August 28th, 2006
Oahu 1 Week Suggested Itinerary for your Hawaii Vacation
1 Week on Oahu
The island of Oahu is so stunning that the alii, the kings of Hawaii, made it the capital of the island nation. I’ve presumed that you are staying in Waikiki — if you are in another location, be sure to factor in the time for traveling.
Day 1: Arrival & Waikiki Beach –After you get off the plane, lather up in sunscreen, grab your sunglasses and hat, and head for the most famous beach in the world — Waikiki Beach. If you have kids in tow, or you can’t handle a whole afternoon in Hawaii’s intense sun, you might consider checking out Hawaii’s water world by dropping by the Waikiki Aquarium, or learning about Hawaii’s unique culture at the Bishop Museum at Kalia. For in insight into Waikiki’s past, take the Waikiki Historic Trail, a 2-mile trail marked with bronzed surf boards. Be sure to catch the sunset (anywhere on Waikiki Beach will do), and get an early dinner.
Day 2: Pearl Harbor & Honolulu’s Chinatown–Head to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Get there as early as possible — by the afternoon the lines are 2 hours long. While you are there be sure to see the USS Missouri Memorial and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park. On your way back, stop in Chinatown for lunch and take my self-guided walking tour of this unique area. In the afternoon, take a nap or head for the beach at Ala Moana Beach Park or a shopping spree across the street at the Ala Moana Center.Plan to have dinner in Honolulu or the surrounding area.
Day 3: North Shore & the Polynesian Cultural Center –Start your day with a drive to the North Shore. If you’re up early enough, have breakfast in the quaint town of Haleiwa. if not at least stop and get a picnic lunch before you beach-hop down the coast of the North Shore and choose from some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, like Waimea Beach Park, which is calm for swimming in summer, but gets pounded with 30- and 40-foot waves in winter. Any time after 12:30pm, head for the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie. Allow at least 2 hours to tour this miniglimpse of the Pacific. Continue driving down the coast road to the small town of Kailua. Stay for dinner here to avoid the traffic back to Waikiki.
Day 4: Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay & Watching Marine Life at Sea Life Park –If it’s not Tuesday (when the park is closed), head out in the morning for the spectacular snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. After a couple of hours wander down the coast to Sea Life Park. If you have kids, this is a must-stop. Otherwise, you can continue "beach-hopping" down the coastline — check out Sandy Beach and Makapuu Beach Park to see which one appeals to you. Then turn back to take the Pali Highway (be sure to stop at the Pali Lookout) back to Waikiki.
Day 5: Rainforest Hike, Historic Honolulu & Hawaiian Culture–You probably could use a day out of the sun by now, so try a short hike into the rainforest, just a 15-minute drive from downtown Honolulu. Be sure to wear good hiking or trail shoes for the Manoa Falls Trail, and bring mosquito repellent. Next, head for downtown Honolulu to see some of the city’s historic sites, including the Iolani Palace, Kawaiahao Church, Mission Houses Museum, and the Hawaii Maritime Center. For a view of where you’ve been go to the top of the Aloha Tower, at the Aloha Tower Marketplace, for a bird’s-eye view of Honolulu. Stop for lunch either at the Marketplace or one of the nearby restaurants. Spend the afternoon at the Bishop Museum to immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture.
Day 6: Kailua Beach–On your last full day on Oahu travel over the Pali Highway to the windward side of the island and spend a day at Kailua Beach. Pick up a picnic lunch at Good to Go. This is the perfect beach to just relax or snorkel or try something different like kayaking or windsurfing. You can spend the entire day here or you can take an afternoon hike at the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens.
Day 7: Final Day: Shopping & Art–Been having too much fun to shop for gifts for your friends back home? You can find a great selection of stores in Waikiki at the Ala Moana Shopping Center, the DFS Galleria, and the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. If you’re more interested in looking than buying, check out the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the Contemporary Museum, or the Hawaii State Art Museum. On your way back to the airport, be sure to stop at one of the Maunakea Street lei shops in Chinatown to buy a sweet-smelling souvenir of your trip.