Oahu And and Waikiki Beach are well known as world wide tourist destinations.  Oahu is also the first island that most visitors arrive at when traveling to Hawaii.  True, some airlines fly direct into Maui but by far, many more flights arrive in Honolulu.  As with all the Islands, Oahu has its own rhythm ....... its identifying flavor or story line if you will ....... and there is much to see and feel here.  That being said, I like to plan a short stay here in the State Capitol at the end of my vacation for filling any empty space in my luggage with a sampling from the myriad of stores found at every turn.  Waikiki also gets me wound back up a little so that the shock on my system when returning to the mainland is minimized.  I simply make a connecting flight on Hawaiian Airlines to another island on my outward travel day so as to begin my laid back Hawaiian experience as soon as possible.  Makes for a long day but is very much worth it!

Now Don't get me wrong, we do enjoy and even look forward to Waikiki ........ it is just that it is not why we come back again and again.   While here, we stay in hotels near the water, not condominiums, and do not rent a car as everything is close or has a shuttle going to it.  My favorites are Outrigger or Ohana properties near or on Lewers Street.  A five minute walk gets you to the beach at one fourth the room price.  You shouldn't need to pay more than $105.00 per night.  So now that you are here, enjoy the city!  If it so happens that Oahu is the only island you can visit this trip, then rent the car and explore the "back country".  Pick up a copy of This Week in Oahu or Oahu Gold found on every corner for coupons, maps and touring information.  Better yet, go to their web site prior to your trip and have a copy sent to your house.  It is a great planning tool.  If you are only going to be here a couple of days, here are some suggestions on what not to miss! 

Duke's On Waikiki Beach is a landmark restaurant and bar that is named after an unbelievable man.  During the first half of the 20th century, Duke Paoa Kahinu Mokoe Hulikohola Kahanamoku ... known to most as Duke or The Duke, and as Paoa to Hawaiian and long time island friends ... "emerged as the world's consummate waterman, its fastest swimmer and foremost surfer, the first truly famous beach boy," wrote biographer Grady Timmons.  He's the most famous name in surfing .... an Olympic champion, Hollywood actor and Hawaiian folk hero.  He's also remembered for his grace in the water, his good humor, and his sportsmanship.  Duke Kahanamoku is best known to surfers as, "the father of modern surfing.  As a sign of Duke's importance to the sport, one of his early surfboards, with his name across the bow, is preserved in the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.  The menu as well as the view of Diamond Head are very good! 

For More  bio on Duke, go *^click HERE ^click*   or if you have time for an extensive biography by Malcolm Gault-Williams to include Duke's life saving swim off the coast of Southern California,  *^click HERE ^click* .  Don Ho may have more TV credits to his name but the Duke was Hawaii's first ambassador of Aloha and remains, in my mind anyway, the best there ever was!

The USS Arizona  Memorial is no secret, but many pass it by because they cannot make the time.  It is worth the time ......... I was surprised at how much the scene moved me. The Visitors Center is open 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week except New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  What you need to know is that the actual launch ride out to the Memorial is operated by the Navy and is free.  If you have no car, shuttles run out to the memorial from all over Honolulu and coupons are in many printed guided as mentioned near the top.  Some are just transport for about $10.00 and others include other stops for higher prices. 

Hawaii's Favorite  visitor attraction is advertised as being The Polynesian Cultural Center  and perhaps it is just that!  If you can spend a day, do it.  It is not an actual living community rather a theme park  ....... although it is very well done and offers some insight to the Hawaii of ancient Kahuna and hand made canoes.  Ticket prices range from $165.00 down to $54.00 depending on attractions opted for.  Visit their web site at link above.  If you have a car, drive around the island slowly and enjoy the rural views.  Drive to the North Shore and see the famous surfing beach.  Get a tatoo, take the free tour of Maui Divers factory and learn about coral, do the Hard Rock, turn and burn on the beach, never sleep!  After all, you are going back to the world in a day or two so get used to it!  You will be very happy that you spent a week on one of the other islands after a busy day in Honolulu.  Speaking of other islands, lets go!!!  Use the links below and get local!

O'ahu      Maui       LanaŽi       Moloka'i      The Big Island       Kaua'i      NiŽihau