Oahu is the most populated of the Hawaiian islands. It also has some of the most recognizable landmarks and attractions: Pearl Harbor, Pali Lookout, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, the Polynesian Cultural Center, Dole Pineapple Plantation, Byodo-in Temple and Halona Blowhole. We saw them all!
We stayed in the Honolulu W at the western edge of Honolulu. From our balcony we could watch the sun rise over Diamond Head. Twice we were treated to rainbows. Waikiki Beach was a few steps away. Pounding surfs, surfers and an array of tourists and locals made for interesting people watching. Large and surreal-looking banyan trees grow inside the beach park. Children play hide-n-seek in them. The Waikiki Aquarium, a short 5 minute walk from the hotel, has lovely and educational exhibits. The W's restaurant has great, reasonably priced food, fun and friendly staff. The spinach salad with candied pecans, house bread and flavored oil are excellent. Complimentary Kona coffee in the morning…what more can I say?
For gardeners, photographers and nature lovers, Oahu is a goldmine of unique and beautiful plants. Waimea Valley is an easy to walk rain forest with clearly marked species both native and non-native. Ironically, due to a current dry spell, the waterfall at the end of one trail was only a trickle. It struck me part way through our trip, that the lighting in Hawaii is what makes everything, especially the vegetation, look so beautiful. The shading and light is so defined, so magnified, that every plant looked as if it were artificially enhanced.
Dole Pineapple plantation is another great stop for viewing plants and learning about pineapple varieties. Pineapple and bananas grown in Hawaii taste so much better than the fruit we get stateside.
Near Diamond Head is the Halona Blowhole and beach where “From Here to Eternity” was filmed. The area is known as the Beverly Hills of Honolulu because of the million dollar homes built around Diamond Head. This side of the island has spectacular views and larger than life surf.
Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona: Especially poignant is the sheen of oil floating around the USS Arizona memorial: every few minutes, small drops of oil surface from the wreckage; a moving reminder to this national tragedy. The decommissioned USS Missouri is nearby. We toured the ship, crew quarters, command center, and site of the Japanese surrender. The Mighty Mo is loaded with WWII and Gulf War history.
A day at the Polynesian Cultural Center: Hawaiian, Tahitian, Tongan, New Zealand, and Samoan cultures are represented. As part of their work/study, each village is run by native students from BYU. We participated in several cultural activities (e.g., fire starting and poi tasting.) Poi is not bad, really! After a lavish buffet, we enjoyed an evening show featuring dance, drums, fire and music. The students are talented and honestly enthusiastic about sharing their culture and heritage.
Pali Outlook offers a windy and panoramic view as well as an overview of Hawaiian history. Byodo-in Temple was a pleasant surprise: an ornate Japanese temple surrounded by mountain mist that reaches down to the tree tops. Simply breathtaking!
AAA was our booking agent. We have used them for years. At our AAA orientation breakfast, we purchased tours (at a discount) and also won a day trip to the Marriott Ko Olina Resort (including transportation). A quiet, posh and private resort with man-made lagoons, Ko Olina is exactly how you picture Hawaii – lush, perfect, paradise! No wonder I kept hearing Israel Kamakawiwo'ole singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in my head.
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