Honululu/Oahu, Hawaii tips

[r0xikat]

Going for a solid week at the end of this month for a family friend's wedding

Has anyone been and got tips on stuff to do while I'm there?

so far I've written down (aside from general lounging around on the beach):
- snokerling/scuba
- pineapple plantation
- coffee plantation
- Diamond Head
- another park/tour with volcanoes
- Pearl Harbor/Pacific Memorial
- surf
- eating ...

any info at all would be appreciated. thanks!

[dcopeland]

Hanauma Bay
skydiving (think there are gliders at the same airport)
North Shore - surfing
For Pearl Harbor - suggest getting there early!
Blowhole - wouldn't have it to high a priority personally
We took a limo tour around the island and from what I remember it was reasonably priced
May be too late for whale watching.. most would be gone by then

Enjoy!
David

[rexster]

snokerling/scuba
- pineapple plantation
If you just want to see pineapple fields, take the H2 to the north shore past Wahiawa and they'll be on the side of the road. Dole Plantation has a visitor center that tells you all about pineapples
- coffee plantation
I'm not aware of any coffee plantations on Oahu
- Diamond Head
You can hike to the top of Diamond Head, takes about 3 hours up and down and not a bad hike
- another park/tour with volcanoes
Active volcanoes on the Big Island, you'll have to take an interisland flight there if you want to see volcanoes
- Pearl Harbor/Pacific Memorial
Definitely do the Pearl Harbor tour. Get there early in the morning, get your tickets If you go later in the day, there's a chance you might not get on the tour that day
- surf
If you're staying in Waikiki there's plenty of beachboys that can give lessons. Just look for their kiosks on the beach
- eating ...
Not enough room here. Go to Tripadvisor. com and do a search There's more information there than you will want

[PhotoByLeal]

Originally Posted by r0xikat

Going for a solid week at the end of this month for a family friend's wedding

Has anyone been and got tips on stuff to do while I'm there?

so far I've written down (aside from general lounging around on the beach):
- snokerling/scuba
- pineapple plantation
- coffee plantation
- Diamond Head
- another park/tour with volcanoes
- Pearl Harbor/Pacific Memorial
- surf
- eating ...

any info at all would be appreciated. thanks!

Take several lenses, I know I would!
Wide, Long, Macro and a 50 1.4!

have fun........

[z-monster]

My wife and I lived in Oahu for 3 solid years and I'm also a skydiver. The best overall advice is to GET AWAY form the CITY!

- snokerling/scuba
Look for lagoons. If memory serves right, Ko Olina will be your best bet. Lagoons are shallow but insanely beautiful. You wont have to worry about straying to far out to sea by accident. On the rocks you'll find starfish and various ocean slugs. Also, if you go early enough you might catch sea turles but do not attempt to hug or hold on to one. You'll often hear locals complain about tourists who often mess with the turtles because they are dumb-asses with no respect. It's highly frowned upon.

- pineapple plantation
Do not pick any of the pineapples from the side of the roads! This is a no-no that will land you in huge trouble with the plantation owner and the law. For the locals that farm them it's their livelihood! Think of it as some one stealing your images online. However, DO make sure to roll your windows down and enjoy the smell as you drive down the road.

- Diamond Head
Take your time in this place. Far too often I would see families snap, snap, snap photos then rush way to next event on their schedule. Quite sad really...

- tour with volcanoes
This is best on the big island.

- Pearl Harbor/Pacific Memorial
The memorial is a very quiet place. You have to take a boat there to the grave/memorial site. Along the way you learn about the USS Arizona's tragic demise. It still leaks oil to this very day. However, the watery grave is used to conduct environmental research. You will also notice that Japanese do pay their respects here!

- surf
North-shore is famous for surfing. This is where a good majority of surfing events & pro competitions happen. Make sure you bring a telephoto with you if you chose to photograph those surfing way out on the tubes. If you chose to surf, pay attention to the weather for surf reports, watch the FLAGs on the beach, and LISTEN to the lifeguards. The lifeguards are experts and can spot a n00bie instantly!

- SKYDIVING (yay!)
The drop zones in Oahu have changed since I was there in 99-02. The United States Parachute Association (USPA) website lists 2 DZ's you can chose from. The USPA is a professional organization that is very important to skydivers. Send me a note if you have questions. Link below:

U.S. Parachute Association > Find a DZ > Group Member List by State > Hawaii

Tandem is what you want (unless you want to get your license and jump for the rest of your life.)The average Tandem Skydive will run about $200. An additional $30 to $50 if you want video (recommended because you won't remember what you did up there). Skydiving in Hawaii can not be beaten (unless you to jump in Dubai). At 14,000 ft, you are going to see how small the island of Oahu really is, you will also see deep ocean blue for miles upon miles.

:D

[r0xikat]

ahhhhh! all wonderful information! thanks everyone :D keep 'em cominggggg!

[ldelacruz]

Buy a premium membership. There is a lot of info in the chat box.

[ggeen]

head over to Wikiki Beach and sign up for the snorkeling with the sea turtles. Look for the Outrigger Catamaran and sign up there. You might try the sunset cruse as well. Below are some photos from my 2010 trip.

Hawaii2010 - geenfoto's Photos

[r0xikat]

Originally Posted by ldelacruz

Buy a premium membership. There is a lot of info in the chat box.

I see what you did there

Originally Posted by ggeen

head over to Wikiki Beach and sign up for the snorkeling with the sea turtles. Look for the Outrigger Catamaran and sign up there. You might try the sunset cruse as well. Below are some photos from my 2010 trip.

Hawaii2010 - geenfoto's Photos

sweet. yeah, we have a group signed up for a couple tours: circle island on monday may 30, and a sunset thing on june 3. aside from the wedding and some little events, my schedule is wide open

[ggeen]

Originally Posted by r0xikat

I see what you did there


sweet. yeah, we have a group signed up for a couple tours: circle island on monday may 30, and a sunset thing on june 3. aside from the wedding and some little events, my schedule is wide open

The circle the island tour will get you to the Dole plantation. Not much really there to photograph this time of year. Already harvested. It should also get you to Hunama Bay at least for a visit. If you want to swim there, show up before sunrise. The bay will be closed by 9AM.

[tc95]

Just a few tips from someone that lived there a long time ago...Paradise Cove Luau...take the Pali Hwy and make sure you take it slow...a lot of great scenic vantage points...Kaneohe Bay on the Windward cost.....Tantalus Drive (which will give you the view of Waikiki and diamond head from 2000 feet....North Shore of Sand Island...off Route 64...

Personally the tours are nice...but I would rent a car...and drive...you will find a lot of cool places by doing this...

You'll have a lot of fun...good luck...and hoped this helps a little...

PS Hanauma Bay - at night with the stars and moon...is just gorgous...but I don't know if they let you in anymore after dark...(I would look into it)....

[r0xikat]

the only stuff I have scheduled is w/ a group of people who are also there for the wedding, so it's fine. I'm asking this so I can go off on my own the rest of the time. planning on getting a bus pass (unlim use for 4 days for $25, would use probably thurs-sun) too so I don't have to bother with a car.

or I can just find a hot local guy and have him take me around

[r0xikat]

also seeing if I can go to Oahu-Hawaii/Big Island for all of Saturday. First flight leaves at 5AM, last from Hawaii (for the $75 fare each way) leaves at 9PM, with other flights throughout the day about every hour.

waterfalls, volcanoes, ATV & coffee plantations? i think yes.

[brewercm]

For food I like the Big Kahuna pizza joint if it's still open but it get's packed. Last time I was there was in 96 for a month there TDY.

I also loved Zippy's chili. If you like chili try it out while there, they are very well known for it. Hmmm, may need to get online and order some now.

[r0xikat]

Originally Posted by brewercm

For food I like the Big Kahuna pizza joint if it's still open but it get's packed. Last time I was there was in 96 for a month there TDY.

I also loved Zippy's chili. If you like chili try it out while there, they are very well known for it. Hmmm, may need to get online and order some now.

is this in Oahu?