Beyond the Guide Books on Oahu
Kauai_No_Ka_Oi
30+ trips to the Hawaiian islands and counting...
Aug 27, 2007
based on 12 votes
Fun stuff to see and do on the island of Oahu
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Explore locations featured in this Traveler List:
Honolulu, Haleiwa, Oahu, Waimanalo, Laie
- Category: Best of
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Traveler type: Culture, Sightseeing, Shopping, Active/Outdoors, Never been before, Repeat visitors, Beachgoers
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Appeals to: Couples/romantics, Singles, Families with small children, Families with teenagers, Students, Active/adventure, Tourists
- Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Tags: Hawaii, Waikiki, Oahu, shopping, activities, surfing, explore
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1. Hawaiian Fire Surf School
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| Off-duty fire fighters provide surfing instruction on a quiet beach west of Waikiki. Transportation is provided from the student's hotel to the beach. The biggest advantage this school has over other surfing classes (besides the really hot fire fighters) is that the instructors are the same men and women who RESCUE the people that are beyond the resources of the life guards! Reserve your class in advance - classes fill up quick. |
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2. Wild Side Specialty Tours
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| Swim with dolphins in the wild. Skip the artificial hotel dolphin experiences and go where the dolphins are able to roam free. Morning Wildlife Charters leave from the Waianae boat harbor in the morning and passengers are able to snorkel a reef and swim among pods of Spinner dolphins. Other cruises are available through the tour company. |
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| Shopping, people watching and high-end stores. This gigantic mall has something for everyone. The street level food court is true Pacific Rim dining with offerings from Filipino, Japanese, Korean and Chinese vendors. Be sure to check out the offerings from Town & Country Surf, the Crack Seed Center, and the St. Germain Bakery. |
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4. Shirokiya Department Store
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| Two story Japanese department store in the Ala Moana Shopping center (next to Macy's). First floor is filled with Japanese electronics, jewelry, movies, books, dolls and other decorative items. Second floor is dedicated to imported Japanese food stuffs, kitchen items, ceramics and a cafeteria / market where diners can pick up lunch or dinner. |
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| Malasadas (Portuguese fried donut balls) come dusted in sugar or cinnamon and can be filled with custard, dobash (chocolate) or the current "special" flavor. Best of all - the bakery opens really really early and closes really really late. |
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6. Van's Triple Crown of Surfing
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| November-December. Watch the bravest (or craziest) watermen challenge the winter surf on the North Shore of Oahu. Wave height can range from a choppy 6' to a towering +25'. Competition days are announced the night before so check the web site frequently. |
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| Arrive EARLY! Passes to the Arizona Memorial are free but limited in number. This site is a beautiful but sad tribute to the soldiers that died during the attack on Pearl Harbor. |
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8. Kapiolani Community College Farmer's Market
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| Fresh island fruits & vegetables, local products and ready to eat foods. Sample locally made snack foods, jams & jellies and baked goods. Discover that there is more grown on the island besides coconuts, pineapples & papayas. |
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9. Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
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| See fish in their natural environment. This preserve fills up fast with tourists so arrive early. First-time visitors (and visitors who haven't been by in a while) are required to watch a short video on how to not damage the Bay environment before they are let loose on the beach. Fee required for parking and access to the park. Snorkel gear & lockers available for rent. Bathrooms & showers are free. *Note: PLEASE DO NOT STEP ON THE CORAL. |
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| An entertaining weekend to be on Oahu. Air fares are cheap, hotels are expensive, and there are a lot of free and pay events being held all over Honolulu. In 2007, organizers of the event held the first ever FREE Pro Bowl block party on Kalakaua Ave. The entire street was closed along Waikiki Beach as restaurants, vendors, entertainment stages and the public had a great time. One of the most surprising aspects of this event (besides being free) was the great job the security patrols & Honolulu police did in keeping the peace. |
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| North Shore surfer haven. During the summer the town is like a sleepy little village, but during winter, the population triples in number (especially when the surf contests are running!). When visiting, please be courteous to the locals - don't stop in the middle of the street to take a picture, don't park in someone's front yard, do pull completely off the road if you want to stop and do drive at the same speed as the rest of the traffic. |
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12. Waimea Bay Beach Park
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| When the waves are flat - Waimea is a peaceful, calm little beach. When the waves are cranking - watch out! Waimea explodes with big waves, high-level surfers, and the people that love to watch them. |
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13. Obon Festivals
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| Buddist temples honor their ancestors with night time festivals. Hawaii's version incorporates the traditional dances with a carnival like atmosphere that is open to everyone. Check the local newspapers during summer for a temple's dates & location. |
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| Small park featuring creatures found in the waters surrounding Hawaii. Fun for kids (just don't tell them that its educational too). |
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15. Aloha Stadium Swap Meet
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| Shopping, shopping and more shopping. The vendors are spread out on the parking lot of Aloha Stadium so there is very little shade. Another "arrive early" destination. |
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| Panoramic view of Honolulu and a great spot for photos. Bring a jacket just in case the winds are blowing. |
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17. Beard Papa Bakerys
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| Japanese cream puffs. These treats can be made either sweet (dessert) or savory (crab salad) when you place your order. Various locations in Waikiki. |
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| Casual dining restaurant. Quality of the food varies. If you're lucky, you may even see Dog and his crew on a break from their bounty hunting. |
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19. Makino Chaya Buffet
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| Various locations. Sushi & seafood & lots of choices. Minimal desserts, but after filling up on dinner, you won't have room for more. |
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20. Polynesian Cultural Center
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| A very sanitized summary of the many cultures that comprise Polynesia. Worth visiting if you don't already have your trip to the south Pacific planned. Skip the luau if you have your heart set on Mai Tais & Pina Coladas - its a "dry" feast. |
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Compliment Kauai_No_Ka_Oi
