Recommendations on Oahu.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by 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.

I think I'm going to book the Luaua at Paradise Cove. It is only a five minute walk from our resort.

[prarieboy]

Do yourself a favour and go to Lanikai Beach. It's one of the most scenic places you will ever visit.

Google it and you'll see.

It's not busy like Waikiki either.

[mykalberta]

How old are the kids? 5 and ?

[Northendzone]

Park at the beach and watch thieves break into rental cars

[Jake]

Used to live there... miss it so much!

The beaches on the east point of Oahu are amazing. Kind of far for you but worth it. All are east of Waikiki... Hanauma Bay is the first, Sandy's beach is a bit further on, and Makapu'u is north/east of Sandy's (around the point). Makapu'u is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Hawaii, IMO.

North Shore is always worth a day trip. Sunset beach, Waimea bay, and Sharks Cove are all amazing.

Kailua beach (north of Honolulu, across the mountains) is a very calm beach. Low surf. Great for swimming with kids. Kailua is also an awesome town. Go to Lanikai juice for some good smoothies/acai bowls. Plus, the drive out there through the mountains is gorgeous.

I'd skip the Dole Plantation, but it is on the way to North Shore, so it may be worth it if your son enjoys trains.

Unfortunately I didn't get out to the west shore often, but Electric beach has good snorkelling.

Waikiki has a lot of shopping and some good restaurants. The beach is very crowded, but still fun. The Waikiki aquarium is awesome.

Skip Sea Life Park. Very expensive and the aquarium is terrible.

[OldDutch]

Only things that I can add that Jake didn't cover (Great run down, I'll focus on non-beach).

Ko Olina is awesome for families. Make sure you hit the Disney brunch, it is expensive but kids love it.

There is a great Thai place in Kapolei called Thai Lao if your into that.

Please don't buy your groceries at the ABC, Costco and Target (has groceries) is your best friend 5 mins away. If you can BBQ at Disney, treat yourself to a Costco sized Ahi Tuna/Opa steak. If you love fish and booze like I do Costco is paradise in paradise.

There is Premium Outlet shopping for the wife 10 mins away.

Sneak into the other pools at the other resorts in Ko Olina. Security is lax and it changes things up.

Sushi Sasabune is awesome sushi in Honolulu. Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin is bomb Tonkatsu.

Hire a Nanny from Nannies Hawaii, and go to the above restos, or hit up Roy's on the Ko Olina golf course for parents night out. Trust me it is worth it, and the sitters are awesome.

Golf at Ko Olina, it was LPGA event last year. Very nice and relaxing course.

Try to eat at Just Tacos only once, there is so much better food out there.

Oh, and try the water park in Kapolei out for me, I always drive by and want to go but my kid isn't old enough yet.

[billybob123]

Don't waste your time at the Dole plantation for trains. If your son is really into trains (mine is), there's a Hawaiian heritage railway that runs at about 3 pm on weekends. Runs up the ewa coast, past the ko olina resorts, and then back. Pulled by an old diesel engine. Totally worth the admission. Your son will love it. There's even a few level crossings where the train has to honk.

http://www.hawaiianrailway.com/

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

How old are the kids? 5 and ?

Thirteen year old girl.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by billybob123

Don't waste your time at the Dole plantation for trains. If your son is really into trains (mine is), there's a Hawaiian heritage railway that runs at about 3 pm on weekends. Runs up the ewa coast, past the ko olina resorts, and then back. Pulled by an old diesel engine. Totally worth the admission. Your son will love it. There's even a few level crossings where the train has to honk.

http://www.hawaiianrailway.com/

He will definately love that. "Ding Ding's" (railway crossings) are his favorite.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

Only things that I can add that Jake didn't cover (Great run down, I'll focus on non-beach).

Ko Olina is awesome for families. Make sure you hit the Disney brunch, it is expensive but kids love it.

There is a great Thai place in Kapolei called Thai Lao if your into that.

Please don't buy your groceries at the ABC, Costco and Target (has groceries) is your best friend 5 mins away. If you can BBQ at Disney, treat yourself to a Costco sized Ahi Tuna/Opa steak. If you love fish and booze like I do Costco is paradise in paradise.

There is Premium Outlet shopping for the wife 10 mins away.

Sneak into the other pools at the other resorts in Ko Olina. Security is lax and it changes things up.

Sushi Sasabune is awesome sushi in Honolulu. Tonkatsu Ginza Bairin is bomb Tonkatsu.

Hire a Nanny from Nannies Hawaii, and go to the above restos, or hit up Roy's on the Ko Olina golf course for parents night out. Trust me it is worth it, and the sitters are awesome.

Golf at Ko Olina, it was LPGA event last year. Very nice and relaxing course.

Try to eat at Just Tacos only once, there is so much better food out there.

Oh, and try the water park in Kapolei out for me, I always drive by and want to go but my kid isn't old enough yet.

I'm not sure if we will need to hit up other pools. Sounds like the one at Aulani is going to be the best hands down. Also at Aulani they have a place to drop off the kids for free called Aunties Beach House. If you want your kids to get a meal there it is $15. I have heard nothing but good things about Roy's so that is a definate. Do you need reservations there? Thanks for all the info.

[ernie]

Sit back and relax is my only advice.

If you can, spend some time on the big island. You can more easily get away from the tourist traps. When my wife and I were there a number of years ago, we found some secluded little beach and for 5+ hours it was just us and bunch of sea turtles. It was awesome.

[billybob123]

Your son and my son share a love of the "ding dings".

There's one level crossing with signals and arms near the Costco, he'll love it. We still watch the video from it.

ETA: here's the street view.

[guzzy]

i found Oahu to be overrated. Some beautiful areas, great beaches but Waikiki looks like LA. It is brutal, overpriced and crowded.

Maui is much better. With that being said, you can to Costa Rica for half the price and have twice the experience.

[Ace]

There is an outdoor water park about 40 min from Honolulu, I've been twice, and while not exclusive to Hawaii, certainly makes for a fun day in the sun.

Note the crazy early closing times: http://www.wetnwildhawaii.com/upload...g_Calendar.pdf

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by guzzy

i found Oahu to be overrated. Some beautiful areas, great beaches but Waikiki looks like LA. It is brutal, overpriced and crowded.

Maui is much better. With that being said, you can to Costa Rica for half the price and have twice the experience.

I don't plan on going anywhere near Waikiki.

[Bunk]

I like Waikiki - yes it's busy but it's fun to shop, eat, hang out there.

I also like the quieter resorts too in places like Maui.

Last May we did 4 nights in Waikiki and then 4 nights at the Four Seasons Maui (which must be the greatest hotel on earth - Oh my god was it nice). It was a perfect combination.

Thinking Big Island next time.

[burn_baby_burn]

I hear lots of great things about Maui, but this is a family vacation. Keeping the kids occupied and happy is a big priority. That is why we picked Aulani. Lots of fun for the kids while being away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and Waikiki.

[billybob123]

You don't need to go to Maui or the Big Island to get away from crowds on Oahu, just leave the resort area and stay away from Honolulu.

My wife and son and I drove around the island and similar stuff to what I remember from Big Island/Maui (though I loved them both) can be found all over Oahu. Serene peaceful beaches, quiet towns, relaxing hikes, quiet. If you liked Lost, we had fun finding all the filming locations we could. My favourite was the deserted beach near Haleiwa (papailoa beach). Felt like i'd been there before because of the show. Not a person on the beach except for us and the turtles. Of course you can't swim in the winter there, but it was still deserted and lovely to sit on for a few hours. And the turtles are everywhere.

[Jake]

The Aulani I think is brand new, only a few years old. I have heard it's one of the nicest resorts on the island.

[Loob]

I worked and lived in Waikiki giving surf lessons. I can make a list for you of the best places on the island. Beaches, food and secrets that tourist don't know.