Just returning from a whirlwind vacation-4 days Oahu and 4 days Maui. Next time will do 7 on each island-too much packing, unpacking and airport time. Haven't been to Oahu for awhile and was great to get back there to see all the changes. Yes, it is city, but also alot of beauty around the island. We stayed 4 nights at the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. I felt the location was perfect-off the main road, on the beach and walkable to everything-PERFECT! The hotel was completely gutted and re-done and what a great job they did. They incorporated some great Hawaiian artifacts and they are very beautiful. The Shorbird restaurant (on property) offers a great beach view with wonderful $3.50 Happy Hour Mai Tai's!
There was alot of money put into the new Beachwalk with many upscale stores and don't forget the ABC stores on every corner-can't beat them for "stuff." Great off the wall restaurants in the International Market Place (not much ambiance) but excellent local food. One night we couldn't figure out where to eat and ended up at Jimmy Buffet's Margariteaville and the waiter gave a suggestion-it was Ahi salad and the best I have eaten anywhere. I think it was $10.95 and the amount of Ahi they gave you was amazing. We took surfing lessons at TY Gurney's and they are awesome teachers-they will video tape your lesson and you can purchase it if you like. Even us "oldies" did an excellent job.
When driving around the North Shore you must stop at a "shrimp truck" to have lunch. They have other favorites besides shrimp and it is all tasty-hmmm what did I have-AHI!! Off to snorkel at Shark's Point-(no there aren't sharks), but some great fish. After all that work just HAD to have a shave ice in Waimea. I forgot how good they are-definitely NOT a snow cone.
Turtle Bay is a place not to be missed. The only hotel on the North Shore and I hope they keep it that way. It is beautiful, great beaches for snorkeling (on one side) and swimming on the other. Alot to do at this hotel. I would definitely recommend staying here 3 or 4 nights and in Waikiki 3 or 4 to get the full flavor of the islands. The Ko'Olau mountain range is spectacular the of course you must take a drive up to Pali Point to get an overview of some of the island. They now charge a $3 admission, but you can walk down the "old road" and view the tunnels, etc.
Some activities not to miss are (of course) Pearl Harbor, a luau at Paradise Cove, The Polynesian Culture Center, surfing in Waikiki (yes, ANYONE can do this), the North Shore, Kailua Beach, tour of the pineapple fields. You cannot be bored on this island.
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