J-mans Dad
SF Bay Area
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If you're only going to be on Oahu, I wouldn't rent a car. The BUS runs all over the place so you don't have to worry about parking or traffic.
Catch a shuttle or a cab from the airport to your hotel.
Walk the length of Waikiki.
You can arrange tours through your hotel and book reservations for the Pearl Harbor tour.
Used to be Germaine's had the best luau but don't know now.
You could take a tour of Univ Hawaii, Iolani Palace (the only royal palace on US soil), Walk up to the top of Diamond Head (take a flashlight to go through the tunnels).
Definitely go to the Polynesian Cultural Center - take a charter tour, the drive back after the show is long from the other side of the island)
Go to the Zoo (at the diamond head end of Waikiki)
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joanne0012
Boston, MA
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kevinbti wrote:... I think we will go to the main land b/c I would like to see Pearl Harbor Anybody have any advise for a tour company? I am a single parent and my daughter is a pre teen I thought tour company would best b/c she could meet other kids Thanks
You absolutely don't need a tour company. There are so many tourists, everything is well-promoted with good directions etc. And if you did go with a tour company, chances are that most of your fellow travelers would be retirees rather than families with kids.
Just a caution about the lingo: Pearl Harbor and Honolulu are on the island of Oahu. The largest island, named Hawaii, is usually referred to as "The Big Island" to avoid confusion. If you start talking about Pearl Harbor and "main land", confusion is inevitable.
My preteens enjoyed beaches, museums, hiking Diamond Head, etc. on Oahu but we just couldn't visit that close to live volcanoes without seeing them, so we also visited the Big Island.
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kevinbti
st louis
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Thanks for the clarification on Oahu I did not know that!
Kevin Tierney
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msmith1199
Central, CA
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Joined: 10/07/2001
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J-mans Dad wrote:If you're only going to be on Oahu, I wouldn't rent a car. The BUS runs all over the place so you don't have to worry about parking or traffic.
Catch a shuttle or a cab from the airport to your hotel.
Walk the length of Waikiki.
You can arrange tours through your hotel and book reservations for the Pearl Harbor tour.
Used to be Germaine's had the best luau but don't know now.
You could take a tour of Univ Hawaii, Iolani Palace (the only royal palace on US soil), Walk up to the top of Diamond Head (take a flashlight to go through the tunnels).
Definitely go to the Polynesian Cultural Center - take a charter tour, the drive back after the show is long from the other side of the island)
Go to the Zoo (at the diamond head end of Waikiki)
Want more? PM me.
Rent a car, it's so much easier than trying to take the bus around over there. A trip that would take 30 minutes in a car will take 2 hours on the bus. Take the bus if you're on a tight budget, but rent a car if you want to spend more time doing things and less time on the bus. Or better yet, there are many places right in Waikiki where you can rent a Harley. That's a good way to see the island too.
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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Definitely rent a car. There is really one main road to go around the island and the signs and maps are pretty easy to follow.
Make sure to have some downtime to spend relaxing on the beach in Waikiki too!
MUST, MUST, MUST make a stop at Matsumoto's for the BEST hawaiian shaved ice EVER!
The polynesian cultural center is great. You get history, food and a really great luau all in one. This is an all day event.
When we were there, we missed the turn for Matsumoto's and went right instead of left at the fork - but it was awesome as we saw surfers on a beach. We parked across the street, walked across the highway to find ourselves right smack dab in the midst of some of the most beautiful sea turtles both swimming the shallows and sunning on the beach. What a great wrong turn!
While on your drive to the cultural center, stop at the coconut stands on the side of the road. You will have some of the best coconut milk EVER! They take these ice cold coconuts, chop off the top, stick a couple of straws in it and you drink away. When done, they will chop it up into chunks for you to eat the coconut. BEST coconut milk and coconut we've ever had.
Take a day and drive around the island. Haleiwa is a must see - beautiful turquoise waters and one of the most beautiful places on the island IMO.
Pearl Harbor - get there early. We did Pearl Harbor on one day and went back the next day for the USS Missouri.
Have fun! You will enjoy Hawaii!
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catkins
Washington
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Years ago I took my two teenage sons to Hawaii. Rented a car and drove all over the island, stopping when we wanted to. I asked the hotel staff, locals we ran onto and had read travel books before we went to find the things we wanted to see and do. Had a grand time and was low stress. Tours can be great but I prefer the freedom to pull over when we see something of interest. Good luck whatever you decide to do, you will have a super trip!!
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lwmuddy
Murrells Inlet, SC
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The Hana Highway, if you love exciting drives. Beautiful, but only if you like CURVES. We were there back when the Government stopped the funding for the attractions, so we missed the Memorial.
Had a small tour van and tremendous driver/narrator, but he also told us the sad side of their history and what we (Haoles) and other nationalities did to their people.
Still beautiful though.
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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lwmuddy wrote:The Hana Highway, if you love exciting drives. Beautiful, but only if you like CURVES. We were there back when the Government stopped the funding for the attractions, so we missed the Memorial.
Had a small tour van and tremendous driver/narrator, but he also told us the sad side of their history and what we (Haoles) and other nationalities did to their people.
Still beautiful though.
Although an interesting thing to do - it is on the island of Maui - and it doesn't sound like they will be on that island but on Oahu.
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jojolou
S. E. Michigan
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We did not rent a car on Oahu. Take the daily tour bus to the Hawaiian Cultural Center. Get your tickets in the middle of the mall on Wakakii Beach. It picks you up at your hotel and drops you off in the same place. Lots of local information given to you on the bus - very interesting ride. You'll stay there all day if you include the luau and stage show at the end of the day. If your budget allows, try and do this. Same goes for your tour to Pearl Harbor (Arizona Memorial, Uss Missouri (where the signing of the end of the war took place). Maybe a half a day for this event. Our bus took a side trip thru the Hula Bowl on the way back. We climed Diamond Head at the wrong time of the day (afternoon) and it was way too hot, but we made it. Go very early in the morning and take the city bus. Maybe do the zoo on your way back from the crater. Don't forget the Dole Plantation as well. We spent 5 days before flying over to Maui for 7 more days. We never needed a car - you can very easily walk Wakakii Beach.
Lou
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MrsSoCalToolGuy
Fountain Valley Ca.
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Joined: 06/06/2005
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I agree with others who say there is no need for a tour company. Like someone said, it is unlikely you will find many kids on those tours.
Rent a car. We stayed in Honolulu for a week, rented a car and moved around at our own pace. We also took a helicopter tour. All I can say is wow. Flying into volcanoes and viewing huge falls from below the falls in a copter, is thrilling... We also rented a car in Maui and enjoyed the beaches there and the drive to Hana.
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