Hawaii- The Island of Oahu Part Two- The Rest of the Island

When we are in Hawaii, we try to get out of Waikiki every second day. We only hire a car for the day, as we would have to pay for parking it when we know the next day we are doing things locally. Here is a list of some of the things that we do on those days. I am going to list place and then in another post, give some of our actual itineraries for these days so you can see what we fit into a day. All driving distances are a rough guide. It will depend on traffic, the surf and the season.

The Travel Concierge tip: If you know that you will be travelling a lot to North America, I would suggest looking into either buying your own GPS with North America and its contingent states loaded on it (this makes sure Alaska and Hawaii are on there)or get maps loaded onto a GPS you already have for at home. We load places in and have all the settings we like such as km instead of miles. We have also done stupid things like loaded free weird vehicles like a combi van for Hawaii and a monster truck for when we are driving long distances. It keeps us amused...what can I say?!

Pearl Harbour
1 Arizona Memorial Place Honolulu
Driving Distance from Waikiki: 26 minutes.

There are a few options to get here. 

1. Go on a tour that will pick you up from your hotel and take you to the Memorial. They will pre-organise your tickets, you see the memorial and then they drive you back to your hotel. This is a great option if you don't feel confident driving. 

2. Catch the bus. This will be cheaper, but will take you a long time to get there and back. I would not suggest the bus if you have children. 

3. The third option is to hire a car and then tie in other attractions to make a day of it and justify the car hire cost. 

When you do a search for Pearl Harbour, you will be led to a number of sites that appear to be the official site, but are actually tour groups, trying to get you to pay to go on one of their tours. Pearl Harbour is actually known as the Arizona Memorial. The site is a National Parks site, so the official site is found here. 

The Travel Concierge Fact: The USS Arizona was one of the ships that were sunk in the Japanese attack on the Naval base of Pearl Harbour on December 7th, 1941. 

You will see that the tickets to see the Memorial and to watch the video presentation are free. In the past, you had to get to the memorial very early because there are only a set amount of tickets given out per day in a time slotted amount. Now there is a new advanced way of getting tickets that allow you not to be as stressed about getting there early. You can book in advance and only pay an admin fee of $1.50 per ticket for knowing your tickets have been locked in. There is a limit of 6 tickets per booking BUT nothing would stop you from splitting your group into lots of 6 if you are travelling wit more than 6. I would just suggest you have people online at the same time so you know you are getting the same time.

The site is a National Parks site, so the official site is found here. You will see that the tickets to see the Memorial and to watch the video presentation are free. In the past, you had to get to the memorial very early because there are only a set amount of tickets given out per day in a time slotted amount. Now there is a new advanced way of getting tickets that allow you not to be as stressed about getting there early. You can book in advance and only pay an admin fee of $1.50 per ticket for knowing your tickets have been locked in. There is a limit of 6 tickets per booking BUT nothing would stop you from splitting your group into lots of 6 if you are travelling wit more than 6. I would just suggest you have people online at the same time so you know you are getting the same time.

Advanced ticket purchase (30 days ahead) is found here. I would strongly suggest you look up the time difference and as soon as 7am Hawaiian standard time ticks over, you get online and purchase your tickets. If you don't get a ticket it does not mean you have missed out, you can try again the day before or turn up as early as possible (they open at 7am) and get one of the 1300 tickets reserved for walk-in tickets each day. 

Things to Know Before You Go:
- You cannot take a backpack or other large bags over onto the Memorial. This is a very secure area (for obvious reasons) so look carefully over the restrictions listed here. Restrictions can be heightened at certain times, so I always say to people going there, park your car in the car park and then just bring your camera without its bag and yourself. If you need anything else, come back to the car for it. -You can store things in a locker inside for $3, but it is not like you can change nappies etc over on the Memorial site anyway so just go with the bare minimum.
-You will travel over to the Memorial site via a boat operated by the U.S. Navy.
-There will be armed guards around sometimes. They are there to ensure the site is safe.

Junior Park Ranger Activities here.
-Children aged 3-13 can participate in the Junior Park Ranger program here. They now get you to purchase your scavenger book and badge at the gift shop for $2. Once you have filled in the book you find a National Parks Ranger and they will swear you in as a Junior Park Ranger.
- For children 3-6, there is a Keiki (Hawaiian word for children) Ranger program also. This is free. You can download the book from here. There is no badge, but when you take the book to the gift shop, they will stamp your book.

The Travel Concierge tip: If you arrive a bit later and have to wait a while for your timed ticket to get over to the Memorial, you can fill in time looking at the exhibits and if you have children they can fill in time completing the Ranger Programs.

Within the visitors centre, there are exhibits both from the American perspective and the Japanese perspective. When the Japanese exhibits first came in, I was horrified, but they were done in such a way that it helps you to see the overall story of what led up to the attack and hour by hour accounts for each side. I actually felt that I knew a lot more about the attacks after seeing this new information.
There is also a film that gives a great account of the attacks.

The Travel Concierge tip: Some of the sounds in the film might be too much for younger children. If you think this might be the case for your child/ren, do a tag team where one parent watches while the other takes the children down near the barriers near the water where there is grass they can run around on, then swap. Our children were always fine, but I thought I would mention this in case you think yours would.

Many of the visits we have had to the Arizona Memorial, there has been Navy personnel in uniform. They are usually happy if we ask to have a photo with them. Likewise, we have seen a number of Men that were there on the December 7th, 1941. They are very happy to chat and answer questions as well as give you their autograph on an information sheet that tells their story.

While here you can also visit the USS Missouri. The "Mighty Mo" is located here because the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbour represents the beginning of the War and the USS Missouri represents the end of the war as the treaty to end the war was signed aboard this ship. The information about tours is available here. One of the tours is not available for children under 10 years of age. 

While in the Pearl Harbour area, you can also tour a submarine- the USS Bowfin. Cost and tour information are found here.

Ko Olina Lagoons
Type into your GPS the Marriott resort address which is 92-161 Waipahe Pl. Kapolei. This will take you to the resort and then the driving details are below in the Travel Concierge tip.
Driving Time from Waikiki: 44 minutes.

When the Marriott chain built their resort over at Ko Olina, an agreement was made that they had to have Lagoons available to the public. These 4 man-made lagoons are a great place to come to cool off in a safe area because a rock barrier has been placed across each lagoon to make it a safe place to swim all year round. There are public toilets at each lagoon, and some have little shops/restaurants that you can purchase food. There is a pathway that links the 4 Lagoons. Public parking can be found at Lagoon Number 1. Free Parking is beachside. On weekends and holidays when this is full, the yacht club open their parking to the public for a cost. We always plan our trip here during the week so that it is less crowded.

The Travel Concierge tip: 
-As you drive in towards the resort, you will pass by a guard house. There are 2 lanes. One for resort guests and one for the general public (right) slow down to go through and just wave at the attendant and keep driving through. You will pass the other Lagoons to get to Number 1. It is the biggest parking area. You can then either stay at Lagoon 1 or take a nice walk to decide which lagoon suits your family.
-The fourth lagoon is the Au Lani Disney Resort lagoon. We take our children to the concession stand on the beach where you can buy Mickey Mouse ice creams- like the ones they sell in Disneyland/ Disney World. While here, we always do a walk through the resort. You never know when you will bump into a Disney character standing in the resort for photos.

The Travel Concierge Fact: There are wedding chapels at some of the Lagoons. No matter what day you are there you usually see at least one Japanese bride and Groom coming out to the beach for photos.

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.

You will see Mickey and his friends here (usually but not exclusively Minnie, Donald, and Goofy) We have also seen Stitch here.

The Travel Concierge tip: Drive into the driveway and you will be directed to their parking garage. As you have a booking you won't have to pay.(with validation)


Lanikohonua Beach (meaning "Where heaven meets the Earth")
This small beach is hidden between Lagoon 1 at Ko Olina and Paradise Cove Luau within the Marriott resort. You might need to drive back and forth a few times to find it and the car park is tiny but this is a great little protected cove all year round, where turtles often swim into. You need to be watchful as there are no lifeguards on duty.

Waikele Premium Outlets
94-790 Lumiaina St, Waipahu
Driving Time from Waikiki: 30 mins
You can also catch the Waikele Shuttle from Waikiki. Details are found here.

The Travel Concierge Opinion: 
-I don't catch the Waikele Shuttle ( I have done it twice) because I don't like to be restricted with a pickup and drop off time that they will give you. I like to be able to stay as long or little time as works for my family. I also like to buy a lot (hard to believe I know) so it is very hard to fit lots of bags back on the shuttle bus.
- In our car on outlet shopping day, we have one of those bags that can unzip from a cabin baggage size bag to a large suitcase in the boot of the car. This means that we can put all our different bags into that bag so that when my husband drops us at the hotel on his way through to return the car at the Grant Hyatt rental location, I can just pull one bag out and take it with all the shopping in one bag.

The Waikele Outlets are a smaller outlet shopping centre, but they have most of the basics. Across the road- through the traffic lights, there is also Waikele Centre that has a Sports Authority, a K-Mart and rotating other outlet stores such a GAP. We have McDonalds meals probably only twice a year, and this is one of them. Later in this blog I will show you where the outlets fit in our day under itineraries and you will see that we have worked up a hunger to deserve eating this meal! McDonalds tastes better when you have been on the go all day and this McDonalds tastes the BEST! HA. We usually then drive straight over to the Premium side unless we need something from Sports Authority. 

The Travel Concierge tip: We bought our snorkelling equipment from the Sports Authority. We went with US Divers snorkels and goggles because they had a lot of good safety features at a reasonable price. We have taken them to Hawaii each trip since and they look as good as when we bought them. One feature I would particularly suggest is a wave guard- this is a flap that if when you are snorkelling a wave crashes over your head, it shuts off the water from coming down the snorkel so you don't breathe it in.

The Waikele outlets are a part of the Simon outlets, so I have the free coupon booklet voucher courtesy of The Travel Concierge (us)  here. You redeem this at the Customer service centre. This is located on the left side of the outlets when you drive in. Tell them Kim from The Travel Concierge sent you. 

Details about Waikele outlets with a store directory is found here.

The Travel Concierge tip: Download and print off a copy of the outlet directory so you can highlight your priority stores. This saves a lot of time when you get there and if you have to leave before you are finished at least you know you got your favourite ones in first.

Aloha Stadium Flea Markets
99-500 Salt Lake Blvd. Aiea Direction details found here.
Driving Time from Waikiki: 20 mins
Bus - take the 20 or 42 bus from Kuhio. The trip will take between 40 mins and 1hr by bus. The bus stop for the Aloha Stadium is two bus stops past Pearl harbour.

The Markets are open 
Sunday- 6:30am to 3pm.
Wednesday and Saturday 8am to 3pm.

There are over 400 stalls here that sell a large range of items at a discounted rate. This is a great way to shop for souvenirs for family and friends at a much lower cost than what you will pay at Waikiki.

The Punchbowl
2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu
Driving Time from Waikiki: 19 mins
The National Memorial Cemetery is located in the Punchbowl Crater and so is know locally as the Punchbowl. It is open from 8:30 to 5:30pm with an extra  hour at the end of the day March thru September. The web page detailing areas and headstones of interest is found here. Even if cemeteries aren't your thing, I would still suggest you come here for the view alone at the Crater rim. 

The Travel Concierge tip: To get to the lookout, drive up the driveway for the Cemetery and keep to the left. Park in the area in front of the toilet block and then you can walk the short way up to the lookout. To see how awesome the view is, look at this virtual view from the lookout 

The North Shore

Driving time from Waikiki: 1hr (to Haleiwa town centre)

Directions to Haleiwa and a map are found on the town website here.

Dole Plantation
64-1550 Kamehameha Hwy. Wahiawa
Driving time from Waikiki: 40 mins



Dole plantation is on the way to Haleiwa and the North Shore beaches. It is free to go in, and you can sample the world famous Dole whip here as well as other pineapple inspired specialties. You can then pay to go into the World's largest maze and go on a train trip around the pineapple plantation. The details of these activities with costs are found here.

Haleiwa (pronounce Ha lay EE va) 

Haleiwa is the surfing town up the North Shore that we usually head to for breakfast and come back to during the day for Shave ice, shopping, and Dinner. The town has one main street with the majority of shops and restaurants running along it. It has a very laid back feel to it, and in each place you go into, you can see evidence of the great surfers who have been to and still come to this town. There are a number of great little shops along this one street. If you have the time, go in and look around and support this small surfing town.

The Travel Concierge tip: If it is safe to, pull over and take a photo of the famous Haleiwa sign. You will get the best shot at it when you are heading from the North Shore back into Haleiwa.

Breakers

66-250 Kamehameha Hwy Haleiwa

This restaurant and bar is located in the North Shore Marketplace. The inside has a display of surfing memorabilia. It is a very basic restaurant (but given it is a surfing community, what else do you need but good food) We usually sit outside on the balcony to eat our breakfast. 

Cafe Haleiwa

66-456 Kamehameha Hwy Haleiwa

This is the restaurant we have gone to for breakfast on our last few times up here. It is straight opposite McDonalds as you enter the town and next to Deep Ecology. Again this is a very basic restaurant. You will wait in line outside to be seated, but it is good basic food for a good price.

Matsumoto Shave Ice

66-087 Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa

You can buy shave ice all over Oahu, but to say you have REALLY had shave ice, you need to try it here. Yes, there is a line out the door, but that is a testimony to how good this shave ice is. Don't go down to the one down the street, stand in line and experience Matsumoto Shave ice. 

The Travel Concierge tip:

-If you have children, pay the extra and get the shave ice holder. It looks great on the ice and on their faces afterwards...not so much on their clothes.

- Take a look at the menu here. and have an idea of what flavours you want. They run their line like a well-oiled machine, you need to know what size you want (small or large) the flavours you want (you get up to 3 in the cost) and whether you want any add on's like condensed milk, ice cream or beans ( I am a purist and just go straight shave ice) You pay then move around to your left out the way and wait until they call your order.

-Get a photo with the famous yellow sign in and then a photo sitting on the bench outside with your family holding their shave ices...then enjoy!

Kua Aina Sandwich Shop

66-160 Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa

One time when we were in Haleiwa, we asked a local where we should go for dinner. He didn't hesitate and told us, Kua Aina. I would love to tell you personal reviews of other restaurants in Haleiwa, but we have never gone anywhere else! After a day of swimming, snorkelling and exploring the beautiful beaches of North Shore (and possibly throwing in the adrenaline of pool hopping without getting caught) there is nothing better than a Kua Aina burger! The menu is found here. The burgers don't come standard with things like bacon, cheese, avocado etc. so you need to order them. Place your order and then grab a table outside and people watch until they call out your order name over the loud speaker.

The Travel Concierge Opinion: The avocado that is served here on the burgers is the best I have ever tasted.

North Shore Boardriders Club

66-250 Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa

This is where you go to get your North Shore Boardriders merchandise. They have some great memorabilia up on the roof and back walls. You cannot get these exclusive tops and jackets down in Waikiki.

The Travel Concierge tip: Around the marketplace there are tourist magazines that frequently have coupons to get money off here.

Strong Currents Haleiwa

66-214 Kamehameha Hwy.

We always go in here and buy the Wahine (female) t-shirt. It was designed by Rell Sun, who was the Matriarch of Hawaiian surfing. 

Crossing the Rainbow Bridge

When you cross the Rainbow bridge, you have to get your children (and you ) to clap hands the whole drive across. Don't ask why, just do it...it evolved into a tradition that now when on holidays, every bridge we cross the children still clap hands and expect us to join in. We even video it on our phones.

Surf N Sea Haleiwa

62-595 Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa

The website is found here. This is a really big surf shop with Surf N Sea exclusive branded products. You can also rent surfing and snorkel gear here.

Foodland Haleiwa

59-720 Kamehameha Hwy. Haleiwa

If you need to pick up some food or other grocery supplies, there is a Foodland here.

North Shore Beaches

Laniakea -"Turtle Beach"

As you drive out of Haleiwa toward the North Shore beaches, you will drive with trees either side of the road. When you pass a farm on the right, you are almost there. You will see a beach on your left. Be prepared to pull over and park. Be mindful that other tourists will be doing the same and full buses of tourists are likely to cross the road without being mindful of your car. There are barriers up now to guide and stop cars parking in certain areas. This is a hit or miss beach, depending on tides and whether the turtles happen to be there. on the right side of the beach, Save the Turtles usually have a roped off area around the turtles if they are there.

The Travel Concierge tip: Take a walk up the beach to your left. This is where we saw these turtles above. This was as the tide was going out and the rocks were exposing 'dinner' for the turtles. There were no crowds up here, we had them all to ourselves...again it is a hit and miss thing.

Waimea Bay

The next major beach you will come across is Waimea Bay. You will start going down a hill, and see off to your left a white church tower in the distance, and the beach is directly below you. Look out for the car park on your left, slow down and indicate before you reach the bottom of the hill. If you do miss the turn-off, just go across the bridge straight after and turn right into Waimea Valley and do a turn where safe.

There is a small car park in Waimea Bay, we have been super lucky and managed to get a spot every time we go. In saying this, my husband is one of those people that always seem to find the golden car spots where if left up to me, I would drive around in circles for hours. Just be patient and remember you are on Aloha time. This beach is more of a look around at where the waves can get up to 40ft + in the winter. You can also watch as people jump off the rock and risk life and limb in doing so.

The Travel Concierge Warning: This is not a beach for swimming with children or non-competent swimmers. The beach dips down quickly, and there is a strong current that pulls out even in calm waters. Listen to lifeguards at all times.

The Travel Concierge Fact: Just near the carpark, there is a chained off area that has a memorial plaque to Eddie Akau. Eddie was a famous big wave surfer that also was a lifeguard at Waimea. No one died while Eddie was on duty. He is famous in Hawaii for his "Eddie would go" attitude that you will see on bumper bar stickers and other merchandise.

Waimea Valley
59-864 Kamehameha Hwy.
Admission costs are here.
Waimea Valley is a picturesque Botanic Gardens. You can hike to waterfalls and swim in the water near them. Be warned...even in the middle of summer, the water is chilly!

Shark Cove
Before you skip past because of the name, know that the cove gets its name because one of the outer reefs is shaped like a shark when viewed from above.

Shark Cove has two areas for snorkeling. One is a wading pool that is great for children to wade through and look at sea life from a calf depth perspective. They can sit and play in a protected cove area.

The Travel Concierge tip: 
-The entrance and rock bottom is rocky, so invest in a pair of reef shoes. These can be purchased from most Australian variety stores for under $15. They will make your life so much more enjoyable not having to lift your children up every time they get a rock cutting into their feet and allow them to get around freely without hurting themselves.
-There is a leafy plant near the public showers that is great to break off and break to rub the leaves on the inside of your goggles. Rinse the leaves off  in the ocean, and it prevents the mask from fogging up.

The second area is a great snorkeling area for experienced swimmers/ snorkelers. We have seen amazing sea life here including honu (turtle). Again, the entrance is rocky, so invest in some reef shoes for the whole family. There are no lifeguards here. 

The Travel Concierge Fact: It is illegal to touch sea turtles. There are large fines in place to protect these beautiful animals. Look but don't touch!

Bonzai Pipeline
You have heard the song, heard the legend, so now you get to actually see the break! As you drive further around the coast you will see a school on the right(Sunset Elementary) and a carpark on the left. Pull into the car park and you have reached the Pipeline break.

Sunset Beach
Opposite Paumalu Place. 
This is a lot flatter beach to swim at and there is a lifeguard tower here. Toilets are across the road.

Turtle Bay
57-091 Kamehameha Hwy.
Driving time from Sunset beach to Turtle Bay Resort is approx 8 mins with little traffic. If the surf is great, expect a lot more.

Turtle Bay has a public beach that you can swim and snorkel in. To get there, drive into the resort and drive through the gates as a visitor. Head to hotel and park on the right side of the tennis courts where you will find public parking. There are showers and toilets available to the public using the beach. There is also a beach bar and grill right on the sand. The lounge chairs are for hotel guests only.

The Travel Concierge tip: The sand here is very volcanic- i.e. black. Have a mat to put down on top of the sand and then throw your towels and beach bag on top.


Polynesian Cultural Centre
55-370 Kamehameha Hwy.
Driving time from Waikiki: 1hr 9 mins
Open Monday to Saturday 12pm to 9pm. Closed Sundays

The Polynesian Centre is a really great way to experience the Aloha spirit and learn about the people that make up the Polynesia region. There are a number of different packages ranging from general admission where you self-guide your way around each 'island' to packages that have add-ons- of Luaus and meals as well as VIP packages. They are all listed and explained here. You can participate in cultural activities at each island and watch demonstrations and shows within this cost. Our family loves the activities at the Polynesian.  Things like Maori Poi twirling, canoe rides and spear throwing. The full list is found here. The people working there are always very friendly, informative and welcoming. A number of times the girls have been given private hula lessons and both of them got their first tribal tattoos here. (washable of course) 

The Travel Concierge tip: If you book online through the Polynesian Cultural Centre more than 10 days out from your visit, you can save 10% off the cost. Go here.

Hanauma Bay
7455 Kalanianaole Hwy. Honolulu
Open Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun 6am to 6pm
Prices of admission and other costs including a shuttle from Waikiki are found here. 
Car Parking is $1

This is a great snorkeling and swimming area for the whole family. You will need to sit and watch a short video about how to care for the reef...and then have the song in your head for the WHOLE day. We used to go here when our children were young, now that they are older, we don't because we find that it is often very crowded and we get frustrated at tourists that have watched the video in their native language and yet still stand on the reef and do other things that they have just been told not to at the expensive of the reef and its sea life. (are you sensing my frustration?? LOL)

The Travel Concierge tip: 
-Get here early or the car park will be full.
There is a really steep hill from the top to the Bay. Pack lightly.


Makaha Beach
This beach is a beautiful and famous surfing beach on the west side of Oahu. As with any beach area, locals can be territorial. There are plenty of other beaches on Oahu that you can safely surf (while still being respectful to the locals) so if you are over this way just take a look and keep driving. I would also suggest only being over here during the day.



Disclaimer: Always be very careful on beaches and in the water. Never swim or snorkel alone. Keep an eye on your children at all times and never enter water that is beyond your swimming ability or when lifeguards post signs stating dangers.