Wedding Blog

I’m in limbo with our planning right now while waiting for our RSVPs to make it back to us (that’s a hint for our family and friends!!). Since a few of our guests have called with some inquiries, I thought I would list a few of my favorite “touristy” things to do on Oahu.

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1. Spend a FULL day in Waikiki. Some suggestions of what to do in Waikiki are:

• Take a surfing lesson on Waikiki Beach.
• Visit the International Marketplace. There are tons of little shops that sell jewelry and souvenirs.
• Learn to play the ukulele with free lessons at The Ukulele Hut!
• Later that evening head to Dukes or Mai Tai (at Ala Moana Mall) for some chill music and drinks or enjoy some of Waikiki’s nightlife.

2. See Hawaii’s state fish, the humuhumunukunukuapuaa, up close at the Waikiki Aquarium.

3. Hit up Kailua Beach. Rent kayaks and paddle out to the popular Moku Lua Islands. Bring your lunch and a cooler of drinks! You can spend the day on the small island, snorkeling, swimming, jumping off cliffs, and relaxing.4. Take the scenic route to the North Shore. Settle in for a nice hour-long drive with some beautiful scenery and great places to stop; Macadamia Nut farms, Kualoa Beach Park, and don’t forget the infamous Giovanni’s Original White Shrimp Truck. This fabled coast is legendary for its perfect winter waves and professional surf competitions. When the waves are tamer during the summer, the beaches offer peaceful places to swim and sunbathe. Some nice beaches to stop at are: Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay (There is a huge rock you can jump off of—if you are brave enough!), Shark’s Cove (Bring your snorkeling gear for some fun!), Lani’s (It’s a turtle preserve! You can get up close to giant turtles on the beach or swim with them!).

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5. Spend a day exploring Pearl Harbor. View the moving exhibits at the USS Arizona Memorial and explore the Battleship Missouri Memorial, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, and the new Pacific Aviation Museum. Admission is free for the USS Arizona Memorial, but get there early and expect long lines.

6. Stop by the Aloha Stadium to pick up all your Hawaii souvenirs at the swap meet every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday morning.

7. Sample a fresh cut, sweet pineapple and get lost in Dole Plantation’s 1.7 mile garden maze.

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8. Take a guided tour of Iolani Palace, the only Royal Palace on U.S. soil. It was the official residence of Hawaii’s last two monarchs: King Kalakaua and Queen Lili’uokalani. Then, cross the street to view the King Kamehameha I statue.

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9. Watch acrobatic dolphins and clever penguins (yes, penguins) at Sea Life Park. You can feed dolphins, turtles and get up close to so many different kinds of animals.

10. See seven authentically recreated South Pacific islands at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Note that if you take the scenic drive to the North Shore, this is on the way. Some packages end with a luau!

11. Check out one of the most peaceful locations on Oahu, the Valley of the Temples. The beautiful Byodo-in Buddhist Temple (and where our ceremony will take place!) is located within the Valley of the Temples, and is a replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In located in Uji, Japan.

12. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay Natural Preserve.

13. Attend a Luau! We recommend either Paradise Cove or Germaine’s Luau.

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14. Hike to the top of Diamond Head (Leahi) Crater for a postcard view of Waikiki Beach.

15. Go swimming with the sharks! (I soooo wanna do this!)

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16. Surf the wave pool at the 29 acre Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park. This is a really fun place for kids.

17. Stop at Nuuanu Pali Lookout to see the breathtaking view of the lush green Koolau mountains.

18. Marvel at the world’s finest collection of arts in the Pacific at the Bishop Museum.

19. Check out local art near Chinatown on the “First Friday ” art walk event, held every first Friday of the month.

20. Go Hiking! The island if filled with good hiking trails. Check out Moana Falls, Kapena Falls and Pali Trail, there are also a few good “hidden” trails.

If you’re trying to do as much as you can in Hawaii in the shortest amount of time, I would combine some of the attractions. Some suggestions:

Day One: Hike Diamond Head, afterwards cool off by snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.

Day Two: Hit up the swap meet first thing in the morning and follow it by spending the rest of the day at Pearl Harbor.

Day Three: Head to North Shore to check out the beaches. On the way home stop by the Dole Plantation for a sample of pineapple.

Day Four: Spend the day experiencing native villages at the Polynesian Culture Center. Make sure you feast on their authentic luau dinner!

Day Five: Spend the day in Waikiki; see at top of post for suggestions.

Are there any suggestions you have for a Hawaiian honeymoon in Oahu?