Hike
Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) Summit Trail
A 0.8-mile switchback climb inside a 300,000-year-old tuff cone, through WWII bunkers and a lit tunnel, to a rim view over the whole Waikīkī reef.
An island of two tempos: Waikīkī's neon crescent under Lēʻahi's crater rim, and forty minutes away, green pali walls, empty windward sand, and a North Shore that turns from glass to giants between summer and winter.
Where you'll base yourself
WaikīkīKo OlinaHaleʻiwa (North Shore)Kailua
Things to do
Mornings
Snorkel
Snorkelling Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
A drowned volcanic crater turned marine preserve, open Wednesday to Sunday only. Watch the mandatory stewardship video, then wade into shallow, fish-thick water above living coral. Last entry 1:30pm.
History
Pearl Harbor & the USS Arizona Memorial
A boat shuttle to the white memorial straddling the sunken battleship, where oil still surfaces. Free timed tickets, and only clear bags get past security.
Sunrise
Kaʻiwa Ridge (Lanikai Pillbox) at sunrise
A short, steep scramble up a dry ridge behind Lanikai to two derelict WWII observation posts, timed so the Mokulua islets emerge out of a lightening sea.
Rainforest
Mānoa Falls rainforest trail
Under half an hour from Waikīkī, a muddy mile through bamboo, banyan roots and hau tangle to a tall ribbon of water in a valley that rains most days. Paid lot at the trailhead.
Coast Hike
Kaʻena Point coastal trail
An old railbed along the island's shadeless western tip to a predator-fenced seabird sanctuary. Laysan albatross nest here roughly November to July; monk seals sometimes haul out.
Surf
Longboard lesson off Kūhiō Beach
Waikīkī's gentle, slow-breaking reef waves are where surfing was taught to the world. Morning water is glassiest; beachboy stands line the sand beside the Duke statue.
Afternoons
Museum
Bishop Museum
Hawaiʻi's state museum of natural and cultural history: three galleried floors of a koa-lined Victorian hall holding featherwork, kiʻi and royal heirlooms, plus a planetarium.
Ranch
Kualoa Ranch valley tour
A working cattle ranch under fluted Koʻolau cliffs. The Jurassic Adventure tour runs two and a half hours through Kaʻaʻawa Valley — backdrop to Jurassic Park and much else.
Garden
Waimea Valley & Waihi Falls
A paved mile through a botanical collection and restored Hawaiian living sites to a 45-foot waterfall with a lifeguarded swimming pool at its base.
Town
Haleʻiwa town & shave ice
Plantation-era storefronts turned surf shops, galleries and food trucks. Matsumoto's has been shaving ice here since 1951; expect a queue out the door.
History
ʻIolani Palace guided tour
The only royal palace on American soil, and the room where Queen Liliʻuokalani was imprisoned after the 1893 overthrow. Docent tours; the basement galleries hold the regalia.
Kayak
Kayak to the Mokulua islets
A 45-minute paddle from Kailua Beach across turquoise flats to Moku Nui, the only islet you may land on. Trade winds build after noon — go with an outfitter.
Views
Nuʻuanu Pali Lookout & Byodo-In Temple
The gap where Kamehameha I won Oʻahu in 1795, with wind that can hold you upright, then a replica Kyoto temple set against the same green wall.
Evenings
Culture
Sunset hula at the Kūhiō Beach mound
Free open-air hula and live Hawaiian music on the stone mound beside the Duke Kahanamoku statue, Tuesday and Saturday evenings at 6:30. Bring something to sit on.
Drinks
Mai tai at House Without a Key
Halekulani's open lawn under a century-old kiawe tree, where a hula dancer performs to a live trio from 5:30 nightly while Lēʻahi turns pink behind the palms.
Views
Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa sunset lookout
A twisting drive up Tantalus to a grass terrace above the whole southern shore, from Pearl Harbor to Lēʻahi. The gate shuts at 7:45pm in summer, 6:45pm in winter.
Show
Hā: Breath of Life at the Polynesian Cultural Center
A cast of a hundred from across Polynesia, fire knife and all, in Lāʻie's big evening theatre at 7:30. The centre is closed Sundays and Wednesdays; packages include the buffet.
Nightlife
Chinatown dinner & First Friday walk
Honolulu's oldest quarter: markets by day, chef-driven rooms and dive bars by night. On the first Friday of each month galleries along Nuʻuanu open late.
Beach
Golden hour on the North Shore
Sunset Beach and ʻEhukai face straight west. Summer brings flat, swimmable water; from November the same sand fronts head-high-plus surf best watched from dry land.
Free
Friday fireworks off Waikīkī
Hilton Hawaiian Village fires a short display over Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon on Friday evenings, around 8pm in summer. The beach path from Fort DeRussy is a free grandstand.
