Time For A Trip To Paradise

The Islands are calling my name! Seriously; I can literally hear them saying,”come to me…”. Or, maybe it’s more like, “get a move on, girl!”. Either way the sunshine, water, and wind are calling me and I must obey.

I love all of the Hawaiian Islands. They all offer wonderful beaches, relaxation, rejuvenation, romance, food, shopping and exciting things to do. Despite so many choices, the Island I visit most often is Oahu. So, let’s start there.

Oahu

My first visit to Oahu was when I was about 16 years old. It was an amazing family adventure. We snorkeled, swam in the ocean and played on the beach until our skin was as red as the lobster we had for dinner. Trust me, we used sunscreen; but a fair skinned person can burn in about 15-20 minutes in Hawaii even with sunscreen. May my lesson be your warning.

I remember sitting out by the pool, and ordering virgin Pina Colada’s with my brothers and sisters. We of course charged them to our room. (We saw my dad do this the day before, so we figured that was how it was done… kids catch on pretty quick.) The beautiful balmy breeze, along with the vibrant sunshine and the delicious smell of coconut tanning oil was the perfect compliment to the tasty concoction of frozen, slushy goodness in our teenage hands. This was a memory never to be forgotten.

Needless to say, it was not pretty when my dad found out what was going on. He came down to the pool to check on us, and we all had a stylish umbrella drink in our hands. I still don’t have a clue how much the bill was at the end of that trip. My cute dad never said a word after the initial “what the H-E-double-toothpicks are you doing?” Speech. Bless that man and his patience.

Most tourists stay in Honolulu, which is great for first timers because Waikiki is a fun spot for young and old alike. Waikiki has a beautiful stretch of beach where you can grab a surf lesson, a canoe ride, or a catamaran excursion for a hour and then find a fabulous restaurant where you can relax and enjoy a bite. Take a chance on the catamaran for an inexpensive-but-spectacular view from the ocean back to the city, and a chance at seeing a pod of dolphins only inches away from anyone brave enough to ride the net across the front.

After dessert… the shopping! Why, you ask? Because, it’s there; of course. The kind of stores with the kind of clothes you might only see in a magazine. Some of these stores are so pricey, they do a credit check when you walk in the front door. The shopping alone will keep you busy for days. My kids prefer to stop by the International Marketplace and shop for less expensive trinkets to take back home for their friends. The Swap Meet at the Aloha Stadium has awesome souvenirs of every flavor, too. So make sure you check them out if you have time.

There is a live web cam right on Waikiki beach by the duke statue, where you can wave to your family and friends back home. (You have to call them first and tell them to watch for you.) A great way to make everyone back home a little jealous.

There are many hikes on Oahu for those that love to get out and exercise. Ask at your hotel, or a neighbor (if you are renting a home), for a hike near you. The Diamond Head Crater offers a fun hike if you are staying in Waikiki, but there are many others around the Island, so get off the beaten path and see what you can find. One of my favorites is Laie Falls, a hike above the North Shore to a secret cove featuring a waterfall and a swimmable pond.

The North Shore is the place to hang out if you are looking for a laid back, relaxing time. Haleiwa is a small town that offers that country feel, combined with local surf style. You will find great food, art galleries, boutiques and cool surf shops. Also, (and this is a must) stop at Matsumoto’s for a shave ice! This is one of our favorite things to do, and is a popular bragging right. We add ice cream on the bottom, and my husband adds the Azuki beans. Who knew? -He loves the beans! This has become our everyday treat while we are on vacation, and I think it’s calorie free! (wink)

The North Shore also offers great surfing beaches like Pipeline and Sunset, and cool places to snorkel, like Shark’s Cove. My husband and kids make it a point to jump off the rock at Waimea Bay, and if spending time beneath the waves is your thing, I highly recommend ‘Dive With Dave‘. Dave is an excellent Master Diver and underwater photographer, and will take you on the diving trip of a life time. Tell him Lynne sent you; he became a good family friend the day we met him, many years ago.

When we visit we like to stay in the small town of Laie. It is delightful! It is the home of the famous Hukilau Beach, and just across the street is the Hukilau Cafe that you might remember from 50 First Dates. Laie also has a small movie theater, a few small restaurants, and is where you will find BYU Hawaii and the LDS Temple nestled against an incredible mountain backdrop. Tropical paradise, to say the least.

You will also find the Polynesian Cultural Center or ‘PCC’ in Laie. The PCC is one of the most incredible ways to experience the culture of all of the Islands, not just Oahu. The PCC is a collection of seven villages and exhibits of the Polynesian people. Each Village represents an Island. You can wander around to the different villages to experience the culture, music, dancing, etc. of each Island.

You can also experience the ‘Go Native!‘ hands-on activities like spear throwing, cooking, or scaling a coconut tree. Fun, right? Hop on a canoe for a guided tour around the center and enjoy an authentic Luau. If nothing else, do the incredible night show with fire dancers. This is a wonderful experience, and very worth the money. Don’t miss it! If you are visiting the island during the month of October, the PCC creates a Haunted Lagoon that tops our list of favorite haunted house adventures! I highly recommend it, too.

I could go on for days, but in a quick list of ‘other’ things to do: Haliewa has a shark tour that gets you up close and personal with wild sharks. Ted’s Pie on the North Shore is a fantastic treat stop near Sunset Beach. Drive to the East corner of the island and hike to Makapu’u Lighthouse. Take a swim out to ‘the pipe’ at Electric Beach for an amazing snorkel adventure (my children swam with wild dolphins on one of these trips). For the adventurous, look up Spitting Cave and see if you can find the secret trail to this stunning ‘locals only’ view of the rocky side. Make sure you stop at the Kahuku Grill for the best hamburger you will ever have.

There are many other activities you can do while on Oahu, so be sure to do a little research before you head out. Check out Trip Advisor, or Go Hawaii for some great tips. If you are looking for a house to rent, try VRBO (vacation rental by owner).

Mahalo for reading and remember, (speaking from experience) sunscreen is strongly recommended!