I'm bringing the kids and grandkids (and the boss of course!) to Hawaii tomorrow, for 9 nights. We're staying right on Waikiki Beach, but my son in law is hiring a car, so we'll be mobile. We're in town until Friday 28th, is there anything on that we should be catching? Cheers, Glen.
I'd say waves and sunburn Go easy on the sunburn though. Add girls in bikinis and pina-coladas and you get the idea.
Forget about cars and enjoy your family. The only thing worth catching is some rays from sun. Ha! Enjoy paradise. Life's short.
Hey Glen, We just got back from there in September from our honeymoon. Waikiki is nuts at night with people partying... I don't know if that is your scene, but if you want something a little more quiet then go to north shore (its more family friendly). It is quiet, peaceful, the beach is open, free, and not full of people like it is in Waikiki, plus you can hike and actually enjoy the view. We went to Waikiki for a couple nights and it got kind of old, but it is bustling and there is always something to do. Head to Giovanni's Shrimp truck on north shore for some delicious food. There are like 50,000 different shrimp farms up there (okay maybe not that many) but make sure you stop at Giovanni's only... the Japanese are EVERYWHERE in Honolulu and in the first several shrimp truck places, but they don't go as far as Giovannis (on the Kamehameha HWY by the town of Pupukea, ask a local where it is and they can tell you on north shore). There are also some cool Hawaiian ruins above the small windy public road behind Foodland Supermarket (ask them for directions). Seriously though, there are so many Japanese there that they have a tour guide with a golf flag (different colors for different groups) and they are just herded around like sheep. It was really cool to see the U.S.S. Arizona memorial, but the Japanese are really disrespectful and talk and laugh and give thumbs up pictures there. If you want to see a REALLY cool Battleship then go to the USS Missouri, they let you go through almost the whole ship (except gun mounts and the engine rooms). They have plexiglass bubbles for you to climb up the ladder to see into the gun turrets though). The tour is really cool and a lot giving the tour served on the ship. Also, the air musem is pretty sweet too, and they have a WWII US sub tour as well. I would highly suggest getting a Go Oahu Pass (google it) We have done a lot on the list and I can tell you which is worth it and which isn't. You can dive with sharks on the East Coast, go to a Luau, etc. If you are into hikes then you can climb Diamondhead (suggest doing this REAAAALLLY early in the morning as it gets ridiculously hot even before midday, but I don't think that will be a problem for you being from Australia... Oh, and did I forget to mention that almost EVERYONE there has old cars? Granted some are muscle cars, but more or less there are about 3 shows a week, if not more.... most of them are local, but you can google that as well (Oahu car shows) and you should be able to find some info on local meets. If you are going to try to find something off the beaten path then I would suggest asking a real local that is not at the hotel, they get kickbacks for sending people certain places, regardless if they are good or not. If you want some decent sea food in Honolulu that won't break the bank and is delicious then head to Nikko's (pronounced neeekos). Get their early if you don't want to stand in a super long line... the locals know what's good, and that is where I got all of my information. Also, if you want a kind of fun old surf town head to Haleiwa on North Shore... eat at Pizza Bob's (its not the best pizza I have ever had, but it is kind of a decent atmosphere). There is also a Ice cream place in the strip mall that makes their own ice cream, it is fantastic and decently priced. If you want anymore information let me know... my wife and I went everywhere on that island. For future trips I would suggest renting a house on North Shore, its cheaper, way more fun, and allows you to not get stuck in Honolulu traffic. By the way, avoid doing anything around 7-9am and 4-6 pm that involves driving on the interstate... the traffic BLOWS, but you can get places quick if you take the commuter lane (more than 2 people in the car). The Honolulu airport is a sh%thole, so don't get a bad first impression (they often have pigeons in the airport all over the place) The mall in Honolulu has like every high dollar fashion store there too if the boss is into that. I was in a hot rod shirt and shorts and was getting the stinkeye from every yahoo in the joint because I wasn't willing to spend $500 on a piece of gum, or a wallet. If she is into that you can leave her there and go to the Yard House where you can buy 1/2 yards of beer.... that is just a couple minutes of walking from your hotel I am sure... I had several black and tans for a total of 1.5 yards. You can also check out Kona brewing company beers as well (made in Hawaii) they are pretty good and cheap. I know you boys love your Fosters, but seriously, try something else!!! -Scott
"Forget about Cars"....? (Just in case) JUNE 21: FRIDAY MANANA MCDONALDS 6-10PM. JUNE 22: SATURDAY AUTO SWAP MEET 8AM-2PM. AIEA HIGH SCHOOL & KAPOLEI WENDYS EVENING JUNE 28: FRIDAY MANANA MCDONALDS 6-10PM. JUNE 29: SATURDAY KAPOLEI WENDYS EVENING Enjoy Oahu!... and Yes, get out of Waikiki and check out the North Shore, East Shores around Sandy Beach / Mahakpu'u. Aloha Tommy
Thanks guys! We're here, safe and sound, but sort of running on empty at the moment, 34 hours without sleep, so really dragging our tails. We're crashing now, and hope to be all good to go from tomorrow. We're touring the north shore, visiting Pearl harbour for sure, and I've been for a swim at Waikiki Beach already today but not for a surf yet. Surf tomorrow! I'll see when my son in law is hiring the car and try to make the run or swap. His dad's a keen rodder too, and my wife's starting to show interest again after many years, so one evening out of our holiday for cars certainly won't hurt.... Cheers, Glen.
Things we did; Pearl Harbor tour. Also go to; Aloha Stadium Flea Market for all gifts! Don't forget to buy - Dash Board Hula Girl. All the gift shops have them Places to eat ; Top of Waikiki Restaurant that rotates 360 degrees with great view of Waikiki , Dukes, Cheeseburger Paradise. Try the local delicious "Shaved Ice". Go to; Tikis Bar (we stayed at the Aston Beach Hotel there)
The Jalopy Journal
