1. Ride The Bus
It is the least expensive way to get around, even if it is inconvenient. But hey, you are on vacation so you have time. Waiting for the bus and riding it is not just idle time either. This is where you mingle with the locals. If you smile to people, you can learn more about what living on Oahu is like. On long bus rides, people like to talk.
2. Stay at a local's house
Airbnb. Travel light and move around the island to minimize travel time. If you find a friendly host who is there when you visit, there is so much you can learn. Take time to talk.3. Learn about the history
This does not have to be boring. There are two quick and interesting ways to do it. The first is to visit Pearl Harbor. Head straight for the USS Arizona Memorial (it's free, even though space is limited so inquire ahead of time). The visit starts with a movie that gives a very good overview of how the war started between Japan and the US. Watch for the inconsistencies. That's where the real history lies. Give Pearl Harbor a whole day. There are lots of interesting displays aside from the USS Arizona Memorial.
The second is to visit the Hawaii Supreme Court building in downtown Honolulu. Admission is free, and despite how intimidating a Supreme Court may be, visitors are welcome. Best of all, this is one of the few buildings outside of the touristy areas that is air-conditioned. There is a wonderful little museum with a mini-theater where you can select and watch short documentaries. The selection is interesting and educational. One important thing one learns in those movies is so good to know that I will say it here. Land from sea to the tree line is public land in Hawaii. It can't be owned. So if you can't resist spending a day on Waikiki Beach and hotel employees try to shoo you away from an illegally cordoned off area, you can tell them that.
Not far from the Supreme Court building is the state capitol. Very much worth a visit as well. In the Hawaiian tradition, the capitol is in full communion with nature. There is no roof, nor exterior walls. The parliament rooms are shaped like volcanoes. The columns around the capitol represent palm trees. You will need half a day for the capitol and the court house. The court house is what is going to take the most time.
4. Taste exotic food and take care of your gift shopping
For this, head for Chinatown in Honolulu. There are food markets, hole-in-the wall restaurants and if you are truly adventurous, food courts. Hunt for thrift stores. This is where we found a $5, nice quality aloha shirt for my husband. You can also find floral print dresses and sarongs, as well as jewelry and a host of other accessories. Don't forget to pick up your tropical flower hair accessory. Note, when wearing in Hawaii: wear on the right side if single, wear on the left side if you have a significant other.
Chinatown is not very big, so it's easily doable in half a day.
5. Take a walk in the jungle
For an easy hike and a very much jungly jungle walk, look no further than Manoa Falls, near Honolulu. You will probably read somewhere that the Manoa valley is where some scenes of Jurassic Park were filmed. The vegetation is indeed extremely interesting, gigantic and exhuberant. Give Manoa Falls a few hours.
6. Wave hello to a huma huma nuka nuka apu wa`a fish
Go snorkeling! The most famous snorkeling beach on Oahu is Hanauma bay. Hanauma bay is a rather fussy affair, with an entry fee, lines, a movie to watch, and a hike down to the beach. For those of us who are not early risers, we get murky afternoon waters. Invest in amphibian shoes, and head instead for Sharks Cove, on the north shore. The bus drops you off right in front of the beach, admission is free and because it is more rocky, the water is clear. Beautiful snorkeling. Not sure if it is doable in the winter season, however. It is a cove and therefore protected, but the ocean still has some force.
When snorkeling, it is very important not to touch anything in the ocean. You will hurt it and it will hurt you back. Don't skimp on the amphibian shoes. Sea urchins hide in cracks in the rocks. The cracks are large enough for toes to go through. My understanding is that being stung by a sea urchin is no fun at all and possibly life threatening. Sea cucumbers are gross but innocent looking. Well, they are dangerous too. They are so toxic that swimming near them can be enough to cause a reaction.
7. Visit the Polynesian Cultural Center
The Polynesian Cultural Center, out of the way on the windward side of the island, belongs to the local Mormon community. It is run by Brigham Young University Hawaii, which has its campus nearby. Many of the employees are international students at the university. The tickets are not cheap, but well worth the experience. A day is barely enough to experience everything. Get the schedule of shows and exhibits ahead of time and organize your time well so you can do them one after the other. Then go back and do more activities if you have time. The Polynesian Cultural Center is all about experiencing culture. It's not just for tourists. It is a truly educational experience (and fun).
Don't forget to visit Hawaii to learn about what the hula really is about and to watch some very nice performances.
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| OK, this is from a performance we watched during the 75th Hula Festival in Waikiki, but it's such a nice hula picture, I couldn't resist using it here. My husband took it. |
8. Go where no tourist has gone before
There is a beach on the North shore of Oahu that is so famous for its turtles that they built a resort called "Turtle Bay" next to it and bribed officials in order to have parking across the street from the beach banned. Turtles prefer to bask on other beaches, as that one is too busy. The locals can tell you what better places exist to see wild life and other wonders of the island.
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| Turtle Beach Makaha |
