TOP 10 THINGS TO DO ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU

Oahu is nicknamed the gathering place for good reason. The island has a little bit of everything for everyone and features fine dining, music, a great food selection and luxury resorts. Along with that, there is an immense amount of culture and history to explore among the island.

Here are my top 10 things to do on Oahu

Hike

Oahu is filled with numerous hikes for every level of hiker. AllTrails currently has 252 hiking trails, mountain biking routes, backpacking trips and more for the island that visitors and locals can use for their treks. There are numerous hikes that are illegal but some of my favorite legal ones include Olomana Trail/Three Peaks (Hard), Diamond Head (Medium), and Manoa Falls (Easy).

Experience Nutridge Luau

There are various options for luau's that you can attend on Oahu but if you are looking for a more intimate feel I would highly recommend the Nutridge Luau. The Nutridge Estate is located inside of the Pu’u Ualaka’a Wayside Park, the heart of Tantalus. One of my favorite aspects of this luau is that each person got to participate in some type of way whether it be singing, dancing, competitions, etc.

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor is one of the most popular places for visitors in Hawaii and provides an experience filled with powerful and emotional moments. At Pearl Harbor, one can visit different memorials, museums, and historical places, each one recounting a different story from the past. The 5 major attractions include:

1. The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial (free, but reservation required)

2. The U.S.S. Missouri (paid)

3. The U.S.S Bowfin Submarine (paid)

4. The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum (paid)

5. The U.S.S Oklahoma Memorial (free)

Byodo-In Temple

The Byodo-In Temple is located at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains in Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It was established on June 7, 1968, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The temple is a smaller version of the original temple built in Japan. Even though it is a non-practicing temple, it is still a very sacred place to visit.

Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens

The Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden is 400 acres filled with flowers that represent Hawaii, Philippines, Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Polynesia, Melanesia, and Malaysia. Visitors will get a tremendous new of the Koolau Mountain Range as well. The gardens are completely free and open every day from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

North Shore (Haleiwa)

The North Shore of Oahu is arguably the most visited areas of the entire island. With immaculate surf beaches, mountain trails, snorkeling spots, and a variety of food options, there is something for everyone. While there are so many things to do on the north shore, spending a day in the cute north shore town of Haleiwa is a must. The area is filled with surf shops, boutiques and art galleries to fully immerse yourself in the town’s charm.

Sharks Cove

Sharks Cove is located on Oahu's world famous North Shore and is a small rocky bay that forms part of Pupukea Beach Park. The cove has been rated by Scuba Diving Magazine as one of the “Top Twelve Shore Dives in the World”. The area is immersed with different kinds of marine life from butterfly fish, parrot fish, damsel fish, surgeon fish, tang, wrasse, big eye, perch, chub, trigger fish, goat fish, jacks, mullet, cornet fish, needle fish, eels, turtles, crustaceans, and invertebrates. It is not a sand beach and the entrance is rocky, so watch your step as you get in and be cautious if bringing children.

Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre private nature reserve and working cattle ranch, as well as a popular tourist attraction and filming location on the windward coast of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi. The ranch offers many tours and adventures to give visitors the chance to experience the wild beauty of the jungle and mountains. One can choose from movie set tours, ATV tours, zip lining, horseback riding, a secret beach or a tour about the history of the island, culture, etc.

Dole Plantation

Dole Plantation is a must-see attraction on the island of Oahu. It is so much more than just pineapples. There's no charge to explore the gift shop, restaurant, main grounds and patio area of the plantation. If you are wanting to pay a small price there is a Pineapple Express train that takes you through the fields of the plantation as well as the Pineapple Garden Maze which was once the World's largest maze back in 2008. Be sure to grab the Dole Whip ice cream before you leave.

Polynesian Cultural Center

The Polynesian Cultural Center was one attraction I was not able to do while in Oahu but would like to the next visit I make. The center is a family-based cultural tourist attraction and museum located in Laie. The PCC focuses on bringing to life the spirit of Polynesia through its six Polynesian villages, luau, and evening show. The six villages include the cultures of Hawaii, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti, and Tonga.

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