What are the main attractions in Oahu, Honolulu and how could can i plan for a 2 day tour program?|186803

We are a family of 4 with 2 kids touring Oahu, Honululu for 2 days. Could you please advise the cheap and best mode of transportation to those places?

I used to live there. Cheapest way would be a rental car. You can go where you want - when you want. Places to see... I would go to Diamond Head volcano (You can drive in via a tunnel), The Honolulu Zoo (right next to the volcano at the East end of Kalakaua Blvd.), Hanauma Bay (East of the volcano going towards Kailua/Kaneohe), Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie (Getting closer to the North Shore), Sunset Beach (be careful of the undertow and coral DO NOT let the kids in those waters!! It_s dangerous), Haleiwa and head South down H2 through the Dole Plantation and Fort Shafter toward Pearl Harbor. Once at Pearl Harbor you can visit the Arizona Memorial, The Battleship Missouri and the Pompanito submarine.
Check out this route against a map for better accuracy of the route. Start at Waikiki then head East around the Island.Once at the Northern part of the Island, you_ll be heading South toward Pearl Harbor.Have fun!! There_s more to do of course.

Well, if you are only gonna be on Oahu around Honolulu area for two days, I would suggest renting a vehicle. I was gonna say get a four day Discovery Thebus bus pass, but it is $20.00 pp.

You really should get a rental car (go to Costco.com) then to Alamo Car rental. the cheapest is not that bad, you don_t have much time. Go to Pearl Harbor_s Arizona memorial tour--free. Go to any beach on the east or south shore. Sea Life park for the dolphin show, a luau but don_t go cheap, go to Paradise cove. Walk on Waikiki beach, and look at Diamond Head. Go up to the Pali look out, take Nuuanu Pali Hywy. Ride/paddle a canoe for a life time memory at Waikiki Beach. The absolutely best entertainment but expensive is the Polynesian Cultural Center at Laie, North shore. Also, Waimea Bay, Pipeline for surfer watching.
If you want to go around the island, catch THEBUS. You can get off anywhere, and get back on on the half-hour for another fare.

Rent a Car is best when you travel with kids AND planning to travel far.

The rental car web-site should give some great value if travel at off peak season.

To travel in peak season, go for some travel agents web-sites. They might have contracted rate from the rental car companies. Thus, rates are less than the web-site.

The bus will cost you $2 one way per person for adult and children $1 one way. You can get a transfer (free with one purchase per person). But it takes a long time to trave from one place to another. And the schedule is less frequent during off-school hours.

Day 1:
Off to the beaches - Ala Moana Magic Island (in Ala Moana beach park) is an idea place, especially for younger kid. It is an enclosed swimming lagoon, just out-skirt of Waikiki. you probably can spend some hours there. Pack some water _ food for a great pinic there too.

Opposite of Ala Moana Beach park is Ala Moana Shopping Center. You can go there before or after the beach.

If you like hiking, you can either go to Diamond Head (famous tourist area) for a paved hike. Fee required. Car driving need.

For a free city view, go to Punchbowl Cemetery. It is a National Cemetery with a open area for GREAT city view. It is also a tourist area with war display on the wall. Driving required. It is like 10-15 min drive from Waikiki.

Or go to Tantalus Montain in the night for city night view. Driving require.

Day 2: (if this day is a Wed or Sat or Sun)
Go to Aloha Stadium in the morning for swap meat. Lots of stuff to buy. Bargain skill required for a cheaper rate!

Opposite is the famous Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial. Get a ticket and go to the 20 min documentary film. Follow by a free boat ride to the memorial. Walk around the displays of history in the visitor center after the boat ride back.

If you have more than 2 hours of wait time for the documentary, go to Pearlridge shopping Center (a 5 min drive away) for lunch or a quick shopping.

If you have more than 4 hours of wait time for the documentary, go to the Battleship (ticket _ trolley ride next door). Be sure to join their guide tour, very informative!

There are a lots of things to do. I think this is not so hectic for younger kids and for a 2 day tour. If you like, do a search for my full recommended 7 days tour in YahooAnswer, for more option on where to go.

Your going to take 4 people on a minimum 5 hour flight (from the West Coast) _ only stay 2 days ?

I would seriously recommend 4-5 days minimum. If you go to Oahu, there lots of action from Waikiki - each hotel has it_s activities desk _ can book you on pretty much any trip you_d like to try (circle Island tour is a standard rite of passage). If you book in Waikiki - try to avoid hotels that back onto the canal - it does tend to stink a bit.

If you_ve got the money, the Turtle Bay Hilton is great if you don_t want to put up with all the noise _ traffic in Waikiki.

MAUI - my favourite island. I end up on Kaanapali beach. First time I went I got a deal at the Royal Lahaina hotel - it llooked like the cheapest place. BUT, with a group, the ResortQuest Kaanapali Shores Resort could (surprisingly) work out cheaper. THey do have condos with fully equipped kitchens. There is a supermarket just across the road _ that saved me as much as $50 a day on food - and getting breakfast in the codno is so much less stressful, than eating out. WHen I went, the hotel gave me coupons for the hotel resaurant and I also got a free day, booking via Expedia.

NOTE : there are direct flights to Maui from places like my home town - Phoenix, as well as the more congested West coast airports like SFO _ LAX.

Hawaii always looks expensive. But there_s lots of competition, so deals can be found. And finally, I stayed in Tahiti last New Year _ that was even more expensive than Hawaii !