Oahu Vacation Accommodations & Destinations

Posted on October 28, 2008 by admin
Don Guy asked:

he most populated island of all the Hawaiian Islands. On the island of Oahu, you are sure to find great shopping, tons of nightlife, world-famous beaches, and outdoor adventure for all.

For adventure, you can take a hike to the top of Diamond Head crater for a spectacular 360-degree view of Oahu and Waikiki beach, take surfing lessons in front of the Royal Hawaiian hotel, scuba dive the spectacular coral reefs, go shark cage diving on the north shore, or take a ride on an outrigger canoe. Additional side-trips include snorkeling at Hanauma Bay amongst a myriad of tropical marine life, go sport fishing, take a Catamaran sunset cruise on Waikiki Beach, or for the really adventurous, go for a ride in a glider airplane high above the Oahu mountains.

An Oahu vacation isn’t just for the adventuresome. Leisure recreation is everywhere. One thing everyone must do is take the scenic drive over the Pali Highway, stopping at the historic site for a phenomenal view from the Nuuanu Pali Lookout point. Also be sure to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center where you can stop and see where the famous big surf rolls in. If you want to buy a flower lei, stop at one of the stands on Maunakea Street to see how they’re made. Many people love to visit the Polynesian Cultural Center in Oahu to, not only view original Hawaiian lifestyle, but also become familiar with many of the other Polynesian South Pacific Islands. This is a full day of entertainment and its recommended that you buy your tickets well in advance if you are traveling during a busy season.

On Oahu, there are many different nature tours to choose from. Discover tropical rain forests, waterfalls, old Hawaiian Villages, visit an arboretum, or experience sunrise atop Diamond Head while learning of its history from your knowledgeable tour guide.

For surfers and those who simply enjoy the thrill of watching some of the largest surf in the world pound the Hawaiian beaches, a stop at Oahu’s North Shore is a trip you’ll never forget. With waves reaching 30 feet in height, you’ll see some of the bravest surfers in the world risk it all as they tackle one of nature’s most powerful forces. On Oahu’s North Shore, you’ll find famous surf beaches like Waimea Bay and Pipeline. The largest waves on the North Shore can be found during the winter months between November and February, while the summer months usually produce very small surf anywhere from a few feet in height to complete calm, which provides for great snorkeling and swimming for vacationers.

Your Hawaii Vacation in Oahu would not be complete without a trip to King Kamehameha’s Palace. King Kamehameha was the first King of Hawaii. Under his rule, he conquered the Hawaiian Islands and formally established the Kingdom of Hawaii in the year 1810. By developing alliances with the major Pacific colonial powers, Kamehameha successfully preserved Hawaii’s independence. Under his rule, he brought together all the other island’s chiefdoms and united them under one single government.

Certainly, if this is your 1st vacation in Oahu, you’ll want to visit Pearl Harbor. Here you’ll visit the Memorials of the USS Arizona and the Missouri. The Memorial is the final resting place for many of the battleship’s 1,177 crew who lost their lives on December 7, 1941. The Memorial commemorates the site where World War II began for the United States. The tour of the Memorial begins with a 23-minute documentary film depicting the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, showing actual footage that enthrusts awe, appreciation, and great respect for those who lost their lives on that fateful day.

Anyone who appreciates aviation will certainly enjoy The Pacific Aviation Museum located in the WWII Hangars in Pearl Harbor. These hangers still show scars of our nation’s first aviation battlefield. Here you’ll find exhibits of a 1942 Japanese Zero and its’ opponent, the USA’s Wildcat. See the Stearman 18 year old George H. W. Bush honored as the war’s youngest aviator. Learn how aviation turned the tide of World War II. Flight Simulators are also available for an extra fee.

With so many things to do on one island, it’s no wonder Oahu is the most popular Hawaiian island for vacationers. For Oahu vacation accommodations, there are many Oahu hotels to choose from in Waikiki but many prefer to stay in privately-owned vacation rentals for both comfort and cost-efficiency. Most Oahu vacation rentals include fully stocked kitchens, multiple bedrooms, and some even have a private swimming pool, which works out great for a cheap familiy vacation. Therefore, it pays to shop around before considering the multitude of expensive Oahu hotels.

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Waikiki Silver Manikin knocks over camera

Posted on October 27, 2008 by admin
warbuck asked:

This video was taken in 1999 of two silver manikin sidewalk performers working on Kalakua Ave. in Waikiki to receive tips from tourist bystanders, when one of them turns accidentally runs into my camera’s tripod nearly knocking it to the ground. This was the very first most hilariously funny camera footage I shot in Hawaii.

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Some Highlights About Visiting Hawaii

Posted on October 17, 2008 by admin
Gregg Hall asked:

When a lot of people think about Hawaii they think about the tourists attractions only and you shouldn’t think of Hawaii like that at all. There is so much to do other than Waikiki. You just need to get out and see what all there is to do, I mean it’s Hawaii if I was in Hawaii I would be surfing on the North or South shore depending on the season.

If you haven’t been to Oahu’s North shore then you obviously have never been to Hawaii because that is one of the most well known places in Hawaii. That is where about 90% of most of the big swells hit Hawaii.

On your way to the North shore you will be amazed by all the many views you will have like the pineapple fields and the mountains in the huge background of your view. If you have never been to Hawaii then you need to go.

You just turn onto North shore highway I think and you just go. After that if you are wanting to go surfing or at least go look at the surf you just get yourself on Kam highway and then you have a good view of the surf north or south whichever way you prefer to drive at that time.

The North shore of Oahu is unlike any other place in the world. You have pretty beaches and surf all the time. Let’s not forget all the women as well if you cannot find something to do in Hawaii then you just need to stay where you are.

You will see that all the resorts are isolated from the North shore that is because they are trying to keep the North shore as secret as possible and not to let any resorts take over the beaches that they surf everyday. They just do not want any tourists where they surf.

If you are going to Hawaii any times soon then you are going to need to rent a car so that you can go visit the North shore and see the huge waves and all the surfers and beaches. You will get to see many of the famous big wave breaks like pipeline and Waimea.

Right down the road from Waimea is three tables beach. It is a little reef beach I suppose that has three flat rock shelves that do not allow big surf to get through. That is why it is a beach for your kids to swim at and have fun.

As you will keep driving the landscape you will start to see will become more and more natural and you will see why you needed to come to Hawaii so bad for. You just need to feel the air and feel how good your vacation would be in Hawaii. There are so many things for you to do in Hawaii that you just need to take off and have fun. So if you haven’t already you need to buy your plane ticket.

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5 Things You Should Do on a Hawaii Vacation

Posted on October 13, 2008 by admin
Gina Ireland asked:

Have you recently decided to vacation in Hawaii? If so, congratulations! You are well on your way to having a fun and exciting time. After all, there is a reason why Hawaii is known as one of the best vacation destinations in the world!

Although vacationing on a Hawaiian Island alone is enough to make your next vacation absolutely amazing, there are some additional steps that you may want to take. To maximize your next vacation and make it the best possible, please continue reading on for some helpful tips.

1 – Rent a Hawaii Vacation Rental

Yes, you can stay at one of the many available Hawaii hotels and resorts, but you may want to book a stay at a private Hawaii vacation rental. Why? There are a number of benefits to doing so. One of those benefits is privacy. With most vacation rentals, you and your traveling party are the only vacationers onsite. You also get many of the comforts of home, including a fully furnished kitchen where you are able to prepare your own meals!

What is nice about staying at a vacation rental, aside from the privacy is all of the choices that you have. Hawaiian vacation rentals are found on all of the popular islands and they come in a number of different formats. You can rent a Hawaii vacation home, cottage, villa, condo, or an apartment. With a number of great features, possibly including a dishwasher, washer, dryer, and a fully furnished kitchen, they are great for extended Hawaii vacations.

2 – Rent a Car

In addition to making reservations for a Hawaii vacation rental, you should also make reservations for a car rental. Yes, there is public transportation available in Hawaii, but there are a number of benefits to renting your own vehicle. These benefits include the freedom to come and go as you please, as well as privacy. You don’t have to worry about sharing a bus or a taxi with others.

Cars, as you know, come in a number of different makes and models. Whether you are traveling alone or with a large group, you should be able to find a rental car that is perfect for your needs. If you want to spend most of your trip to Hawaii out exploring and sightseeing, it may be in your best interest to rent a car that gets good gas mileage.

3 – Take a Hawaii Dinner Cruise

One of the reasons why Hawaii is a popular vacation destination is because of all of the activities you can enjoy. One activity that you will want to closely examine is that of a dinner cruise. Hawaii dinner cruises are popular and available on most of the Hawaiian Islands.

If you do decide to take a dinner cruise, examine those that can be considered multi-cruises. For example, can you sightsee or whale watch as well? Look for dinner cruises that advertise whale watching as an activity or choose a cruise that will take you to a beautiful destination, such as the Napali Coast on Kauai.

4 – Go Sightseeing

Whether you stay at a Hawaii vacation resort or a private vacation rental, you may find yourself not wanting to leave. With that said, Hawaii is a place that you should get out and explore. It doesn’t matter which Hawaiian island you choose to visit, there are a number of attractions that are commonly referred to as a sightseer’s dream.

On Big Island, you will find Mauna Kea, Waipio Valley, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Kauai, as previously stated, is home to the Napali Coast, as well as the Waimea Canyon and the Wailua River. When vacationing on Kauai, you can visit Pearl Harbor, the Iolani Palace, and visit Waikiki Beach. Maui is home to the Ioa Valley, the scenic Hana Highway, and the Haleakala Crater. For a large number of attractions that are often referred to as hidden treasures, visit the less popular islands of Molokai and Lanai.

5 – Learn to Surf

Hawaii, especially the island of Oahu is known for its pristine surfing conditions. Don’t know how to surf? That is fine. In fact, there is no better time to learn. It is an adventure, which you will never forget.

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The Hawaiian Vacation: Leis, Luaus, And Luscious Landscape

Posted on October 13, 2008 by admin
Frank Johnson asked:

Nothing says tropical paradise quite like an excursion to the Hawaiian Islands. The volcanic archipelago lost in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean stretches northwest from the Big Island of Hawaii in the south through Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau, each with its own identity and topography. Eleven more islands, reefs and atolls comprise the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and are all uninhabited.

Get As Far Away As Possible, Really

Travel to Hawaii, the 50th state of the U.S.A., is the ultimate getaway. The island-chain situated 2300 miles from the mainland is the exposed top of an enormous undersea volcanic mountain range known as the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain and is commonly known as the most remote and isolated island outcropping on Earth.

Geographically, the islands are more subject to tropical weather, large waves and storms on the north/northeast side, know as the windward side. The leeward side of each island, to the southwest, is drier and thus home to the majority of resort towns. The incredible blend of Polynesian, Tahitian and European cultures makes for a dynamic adventure from the traditional luaus and serene Shinto shrines to the hippie-surfer culture abundant in the less touristy locales.

Kauai: A One-Stop Hawaiian Experience

The westerly island of Kauai is one of the lesser inhabited islands and claims many of Hawaii’s most stunning natural features. The blend of a more prominent local population with the southern resort region and a priceless backdrop makes Kauai the ultimate escape within an escape.

The north shore offers world renowned surfing and windsurfing next to the wealthy community of Princetown. The dramatically plunging Na Pali Coast State Park in the northwest draws backpackers and nature lovers to its 11-mile Kalalau Trail, the only land access to this rugged and isolated coastline. Sea cliffs and lush valleys alternate along the route that ends at Kalalau Beach. Stone terrace walls and sacred burial grounds of Hawaiian tribes still dot the valleys, while there is a growing naturalist community tucked away at the end of the trail. The wettest place on earth, averaging 460 inches of rainfall per year, is near the peak of Kauai’s Mount Wai’ale’ale. From this point, plunging rivers have carved out the fantastic expanse of Waimea Canyon, coined “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific” by Mark Twain. The views are a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Resort or Adventure, Pick your Pleasure

Maui is the most popular resort destination in Hawaii. The lush island boasts the spectacular and riveting Hana Highway, which is more about the wondrous journey than the secluded destination, and Mount Haleakala, where a hike into the Haleakala Crater will land you in the center of the world’s largest dormant volcano. The Big Island of Hawaii is the youngest island and nearly entirely comprised of Mauna Loa, the largest shield volcano on Earth. Lounge and snorkel on the Kona side of the island or venture out across lava fields along the eastern coast.

From the bustle of Honolulu and Waikiki on Oahu to the tranquil serenity of Lanai’s sandy beaches, a journey to the middle of the Pacific will certainly prove to you that Hawaii is more than just pineapples and coffee.

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