We always hire the car first thing in the morning. We don't hire a car in Hawaii for more than a day. At other destinations, we might hire a car for the duration of our stay, however on Oahu, you get around so easily by walking, trolley or bus that it is a waste of money to hire a car that you will then pay extra to have it sitting in your hotel garage when you aren't using it. We hire at about 7am/7:30am which is early for being on holidays, however, you have the next day to sleep in if you want to sleep the beautiful day away. It is easier to hire first up than later when there is a long line.All of the places below are detailed in our other Hawaii- the island of Oahu posts.
Day Trip One (A)
1.Pick up the car and drive straight to Diamond Head.
Hike up to the top at your desired speed. It is best to do this early in the day before the crowds come.
2. Drive from Diamond Head to the Ko Olina Lagoons. These are at the Marriott Resort.
Park and cool off from the hike up Diamond Head. Take a walk around the other lagoons and then grab an ice cream for morning tea from the Au Lani concession stand. You can either grab lunch here, take a picnic lunch or get it at the next stop.
3. Drive from Ko Olina Lagoons to Waikele Outlets. If you haven't grabbed lunch yet, grab it at the Waikele Centre across from Waikele outlets. Go to the information Centre and get your free coupon booklet courtesy of us (The Travel Concierge) found here. Then SHOP!
4. Drive from Waikele Outlets (with a huge grin on your face at the awesome bargains you bagged) back to Waikiki unless you want to stop at either a super Walmart or a Foodland on the way home to pick up staple items, look for "People of Walmart" or grab a hot chicken and salads for dinner or lunch tomorrow.
Walmart
94-595 Kupuohi St, Waipahu
Driving time from Waikele Outlets: Approx 7 mins.
Foodland
1089 Waimano Home Rd, Pearl City
Driving time from Waikele Outlets: Approx 10 mins.
5. Back to Waikiki for dinner and unpacking the car.
The travel Concierge tip:
-We always get towels from our hotel pool. We get double the amount of towels to people going. There is nothing worse than a wet towel to dry off with. I also get a few extra to dry my hair or put on seats if kids are a bit wet still. Take a large bag to put all the beach stuff in and another large bag for the shopping.
-Set a procedure in place that EVERY bag that is going to be thrown away is turned inside out and squeeze down the length of the bag to make sure nothing is thrown away with the bag. Don't ask why we started doing this...let's just say that in a Hawaii garbage tip somewhere is a 'precious' piece of jewellery one of my daughters bought with her own money and threw in one of our other shopping bags without telling us.
Day Trip One (B)
1.Pick up the car and drive straight to Au Lani Resort to have breakfast with Mickey and "Aunty" Make sure you have booked well in advance.
Aulani Resort Character Breakfast at Makahiki
Aulani is a part of the Ko Olina Resort its address is 92-1185 Ali'inui Dr, Kapolei
Driving Time from Waikiki: 44 minutes.
Details of the buffet can be found here. The buffet menu with the cost at the bottom is found here.
The Travel Concierge tip:
Ask how long you can have your car parked at Aulani. If you can leave it there just walk towards the beach and you will see the lagoons.
2. Drive or walk to the Ko Olina Lagoons. These are at the Marriott Resort.
Take a walk around the other lagoons, grab a swim or snorkel and then grab an ice cream for morning tea from the Au Lani concession stand. You can either grab lunch here, take a picnic lunch or get it at the next stop if you are still full from breakfast.
3. Drive from Ko Olina Lagoons to Waikele Outlets. If you haven't grabbed lunch yet, grab it at the Waikele Centre across from Waikele outlets. Go to the information Centre and get your free coupon booklet courtesy of us (The Travel Concierge) found here. Then SHOP!
4. Drive from Waikele Outlets (with a huge grin on your face at the awesome bargains you bagged) back to Waikiki unless you want to stop at either a super Walmart or a Foodland on the way home.
Walmart
94-595 Kupuohi St, Waipahu
Driving time from Waikele Outlets: Approx 7 mins.
Foodland
1089 Waimano Home Rd, Pearl City
Driving time from Waikele Outlets: Approx 10 mins.
5. Back to Waikiki for dinner and unpacking the car.
The travel Concierge tip:
-We always get towels from our hotel pool. We get double the amount of towels to people going. There is nothing like a wet towel to dry off with. I also get a few extra to dry my hair or put on seats if kids are a bit wet still. Take a large bag to put all the beach stuff in and another large bag for the shopping.
-Set a procedure in place that EVERY bag that is going to be thrown away is turned inside out and squeeze down the length of the bag to make sure nothing is thrown away with the bag. Don't ask why we started doing this...let's just say that in a Hawaii Garbage tip somewhere is a 'precious' piece of jewellery one of my daughters bought with her own money and threw in one of our other shopping bags.
Day Trip Two- North Shore
1. Drive straight to the North Shore and have breakfast at Haleiwa.
2. Drive from Haleiwa all the way through to Turtle Bay...but go slow near turtle beach in case there are any turtles out to see on the way through. Don't forget to clap as you go across the Rainbow bridge!
3. Look around Turtle Bay Resort and swim/ snorkel around the public beach area. We have seen turtles here before. Take a stroll around the resort. There is a blowhole around near the pool and tiered seating near it to watch it and surfers. All the way past the pool, there is a plaque on the Opana Radar site- where the Japanese planes were first picked up by radar, on Dec 7th, 1941, but the radar operator was told it was ok as American planes were due back and it was thought they were them. (Attack on Pearl Harbour)
4. Head back to Shark Cove stopping at the following beaches along the way for a look around
-Sunset Beach
-Bonzai Pipeline
-Shark Cove
5. Swim/ wade/ discover sea life/ snorkel at Shark Cove
6. Head to Waimea Bay and look at Eddie Akau memorial and enjoy the beach.
7. Head to Haleiwa slowing down at Turtle beach to try and catch a glimpse os sea turtles.
8. In Haleiwa grab some shave ice at Matsumoto.
9. Look around Haleiwa, grab some North Shore exclusive merchandise and 'one of a kind' items at the shops throughout Haleiwa. Grab dinner at Haleiwa
10. Head back to Waikiki feeling tired, windburnt and sunburnt, sand everywhere but a grin on your face from a great busy day out.
The Travel Concierge tip:
-If you are planning to hire a Mustang convertible for the North Shore day, note that it only seats 2 in the back seat. Also, have jumpers and warm clothes for your children as no matter how hot it is in Hawaii, as you head back in at dusk and beyond, with the roof off, the back seat gets cold.
- Up North, it often rains but then it just as often clears up again (that is why it is called the rainbow island.)
- For more than 2 children, the Jeep is another fun car we have hired.
- Get your family to be on the lookout/ listen out for a Chinook- you will hear the propeller blades. We see/ hear them every time performing exercises from the military base.
Day Trip Three- snorkelling and culture
1. Drive to Hanauma Bay- snorkel, swim, just "don't step on me" (song from video on how to care for the reef)
2. Drive around the coast away from Diamond Head, stopping at viewing areas and lookouts as you want.
3. Pull over to see Chinaman's hat
4. Head to Polynesian Cultural Centre and spend the rest of the day and possibly the night if you are staying for a luau or night show exploring the islands and their activities.
Day Trip Four- Circle the island
Head towards Hanauma Bay and just drive around the island in an anti-clockwise direction and stop whenever and wherever you want. You can circle the island seeing the coast almost the whole way round to North Shore. There are many food options as you drive, from Shrimp trucks to take out to waterfront restaurants...or a picnic you bring with you. Head back to Waikiki through the middle of the island and see the amazing Tetsuo Harano tunnel through the mountain on . You could also stop at the Pali Lookout before heading back to Waikiki.
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