Recommendations on Oahu.

[burn_baby_burn]

Taking the family to Oahu for 10 days in early February. I was just wondering if anyone had any must sees or do's and don'ts for the island. We are staying at Aulani in Ko Olina for the entire trip. For the most part we want to relax, however, we do want to spend a few days exploring the island. I have a vehicle rented so transportation isn't a concern.

Pearl Harbor is a definite, maybe even two days for myself. I might take the kids to the Dole Plantation. I have heard that it isn't that great, but that kids love it. My five year old son is obsessed with trains and they have one there so it should make him happy. We might also take a few tours at the Kualoa Ranch. Both of my kids are huge Jurassic Park fans, so I think they would love that part of the tour.

One thing I would love to do is whale watching. Anyone every gone on one of the tours in this area?

[Hockeyguy15]

You won't need two days at Pearl Harbor.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

You won't need two days at Pearl Harbor.

I should have explained more. We wan't to take our five year old son, but I think a lot of it will bore him. So I was thinking of coming by myself on a second day to take in the museum, the audio tour, the aviation museum. I'm sure he will love the Missouri and the Bowfin submarine. The rest of it he won't have the patience for me to take my time and see everything.

[You Need a Thneed]

Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay.

[Hockeyguy15]

Couldn't remember the name until now...Kids might like this.

http://www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/index.asp

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay.

I found this to be one of the most overrated "tourist" things to do but then again i've been snorkelling in some pretty outstanding places.

In terms of recommendations take the kids to the polynesian cultural center. You can spend an entire day there and finish the evening with a great show.

The pineapple bowl is something to see as well, it's where the casualties of the pacific war are burried.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay.

I might explore that. I have read that it is very rough in February though.

[surferguy]

Spend a day watching the big waves and surfers of the North Shore

I swam with the dolphins at Sea Life Park.
Pro's: they do alot of rehab/rescue there and you get to swim with the dolphins.
Con's: The tanks they are in make me sad. The total "swimming" is pretty short and very structured.
I can't remember the price, but it was a bucket thing for me, so whatever it was, it was worth it.

Make sure you don't do Hanauma bay 10 days after a full moon. Over snorkel was cut short due to a box jelly fish invasion.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Spend a day watching the big waves and surfers of the North Shore

There is also Sandy Beach for big waves isn't there? I have never been there but a friend of mine went and he said it was nice.

[Travis Munroe]

Some good shopping in honolulu + dog the bounty hunters original office, kind of cool to get a picture in front of it if you watched the show and saw it on tv a million times. Also, if you have never seen a NFL stadium, go check out where the pro bowl is played. Its nothing fancy compared to modern stadiums but is quite cool when comparing to McMahon.

Its also super cheap to fly to any of the other islands on these little prop jets should you want to check out another island.

[Zulu29]

Do not rent a dodge charger. Me and my fiancé went there last April and it got broken into twice, last time was right before the airport. Parked at a beach for 30 minutes to get some pics. Came back and trunk had been popped, luggage stolen. Cops said that the charger is a major heat score for thieves there, easy to break into.

[North East Goon]

Eat at the Todai restaurant, all you can eat fresh seafood and sushi. They have these restaurants in other cities, but this location was way better.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Zulu29

Do not rent a dodge charger. Me and my fiancé went there last April and it got broken into twice, last time was right before the airport. Parked at a beach for 30 minutes to get some pics. Came back and trunk had been popped, luggage stolen. Cops said that the charger is a major heat score for thieves there, easy to break into.

my hawaii guidebook says that if you rent a car, take all your valuables out and leave the doors unlocked so that thieves don't smash the windows in. that sucks that you have to basically assume your car will get prowled so just make the prowling go more smoothly, but I guess even paradise can have pimple or two.

[Misterpants]

The Polynesian Cultural Centre might be worth a look. The Luaua kind of sucked since they didn't serve booze, but the dancey dance thing was top notch.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by surferguy

Spend a day watching the big waves and surfers of the North Shore

Agreed - the north shore - places like Sunset Beach and the massive surf are a must see in the winter. Maybe the funnest thing to do in Oahu.

Around the North Shore there's also these fantastic shrimp trucks. So delicious. Great local tradition. We went to Giovanni's, which is one of the famous ones. http://www.yelp.ca/biz/giovannis-shrimp-truck-kahuku

[Bunk]

For anyone who's ever been to Japan, you will also appreciate Shrokiya at the Ala Moana Shopping Mall. It's a true Japanese departments store, complete with the full floor of nothing but food. It's amazing. You'll swear you've just been transported to Tokyo.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/shirokiya-honolulu

[gargamel]

If you take the bus, make sure that you take one that doesn't go through the air force base, because they'll stop at the gate and check everyone for military ID and make you get off if you don't have it. I should have had just enough time to take the bus to Waikiki Beach, quickly look around and take the bus back to the airport during a layover in Honolulu, but instead I took the bus to the air force base, got kicked off, then waited and waited for a bus to go back the other direction before giving up and walking back to the airport for my flight.

[Byrns]

A better beach than Waikiki:

http://www.hawaiigaga.com/oahu/beach...kai-beach.aspx
http://www.hawaiigaga.com/oahu/beach...lua-beach.aspx

[burn_baby_burn]

I have read on numerous sites not to leave anything in a rental car and to leave the doors unlocked. From what I understand, local laws state that if you want to press charges in Hawaii you must be present in court. Obviously the locals know that a tourist isn't going to fly back Hawaii for a court date, so they target them.