My Husband and I are going to Hawaii for a week and a bit at the end of April. We’re planning on flying into Honolulu and then off to Maui. We’d really like to see pearl harbour as well as some nature/Jurassic Park stuff. Does anyone have recommendations for must Do’s on Oahu and Maui or have experience with pearl harbour?
Thank you!

Wendy

I have a bit of a random tip re: Pearl Harbor. Normally you must leave all bags in a locker at the entrance. But if you need to carry medication (in my case, an Epipen), you can bring in a bag to carry it. This allowed us to carry in sunscreen, snacks etc.
Tip from 2012 so please check if still valid!

Lisa obviously they must be flexible on meds. But I was there in September and you weren't allowed anything bigger than a wallet. No sunsscreen, no snacks no bags. And the lockers are $5. If you don't trust things in your car, leave it at your hotel.

Shayla

Leah ah yes they've tightened up the policy. Now it looks like I'd only be allowed to carry my Epipen in a clear bag. https://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/safety.htm

Only been to Maui.
Drive drive and drive in Maui. Ofcourse sunrise or sunset on Haleakala is a must. And if you are super fit, do the famous sliding sands trail down and up the halemau'u trail. Its a sight to behold, the Haleakala crater.
Iao valley is a quick drive and a very short hike, but absolutely gorgeous.
And my favourite short hike was pipiwai trail. And seriously, there is no road too dangerous or unpaved to be driven on, so drive!!! Just drive carefully at some place.
Oh yeah, road to hana is the most overrated and boring road in Maui, but the back road on the other hand is just
.

You hit all the major sites in Maui. I actually enjoyed road to Hana because I love the waterfalls. When we went to Maui, we did only a couple of that was listed above and spent 80% of the time on a beach lol
We’re going to Oahu (and big island) in April too. We’re still undecided if we should stay in in the heart of Honolulu or stay in north shore instead

Also look up books on Maui or Oahu. There’s one called Maui revealed (there are other books for the other islands too) and there’s a section in there that gives you recommendations of where you stop on road to Hana, which beaches to see etc. it was really helpful for us the first time we went to hawaii

Martina yes, road to hana is great if you get out of road/car
and the trails and the waterfalls. And sometimes take the side roads.

Road to Hana is a must. If you would like I can email you our itinerary when we went to both islands in 2016. PM me if interested

check with the Pearl Harbour website -parts were closed for ongoing repairs last Nov.-taking lots longer than anticipated. Our daughter booked her own tours thru the website & saved lots of $$'s over the organized tour company ones and went to the same places and listened to the same commentary on headsets.

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Diamond Head hike for the views in Oahu. Manoa Falls as well
In Maui - definitely drive up the crater for the sunrise views - spectacular (bring WARM clothes/jackets if you do go up the crater - it’s freeeeeeezing up there lol. )

Faiza definitely agree with the Diamond Head Hike!!

Jessica Suzanne

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Kualoa Ranch is like heaven on earth, breathtaking views and an awesome Jurassic Park experience https://www.kualoa.com/

We loved it!

Kihei is an awesome spot to stay in Maui. Lots to do...if you like to party, Little Beach on Sundays is fantastic! Drum circle and fire breathing fun!

My husband and I were just in Oahu last May!
We definitely loved all the food! Restaurants to try:
- Foodland ( for their poke- try all the different kinds. Also get their membership card you get a discount every time you buy something there)
- Ted’s bakery ( try the Haupia pie and their donuts are good too!)
- Leonard’s bakery
- Matsumoto shaved ice
- Shirokiya Japan Village Walk (this is a whole food court of Japanese food in the Ala Moana Mall)
- Cinnamon’s (for breakfast food- try the guava pancakes)
-Boots & Kimo’s (you must try their Macadamia pancakes and try to go as early as you can there’s always long lineups)
-Ono Seafood (my fave poke place)
-Crispy Grindz for the best açai bowl!
-Kono’s (they have the best slow roasted pork, and their breakfast burritos are amazing)
-Giovanni’s Shrimp truck
Things to do:
-Hanauma Bay
-Lanikai Beach
-Laniakea Beach for turtle sightings!
-North Shore
-Diamond Head Hike
-if you and your hubby are seek thrillers I would highly recommend going skydiving!!! You get the most breathtaking view of the island
-Kualoa Ranch
-Polynesian Cultural Centre
-Waimea Falls
-China Walls
-and there’s a bunch of hikes with gorgeous views if you guys are into that

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Road to Hana on Maui BUT only if you can do the whole loop. The best stuff is pass the area rental cars can go. Do a tour with a local.

Great place to unwind "Secret Island"

Look into the "go oahu card"

Just came back from Oahu and last year was Maui
Oahu definitely Kuoala ranch, Hanauma bay, Diamond Head, Koko trail
You have to try malasadas from Leonard’s bakery and soup from marukame udon
Maui - Road to Hana, sunrise at Halekaela , snorkeling at Molokini crater

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In my opinion....Pearl Harbor is a must ....On Maui we loved the hiking around Haleakala...

We did Pearl Harbor tour on our own .. just took the bus out then followed it up with the Diamond Head Hike .. a MUST DO! Don't forget to bring back pineapples (we took the tour) and macadamia nuts!!

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Go to the Polynesian Cultural Centre on Oahu. The Ambassador package is best and the performance, “Ha” excellent.

Pearl Harbour is great. Don’t miss it.

Hanauma Bay, Oahu - Snorkelling https://hanaumabaystatepark.com/

Laurie Shayla
Totally agree with this as well. Go early. Like stupid early. I think I went maybe like 630. I was early enough I didn't even have to pay the entry fee. I think the office opens at 7. It was easy to get a parking spot and was very quiet. It started getting quite busy when I left about 8 and on my way out the line up to get in was insane. Like at least 100 people. So don't bother with the tours. Just go yourself. Oh and it's closed on Tuesdays. Have fun!

The Swap Meet - Honolulu - http://www.alohastadiumswapmeet.net/content/home.aspx

Riding ATVs at Kuoloa Ranch was an absolute blast. They take you through some beautiful scenery where Jurassic Park filmed.

I would reach out to https://therealhawaiitours.com/
They are on Facebook as well. They truly make your trip magical. Check out the pictures on their Facebook. My husband and I truly loved it.

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A week for both Honolulu and Maui is a bit rush. We spend 10 days in Honolulu and didn’t even feel enough. Maybe you can focus on Honolulu since Maui is a bit pricy and really Honolulu has it all.

I second this! We initially wanted to do 5 days in Oahu and 5 days in Maui but left Maui to come back to Oahu due to weather and high prices/things to do in Maui were lacking. We've chosen to go back to Oahu in April again for 8 days.

Eat at Star Noodle in Maui - soooo good.

You absolutely must go to the top of Haleakala for the sunrise. Dress warmly it is very cold up there before the sun comes up

JEileen Totally agree!!

Don’t forget to book this in advance.

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Download the GyPSy app - awesome narrated drives.

Linda Mackenzie

I have been to Hawaii 3 times and just got married in Honolulu last year, I have a whole booklet of things to do that we put together for our wedding guests. PM if you want me to send it to you.

East of Waikiki Beach , Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay you just go early in the morning.
On the way back you can hit up the Leonard’s bakery food truck in Hawaii Kai for doughnuts (there is a store too but line ups are enormous)

Go on costco.ca and buy the go Oahu card it is well worth it!!!

Cannot recommend Tin Roof Maui enough. We went back THREE TIMES for their mochiko chicken

Polynesian Cultural Centre in Oahu

Maui must do's include:
- sunrise at Haleakala
-road to Hana right to the end
-snorkeling /sailing with Pacific Whale Foundation
-Polynesian Luau in Lahaina
-walking tour of Lahaina
We rented a car and did our own touring except the snorkeling.

Hop on hop off buses in Waikiki and diamond head then to top of Haleakala and down into crater marine preserve in Maui...FISH TACOS IN KIHEI!!!

Also went to Oahu and Maui for our honeymoon. Found and Amazing agent that guided us in every way and knew everything there was to know about Hawaii. Highly recommend her. PM me if you would like her info

Samantha Carpanini Adam Lawson

Ah totally forgot about Jurassic Park stuff!

Aloha Burger was great. Renting a car and going to the North Shore on Oahu was worth it. Maui is great but if you can also visit Kauai. So beautiful!
Big island was cool too. Doing the volcano tours in Hilo and a boat tour in Kona that passes by a school of dolphins was pretty epic!

Also on Oahu, I would visit the polynesian cultural centre. Well worth it.

Pearl harbor amazing.

I believe that the Jurassic stuff is on Kauai but I could be mistaken.
On Oahu you can swim in open water with sharks with http://www.oneoceandiving.com/. It was a great experience.
Road to Hana is a must. You have to take your time so you see all that is to be seen. I would stay in Hana overnight if there’s vacancies. In the morning continue on and follow the road out of Hana. Stopping at Hamoa Beach. You sink into the sand, it was deserted when we went. The road out of Hana is completely different then the road in and just as beautiful.
Stop at Kula Lodge restaurant in the up country for a spectacular view of the valley that separates the two mountains.

Best banana bread on the planet on the way up to Hana.

JEileen yes!

We haven't been to Maui (it's on the list!), but Oahu is awesome, so much to see and do! We stayed in Waikiki and took day trips to visit other areas of the island. Check out www.vivahappy.com/hawaii for our guide and itinerary. Aloha!

First rule is always bring your favourite photographer with you.

we sure are!!! Adamedia Nathan

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Charriss
Tiffany

My recommendation for Honolulu, I have two must sees from my trip. Diamond Head is a 300 year old crater you can climb to the top and you can see all of Waikiki. It costs less than 5 usd to get in and on Saturday there is a farmers market at the bottom on the other side of the road before you enter in the morning. https://hawaiistateparks.org/.../diamond-head-state.../
The other one is Hanauma Bay, it’s a natural barrier reef in a bay so no big sharks can get into the Bay, it’s a safe haven for fish and turtles and it’s like swimming in a fish tank. https://hanaumabaystatepark.com/
There is a regular bus to both locations and round trip is about 4.00 usd.