Oahu Wrap Up

I wanted to have a post that addresses what we would do differently if we were to go again, or what we should have done differently that time. Ultimately, it is probably best for those who have never been to Oahu and are planning a trip now.

From the previous posts it should be clear that many of the issues we had were transportation and logistics issues, so one of my solutions for that is to change locations.

I believe ideally we would have started with the Polynesian Cultural Center, but stayed nearby. Our first day would have been the full day, concluding with the Ali'l Luau, but then we could have returned the next morning to see anything that we had not seen. This would give everything a more leisurely fell.

Fitting in with that more relaxed vibe, after finishing up there we could then drive to Waimeia Falls Park and explore there.

The day would end in Haleiwa at Matsumoto Shave Ice. They close at 6, but if you need more time at the park, and so you start with Shave Ice early the next day instead, I think that's okay, though it would be a lot of cold treats in a single day, because that next day is where we go to Dole Pineapple Plantation, and of course you will be having the Dole Whip there.

The plantation really only takes a few hours, unless you get lost in the maze. Then it could take longer. Regardless, as you head into Honolulu you will be passing Pearl Harbor on the way, and that means you will also be near the Swap Meet.

One thing that I would have liked to take advantage of is that at the Cultural Center they give you a real lei. It is a nice part of the Hawaiian culture, but then there is not a lot to do with the lei once you have it. At Pearl Harbor you can put leis there to honor the dead, and I would have liked to participate in that.

The Swap Meet is only open on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, so depending on your start day there could be an issue, but the good news in that you are so close to town at this point that rearranging the schedule becomes easy. All of the far places have been covered already.

Once you are in Honolulu, you have the Iolani Palace, and Diamond Head is there, Punch Bowl is there. Hanuama Bay is just a little bit East, but still easily accessible.


I do still recommend keeping transportation in town for your trip to Hanuama Bay, because getting an early start is valuable. Yes, the sun will still get hot, but the later you start, the more likely you are to catch the worst of it. I recommend being there right at opening.



Right near Diamond Head is Shangri La, a mansion built by Doris Duke that is now a museum. That could be one day. Diamond Head is also near the Zoo and the Aquarium. They may not be must-see, but they are fine, and if you have children along, that is probably more reason to see them.

I would probably combine Punch Bowl with the Iolani Palace, Diamond Head with Shangri La, and Hanuama Bay with leisurely exploring, like maybe that day we would go to the International Marketplace. I know the area by the Duke Kahanamoku statue and Kuhio Beach Park, was nice for walking.

That gives you about six days total and you see a lot.

I don't think I would do a show again. We wanted to see Don Ho, and what we got was fine even if it was not exactly that, but I'm not going to Hawaii to see shows.

It doesn't include a lot of time for lounging on the beach, mainly because of my lack of interest, but the other aspect of that is that a lot of people will tell you that other islands are much better than Oahu, and I think those people are looking at surfing and snorkeling and beach time. They seem to focus on Maui and Kauai.

I can't speak for those islands. I do think Pearl Harbor is something special in American history, and worth seeing for that, and I know that there are plenty of good things to see in Oahu. So that's worth something.

Aloha!