Must sees/dos in Oahu, HI

[marshalldillon Member Find all posts View Profile Close marshalldillon]

Planning a first trip to hawaii and will probably stay on the island of Oahu. Will have a few kids ages 10-16. Pearl Harbor is at the top of the list of course...but can any of you provide me with must know/see/do info? Thank you in advance.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

They will love the Dole Plantation, They have a huge maze, My son got his name on the wall for breaking a record which has to have been broken I am sure. All they gave him was a shirt saying that he was a record holder. Not sure if this guy is still there but if you see a guy selling fresh pineapples holding a machete stop there. Had to be one the sweetest Pineapple we ever ate.

[ampaholic Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close ampaholic]

Planning a first trip to hawaii and will probably stay on the island of Oahu. Will have a few kids ages 10-16. Pearl Harbor is at the top of the list of course...but can any of you provide me with must know/see/do info? Thank you in advance.

An early evening drive to the top of Round Top (overlooks Honolulu) - take Wilder to Makiki to Round Top Dr. - go up. What a view.

+1 on Pearl Harbor

Hanauma Bay - there is a trolly up and down the hill for a small fee if you are concerned with the hike. Snorkeling was the highlight of our trip.

Ho'Omaluhia Park - A botanical paradise - great for a picnic. Take Likiliki Hwy (63) to Kamehameha Hwy (83) to Luluku Rd. go uphill to park

Foster Botanical Garden - GIANT trees - 100 block of N. Vineyard Ave.

Lyon Arboretum - Manoa Rd. uphill to the end (the real end - not one of several apparent ends) You must really "keep going" till you see the Lyon sign.

Honolulu Academy of the Arts on St. Beretania st.

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

The Polynesian Cultural Center was an interesting day for us. It is a whole day activity and it is not cheap. We upgraded to a level where we had a tour guide for the day. I don't think we would have seen as many of the shows as we did if we had not upgraded.

[linsj Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close linsj]

For history, visit the Iolani Palace, the only palace on American soil, and the Bishop Museum, which includes a planetarium.

[marshalldillon Member Find all posts View Profile Close marshalldillon]

Thank you and keep the ideas coming. What about a luau?? Surfing lessons?? Anything you would suggest not to do??

[Presley Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Presley]

Thank you and keep the ideas coming. What about a luau?? Surfing lessons?? Anything you would suggest not to do??

There are surf lessons on the beach in Waikiki. I can't remember the name of the company, but they have big yellow umbrellas and a little shack set up where they try to sell pictures after the lessons. It's a very easy and low key lesson because the waves are very small. The teachers are old Hawaiin surfers.

I've never gone to a paid luau. I saw the show at Polynesian cultural center, which is much like a luau without all the food.

ETA: If you like nature stuff, our favorite place is Waimea on the North side. THere is a botanical garden and when you reach the end (long walk) you come to a natural waterfall. You can swim in the water. There is also a beach in front of the garden which has a big rock that people jump off into the ocean. It's really fun to watch.

[marshalldillon Member Find all posts View Profile Close marshalldillon]

Are the paid luau's worth the cost?

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

Are the paid luau's worth the cost?

Having been to a few, I don't think that they are.

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

We did an all day tour to The Polynesian Cultural Center which was the best of several tours we have done from Waikiki.

The tour picked us by our timeshare Wyndham Beachwalk in the morning. It included all the shows, buffet lunch etc. You also get to see quite a bit of the island.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Imo you should do a Luau but do only one. They are all about the same so unless you love pig roasts keep it at one.

[marshalldillon Member Find all posts View Profile Close marshalldillon]

Gotcha Thanks for the advice

[litebrite Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close litebrite]

I have been to the majority of Hawaiian Islands and I think kauai is the best because of its natural beauty.

[marshalldillon Member Find all posts View Profile Close marshalldillon]

I have heard Kauai is beautiful and the favorite of many. This is our first trip to Hawaii and we will have kids. We definitely want to see Pearl Harbor also. Would you suggest Kauai over Oahu with this being our first trip??

[JWC Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close JWC]

It depends what you like. We far prefer Waikiki on Oahu. Our least favorite island by far is the big island. Everybody has their favorite. There is no right or wrong. It just depends what your preferences are.