Mark Twain visited Hawaii in the 1860s... he said of the islands, "No other land could so longingly and beseechingly haunt my sleeping and waking, through half a lifetime, as Hawaii has done. Other things leave me, but it abides. "

Plan for a Great Time on Hawaii's Most Exciting Island

Oahu Info

Oahu is the third largest and most populous of the Hawaiian Islands. It was originally settled by Polynesian people from other nearby islands a tousand years ago. Although European contact was made by Captain Cook in 1778 (on the Big Island), he never visited Oahu. By the 1820s, the Oahu (Honolulu) port was well known to whaling ships. Missionaries soon came to the islands and introduced elements of western civilization (Sugar Plantations.) The kingdom of Hawaii (King Kamehameha III) made Honolulu its capital in 1845. In 1891, a group of American businessmen took control of Hawaii from Queen Liliuokalani and declared it to be its on own 'republic' – but their goal was to make it part of the US. The islands were annexed by the US in 1898. In 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in a battle that bought the U.S. into World War II. Following the war, the islands continued to grow as a US portal to the east and in 1959 Hawaii became the 50th US State.

NOTE: Orchid ratings take into account the cost as well as the service, location and hotel reputation -- a $70 four orchid room will not be as fancy as a $300 four orchid room -- but the service should be similar.

• Shows/Luaus (prices shown are approximate adult price)

  • Alii Luau and show (Polynesian Cultural Center) Includes cultural exhibits for the peoples of Hawaii, Samoa, Maori New Zealand (Aotearoa), Fiji, Tahiti, the Marquesas and Tonga. Other activities include a canoe pageant, a luau, dinner-show and the evening show called Horizons: Where the Sea Meets the Sky. Select packages from basic show only ($58 adult) to "Super Ambassador" ($215 adult.) One of the most popular attractions on the island. (Editors Choice)
  • Germaine's Luau (Barbers Point) - A good luau where the folks make you feel like part of the family. However, not on a beach. ($69)
  • Hale Koa Luau (Honolulu) - beautiful setting on Waikiki beach.
  • Paradise Cove Luau - popular luau with a lovely location on the leeward coast of O'ahu (Ko Olina Resort) - fun activities for kids.
  • Royal Luau (Mondays on Waikiki Beach) ($99)
  • Sea Life Park Hawaii Luau ($80)
• Oahu Hotels (all prices mentioned are approximate -- may be higher in different seasons -- prices are for basic rooms)

Luxury 250+ per night

• Embassy Suites Hotel-Waikiki Beach Walk (Honolulu) ($350+) Spcacious rooms, short walk to beach. No self park.
• ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Tower ($400+) Sm. kitchen, condo style, near beach (Honolulu)
• Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach (Honolulu) - One of the best Waikiki hotels. It is central to everything you'd want on Waikiki and receives consistently good reviews. Priced from $250 (with specials and discounts)
• JW Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina -- A "spa and golf experience." Destination hotel, not on Waikiki beach. (Kapoli) ($320+)
• Hawaii Prince Hotel (Honolulu) - Good golf destination. Near Ala Moana beach. Japanese flair. ($250+)
• Halekulani (Honolulu) On Waikiki beach, long history of excellence. ($450+)
• Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa (Honolulu) - This 22 acre resort is expansive and has rooms priced from the $200 to over $1000 a night. It's on a good stretch of Waikiki beach and has many options for play and fun for those wanting an exciting experience.
• Kahala Hotel & Resort (Honolulu) On a secluded beach ten minutes from Waikiki. ($500+)
• Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club (Kapoli) On the western shore of Oahu -- some construction until Jan 2009.
• Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort (Honolulu) Built in 1901, referred to as the “First lady of Waikiki” ($265+)
• ResortQuest at the Executive Centre Hotel (Honolulu)
• Royal Hawaiian (Honolulu) Romantic and historic “Pink Palace of the Pacific” provides "elegance from a bygone era." Closed for remodelling until Jan, 2009.
• Turtle Bay Resort (Kahuku) - Located on Kawela Bay, 45 minutes from Waikiki, with almost five miles of beachfront. ($350+)
• W Honolulu (Honolulu) In a quiet neighborhood about a 15 minute walk to the action on Waikiki ($500+)
• Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort (Honolulu) ($250+) Some construction through July 09.

Mid-priced up to $250 a night

• Hotel Renew - an Aqua Elite luxury botique hotel near Diamondhead (from $175)
• Embassy Suites Waikiki Beach Walk - The only all-suite resort located in the heart of Waikiki ($250+)
• Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel (Honolulu) Short walk to Waikiki Beach, ($160+) Newly renovated.
• Ilima Hotel (Honolulu) Located in the heart of Waikiki, a small, 98 room, condominium style hotel. A little old but cozy. ($175+)
• The New Otani Kaimana Beach (Honolulu) - Described as a quite paradise behind Diamondhead. ($220+)
• Outrigger Luana Waikiki (Honolulu) Centrally located. ($150+)
• Outrigger Waikiki Shore Condominium. On Waikiki Beach. ($190+)(Honolulu)
• ResortQuest Waikiki Circle Hotel. Great location for Waikiki beach lovers. ($190) (Honolulu)
• ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel (Honolulu) Near the beach. ($200+)
• Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa (Honolulu) - Near Dimondhead and Waikiki Beach. (200+)
• Waikiki Parc (Honolulu) - Hip scene -- a resort "with an edge." ($175+)
• Wyland Waikiki (Honolulu) Short walk to beach. Good value. ($200+)

Value $150 or less per night

• Aqua Aloha Surf (Honolulu) - A hip Waikiki botique hotel with a surf theme. ($90+)
• Aqua Coconut Waikiki (Honolulu) Art deco botique hotel. ($90+)
• Aqua Palms and Spa (Honolulu) -- Off Waikiki botique hotel with many amenities. Good value. ($90+)
• AQUA Honolulu Prince (Honolulu) Near International Marketplace. Good value. ($100+)
• Aqua Waikiki Wave (Waikiki) Adjacent to the International Marketplace, botique hotel. ($125+)
• The Breakers (Honolulu) A short block from the beach. ($120+)
• Celebrity Resorts Waikiki (Honolulu) Near International Market Place ($120+)
  
• Hotel Renew (Honolulu)
• Renaissance 'Ilikai Waikiki (Honolulu) ($125+) Great location. (Before going, check for construction -- some things may be closed.)
  
• Royal Grove Hotel (Honolulu) (inexpensive) - Probably the best inexpensive hotel available near Waikiki -- family owned, nothing fancy, don't expect luxury -- but popular with many tourists. From about $70 a night.
  
• Waikiki Prince (Honolulu) (Inexpensive) Small hotel, oldie but goodie. Walk to beach. Bargain for the price. ($70+)

• Oahu Sightseeing (prices approximate)
• Bishop Museum - State Museum of Natural and Cultural History -- if you are interested in history, this is the place to find out about Hawaii. Founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop for his wife, the last descendant of the Kamehameha family. (Adult $15.95. Senior and Child $12.95)
• Captain Bob's Adventure Cruises - 4-Hours snorkling cruise from Waikiki ($79 Adult, $60 Children)
• Diamond Head Crater - A 760-foot "tuff crater" that is Hawaii's most famous landmark. Named Diamond Head by 19th century British sailors who thought they discovered diamonds on crater's slopes. (actually shiny calcite crystals.) Hike or see by tour ($1 entrance.)
• Foster Botanical Gardens (Honolulu) Begun in 1853 - a collection of rare and beautiful plants from the tropical regions of the world. $5 admission. Guided tours available. (Editors Choice)
• Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve - recently restored to more natural state -- favorite place for sunbathing, snorking and scuba. Often crowded -- get there early. Prehaps the best, cheapest fun on Oahu. ($5) (Editors Choice)
• Hawaii Food Tours (Honolulu) - Visit top restaurants and sample Hawaiian cusine. A great way to get a taste of the local culture. Try Hole-in-the-wall. ($99+)
• Hawaii Shark Encounters - See sharks underwater, up close and personal -- if you liked the movie, you'll like the tour. ($105 Adult, $70 Child) (Heleiwa)
• Huemmer Movie Set Tour -- Take a tour into the outback and see off-road sets for Lost, Jurrasic Park, etc from a Huemmer. ($129 Adult, $79 Child)
• 'Iolani Palace (Honolulu) - The only official state residence of royalty in the US - was official residence Hawaii's last two monarchs--King Kalakaua and Queen Lili`uokalani. If you like history and culture -- this is for you. (Guided tour $20 Adult, $5 Children)
• Kawaiaha'o Church - First Christian church in Hawaii (1829) is still active today and holds regular services. Served as Royal Chapel for 20 years. No guided tours, but free to look at.
• Oahu's North Shore - a different experience than the business of Waikiki. Shops, beaches and sites but few hotels. Visit Waimea Bayand Waimea Falls.
• Pearl Harbor & USS Arizona Memorial (Honolulu) U.S. National Park -- must see memorial to the events at Pearl Harbor in 1941 that led to the US entering World War II (Editor's Choice) Here are some pictures from a Pearl Harbor/Arizona tour.
• Polynesian Cultural Center -- see also Alii Luau (Laie) above
• Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetary -- many of those who died at Pearl Harbor are buried here, along with many other military heroes of World War II and later. This provides an historic memorial of WWII and spectacular views of Waikiki.
• Queen Emma Summer Palace -- Historic home of Queen Emma and King Kamehameha IV built in 1847.(Honolulu) Must see for anyone interested in culture and history.
• Shangri La - Historic home of Doris Duke from the 1930s -- features Islamic art.
  
  
• Oahu Activities
  • Hawaiian Fire Surf School - Surf Lessons -- very popular for those wanting to learn the art of surfing. (Honolulu)
  • Kailua Beach Park -- (Kailua) Sometimes called the "Best Beach in the World" -- east (windward) side of the island -- great for swimming an surfing.
  • Manoa Falls - one to twohour hike to spectacular views (Honolulu) (Editors Choice)
  • Skydive Hawaii
  • Waikiki Beach - beach cam, another cam, Visitor Center - The most visited beach in hawaii -- lots of activity -- surf, sunbathe, snorkle, lots of restaurants and shopping, watch people. Most Oahu hotels are located along Waikiki Beach-- or as close as they can get.
  • Wildside Specialty Tours Eco tours, snorking, dolphin adventures. (Recommended)
    
    
• Restaurants (Selected)
  • 12th Avenue Grill (Fine Dining) $$$$ Reviews vary.
  • 21 Degrees North - chef Hector Morales presents exqusite regional/Pacific rim/seafood/steak dishes. Great views of Turtle Bay. Romantic. $$$$ (North Shore)
  • 3360 on the Rise (Regional) A blend of European, Pacific Rim and Island-Style cuisine from chef Russell Siu. $$$$ (Honolulu)
  • Alan Wong's Restaurant (Pacific Rim) (Editors Choice) $$$$ (Honolulu)
  • Anna Miller's 24 Hour Restaurant - Popular for sandwiches and breakfast any time -- not fancy food, but convenient grub (inexpensive) $
  • Banyan Veranda at Moana Surfrider (great outdoor view for breakfast or afternoon tea) A perpetual favorite since 1901. $$$ (Honolulu)
  • Cassis Honolulu (Regional) Chef Mavro's French bistro restaurant. $$$
  • Down to Earth Deli (vegetarian) - sandwiches, wraps, salads and subs $
  • Duke's Restaurant & Canoe Club Outdoor experience -- right on the beach at the Outrigger Waikiki -- seafood, steaks, chicken - hula pie -mmm! $$$-$$$$
  • Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant - Open air beachfront dining -- seafood $$$$ on Waikiki
  • Hokus at The Kahala Hotel & Resort -- Regional, asian, european cuisine -- from sushi to steaks and seafood $$$$ (Honolulu)
  • House Without a Key at Fairmont Halekulani (Asian, Regional) (Honolulu)
  • Hula Grill Waikiki
  • Hy's Steak House
  • Kaka'ako Kitchen (regional) (Inexpensive)
  • La Familia Restaurante Mexican (home away from home for mainlanders) (Waipahu)
  • La Mer (Fine French cusine, romantic) (Recommended) (Honolulu)
  • Leonard's Bakery (Honolulu)
  • Matsumoto Shave Ice (Haleiwa)
  • Mariposa (American, Asian) in Neiman Marcus (Honolulu)
  • Mekong Thai (Honolulu)
  • Michel's (French) (Honolulu)
  • Nico's at Pier 38 - seafood (casual) (inexpensive)
  • Ocean House - Dinner only - seafood (Honolulu)
  • Ola at Turtle Bay Resort
  • Olive Tree Cafe
  • Orchid's (Honolulu)
  • The Pineapple Room
  • Roy's Restaurant (european and Asian) (Recommended) (Honolulu)
  • Ruth's Chris Steak House
  • Wahoo's Fish Taco (casual)
  • Zippy's (inexpensive)

  Note: Our intention is not to list every business or activity -- we list only those we feel have the most value to visitors.

  If you have comments, suggestions or reports (good or bad) on any of these items listed, please Contact Us.

  
  

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