Great Places to Shoot in Honolulu, HI

[imagesbylinda]

Going to Honolulu for vacation in September. Can anyone suggest particular places to get some good shots?

[CanonHowitzer]

Most all of Hawaii is a photo op.

Suggest renting a car and driving around the coast road.
Also, if you can, go to some of the other isanlds, like Kauai or the Big Island.

It's been a while since I've been there but I was finding shots most everywhere. Hawaii is one of the few places that actually looks like what's on the post cards.

Have fun. Good luck.
:)

[imagesbylinda]

Thanks. Looking forward to capturing as many memories as possible.

[deletedpenguin]

Hope I'm not too late to chime in. It's hard to take a bad photo in Hawai'i. If you're staying in Honolulu, try to get out of the city and drive around the island. A different world entirely.

[kosin]

another vote for renting a car and driving along the east coast or even around the island...

[Honu]

Definitely rent a car and do the "Circle Island" tour. I was there last year, it was fantastic.

Must see's:
Pali Lookout
Diamondhead
Hanauma Bay
Valley of the Temples
USS Arizona Memorial

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30930799@N02/sets/72157607585366300/

[jrader]

Well, there is lots to see and do on O'ahu. If you are bound to the city, you are going to miss a lot. Even if you don't want to rent a car, the bus service covers 90% of the island (it will take you a lot longer to get where you want to go, mind you). There are spots just about everywhere on the island. I just think it would be a mistake to stay in Honolulu. For that matter (now I'm going on a mini-rant), I think it's a shame to come all the way to Hawai'i and only go to O'ahu. The real beauty (for me anyway) is in the outer islands, particularly Kaua'i, Big Island, and Maui. Maybe you should change your itinerary?

My (short) list (with recommended sunrise-to-sunset driving path going from south to east to north to south again (via central) then west):

South Shore:
Diamondhead
Lookout at Diamondhead Lighthouse
Manoa Falls (light hike)
Halona Blowhole (near Sandy Beach)

East:
Makapu'u Lookout/Lighthouse for sunrise
Waimanalo Bay
Pali Lookout
Valley of the Temples/Byodo-In
Kualoa Beach Park/Chinaman's Hat (good place to take a road break/lunch)

North Shore:
La'ie Point (at the stop light in La'ie, take a right and follow the road to the end)
Any of the beaches on North Shore, like Waimea.
Shark's Cove
Pu'u O Mahuka Heiau above Shark's Cove (the view of Waimea Bay from here is good, but you have to find it)

Central:
The Pineapple fields in Waihi'awa

On the west side:
Makua Valley or Yokohama Bay for sunset
Ka'ena Point (no driving to this one, must walk/bike this one...bird sanctuary)


Also, I can recommend some excellent hikes into the mountains with some incredible views if you are interested. And if you want to know some good places to find some good grinds outside of Honolulu, let me know.

[imagesbylinda]

Thanks everyone for all of the helpful suggestions. I have a lot to think about and a lot of planning to do.