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Thursday, August 26, 2010

Places to See on Oahu?

One of Art's also-retired co-workers from the U.S.E.P.A. in Chicago is here on Oahu. We'll be taking them around tomorrow. They've been here before, but haven't seen the Iolani Palace so that's where we'll take them. We're considering the Plantation Village in Waipahu as well. That's where they have all the different types of sugar plantation houses that were built for the different cultures that arrived in Hawaii to work the fields.

So what else is there on Oahu?

Here's my list for anybody coming to Oahu (Grouped by location, but you know what I said about my sense of direction):

Waikiki:
Diamond Head (You can walk up, if you like hiking in the hot sun.)
Waikiki (International Marketplace, the beach, Duke Kahanamoku statue)
Honolulu Zoo (can't compare with the mainland zoos, but they have a, as in one lion now)
Waikiki Aquarium (I've not been here since I was little, and that's a long time ago.)
Ala Moana Shopping Center (You can walk there, if you like walking in the hot sun.)

Honolulu:

Doris Duke's Shangrila home (Discover how the richest of the rich used to live. They probably still do, but I don't know where they are.)
Honolulu Academy of Arts
Punchbowl Cemetery
Tantalus Look-Out (You can see a whole lot of the leeward side of the island from up there.)
Iolani Palace (It's been renovated beautifully and is the only royal palace in the U.S. last time I checked.)
State Capital (It's sort of shaped like a volcano.)
King Kamehameha statue
Mission Houses Museum
Chinatown (I haven't been there in ages.)
Bishop Museum (It's been recently renovated.)

Foster Gardens (It's compact, but I really like that place. It's shaded.)
Discovery Center in Kakaako (We're taking our granddaughter there next time they come. Everybody tells me it's great for kids. Not cheap, but fun they say. Hey, this is Hawaii. Not a lot of cheap stuff here. OK... there is the beach... That's cheap, but how long can you sit there?)

The Windward Side (I call it the Other Side):
Sea Life Park (can't compare with the mainland aquariums)
Pali Look-Out (You go there for the WIND and imagining how awful it must have been when so many people died being pushed over the cliff by the conquering warriors of King Kamehameha who unified the islands.)
Hanauma Bay (Be mindful of the hours and limited parking. I remember when Tif was little and freaked out by all the big fishes swarming around her.)
Byodo-In Temple (They filmed part of Lost there.)
Polynesian Cultural Center (This place could take up your whole day. It's not cheap, but gives you a wonderful overview of the Polynesian cultures.)
Blow Hole
Endless beaches

North Shore:
Haleiwa (Matsumoto's does NOT have the best shave ice on the island.)
Endless beaches

Pearl Harbor:
Arizona Memorial
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Bowfin Submarine Museum (never been there, but I have a discount coupon)

Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (Wed, Sat, Sun: Tif's favorite place and the most reasonable place to buy tourist souvenirs--Oh, and you have to like walking in the hot sun.)

Middle of the Island:
Dole Plantation (check out different kinds of pineapples and ride the little train, maybe walk the maze if you like walking in hot sun)
Wahiawa Botanical Gardens (need bug spray)

Leeward:
Plantation Village

For tourists from Japan:
Waikele Discount Mall (especially the Coach outlet and the best shave ice on the island..so far)

Hitachi Tree (Moanalua Gardens)

Did I miss something important?

Don't forget to always pack your sun screen because there's a lot of sun here. I write this as I listen to the pouring rain outside my window.

19 comments:

  1. Thanks, Steve! I forgot that one. I just added it to the list.

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  2. I hosted a Canadian couple for 4 days some years ago.

    They really liked snorkeling at Hanauma Bay the best.

    They also requested and got to see the Polynesian Culture Center, and especially enjoyed the Samoan Village the most.

    Took them dancing at the Esprit Lounge at the Sheraton. She said dancing made her feel young again.

    What they did NOT like was watching the surfers at the Pipeline on the North Shore. Boring.

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  3. How about the Polynesian Cultural center in Laie-it was the highlight of our visit...

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  4. It has been too long since I was there to be able to contribute. I think I saw more of two of the other islands.

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  5. I've never been to Hawaii, but would love to someday! The best thing, however, about coming to Hawaii would be the chance to meet you and Gigi and see Thom again! Have a great weekend, Kay!

    Sylvia

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  6. Wow, there's a lot to see in Oahu, certainly you'd need more than one trip!

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  7. That's a lot to offer.
    And with your humorous style, you should write a guidebook, or a brochure at least. :)

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  8. The Aquarium is a small gem.
    You can arrange tours of Doris Duke's home for groups. That is really worth seeing.

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  9. I hope some day I can visit Hawaii, there is so many beautiful things to see there!

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  10. I hope you have a pleasurable day with your friends :-) I love the magnificent tree in your last shot - such wonderful shade.

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  11. Hattie: Thanks a bunch, Hattie. I've never been there either. I think Gigi has. I'll add it to the list.

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  12. That is a lot of places but I definitely would see Pearl Harbor.

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  13. Kay, to see the Doris Duke Shangri La estate, you have to call the Honolulu Academy of Art to reserve a spot on their bus. Don't forget to ask where to wait for the bus, because it is a side entrance, not the main entrance.

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  14. I think the side entrance is on Ward Avenue.

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  15. Lots of lovely places to see Kay. I have seen quite a few of them, but there are some I have added on my list for when I visit again. Thank you very much.

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  16. not too long ago, tour companies could visit a lot of scenic sites within the same day. Now with all the traffic, their schedule has been significantly reduced. Let's see how you manage. This island seems to be getting more crowded by the hour.

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  17. Wow! That is some long list! I´m sure I wouldn´t even have half as many if I wrote about places to see in Paraguay.

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  18. Despite living in Hawaii for three years, there are a few places on your list I haven't been. Thom, Amoeba and I did make a point of taking a Duck Tour (waste of money for the boat ride) and seeing The Bowfin and The Arizona. Amoeba and I had already seen Mighty Mo before it went in for renovation, and I saw it years ago in Olympia, Washington before it was moved to Hawaii.

    One of the things that moved me most about the Arizona Memorial was the oils still seeping up from the bottom, and the legend that it won't stop "bleeding" until the last WWII vet dies.

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