Aloha,
The island of Oahu has many different places you can stay all over the island, yet there are definably places you would want to avoid.
Waikiki isn't bad, and for some people it is exactly what they are looking for; night life, fancy restaurants, and a popular beach with cocktails. We lived in an Ohana hotel located at Kuhio and Lewers for a month back in 2003, and it was ok but not anything special. Before we knew anybody over here living in a cheap but decent hotel seemed like a good idea until we could find a place of our own. We also lived on the other side of Waikiki at Discovery Bay (a condo place) which is across the street (Ala Moana Blvd.) from the ILI KAI (Hotel and Condo place) and the Hilton Hawaiian village. We also spent a night at the Ohana Beachcomber Waikiki, and it was ok and it is not on the beach. The thing about Waikiki is it is busy, sometimes crowded, and sometimes very loud even past midnight. My experience is that the closer you are to the center of Waikiki or the International Market Place the more tourist trap crap you are going to experience. There are many nice and expensive restaurants in the Waikiki, yet I am limited to tell about the only five I have eaten at; Dukes(very expensive) is the best if you like fish, Tiki's has fish and more traditional type food like Lau Lau(very expensive); Outback Steack house (on Ala Moana Blvd and not very good); Chili's (on Kuhio), and Cheese Burger in Paradise (it's ok and on Ala Moana Blvd).
If you are unsure about a place let me know and I'll either let you know what I think or go check it out and then let you know what I think.
Diamond Head- it's a nice short little hike, but they are going to charge you an entry fee to enter
Pearl Harbor- there is a bit more to do here then just see the Arizona memorial; the memorial is free and I believe the parking is free as well. There is a museum and the U.S.S. Bowfin (WW2 sub) where you can also get the combo ticket that allows you to take the trolley over to the U.S.S. Missouri (the battleship the Japanese signed their surender), and the Avaition Museum. I suggest starting early the memorial opens at 7:30A.M. and by 9 A.M. there will be a line. Bringing a lunch if you have a cooler or taking a lunch break and driving toward the airport down to Radford Dr. and getting something to eat is a pretty good idea. There was a snack bar, but really do something else.
I don't think there is any place to stay over here unless you know someone in the Navy or Airforce stationed here.
The North Shore
Wailua- very small town and there are sharks (breeding area)
Haliewa- a Hawaiian style country town with some tourist stuff like boutiques, surf shops, art galleries, and restaurants. THIS IS NOT LAHIANA
although there are other restaurants in Haliewa there are three restaurants most tourist frequent in Haliewa Joe's (popular and expensive) Jensens Seafood, and Cholo's. All three are places people go to be seen especially Cholo's.
Waimea Bay- pretty neat big surf spot in the Winter
Waimea Falls- never been
Sharks Cove- great snorkeling in the summer
Sunset Beach- surf spot
Turtle Bay- this is a private resort that has a hotel, two golf courses, condos, and multiple private beaches. They might have more but I've yet to go there. If you go find out what the visitor polocies are and I'll come over.
Liehi- it's where the Mormons are and it's pretty. The Polynesian Cultural Center which is huge is also here; I hear it's an all day thing.
Kahuku- Horseback riding and movie tours
The East Shore
Kailua- nice long beautiful beach with beach estates for rent among other things. There are good restaurants and some shopping. This is where bama vacations
Lani Kai- very nice and quiet with one of if not the prettiest beach in all of Hawaii; but if you need to go to the store or want to go to a restaurant your going to have to make the quick drive into Kailua.
Waimanalo- big long beach. Don't think all the locals are going to be happy your there because some really don't want you there. The Magnum P.I. House is here but you kind of have to know where it is and it is NOT open to the public.
In Between Waimanalo and Hawaii Kai/Portlock
Sea Life Park (http://www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/) it's like a smaller version of Sea World. There is a Dolphin experience you can pay to do, and they have some other animals; they do not have a Walrus like you see in the movies.
There is a Light house you can walk to just down the road
Koko Head Crater- botanical garden in the center, and you can climb to the summit, but you'll need to drive to the park on the other side to get to the trail head. *the trail has no switchbacks, so that means it's straight up.
The Blow Hole- on the side of the road with good parking, no sign.
Hanauma Bay- Wildlife Preserve supposed to be great snorkeling, but get there early. Closed Tuesdays
Hawaii Kai/ Portlock
There are some vacation places to rent here and one of the three Costcos is here
Leeward Oahu
If your not staying at one of the new resorts on this side of the island I think it would be better if you didn't venture to this side of the island.
Disney is building a big place over here.
There is a waterpark
Please understand that if you show up at my door unannounced and expect to stay with me you may be surprised when I hand you a tarp and head you towards a place you can camp (most likely illegally and with homeless people) This doesn't apply to everyone but I don't think you should risk it.
The island of Oahu has many different places you can stay all over the island, yet there are definably places you would want to avoid.
Waikiki isn't bad, and for some people it is exactly what they are looking for; night life, fancy restaurants, and a popular beach with cocktails. We lived in an Ohana hotel located at Kuhio and Lewers for a month back in 2003, and it was ok but not anything special. Before we knew anybody over here living in a cheap but decent hotel seemed like a good idea until we could find a place of our own. We also lived on the other side of Waikiki at Discovery Bay (a condo place) which is across the street (Ala Moana Blvd.) from the ILI KAI (Hotel and Condo place) and the Hilton Hawaiian village. We also spent a night at the Ohana Beachcomber Waikiki, and it was ok and it is not on the beach. The thing about Waikiki is it is busy, sometimes crowded, and sometimes very loud even past midnight. My experience is that the closer you are to the center of Waikiki or the International Market Place the more tourist trap crap you are going to experience. There are many nice and expensive restaurants in the Waikiki, yet I am limited to tell about the only five I have eaten at; Dukes(very expensive) is the best if you like fish, Tiki's has fish and more traditional type food like Lau Lau(very expensive); Outback Steack house (on Ala Moana Blvd and not very good); Chili's (on Kuhio), and Cheese Burger in Paradise (it's ok and on Ala Moana Blvd).
If you are unsure about a place let me know and I'll either let you know what I think or go check it out and then let you know what I think.
Diamond Head- it's a nice short little hike, but they are going to charge you an entry fee to enter
Pearl Harbor- there is a bit more to do here then just see the Arizona memorial; the memorial is free and I believe the parking is free as well. There is a museum and the U.S.S. Bowfin (WW2 sub) where you can also get the combo ticket that allows you to take the trolley over to the U.S.S. Missouri (the battleship the Japanese signed their surender), and the Avaition Museum. I suggest starting early the memorial opens at 7:30A.M. and by 9 A.M. there will be a line. Bringing a lunch if you have a cooler or taking a lunch break and driving toward the airport down to Radford Dr. and getting something to eat is a pretty good idea. There was a snack bar, but really do something else.
I don't think there is any place to stay over here unless you know someone in the Navy or Airforce stationed here.
The North Shore
Wailua- very small town and there are sharks (breeding area)
Haliewa- a Hawaiian style country town with some tourist stuff like boutiques, surf shops, art galleries, and restaurants. THIS IS NOT LAHIANA
although there are other restaurants in Haliewa there are three restaurants most tourist frequent in Haliewa Joe's (popular and expensive) Jensens Seafood, and Cholo's. All three are places people go to be seen especially Cholo's.
Waimea Bay- pretty neat big surf spot in the Winter
Waimea Falls- never been
Sharks Cove- great snorkeling in the summer
Sunset Beach- surf spot
Turtle Bay- this is a private resort that has a hotel, two golf courses, condos, and multiple private beaches. They might have more but I've yet to go there. If you go find out what the visitor polocies are and I'll come over.
Liehi- it's where the Mormons are and it's pretty. The Polynesian Cultural Center which is huge is also here; I hear it's an all day thing.
Kahuku- Horseback riding and movie tours
The East Shore
Kailua- nice long beautiful beach with beach estates for rent among other things. There are good restaurants and some shopping. This is where bama vacations
Lani Kai- very nice and quiet with one of if not the prettiest beach in all of Hawaii; but if you need to go to the store or want to go to a restaurant your going to have to make the quick drive into Kailua.
Waimanalo- big long beach. Don't think all the locals are going to be happy your there because some really don't want you there. The Magnum P.I. House is here but you kind of have to know where it is and it is NOT open to the public.
In Between Waimanalo and Hawaii Kai/Portlock
Sea Life Park (http://www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/) it's like a smaller version of Sea World. There is a Dolphin experience you can pay to do, and they have some other animals; they do not have a Walrus like you see in the movies.
There is a Light house you can walk to just down the road
Koko Head Crater- botanical garden in the center, and you can climb to the summit, but you'll need to drive to the park on the other side to get to the trail head. *the trail has no switchbacks, so that means it's straight up.
The Blow Hole- on the side of the road with good parking, no sign.
Hanauma Bay- Wildlife Preserve supposed to be great snorkeling, but get there early. Closed Tuesdays
Hawaii Kai/ Portlock
There are some vacation places to rent here and one of the three Costcos is here
Leeward Oahu
If your not staying at one of the new resorts on this side of the island I think it would be better if you didn't venture to this side of the island.
Disney is building a big place over here.
There is a waterpark
Please understand that if you show up at my door unannounced and expect to stay with me you may be surprised when I hand you a tarp and head you towards a place you can camp (most likely illegally and with homeless people) This doesn't apply to everyone but I don't think you should risk it.
