Oahu HI info needed.

“Got us a lil trip planned for mid-Jan, and I'd like some info on Oahu's must see spots. Plz don't gimmee all the other HI islands details unless travel there is really cheap. We will only be on Oahu. In advance, thanya!”

“I remember a hike going thru a bamboo forest, up to a narrow ridge with a view of the puka hole.

The toilet bowl was pretty cool, but crowded.

We did some snorkeling, and rented a glider ride, and a catamaran (sp?) ride next to giant sea turtles.

If you see a pink hospital (Tripler) on a hillside, that's where I was born!”

“I would recommend Diamond Head. It is that big volcano looking mountain just east of Waikiki. You can use a bus or taxi to get there. There is a National Guard/Army base inside the cauldera. Just stay on the paved road until you get to the trail. There is only one road. It is quite a climb but is totally worth the view from the top. There are also a bunch of old military artifacts laying around. You should take a flashlight and water. The flashlight is for the tunnels and inside the old observation bunker. You also may want to take binoculars as well.

Also, go to Pearl Harbor and get out to the Arizona. It is free, and the monument and film are inspiring. After the USS Arizona, go to the Submarine Museum it is across the parking lot to your left as you exit the Arizona Museum. It is about $15.00 per and you get to go on an old sub. Our guide on the sub was an old guy who worked on the sub while it was in action.

After that go to the USS Missouri. You can catch a shuttle over to it, it is on Ford Island. Get one of the guided tours of the ship, it is cool.

On a less military note, the Polynesian Cultural Center is cool as well. You can see live demonstrations of making poi, and there is a luau in the evening.

SN, I've seen that hospital. Cool!!”

“Snorkel at Hunama Bay.

Marvel at the big waves and the people that ride them at Sandy's and the North Shore.

Ride the waves at Maccapuu (sp?). Good beginner/intermediate sets and a nice beach.

I have relatives in Honolulu and spent a couple of summers there learning to boogieboard, scuba and being an all around beach bum.”

“Oh yeah. And go to the blowhole!”

“All good recommendations. The surf should be up on the North Shore should you want to swim or surfboard. Check your local library for maps to investigate ahead of time. Some libraries keep tourist stuff in folders. You'll encounter plenty of tourist info and maps when you arrive.

In the eighty's and 1990-91, National and State Campgrounds (CG) were free and County Campgrounds were only $1.00 per night. But on Oahu the CGs were only open 3 or 4 nights of the week.”

“I have an aunt who worked for the Marines on Oahu (a career civilian personnel officer) who I have visited a lot over the years.

Rosey is right about Hanauma bay. Its a must see. You can rent snorkeling gear there.

There ain't a lot of backpacking on Oahu. I hear that the Koolau summitt trail was once gorgeous, but is now in terrible condition.
Short hikes up to the top of Diamond head, and Koko head are beautiful.

Manoa Cliff Trail and Manoa Falls trail are nice, but I don't think they are very long (an afternnoon or morning hike, I think). Maunawili is a bit longer (closer to full day of hiking?).

Do take a trip around the Island. There are fewer crowds and great beaches. If you like horses, there are some great places on the back side of the Island where you can ride between the mountains and the coast. Even if you don't you can pay for a ride on an idiot proof horse... some of the paths are just gorgeous.

The crowds aroung Wakiki bug me, but lots of people love hanging out there. There are some nice old hotels and beaches, but on the whole its just way overcrowded.

Do pay attention to people's suggestions about safety. There are places where strangers get hurt and/or robbed pretty often.”

“Snow Nymph - When I was stationed there in the Army Trippler was better known as Crippler the Pink House of Pain.

When the wife and I visit our must do list includes the following:

Diamond Head
USS Arizona
USS Missouri
Hanauma bay
Shaved Ice at Aoki's in Haliewa
Visit my old barracks at Schofield
Dinner and Mai Tai at the Shore Bird Oceanside Bar & Grill
And of course a lot of laying around on the beach

Have fun!”

“Yo NEKKID one!
Find a way way to Maui if you can-
I found if you can speak to a local- they can tell you.”

“Been a long time since I've been there dude. The things I remember most were getting pounded into the sand bodysurfing the shore break at Makaha, climbing Diamond Head, the cemetary inside the Punch Bowl (and just the perfect symmetry of the volcano), but mostly the Arizona...hard to describe the feeling but it will last my entire lifetime. Hawaii in January sounds so sweet!”

“I'd find a cheap place to rent snorkeling gear for the whole time, and carry it anytime you go someplace on the island. Haunama is great, but other places are good and less crowded.

I can't remember the name of the trail, on the north side, to some falls where lots of women remove their undies and toss them up on the vegetation on the cliff. Great hike!

Looking for the name of the trail I found this site. Worth checking out.

Alternative Hawaii”

“BTW: You can book pretty inexpensive tour excursions to the other islands. There is a one day tour of the Island of Hawaii (you have to get up pretty early) that goes out of Oahu almost everyday. Actually, I think there are several versions of it. I did one that took me all around the Island.”

“Watch out for rainbows- more addictive than crack.

I envy you!”

“Pathman - are you thinking of Sared Falls? It's been closed since May of '99 because of a rock slide that killed a few people.

Was a beautiful place.”

“Absolutely wonderful info folks, thanky kindly! T minus 3 weeks!”