Honolulu and Oahu itineraries

Diamond Head & Waikiki

Up the crater before sunrise, malasadas for breakfast, a surf lesson at Waikiki, then the city lights from Tantalus at dusk. With one day, stay close.

Pearl Harbor & the east coast

Base in Waikiki. Day one starts at Pearl Harbor, then a Hawaiian plate in Kalihi, Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace and dinner in Chinatown. Day two is Hanauma Bay snorkelling, the Makapuu cliffs and Lanikai sand.

Oahu loop from Waikiki

Base in Waikiki. Day one is Manoa Falls, Kakaako murals and an Ala Moana sunset. Day two is a rental car up to Dole, Waimea Valley, the shrimp trucks and Haleiwa. Day three is Byodo-In and the Kualoa Ranch movie sites, then a last steak dinner.

Festivals & seasons

• 1 — Humpback whale season
• 1 — KCC Farmers Market
• 3 — Honolulu Festival
• 4 — Waikiki Spam Jam
• 5 — Lei Day
• 5 — Lantern Floating Hawaii
• 7 — Fourth of July fireworks
• 7 — Summer peak and south swells
• 9 — Aloha Festivals Floral Parade
• 10 — Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
• 11 — North Shore big-wave season
• 12 — Honolulu Marathon
• 12 — Honolulu City Lights

Souvenirs

• Honolulu Cookie Company pineapple shortbread
• 100% Kona coffee
• Chocolate-covered macadamias (Hawaiian Host)
• Fresh flower lei
• Aloha shirt
• Aloha Stadium Swap Meet tees and crafts
• A box of malasadas
• Dole Plantation pineapple and pineapple jams