circle tour of Oahu question

I am starting to plan for our trip next year and have a question regarding Oahu. I am interested in hearing about which sites to see if I drove from Waikiki around the Island. Some of the sites that interested me are Hanauma Bay
Dolphin lagoon @ the Kahala Mandarin
Halona Blow Hole
Byodo-in Temple
Turtle Bay resort - Kuilima Cove Snorkeling
Banzai Pipeline.
Shaved Ice @ Matsumotos
Dole Plantation

Unfortunately we will not have time to go to The Polynesian Cultural Center. Please feel free to offer some more suggestions. Also interested in a nice spot for lunch on the way. Thanks

We enjoy the Crouching Lion Inn in Kaaawa. BTW, you'll enjoy the drive, it's beautiful!

nonutrix

Here are a few ideas:

Between Sea Life Park and Waimanalo, stop at Makapuu Point for body surfing. Best on the island.

Between Waimanalo and Kaneohe, stop in Kailua and check out Kailua Beach Park. One of the nicest beaches on the island. Great place for a picnic lunch. You can get deli-style lunch stuff at Kalapawai Market, at the far end of Kailua Beach Park. www.kalapawaimarket.com

Lanikai is the area adjacent to Kailua Beach Park - some incredible multi-million $ homes there. Nice to drive by and daydream over. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/beaches/lanikai_beaches.htm

Don't miss the Pali Lookout. Amazing, very windy views of the windward coastline. Take a walk down the Old Pali Road, which is hanging off the cliff below the Lookout. That's the highway islanders used to drive on before the Pali Highway was completed in the 60s. Scary place! http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/sites_to_see/pali_lookout.htm

In Hauula, stop by Kualoa Ranch. That's where they film "Lost," some of "Jurassic Park," and a bunch of other movies. They have an interesting gift shop - and you might see somebody famous. Or a dinosaur... http://www.kualoa.com/

Waimea Bay has amazing surf, if you're there in the late fall (like right now.) At other times of year it's a great beach to hang out on. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/beaches/waimea_bay_beach_park.htm

In Haleiwa, right before you get to Matsumoto's, stop at the Coffee Gallery for the best coffee drink you've ever had. (Makes Starbuck's taste like CHARbucks!) http://www.roastmaster.com/

In the same shopping center, check out the Surf Museum. It's run by a retired pro surfer from the 60s. Filled with incredible surfing memorabilia. Donation to get in is like a dollar. Well worth the stop. http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/sites_to_see/haleiwa_surf_museum.htm

After you've done the usual stuff (Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Aloha Tower, Hilo Hatties downtown, Ala Moana Center, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, and so forth), ask for directions to Tantalus Drive. It's a FANTASTIC, winding road along the top of the mountains above Waikiki. You'll see views nobody ever sees, including looking DOWN into Diamond Head crater. (As I recall, Punahou Street connects to it. Check a road map to be sure.) This is one Oahu sight everybody should see at least once. www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/sites_to_see/tantalus_lookout.htm

Have a great trip!

Dave

Thanks jeepguynw.
Thats the kind of info I am looking for. Anyone else have any suggestions.

jeepguynw said:

After you've done the usual stuff (Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, Diamond Head, Aloha Tower, Hilo Hatties downtown, Ala Moana Center, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, and so forth), ask for directions to Tantalus Drive. It's a FANTASTIC, winding road along the top of the mountains above Waikiki.

Click to expand...

When I was growing up there, Tantalus was the Oahu equivalent of "inspiration point." I used to take dates there. Quite a beautiful view. Another similar experience is to drive out to Makapuu and watch the sunrise.

A fine meal we had on Oahu (just got back from 3 wks on 3 islands)...we hit this place on a round-island circuit, finding them at lunchtime just as they were opening. Very laid back, pretty garden setting...yummy luncheon fare. No liquor license yet...byob ok.

Tropicaina Bar and Grill
53-138 Kamehameha Hwy
Punalu'u, Oahu
808-237-8688

Polynesian Cultural Center

You mentioned that you didn't have time for it, but I suggest you reconsider... at least give it a second thought. The first time I traveled to Hawaii, I visited it and considered it a highlight of that trip... interesting in so many ways. Several years and visits to the state later, I visited it again. The second time I visited it, I breezed through it because it felt stale.

It didn't change. I did. Since my first trip, I grew to know Hawaii as it is rather than as I had imagined it. The Polynesian Cultural Center fit in more with the way I imagined Hawaii rather than it is (I am not addressing the Center's historical accuracy). Somehow this change in perspective affected my enjoyment of the Center.

I vividly remember being genuinely thrilled my first visit to the Center. I wish you the same thrill, so I suggest visiting it now rather than later. I love Hawaii as I imagined it before my first visit and I love Hawaii even more now that I have spent six months or more there, accumulated over the years. Revel in the imagery before you revel in the reality.