The wife and I are taking two 11 year olds to Oahu. We’ve been to Maui but never Oahu. We’re looking for good eats, fun adventures and good snorkeling. Thanks for the suggestions!!
Also climb Diamond Head Crater (the huge crater at the end of Waikiki beach).
Drive up to the North Shore. Lots of small beach towns and this is where they big waves are.
Walk down Waikiki Beach at sunset. Lots of hotel bars on the beach with outdoor cafe's for eating/drinking.
Sandy Beach, up the road from downtown Waikiki, is a super beach for very strong swimmers with boards and/or fins -- but otherwise borderline deadly. Nearly drowned there myself when I was younger and went in there without either. Got out there, played around in the sensational waves, but couldn't get back in. (!) That is, be sure to monitor your own and your 11-year old's understandable enthusiasm at the beaches.
a great spot for snorkeling. Get to the north shore, some great beaches, and you can watch some great surfers. Or check out the beaches on the eastern (windward) side of the island. On the way over, check out the Nuani Pali lookout, and while there, try Hala'ewai Joe's Seafood Grill. Good food and spectacular views of the falls.
I recommend spending time and staying on the North Shore. Waikiki gets old really fast. The North Shore has the best beaches on the island and is much more laid back. You can still hit all the tourist spots like Pearl Harbor etc. driving from here.
Keep in mind, the traffic on Oahu is very bad during peak times. Try to plan your driving around traffic times (early morning, mid-afternoon to evening). Also there are a lot of thieves, do not leave valuables in your rental car, even in the trunk.
As others have already mentioned, the waves on North Shore in the winter are world class (it is called the 7 Mile Miracle in the surfing world) and can get huge. Use caution, don't be one of the donkeys that thinks he can handle the waves and then gets roughed up and has to be rescued. That is a regular occurrence in the winter here.
Nobody ever suggests this... Lanikai beach in the town of Kailua. It’s up the Pali hwy North coming from Honolulu. Beautiful beach that is kind of secret. Parking is annoying though because it’s in a neighborhood and they don’t like people parking there. But the beach was ranked in the 10 most beautiful beaches on earth by travel channel.
Other than that, everything PJ suggested is on point.
of 12 people, every time the subject of what to have for lunch came up, virtually all yelled out together "Hula Pie!". Now I know its really desert, but this is what they wanted for lunch every day (three days there)
Nobody ever suggests this... Lanikai beach in the town of Kailua. It’s up the Pali hwy North coming from Honolulu. Beautiful beach that is kind of secret. Parking is annoying though because it’s in a neighborhood and they don’t like people parking there. But the beach was ranked in the 10 most beautiful beaches on earth by travel channel.
Other than that, everything PJ suggested is on point.
Nice beach but definitely not a secret. That is one of, if not the most popular beaches on the island. Completely packed almost every day, especially on weekends.
Nobody ever suggests this... Lanikai beach in the town of Kailua. It’s up the Pali hwy North coming from Honolulu. Beautiful beach that is kind of secret. Parking is annoying though because it’s in a neighborhood and they don’t like people parking there. But the beach was ranked in the 10 most beautiful beaches on earth by travel channel.
Other than that, everything PJ suggested is on point.
Nice beach but definitely not a secret. That is one of, if not the most popular beaches on the island. Completely packed almost every day, especially on weekends.
When I lived there 20 years ago it wasn’t well known at all by outsiders. I guess that’s changed.
I highly recommend renting a car. Waikiki is OK if you like people watching and high end stores, but I prefer staying on the North Shore (Turtle Bay), and driving into Waikiki for a day and evening out
Definitely do Hanauma Bay for snorkeling. The reef protects it, so unless there are unusual swells, it is very safe for even non-swimmers. Morning is more crowded but has more fish, but you will see plenty of fish after lunch.
I like Waimanalo Beach on the east coast. Part of the beach has some homeless in tents, but further down (first right after McDonalds) has a great beach with ironwood trees for shade and usually plenty of parking. I also like Kailua beach (which is adjacent to Lanikai), but it can be a bit more difficult to park. Actually, Kailua beach is a wider than the beach in Lanikai, and I like Kailua beach better.
On the north shore, I like the beach at Laie. It's very nice and usually pretty dead (which can be good or bad depending on your preference). Waimea beach is also very nice, but very crowded and hard to park
I also recommend Waimea Valley park (you have to pay admission). Lots of interesting plants, and you can swim under a waterfall at the end of the trail (bring wet shoes).
For food, hit the food trucks on the North Shore, and shaved ice in Haleiwa. There's a very good vegan place in Waimanalo, right on the highway before McDonalds. The mall at Ala Moana has a very good all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque. Teddy's Bigger Burgers has multiple locations and is one of the better burgers that I've had. There's a good shabu shabu place called Asuka in Kaimuki, but will require a drive, but has cheap public parking lots a block or two away. There's a good Ramen place Wagaya in Honolulu and Agu in Waikiki and Ward Village. Lots of fresh fish everywhere. If you like breakfast, I recommend Koko Café in Kaimuki (very different, very good, but a bit pricy), or Sweet E's (also good, but a bit less expensive.
If you like shopping (I don't, but kids do), Waikiki has a lot of high end stores, and the mall at Ala Moana has plenty of parking and is very nice just to walk around. In fact, the mall probably has more higher end stores than Waikiki.
I wouldn't bother visiting Chinatown. It has some good cheap (and not so cheap) eats, but it can get pretty sketchy with homeless drug addicts.
I've visited all the islands, but chose to live in Oahu because it has a great mix of city and isolated natural beauty. But you need a car to get out of the city.
I highly recommend renting a car. Waikiki is OK if you like people watching and high end stores, but I prefer staying on the North Shore (Turtle Bay), and driving into Waikiki for a day and evening out
Definitely do Hanauma Bay for snorkeling. The reef protects it, so unless there are unusual swells, it is very safe for even non-swimmers. Morning is more crowded but has more fish, but you will see plenty of fish after lunch.
I like Waimanalo Beach on the east coast. Part of the beach has some homeless in tents, but further down (first right after McDonalds) has a great beach with ironwood trees for shade and usually plenty of parking. I also like Kailua beach (which is adjacent to Lanikai), but it can be a bit more difficult to park. Actually, Kailua beach is a wider than the beach in Lanikai, and I like Kailua beach better.
On the north shore, I like the beach at Laie. It's very nice and usually pretty dead (which can be good or bad depending on your preference). Waimea beach is also very nice, but very crowded and hard to park
I also recommend Waimea Valley park (you have to pay admission). Lots of interesting plants, and you can swim under a waterfall at the end of the trail (bring wet shoes).
For food, hit the food trucks on the North Shore, and shaved ice in Haleiwa. There's a very good vegan place in Waimanalo, right on the highway before McDonalds. The mall at Ala Moana has a very good all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque. Teddy's Bigger Burgers has multiple locations and is one of the better burgers that I've had. There's a good shabu shabu place called Asuka in Kaimuki, but will require a drive, but has cheap public parking lots a block or two away. There's a good Ramen place Wagaya in Honolulu and Agu in Waikiki and Ward Village. Lots of fresh fish everywhere. If you like breakfast, I recommend Koko Café in Kaimuki (very different, very good, but a bit pricy), or Sweet E's (also good, but a bit less expensive.
If you like shopping (I don't, but kids do), Waikiki has a lot of high end stores, and the mall at Ala Moana has plenty of parking and is very nice just to walk around. In fact, the mall probably has more higher end stores than Waikiki.
I wouldn't bother visiting Chinatown. It has some good cheap (and not so cheap) eats, but it can get pretty sketchy with homeless drug addicts.
I've visited all the islands, but chose to live in Oahu because it has a great mix of city and isolated natural beauty. But you need a car to get out of the city.
jcp: Where at? Where have you been watching the games?
I'm in Hawaii Kai. I watched the games using Sunday Ticket Â
I didn't want to watch early in the morning. I watched a lot of games (as a distraction from the Giant's awful season). They have an option where you can watch an entire game in 40 minutes (no huddles, no commercials)
I didn't want to watch early in the morning. I watched a lot of games (as a distraction from the Giant's awful season). They have an option where you can watch an entire game in 40 minutes (no huddles, no commercials)
Ok, if you ever go anywhere to watch the games let me know.
RE: I'm in Hawaii Kai. I watched the games using Sunday Ticket Â
I didn't want to watch early in the morning. I watched a lot of games (as a distraction from the Giant's awful season). They have an option where you can watch an entire game in 40 minutes (no huddles, no commercials)
I lived in Hawaii Kai. Very nice neighborhood and virtually right at Hanama Bay. Sandy beach right on the other side of the hills as well. I lived on Kalapaki street just off Lunalila Home Road. Where about in Hawaii Kai are you?
Always find it interesting to hear from others living on the island. What are houses going for out that way these days? Home value doubled for my parents between 1999 and 2011. Prices seemed to be on an upward climb Around 2011. Average home with decent yard was going for about $1mil when they left.
Is crystal meth still an epidemic out there? It was terrible the entire time I was living there and during my parents entire 13 year tenure.
Always find it interesting to hear from others living on the island. What are houses going for out that way these days? Home value doubled for my parents between 1999 and 2011. Prices seemed to be on an upward climb Around 2011. Average home with decent yard was going for about $1mil when they left.
Is crystal meth still an epidemic out there? It was terrible the entire time I was living there and during my parents entire 13 year tenure.
Definitely still a major problem, along with where to put the homeless. On North Shore I moved up Pupukea so we deal with a lot less chronics since the only way for them to get up this mountain is to walk up and they mostly dont bother. I used to live down by the beach at Sunset and there were/are constant break-ins, rampant theft etc. Drugs are still a major issue here.
Always find it interesting to hear from others living on the island. What are houses going for out that way these days? Home value doubled for my parents between 1999 and 2011. Prices seemed to be on an upward climb Around 2011. Average home with decent yard was going for about $1mil when they left.
Is crystal meth still an epidemic out there? It was terrible the entire time I was living there and during my parents entire 13 year tenure.
more and more expensive. We wanted to buy when we got here, but hard finding something we want. We are in the Kapolei area.
Bradshaw44... prices have gone up since 2011, and seemed to have Â
leveled off... Maybe due to the raise in interest rates. I wish I had bought 5 years earlier (or 15).
I haven't seen any drug problems here in Hawaii Kai. But lots of homeless and drugs in ChinaTown and along Nimitz between Chinatown and Pier 37. A Japanese tourist got beaten pretty badly a few weeks ago when he went into a public restroom in Kakaakao and ran into some addicts. Homelessness is a big problem. Housing costs are tough to afford, and I suspect lots of mental illness and drug use. But this seems to be a problem in any city, especially a city with good weather. and high cost of living
You're welcome.
Drive up to the North Shore. Lots of small beach towns and this is where they big waves are.
Walk down Waikiki Beach at sunset. Lots of hotel bars on the beach with outdoor cafe's for eating/drinking.
Hiking up to diamond head.
I only went to Ohau to see Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona.
but I enjoyed it for two days.
Waikiki beach is touristy but beautiful and Dukes If it's still there was cool) to hang out drink watch the waves.
The international market place had some good shopping (my wife enjoyed, me not so much) and good food.
nothing memorable.
Many people say skip Oahu, but I enjoyed it for a couple days (wouldn't go back though now that I've been) and I haven't been to the North Shore.
Keep in mind, the traffic on Oahu is very bad during peak times. Try to plan your driving around traffic times (early morning, mid-afternoon to evening). Also there are a lot of thieves, do not leave valuables in your rental car, even in the trunk.
For Oahu, we booked a tour of the North Shore through Oahu Private Tours, a company that had a ton of good reviews on TripAdvisor.
We also booked a couple of tours at Kualoa Ranch (parts of Jurassic Park were filmed there)
Make reservations to Duke's ahead of time. Opentable doesn't have many time options, but if you ring them they will have the better timeslots.
hit the shrimp trucks that are every where in the hills (if hills is he right term)...
also Matsumoto’s Shaved Ice on the North Shore...
Other than that, everything PJ suggested is on point.
You're welcome.
I had to look it up...you ain't kidding. I'd eat that till the doctor took my foot.
Other than that, everything PJ suggested is on point.
Nice beach but definitely not a secret. That is one of, if not the most popular beaches on the island. Completely packed almost every day, especially on weekends.
Quote:
Nobody ever suggests this... Lanikai beach in the town of Kailua. It’s up the Pali hwy North coming from Honolulu. Beautiful beach that is kind of secret. Parking is annoying though because it’s in a neighborhood and they don’t like people parking there. But the beach was ranked in the 10 most beautiful beaches on earth by travel channel.
Other than that, everything PJ suggested is on point.
Nice beach but definitely not a secret. That is one of, if not the most popular beaches on the island. Completely packed almost every day, especially on weekends.
When I lived there 20 years ago it wasn’t well known at all by outsiders. I guess that’s changed.
Definitely do Hanauma Bay for snorkeling. The reef protects it, so unless there are unusual swells, it is very safe for even non-swimmers. Morning is more crowded but has more fish, but you will see plenty of fish after lunch.
I like Waimanalo Beach on the east coast. Part of the beach has some homeless in tents, but further down (first right after McDonalds) has a great beach with ironwood trees for shade and usually plenty of parking. I also like Kailua beach (which is adjacent to Lanikai), but it can be a bit more difficult to park. Actually, Kailua beach is a wider than the beach in Lanikai, and I like Kailua beach better.
On the north shore, I like the beach at Laie. It's very nice and usually pretty dead (which can be good or bad depending on your preference). Waimea beach is also very nice, but very crowded and hard to park
I also recommend Waimea Valley park (you have to pay admission). Lots of interesting plants, and you can swim under a waterfall at the end of the trail (bring wet shoes).
For food, hit the food trucks on the North Shore, and shaved ice in Haleiwa. There's a very good vegan place in Waimanalo, right on the highway before McDonalds. The mall at Ala Moana has a very good all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque. Teddy's Bigger Burgers has multiple locations and is one of the better burgers that I've had. There's a good shabu shabu place called Asuka in Kaimuki, but will require a drive, but has cheap public parking lots a block or two away. There's a good Ramen place Wagaya in Honolulu and Agu in Waikiki and Ward Village. Lots of fresh fish everywhere. If you like breakfast, I recommend Koko Café in Kaimuki (very different, very good, but a bit pricy), or Sweet E's (also good, but a bit less expensive.
If you like shopping (I don't, but kids do), Waikiki has a lot of high end stores, and the mall at Ala Moana has plenty of parking and is very nice just to walk around. In fact, the mall probably has more higher end stores than Waikiki.
I wouldn't bother visiting Chinatown. It has some good cheap (and not so cheap) eats, but it can get pretty sketchy with homeless drug addicts.
I've visited all the islands, but chose to live in Oahu because it has a great mix of city and isolated natural beauty. But you need a car to get out of the city.
Definitely do Hanauma Bay for snorkeling. The reef protects it, so unless there are unusual swells, it is very safe for even non-swimmers. Morning is more crowded but has more fish, but you will see plenty of fish after lunch.
I like Waimanalo Beach on the east coast. Part of the beach has some homeless in tents, but further down (first right after McDonalds) has a great beach with ironwood trees for shade and usually plenty of parking. I also like Kailua beach (which is adjacent to Lanikai), but it can be a bit more difficult to park. Actually, Kailua beach is a wider than the beach in Lanikai, and I like Kailua beach better.
On the north shore, I like the beach at Laie. It's very nice and usually pretty dead (which can be good or bad depending on your preference). Waimea beach is also very nice, but very crowded and hard to park
I also recommend Waimea Valley park (you have to pay admission). Lots of interesting plants, and you can swim under a waterfall at the end of the trail (bring wet shoes).
For food, hit the food trucks on the North Shore, and shaved ice in Haleiwa. There's a very good vegan place in Waimanalo, right on the highway before McDonalds. The mall at Ala Moana has a very good all-you-can-eat Korean barbeque. Teddy's Bigger Burgers has multiple locations and is one of the better burgers that I've had. There's a good shabu shabu place called Asuka in Kaimuki, but will require a drive, but has cheap public parking lots a block or two away. There's a good Ramen place Wagaya in Honolulu and Agu in Waikiki and Ward Village. Lots of fresh fish everywhere. If you like breakfast, I recommend Koko Café in Kaimuki (very different, very good, but a bit pricy), or Sweet E's (also good, but a bit less expensive.
If you like shopping (I don't, but kids do), Waikiki has a lot of high end stores, and the mall at Ala Moana has plenty of parking and is very nice just to walk around. In fact, the mall probably has more higher end stores than Waikiki.
I wouldn't bother visiting Chinatown. It has some good cheap (and not so cheap) eats, but it can get pretty sketchy with homeless drug addicts.
I've visited all the islands, but chose to live in Oahu because it has a great mix of city and isolated natural beauty. But you need a car to get out of the city.
jcp: Where at? Where have you been watching the games?
-Alan Wong's
-Helena's (get the short ribs!)
-Leonard's Bakery (malasadas)
-Liliha Bakery
-Uncle Clay's House of Pure Aloha (Hawaiian shave ice)
-Ono Seafood (poke bowls)
Ok, if you ever go anywhere to watch the games let me know.
I lived in Hawaii Kai. Very nice neighborhood and virtually right at Hanama Bay. Sandy beach right on the other side of the hills as well. I lived on Kalapaki street just off Lunalila Home Road. Where about in Hawaii Kai are you?
Is crystal meth still an epidemic out there? It was terrible the entire time I was living there and during my parents entire 13 year tenure.
Is crystal meth still an epidemic out there? It was terrible the entire time I was living there and during my parents entire 13 year tenure.
Definitely still a major problem, along with where to put the homeless. On North Shore I moved up Pupukea so we deal with a lot less chronics since the only way for them to get up this mountain is to walk up and they mostly dont bother. I used to live down by the beach at Sunset and there were/are constant break-ins, rampant theft etc. Drugs are still a major issue here.
Is crystal meth still an epidemic out there? It was terrible the entire time I was living there and during my parents entire 13 year tenure.
more and more expensive. We wanted to buy when we got here, but hard finding something we want. We are in the Kapolei area.
I haven't seen any drug problems here in Hawaii Kai. But lots of homeless and drugs in ChinaTown and along Nimitz between Chinatown and Pier 37. A Japanese tourist got beaten pretty badly a few weeks ago when he went into a public restroom in Kakaakao and ran into some addicts. Homelessness is a big problem. Housing costs are tough to afford, and I suspect lots of mental illness and drug use. But this seems to be a problem in any city, especially a city with good weather. and high cost of living