 hours before at 7AM). Great place to snorkel and see coral reefs. See blowhole. Stop at sandy beach.

Day 6: Iolani palace (reservations required for tour). Only king's palace in US. Drive through University of Hawaii, Manoa. Manoa falls trail is close by but fairly long. There is also a beautiful botanical garden in Manoa valley (Lyon Aeboretum). Close by is Tantalus drive with a great view on top. Dinner at Haleiwa joes with view of beautiful Haiku Gardens (doesn’t take reservations. Need to arrive at 4PM to get a place quickly. Opens at 4:30). Me and my wife had a beautiful wedding at Haiku Gardens in 1977.

Day 7: Para sail and Jet Ski (reservations required). Good one is X-treme. Waikiki beach.

Day 8: Nuuanu Pali lookout. Great view. Ho 'Maluhia botanical gardens in Kaneohe is very nice. Paradise cove Luau in evening - open air.

Day 9: Kualoa Ranch. Zipline and/or ATV.

Day 10: Dolphin excursion trail. Boat ride to see dolphins and turtles and see corals. There is one that leaves from the west coast that is great – Waianae harbor. Dolphin Excursions.

Day 11: Diamond head crater hike. Beautiful view from the top but lots of steps. Shop and stroll Kalakaua Ave in Waikiki. Waikiki is a tourist trap, but to most mainlanders, Waikiki and Kalakaua Ave is Hawaii, so you want to say you were there!! Lunch at Royal Hawaiian. Active night life in Waikiki if you are so inclined.

Day 12: Makapu’u point lighthouse trail. Beautiful view from top. Lanikai pillbox trail. Again, great view.

Day 13: Laie point (lands’ end). Lunch at turtle bay resort where me and my wife had a glorious honeymoon back in 1977!! At the northern tip of Oahu. Great view. Sunset beach park and Bonsai Pipeline, these are where the surfing competitions are held and sometimes have up to 20 or 30-foot waves!! Waimea falls is reached with a walking trail through botanical gardens. This area is rich in Hawaiian culture.

Day 14: Pack up. flight back.