What to do in Oahu
So you’ve made it to Oahu, now what?! On an island bustling with people and history there is much more to do than just relax on the beach. Here are some of my top picks:
1. Hike Diamond Head: Diamond Head is a state monument and a volcanic crater on the island of Oahu. It is a very popular hike among tourists for its views. While we were visiting the island, Diamond Head was only open on the weekends as they were doing refurbishments during the week. It was approximately a $15 cab ride from our hotel on Waikiki beach and there is a $1 per person charge to enter. At the base of the crater there are washrooms and a gift shop. Those are the only amenities; there are no washrooms along the hike. Once you start your hike along Diamond Head it is a twisty hike to the top with many locations that have unstable footing. Proper footwear is suggested. You pick your own pace and there are many viewing areas along your journey to the top to rest but the path is narrow. At times, towards the top of Diamond Head, you are going into underground caverns. The last stretch is 99 steep steps straight up to the top, but trust me it is worth it! The views of the ocean, the crater, and Waikiki are breathtaking.
The hike to the top takes approximately 40 minutes (but this varies depending on your pace). Luckily once you finish at the top, it’s a much easier walk down! I enjoyed this hike as it was different from anything I have every done and the views along the way and at the top really make it. It is important to point out that it is a crowded hike with mostly tourists so you can get slowed down at times. Though the path is mostly narrow it does widened out at points so you can pass people if you wish. Also important to note, go early in the day! Temperatures can get very hot and there is no shelter from the sun along this hike. Make sure to visit in the morning before the sun it at its hottest.
2. Pearl Harbor: For me, Pearl Harbor was top on my list of activities to do on Oahu. It’s the main reason we chose to visit Oahu. I’ve been a history buff my whole life and have always had an interested in Pearl Harbor. Getting to visit Pearl Harbor and the WWll Valor in the Pacific National Monument was very humbling and awe-inspiring. We spent a lot of time walking around the grounds, reading the different stones and monuments before entering the museum. There is so much to take in. Of course, seeing the USS Arizona monument out on the water really sets the ton and reminds you what happened there. Before visiting the USS Arizona Memorial you have to get a ticket that gives you a time to visit. Those are first come, first serve and fill up quick so it should be there first thing you do when you arrive. There is no additional charge. Before you take a short boat ride out to the memorial, you enter a theater to watch a short video on the attack on Pearl Harbor and on the Arizona. Both the boat ride and the memorial are run by US Navy men and women. Stepping onboard the memorial is a very somber experience. On board there was a service veteran who answered any questions and told details about the monument. There are no words to describe looking down and seeing the giant battleship that lay below or entering the memorial room and seeing all the names of the men who lost their lives. That day, there was also a Pearl Harbor World War ll veteran on site who was doing a book signing. It is easily a place you could spend your whole day learning about the past.
It is important to note that no bags (purses included) are allowed into the museum. You can take in only what fits in your pockets and is no larger than the size of your palm. Before you enter, they do have a room where you can check your bag for no extra charge. Entrance into the Monument is free and so is admission to the USS Arizona Memorial. If you wish to step onboard the USS Bowfin or the Battleship Missouri or visit Ford Island that is an additional cost.
3. Circle Island Tour: We did a circle island tour with ENOA tours that gave us a great overview of the entire island. For those who don’t want to rent a car and navigate the island on their own, a guided tour is a great way to sit back and relax while seeing the highlights of Oahu. This was a full day tour. Pick up was at 7:30am and we were dropped off back at our hotel around 5:30pm. We did stop for lunch but that was not included in the tour price. On this tour we got to visit the Pali Lookout, Byodo-In Temple, Waimea Valley and the Waimea Water Fall (where we got to swim in the water fall!), the Hanauma Bay Lookout, the North Shore, and the Dole Plantation among other sights. Our tour guide was great. He lived on the island most of his life and was very knowledgeable not only about the history of the island but he also shared fun little antidotes and facts with us. He also customized the tour! We were running early with our itinerary so he threw in a stop at a macadamia nut farm and a visit to a beach on the North Shore so we could see the surf.
4. Luaus: There are many luaus to pick from while you are visiting Oahu. There was one at each resort we stayed at, plus many others. After some research, we went with the Paradise Cove Luau. It came highly recommended by locals and tour companies alike. The Paradise Cove Luau did not disappoint! There were many activities you could participate in before the main show started (throw spears at targets, play a traditional Hawaiian game, ride in an outrigger canoe, and learn out to make flower leis!). We watched the pigs from the pig roast get taken out of the ground in preparation for the feast and saw lots of traditional Hawaiian music and dancing. But the food, it was out of this world! By far the best meal we had while in Hawaii. The pork was delicious and tender, the Hawaiian rolls were sweet, and the sides were tasty. There were tons of choices so even the pickiest eater would have found something they liked. The main show featured not only music and dancing from the Hawaii but also from other Polynesian islands. The entire experience was a great value for our money. Out of 3 luaus I priced, it was actually the cheapest. I would highly recommend this luau to anyone: couples, families, singles, it has something for everyone.
5. US Army Museum of Hawaii: This museum is located at Fort Derussy in Waikiki along the hotel strip. It’s free to enter and is filled with exhibits about Hawaii’s military involvement. It spans the years starting when King Kamehameha united the islands to World War ll to the Vietnam War and today. It also features real world tanks and a helicopter outside the museum. It is a popular spot among visiting servicemen, their families, veterans, and tourists alike. Even if you aren’t all that interested in the history of war, it is a great stop with exhibits that will peak your interest and make you say “Wow, I never knew that!”
6. Shopping: Ala Moana and International Market Place: For most people, a shopping trip is an essential part of any vacation and the shopping on Oahu will not disappoint! There are 2 major shopping complexes of note in Waikiki and Honolulu: The Ala Moana Shopping Centre and International Market Place. Both are just a short walk from the hotels located along the Waikiki Beach hotel strip. The Ala Moana Shopping Centre is the largest open air-shopping complex in North America. It spans multiple city blocks. International Market Place is in the heart of Waikiki. The Market Place itself features a variety of stores including luxury boutiques and is surrounded outside by stores such as Tiffany and Co., Apple, and Lululemon. You will be able to find whatever you are looking for and at any price point at one of these shopping complexes!
Honorable Mention: Leonard’s Bakery
If you’ve got the time and are up for a walk, a trip to Leonard’s Bakery to get their world famous malasadas is a must! A malasada is a Portuguese donut and once you’ve had one you’ll want one everyday of your trip. You have many varieties to choose from. We went with half a dozen: 3 traditional malasadas covered in sugar and 3 covered in sugar filled with custard. The custard filled ones were my favorite! I loved them so much that I even found a recipe online after we got back and made them. They were good, but nothing beats Leonard’s.