ACTIVITIES
Fun
Activities and Adventures in Hawai'i
Mountaintop
vistas of paradise... dreamlike undersea realms of the
green turtle and humpback whale... tropical rainforests
with waterfalls, orchids, rare birds and plants... coral
reefs abundant with life... pristine beaches of golden
sand edging the warm, clear waters of the mid-Pacific...
Hawai'i
is a unique vacation destination offering visitors a multitude
of cultural, environmental, and entertainment choices.
So many choices!
Waiting
until you arrive to make your plans can be an adventure
in itself, but you may end up spending more time trying
to decide what to do rather than actually doing it. With
that in mind, we have included a few good starting places
below.
These
vendors do not pay to advertise with us. We've spent hours
researching the internet (and investigating locally) so
that you don't have to!
Find
the Perfect Adventure for You!
Just
click on the logos and pictures to visit the web sites of
the vendors listed below.
Alternative
Hawai'i is a great resource for planning your vacation.
Island by island their site includes all types of activities,
neatly separated into categories of water, land, and air.
Many of the vendors listed on their site provide adventures
that enhance your cultural and ecological understanding
of our unique habitat and people. Not your "ordinary"
tours!
The
calendar of events will help you find fun (and free) things
to do during your visit. This award winning guide to "the
path less traveled" in the Hawaiian Islands is well
worth your investigation.
return
to top
Cultural,
Ecological, and Educational Tours
Immerse
yourself in the sacred past of Hawai'i. These very reasonably
priced hiking tours range from the "easy-going"
to the "not for the timid" and take place in remote
locations seldom seen by most tourists.Your native Hawaiian
guide will explain the history and mythology of the Polynesians
that came to these islands over 2,000 years ago. And along
the way, you'll learn a lot about Hawaii's fragile eco-system.
Tour groups are purposely kept small to protect the environment
and to allow close interaction with your guide.
Interested
in native plant and bird species? Join Oahu Nature Tours'
specialized eco-tours. Spectacular views, excellent photographic
opportunities, and information about the Geology, Archaeology,
Mythology and History of Hawai'i await you on these fun educational
tours.
Oahu
Nature Tours is committed to working towards the continued
enjoyment and existence of Hawaii's magnificent but endangered
natural treasures.
Life
Unplugged...That's the best description of Wild Side Specialty
Tours.
Experience
offshore Hawai'i on their nature-friendly 42' catamaran
sailing tours. Sail with whales, dive with dolphins, trek
with turtles... and snorkel in solitude. Unsurpassed views
of pristine valleys and tall sea cliffs are all part of
the Waianae-located tour, a special part of rural Oahu unique
with tradition and culture.
Wild
Side takes people not only into the whale and dolphin intensive
areas they have studied as marine biologists since the early
90s, but as residents of the coast - into their own "backyard."
return
to top
Extreme
Adventures
Ever
wonder what it would feel like to jump out of a plane?
Why
not take that "leap of faith" on your next vacation
in Hawai'i? Jump in a tandem harness with a highly trained
professional instructor. Free fall up to 60 seconds with
the islands spread below you... the thrill of a lifetime!
Take in the beautiful scenery of Oahu's famous North Shore
as you glide back down to earth for a perfect landing.
Purchase
a video of your jump to show your family and friends: "I
did it!"
This
extreme adventure at Skydive
Hawai'i comes highly recommended by several of our local
patrons at The Harbor Pub.
Any
local will tell you: The most beautiful beach on Oahu is Kailua
Beach Park. Voted best beach in the US for swimming, walking,
sunbathing and a number of water sports, Kailua Beach Park
is internationally known for it's fine white sand, pristine
waters, and breathtaking natural beauty.
At
Kailua Sailboards
and Kayaks you'll find everything you need to enjoy
great snorkeling spots, ocean kayaking, sail boarding, kite
boarding and other ocean activities. From Kailua Beach you
can kayak to Mokulua Island, a protected bird sanctuary
with a beautiful deserted beach and the perfect spot for
a picnic lunch. This part of the bay off Lanikai Beach features
turquoise blue waters, coral reefs, and large sea turtles
in their native habitat.
return
to top
"Must
See" Attractions on Oahu
We
find it especially fitting that the Arizona Memorial and
the USS Battleship Missouri, symbolizing the beginning
and end of the United States involvement in World War
II, share their permanent resting places within sight
of one another. A trip to Oahu should include a visit
to both.
The
Arizona Memorial
On
the morning of December 7th, 1941, Japan carried out a surprise
attack on U.S. military installations across the island
of Oahu. The USS Arizona exploded, having been hit by a
1,760-pound armor-piercing bomb that slammed through her
deck and ignited her forward ammunition magazine. In less
than nine minutes, she sank with 1,177 of her crew. Thus
began The United States' entry into World War II, which
had already been raging in Europe for several years...
The crew members who lost their lives that day are still
entombed below the Arizona's decks. A Wall of Remembrance
lists all those who perished aboard her on the "day
which will live in infamy".
No
trip to Oahu is complete without a visit to the Arizona
Memorial. Operated by the National Park Service, there
is no admission fee for the tour. For more info, visit
the Museum's Web Site by clicking on the photo above.
Be prepared for heightened security measures and restrictions
due to 9/11.
Special
Hints about visiting the Arizona Memorial:
We
recommend taking the "TheBus"
(visit their site for route numbers and times). Try to
visit the Memorial on a Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday:
The Aloha Stadium Flea Market is open from 7AM until 3
PM on those days and is located within walking distance.
It's the best (and least expensive) all-in-one source
for Hawaiian T-shirts, macadamia nuts, Kona coffee, and
a wide variety of Hawaiian souvenirs.
USS
Battleship Missouri Museum
The
"Mighty Mo" (USS Battleship Missouri) is a fascinating
excursion into history. The Japanese Surrender took place
on her decks... And so came an end to the final chapter
of World War II. 
Spanning
a half century of service in U.S. military engagements,
the Battleship Missouri holds a unique place in United
States naval history. After being decommissioned for the
final time in 1992, her fate remained undecided for several
years. On May 4, 1998, Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton
signed the donation contract officially transferring the
historic battleship to the USS Missouri Memorial Association
(MMA) of Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Since
her arrival, the MMA has diligently seen to the historical
restoration of the Mighty Mo through the efforts of a
large, dedicated network of volunteers. The cost of the
ongoing renovation is paid in part by a very reasonable
admittance fee for visitors. For more information about
visiting the Mighty Mo, go to the MMA's web site by clicking
on the photo above. As with visiting the Arizona Memorial,
be prepared for heightened security measures and restrictions
due to 9/11.
return
to top
Helpful
Hints
We
have a few suggestions that will help you get the most
out of your trip:
