What to do on first day - 1/2 day only

My gf and I will be in Oahu this Monday and our flight arrives around 2 in the afternoon. We will be on the island for 2.5 days/3 nights before moving on to the Big Island for 3 nights, Kauai for 3 nights, and back to Oahu for 8 hour layover. In Oahu, we plan to..

1. do a circle island tour by car - hike on easy trails and snorkel at beaches along the way to North Shore/visit Byodo-in Temple/Nu%26#39;uanu Pali lookout - figure this will be an all day activity.

2. visit Pearl Harbor/Ala Moana Center/Tantalus Drive/hang out in Waikiki area - will this be good for first day?

3. What am I missing? (worked all night so can%26#39;t really think right now, left my guidebook at home)

Also, what does the parking situation look like in Waikiki, are there a lot of meter parking or cheap lots around Kapahulu %26amp; Kalakaua Ave for overnight parking? We are staying at Hotel Renew.

1 more day until we get to Hawaii!

What to do on first day - 1/2 day only

For parking you can go to the Waikiki Banyan $10 per 24 hrs there is parking around Kapiolani Park and the zoo area but I wouldn%26#39;t try it for overnight.

1. the Pali lookout maybe best done before the clouds roll in between 9-10 am

2. the Punchbowl is in the area depending on how long you%26#39;re at Pearl it%26#39;s doable.

3. I would include a possible hike of either Diamond Head or Makapuu Point both offer great views and the drive is also a plus.

In response to your headline we have gone to either Lulu%26#39;s or Tiki%26#39;s for pupus and then a little beach time.

What to do on first day - 1/2 day only

thanks hulajake for the tips and affordable parking advice.

On our third day I guess we%26#39;ll hang around Waikiki or do snorkeling around the island possibly hike up Diamond Head or another trail like Manoa Falls. I just found a coupon in the paper today for 25% off at Sports Chalet, perfect timing to get a snorkel set!

I have to check the schedule for Aloha Stadium swap meet, we can do our souvenir shopping on our layover and not have to lug them around with us.

By the way, when%26#39;s the best time to go to Manoa Falls?

The east and north shores will probably not be accessible at the beginning of the week. Large swell coming in. Save your snorkeling for the island of Hawaii. After snorkeling there, you will be left woundering why you bothered on Oahu!!

msfuzz, ty.

By the way, where do you find out about ocean conditions.

You can google Hawaii weather and go to either NOAA site and click on marine forecast or weatherunderground.com and do the same.

www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/watchwarn.php

If your flight arrives at two, you will be lucky to be checked into your hotel by 4pm. Traffic is horrible between HNL and Waikiki area. I wouldn%26#39;t plan on anything that first day, other than getting into the room, walking along the beach, having an early cocktail/dinner and watch the sunset.

Remember, there%26#39;s a 3 hour time difference, so you will be ready for bed by 8pm.

I would agree, make a dinner reservation at Dukes and take a nice walk along the beach then dinner. Not much time to do much else.

Aloha,

We are taking a day trip to Oahu from Kauai on 1/21. My 80 year old mother-in-law (1st time to the islands), my wife, daughter, and myself arrive at Honolulu at about 8 am and leave for Kauai about 7:30 pm. We are visiting Pearl Harbor, as this event was a significant time in my mother-in-law%26#39;s life. From there we want to head to the north shore to watch surfing, then back to Waikiki possibly, before flying back to Kauai. My mother-in-law is in great shape, are these 3 destinations too much for basically 10 hours on Oahu? Thanks for your help.

Chet