Heck's Take Oahu, Part One: Adventures
I am not a rookie to the beautiful island of Oahu. I was blessed to visit this island many times throughout my childhood and leading into college, but this time was different. This time I got to play "tour guide" to my husband and my in-laws. They had never been to Oahu (Dylan and I stayed on Kauai for our honeymoon) and my in-laws had never truly been on vacation. I wanted to go big so I did research and created an itinerary for our trip, ensuring that we get to do all of the fun things! Below is my list of the must-see and do places on Oahu!
This is easily one of the most popular hikes on the island. Other than a few sets of stairs, the hike is relatively easy and takes about two hours (round trip). Diamond Head is part of a state park and therefore, entrance in to the park costs $1 per person or $5 per car. I recommend getting to the park in the morning, before the heat of the day. There is limited parking inside the park or you can park nearby and walk. When we visited, there was a shave ice truck in the parking lot so we treated ourselves after the hike.
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is a must see place when visiting Oahu. Whether you are an avid snorkeler or just learning the ropes, Hanauma Bay is a great place to see a wide variety of fish and marine life. The beach is pleasant and the water is calm! I recommend going in the morning time (they open at 7:00 am) so you can get a decent parking spot and good spot on the beach. There is a $7 entrance fee along with the option for renting snorkeling gear. You are welcome to bring food and drinks or buy from the snack shop at the park.
A key piece of our country's history that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. I had been to Pearl Harbor as a child when visiting Hawaii with my family, but this memorial meant so much more to me in my adulthood. We toured the USS Bowfin submarine and museum. Such a incredible piece of history! I recommend planning to spend most of the day at Pearl Harbor, that way you get to see all of the memorials and tours possible.
Koko Crater Trail aka "Kokohead"