I went in 2003. I recommend skipping Diamond Head (it can be very hot, and dry) and hiking the Makiki Valley Loop trail at the Hawaii Nature Center in Oahu - it's not strenuous, except for
one big hill. Feels very tropical and is quite shady. More info here: http://www.backyardoahu.com/
Also be advised that you can NOT drive in a circle all the way around Oahu (some maps make it lok like you can). We learned this the hard way. Also if there's an accident you can be stuck in
traffic for a while - there are basically 3 main roads - one up each coast and another that sort of bisect the island, but is more towards the east.
If you can get to the "big island," even just for a day, it's really interesting. Volcanoes National Park is incredible. It feels like standing on the moon. I took a bus tour that circled the
island, from the rain forest areas through the desert-like zones and to a black sand beach with sunbathing sea turtles. BTW, Hawaiian "grafitti" (words spelled out with white rocks/shells
against dark lava rocks) is just priceless!
I tried to go hang-gliding when there, but it was too windy. I would love to go back and do it! It looked like an incredible experience (some of the "pros" were risiking it).
If you are looking for lots of things going on, try Oahu. Honolulu is a very busy city. You can tour the Pearl Harbor memorial (go early), check out the Polynesian Cultural Center (awesome
luau), visit the Zoo (they have afternoon concerts all summer) and snorkel/surf at the North Shore or Hanauma Bay or Waimea.
For a more romantic, laid back locale, try Maui. Lahina is a cool area with restaurants shops and the marina. You can visit Io (a state park) and bike nearly everywhere.
Wherever you go the people are friendly and everything smells lovely.
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I went in 2003. I recommend skipping Diamond Head (it can be very hot, and dry) and hiking the Makiki Valley Loop trail at the Hawaii Nature Center in Oahu - it's not strenuous, except for one big hill. Feels very tropical and is quite shady. More info here: http://www.backyardoahu.com/
Also be advised that you can NOT drive in a circle all the way around Oahu (some maps make it lok like you can). We learned this the hard way. Also if there's an accident you can be stuck in traffic for a while - there are basically 3 main roads - one up each coast and another that sort of bisect the island, but is more towards the east.
If you can get to the "big island," even just for a day, it's really interesting. Volcanoes National Park is incredible. It feels like standing on the moon. I took a bus tour that circled the island, from the rain forest areas through the desert-like zones and to a black sand beach with sunbathing sea turtles. BTW, Hawaiian "grafitti" (words spelled out with white rocks/shells against dark lava rocks) is just priceless!
I tried to go hang-gliding when there, but it was too windy. I would love to go back and do it! It looked like an incredible experience (some of the "pros" were risiking it).
1If you are looking for lots of things going on, try Oahu. Honolulu is a very busy city. You can tour the Pearl Harbor memorial (go early), check out the Polynesian Cultural Center (awesome luau), visit the Zoo (they have afternoon concerts all summer) and snorkel/surf at the North Shore or Hanauma Bay or Waimea.
For a more romantic, laid back locale, try Maui. Lahina is a cool area with restaurants shops and the marina. You can visit Io (a state park) and bike nearly everywhere.
Wherever you go the people are friendly and everything smells lovely.
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