I'm going to Honolulu for my very first vacation with my husband, what are some hidden gems of places I should

go to visit? I have been married for 11 years and my husband's parents are watching our 3 sons for 5 days. I will invariably see touristy things and places, however, I really enjoy seeing the "off the tourist beaten path" places. Have any recomendations?

As for the touristy stuff, I would skip Sea Life Park, the Aquarium, and the zoo. Go on Atlantis Submarines if that stuff interests you. I went on it in the late afternoon. It was pretty cool. If you go to Hanauma Bay, make sure you go early and I think its closed on Wednesdays for cleaning.

There are a lot of nice hiking trails here. I would look for a book at Borders or Barnes & Noble before getting here. The Diamond Head hike is easy and only takes a couple of hours to complete. Listen to the guy at the top. He has some interesting information but he works for a tour company and will try to sell you one.

I would go to the swap meet at Aloha Stadium to buy presents for family and friends. Its open Wed, Sat, and Sun. It has inexpensive t-shirts, puka shells, etc. Wed would be best. Not as crowded and the commericial people are there.

Hilton Hawaiian Village has a Free firework show on Waikiki Beach every Friday night around 8:00pm. Pack a picnic, sit on the beach, and enjoy the show. The show is only about ten minutes, but its pretty cool. My friends really enjoyed it. Park behing the Ilikai Hotel at the boat harbor if you have to drive. Also, there is a torch lighting ceremony at the Hilton just before the fireworks.

For Fine dining (>$100 a couple) I would recommend:

1) Hoku's at The Kahala Hotel - walk out to the see the dolphins after dinner.

2) Hy's Steakhouse - Excellent service and Bananas Foster like no other.

3) Michel's at Colony Surf - go at sunset the view is wonderful.

Hope this helps...Have a wonderful vacation!

Prada.........while he's at "Hooters"


...........ahhhhh-PARADISE!

Scenic locations off the beaten touristy path would be Tantalus.. spectacular views of urban Honolulu. A journey to the north shore of the island and visiting the small town of Haleiwa (Ha-lay-ee-vah). If you are thinking of a luau (loo-oww), I recommend Paradise Cove.

I been to Hawaii 2 times, try to go to another island like Maui, because Honolulu is like a city, it's not as nice as the other islands. Maui is really cool, Kona-black beaches-that's on the big island where the volcano is going off still. Take a helicopter trip you can get a deal if they haven't sold all seats, last minute. Have a great time.

spend your money and go to tahiti.
much better then hawaii.

go to queens beach, it's a hoot. and run around saying how much you cant stand mahoos. aloha.

Go to the Polynesian Cultural Center for an authentic luau, Hunama Bay for the best snorkling ever, there are paths into the jungle areas, and various beaches, the best and more quiet one being Turtle Bay.

i lived here for a year now and i really like it here..well i guess that's because the other places ive lived in were up north..we moved here last yr in may 2005 because my stepdad is in the military..honolulu is like any other city though..but with many different ethnicities..compared to other cities its one of the safest places to live but it is very expensive here..and costs for housing iz crazy!! there are many things to do here..like go to the beach,go hiking,snorkeling,boogie boarding..etc..and there are MANY places to shop..although i have never been to the other islands yet..i think maui would be a good place to visit..and by the way when u come to hawaii u will here alot of hawaiian pidgin..its a local language hawaiians speak..for example...

wen someone ask if u like beef....it doesnt mean beef..the kine u eat..it means u like fight..or do u wanna fight..

haole (how-lee) is a term they use for a caucasian or white person..most people already know that

da kine-it can mean anything.....for example,instead of saying somethin like.."we go eat at the mall" the locals will say.."we go eat at da kine"


ooh yeh..n wen u in hawaii u should try the chicken katsu..its really good..anyways..i hope this helped a little..i know its not a lot of good info..but hope u liked ur stay here in hawaii