My trip to Hawaii

Hey there everyone, I'm headed to Hawaii towards the end of October, I'll be on Oahu, anyone know of any good spots I should hit while I'm there??

vkash1208,
the entire island .... really.
There is the main city for urban-beach shots. (different time of day)
diamond head
uss arizona.
if you can get on hickam AB - the hangers are from the 50-60's...
north shore - south shore and then there is lanikai (east shore).
there are the beach parties and the night cruises - the dole pineapple factory/plantation...

Have fun and share some pictures when you get back.

THere is so much to see but some of my faves are:

• Aloha stadium - Not much of a photo op but they have a great flea market and you can get most of you gifts here at a fraction of the cost of Honolulu.
  
• Matsomo tos Hawaiian ice. It's just up the road from Dole.
  
• Sunset beach at sunset. It's on the north shore
  
• There are a couple of shrimp places along the drive on the north shore as well. Nothing like some fresh shrimp.
  
• Waimea falls on the north shore. Also has a real nice nature preserve as well. Lots of interesting flowers.
  
• Ala Moana marina early in the morning. Great view of diamond head as the sun rises and lots of great marine type shots.
  
• Manoa falls. Park in the $5 lot as leaving you car further up the hill is an adventure.
  

Be sure to climb to the top of Diamondhead. You get pictures like the one below I took in August. Pearl Harbor is a must see if you havent been before. And sunset cruises are always great for photos. I was only in Waikiki but the North Shore is supposed to be beautiful.

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My suggestion: start really early one morning and go to the SE point of the island, park at the lookout, and then hike up to the lighthouse (the trail is back down the road at the other parking lot that is closed until 7am) for sunrise. The view is incredible. Then, after you get back to your car, drive north until you find the Pali highway. At the summit is an exit for Pali Lookout. Check it out, then head back down to the east side and head north of Kane'ohe (you may want to map all of this before you go). You're following a coastal road the whole way, and there are tons of good spots to take pictures. If you want to check out a Buddhist temple (cost $2/person), go to Byodo-In, in the Valley of the Temples just north of Kane'ohe (it's on a road that's not coastal). About halfway to North Shore, you'll see Chinaman's Hat/Kualoa State Park, which is worth checking out. From there north, there are lots of scenic pulloffs. Soon enough, you'll be at Sunset Beach. My suggestion is to turn uphill/mauka toward Pupukea (it's the only stop light/grocery store along North Shore except for in Haleiwa) and make the turnoff on the right (I think it's the first one) for the heiau above Waimea. Head back down and you'll see Shark's Cove right in front of you, which is nice. Turn left, you'll drive into Waimea Valley (which is nice in itself). Later on, you'll see a turnoff for Hale'iwa town, which is worth checking out, at least for lunch and shave ice (Matsumoto's, as mentioned earlier). Then, you can choose to cruise out to Mokule'ia for the less occupied beaches or a decent hike to Ka'ena Point (take water) for the birds and the view of the west side and sunset (you can also see sunset from anywhere from Sunset Beach to Ka'ena Point). Otherwise, you can go from Hale'iwa back towards Honolulu via Wahiawa, along which you'll see the pineapple fields (and the Dole Plantation) in the plains between the Wai'anae and Ko'olau Mountains. South from there, you'll find H2 which will take you back to town, which is where you're most likely staying.

Other things I suggest doing: take a drive up the west side. Many people don't suggest this, but the beaches are incredible over there, and once you get north of Makaha, the whole area is essentially uninhabited, the beaches are great and the valleys are incredible. Just watch your stuff (but I recommended this advice EVERYWHERE you go in Hawaii). If you like snorkeling, you should check out Hanauma Bay (but know you're charged for parking and entrance, plus you have to watch a educational video before they'll let you in). You can hike Koko Head crater located in Hawaii Kai (be sure to bring water if you choose to do this midday). Manoa Falls is located in the back of Manoa Valley (the large valley visible from Waikiki), and is an easy hike (the waterfall is not impressive, but worth checking out since it's right in town). I like the Wa'ahila Ridge Trail hike, also located in town. Start the hike at the top of St Louis Heights (there's a park there), and follow the trail all the way where it splits off. Take the right split because it takes you all the way to the top of the mountain, but just know that it is at least a 4 hour hike, so be sure to bring water and know that you are likely to get dirty.

Hope this helps. Should keep you busy for awhile. If you have any questions, PM me.

John

jrader wrote in post #6439259
My suggestion: start really early one morning and go to the SE point of the island, park at the lookout, and then hike up to the lighthouse (the trail is back down the road at the other parking lot that is closed until 7am) for sunrise. The view is incredible. Then, after you get back to your car, drive north until you find the Pali highway. At the summit is an exit for Pali Lookout. Check it out, then head back down to the east side and head north of Kane'ohe (you may want to map all of this before you go). You're following a coastal road the whole way, and there are tons of good spots to take pictures. If you want to check out a Buddhist temple (cost $2/person), go to Byodo-In, in the Valley of the Temples just north of Kane'ohe (it's on a road that's not coastal). About halfway to North Shore, you'll see Chinaman's Hat/Kualoa State Park, which is worth checking out. From there north, there are lots of scenic pulloffs. Soon enough, you'll be at Sunset Beach. My suggestion is to turn uphill/mauka toward Pupukea (it's the only stop light/grocery store along North Shore except for in Haleiwa) and make the turnoff on the right (I think it's the first one) for the heiau above Waimea. Head back down and you'll see Shark's Cove right in front of you, which is nice. Turn left, you'll drive into Waimea Valley (which is nice in itself). Later on, you'll see a turnoff for Hale'iwa town, which is worth checking out, at least for lunch and shave ice (Matsumoto's, as mentioned earlier). Then, you can choose to cruise out to Mokule'ia for the less occupied beaches or a decent hike to Ka'ena Point (take water) for the birds and the view of the west side and sunset (you can also see sunset from anywhere from Sunset Beach to Ka'ena Point). Otherwise, you can go from Hale'iwa back towards Honolulu via Wahiawa, along which you'll see the pineapple fields (and the Dole Plantation) in the plains between the Wai'anae and Ko'olau Mountains. South from there, you'll find H2 which will take you back to town, which is where you're most likely staying.

Other things I suggest doing: take a drive up the west side. Many people don't suggest this, but the beaches are incredible over there, and once you get north of Makaha, the whole area is essentially uninhabited, the beaches are great and the valleys are incredible. Just watch your stuff (but I recommended this advice EVERYWHERE you go in Hawaii). If you like snorkeling, you should check out Hanauma Bay (but know you're charged for parking and entrance, plus you have to watch a educational video before they'll let you in). You can hike Koko Head crater located in Hawaii Kai (be sure to bring water if you choose to do this midday). Manoa Falls is located in the back of Manoa Valley (the large valley visible from Waikiki), and is an easy hike (the waterfall is not impressive, but worth checking out since it's right in town). I like the Wa'ahila Ridge Trail hike, also located in town. Start the hike at the top of St Louis Heights (there's a park there), and follow the trail all the way where it splits off. Take the right split because it takes you all the way to the top of the mountain, but just know that it is at least a 4 hour hike, so be sure to bring water and know that you are likely to get dirty.

Hope this helps. Should keep you busy for awhile. If you have any questions, PM me.

John

Spit at least once while you're at the lookout.

jrader wrote in post #6439259
...Then, after you get back to your car, drive north until you find the Pali highway. At the summit is an exit for Pali Lookout. Check it out, then head back down to the east side and head north of Kane'ohe....

And most importantly, never bring pork up with you or the Memehune will get you.... Very bad...

Have fun.... we will be on Oahu Oct. 17-19 to see Pearl Harbor and climb Diamondhead. Then off the the Big Island for a week!

thanks a lot everyone, i'm pretty excited for my trip. i leave this friday the 17th and i'll be there for a week.

maureen maybe i'll see you there, haha.

make sure you bring a polarizer