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Most of the attractions on Oahu are a short drive
away from Waikiki: Diamond Head, one mile; Central Honolulu (with Iolani
Palace, Mission Houses and Aloha Tower), five miles; Bishop Museum, six
miles; Pali Lookout, 11 miles; Sea Life Park at Mokapuu Point, 16 miles;
and the Polynesian Cultural Center, 38 miles. Day trips can be built
around an island circle, a drive of about 90 miles. What's known as the
little circle trip is just a 39 mile journey.
Driving Hints
There are a few special considerations for
driving in Hawaii. Speed limits are lower than those in the continental
U.S. and right turns on red are legal, unless specifically prohibited by
sign. Seat belt laws are strictly enforced. Traffic markings are in yellow
(separating lanes of traffic flowing in opposite directions as well as
indicating left boundaries of traffic lanes at hazardous locations); red
(used to designate roadways that should not be driven); and white
(separation of traffic flowing in the same direction).
Oahu has a wonderful mass transit system that can
get you to most places in the Honolulu – Waikiki area in a matter of
minutes. However, most have found it more enjoyable to bypass the bus and
rent a car for a day or two to venture out of the city and to enjoy the
beauty of the outskirts of Oahu.
East End of Oahu (Waikiki - Hanauma Bay)
A drive along the East End of Oahu can be enjoyed
as an entire day with stops for snorkeling or it can be done in 2 to 2.5
hours. Remember to bring your camera and to fill a cooler full of ice and
cold drinks is always a good idea in Hawaii. This drive begins along
Kalakaua Avenue heading toward the Diamond Head. Continue past Waikiki
Beach and through Kapiolani Park. This park is the centre of many
activities on Oahu. Concerts and cultural festivals are held here often
along with the Kodak Hula Show. The Waikiki Aquarium is also here along
with the Honolulu Zoo. Lighted tennis courts are free for anyone to use.
At the far end of the park, there is a large fountain. Continue past the
fountain and prepare to turn right onto Diamond Head road. Here the road
passes the Diamond Head lighthouse on the right. Diamond Head beach is
located at the base of the Kuilei Cliffs along this road. This beach is
very popular with windsurfers. Take a moment to enjoy the view and get
some great pictures at the parking area on the right.
To continue along Diamond Head road, will bring
you to a triangular shaped park. Diamond Head road continues toward the
left and Kahala Avenue begins here and continues toward the right.
Continuing toward the left along Diamond Head road will take you to the
entrance of Diamond Head Crater. Once within the crater you can park and
hike to the summit all in about 90 minutes.
The drive along Kahala Avenue will take you
through one of Oahu’s most prestigious neighborhoods. This road
terminates at the entrance of the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel where you
may want to stop in for brunch, lunch or just to browse the grounds and
enjoy their wonderful dolphin pool, tropical fish and sea turtles.
Continue along this road and prepare to turn left onto Kealaolu Avenue and
then turn right onto the entrance of Kalanianaole Highway. This divided
highway is the main artery along the East End of Oahu. This part of the
drive will take you along several coastal suburban neighborhoods complete
with fast food places, schools and supermarkets. Hawaii Kai is the biggest
and most popular of all the Eastern Shore neighborhoods. This is a great
place to stop and have lunch at the original Roy’s restaurant, which
features Pacific Rim cuisine, or to gather up some sandwiches for a picnic
at Hanauma Bay.
The signal light at the intersection of
Kalanianaole Highway and Lunalilo Home Road indicates that the entrance to
Hanauma Bay lies just up and around the hillside of Koko Head Crater.
Spending some time at Hanauma Bay can certainly be a highlight of
anyone’s trip to Oahu. However, be sure to arrive well before 9:30 a.m.
to avoid the crowds and to assure yourself of a parking space. Although
there is snorkel equipment is available to rent here at a nominal charge,
the vendor runs out quite early. there are also rest rooms and a snack bar
for refreshments. But, an even better choice is to bring a picnic with you
to enjoy. Hanauma Bay is closed on Tuesdays.
East Coast (Hanauma Bay - Makapuu Point)
Once at Hanauma Bay, one can either return to
Waikiki or continue along the coastline toward the Windward side of the
island. To continue will take about another 60 to 90 minutes. This drive
is short, scenic, and relaxing.
As you leave the Hanauma bay parking lot, it’s
important to know that taking any sort of wildlife from the sanctuary is
prohibited. This includes coral and other natural life.
The drive begins by exiting Hanauma Bay Park by
turning left onto Kalanianaole Highway. This portion of the highway is a
narrow two lane coastal highway with many twists and turns so, proceed
cautiously and mind the speed limit signs. Around the first bend, there
are unobstructed vistas of the Pacific Ocean. This stretch of water is the
Kaiwi Channel. The Kaiwi Channel separates Molokai from Oahu, and if you
are driving on a particularly clear day, you will be able to see Molokai
in the distance. The Kaiwi Channel is most famous for being the sight of
the annual Molokai to Oahu outrigger canoe race. This race begins on the
Eastern Shore of Molokai and continues across this channel and along the
south shore of Oahu to Waikiki. The distance has been calculated at 41
miles and the crossing times are anywhere from six to eight hours
depending on conditions which can vary from very treacherous or pond-like.
If you are driving along this roadway on most any
sunny day, you will be able to catch a glimpse of not only Molokai, but
also Lanai and Maui in the distance. In addition, if you are particularly
lucky and visiting in the winter months, you may even be able to spot a
whale or two.
Up ahead just a bit you will see a small but
visible monument perched on the left of the highway. This monument marks
Amelia Earhart's last reported position before heading southward to her
death. This monument also indicates that the turn off for the Blow Hole
will be coming up shortly on the left. The Blow Hole is a natural ocean
water geyser. Created by the forces of nature that carved out an opening
in the lava rock shelf, this spews water high into the air from the
approaching sea swells. On rough sea days, it is always fun to take the
stairs down for a closer and sometimes wetter look!
Exit the Blow Hole parking lot and return to the
highway by turning right. Up ahead lies two of Oahu’s most popular
although treacherous beaches. The first is Sandy beach famous for boogie
boarding and body surfing. This beach is popular with the young active and
extreme set. It is especially crowded on weekends. It is a great spot to
watch surfers ride the shore break or any one of the many surf contests
held here.
As you continue along Kalanianaole Highway,
passing the Hawaii Kai Golf Course on the left, you will be leaving
Oahu’s drier South Shore and entering the lush beautiful landscapes of
Windward Oahu. This transition in well displayed up ahead at Makapuu
Point. Pull out your camera and turn off the highway at this wonderfully
scenic spot.
Makapuu Point - Pali Highway (through Tunnel)
- Downtown Honolulu
The Makapu’u Lookout is a great spot to stop,
get a grab a few quick pictures of the scenic expanse below you. This
lookout is one of the most lovely on the island. Makapu’u Beach lies
below, with Manana and Kaohikaipu Islands to the right. Up ahead lie
Waimanalo, the Mokulua Islands, Mokapu Peninsula and beyond, the Windward
Coast of Oahu. Just before this lookout, you will see a gated dirt road on
the right. This is the beginning of the Makapu'u Lighthouse hiking trail.
The views from the base of the lighthouse are spectacular and include
whales in the winter and the occasional pod of dolphins.
As the drive continues along the Makapu'u
coastline, up ahead and to the right you will find the entrance to Sea
Life Park. A great place to spend the morning or afternoon, enjoying the
dolphins perform or to feed the sea lions. On the left is the famous
Makapu'u beach break. Boogie boarders and body surfers enjoy this shore
break, but it is not for the faint of heart. The undertow can be quite
treacherous, so be sure to heed the lifeguard’s recommendations.
Continuing along Kalanianaole Highway will bring
you into the Waimanalo area. About a mile from the pier off to the left,
you will find the house where Magnum P.I. was located. The pier was also
used in many scenes as well.
A drive through Waimanalo is scenic and offers a
glimpse of true Hawaiian country living. Many Hawaiians have homestead
land here and life is quite rural in thought and spirit here. There are
many organic farms and nurseries located in this area, especially inland
toward the cliffs of the Koolau range. Waimanalo beach is one of the
largest of beaches on Oahu. Uncrowded and picturesque, it offers enjoyment
and clear warm water. It was the sight of many beach scenes in the new
Fantasy Island series. Adjacent to Waimanalo Beach Park is Bellows beach.
Bellows is a military recreational area, complete with cabins and
overnight camping.
The entrance to Olomana Golf Links signals your
entrance into the Kailua area. One of Hawaii’s favorite small town
suburbs, it offers a casual suburban ocean side lifestyle that is hard to
match anywhere else. Here the road widens and divides into city-like
proportions. Enjoy the unobstructed ocean views as the drive heads up
toward the Pali Highway.
At the intersection you will find Castle Memorial
Hospital, be sure to turn left onto Pali Highway. This intersection
commonly known as Castle junction by locals. At this intersection, your
drive heads toward the Koolaus and over the Nuuanu Pali and back into
Honolulu. At the next intersection, if you turn right, the road will take
you through Kaneohe town along the Windward side and eventually up toward
the North Shore. Allow another 3 hours for this detour, but for today is
straight ahead. Pali Highway climbs slowly along the hillside then into a
hairpin turn. On the opposite side of the highway along this hairpin turn,
you will find a turnoff and parking area. In the area just behind this
parking lot, you will find the trailhead to the Maunawili and Old Pali
road hiking trails. These two trails are wide and easy to hike and muddy
at times, but they offer great views and great rainforest hiking. Take the
trail to the left and it will take you along the inland expanse of the
Koolaus. Take the trail to the right, and you can follow the Old Pali road
up to Nuuanu Lookout on foot.
Continue up Pali Highway and through the tunnel.
The next stop will be at the Pali Lookout. Exiting the tunnels will signal
that you have now returned to Oahu’s south shore. Position yourself into
the right lane since the turn off is just ahead on the right.
The Nuuanu Pali is the location where King
Kamehameha fought his final battle to unify the Hawaiian Islands under one
rule. His warriors were relentless and won their battle by shoving their
opposition over the Koolau cliffs to their deaths. Today, it offers
beautiful views of the windward side. Kaneohe is on the left, Kailua is on
the right and the Pali Highway lies below. This area of Oahu can get quite
windy at times. Grab a few pictures and continue when ready. Return to the
Pali Highway via the same road that took you to the Lookout. Once back on
the Highway, get into the left lane and turn left at the “Old Pali
Road” sign. You could continue along the highway, but this little detour
brings some quick and interesting atmosphere and scenery. Old Pali Road is
the original road that was built to cross the Koolaus back when many were
on horseback. The road across the Pali was a thrill and definitely a
better and shorter alternative than getting to the windward side via
Makapu'u. Many of Hawaii’s richest and most affluent lived and still
live along Old Pali road. The older homes in this area are among the
largest on the island. The canopies of trees along this road completely
block out the sun. This road is full of many tight bends, so be careful to
mind the speed limit. Along this road there is another hiking trail called
“Jackass Ginger.” This is a muddy trail used by many to get to the
wonderful swimming hole. It is an easy hike, but it can be slippery and
sometimes even crowded.
Return to Pali Highway at the intersection and
continue along this stretch of highway toward the H-1 freeway. This part
of the highway takes you through Nuuanu Valley and through the area where
most of the foreign consulates are located. Korean, Philippine to name
just two. Also along this part of the road is Queen Emma’s Summer
Palace. It is now a museum.
Continue along Pali Highway until you reach the
intersection of Pali Highway and Vineyard Boulevard. Arriving at this
intersection announces your official arrival into downtown Honolulu.
Downtown Honolulu to Waikiki – Along the
Shopping Corridor
While waiting at the stop light on the corner of
Vineyard Boulevard and Pali Highway, one can easily see the looming
high-rises of downtown Honolulu. The financial center of the Pacific as
well as the capitol of the State of Hawaii, Honolulu is a county of almost
900,000 people and the downtown area is quite small in comparison to many
major cities, but in the several blocks that lie between Beretania Street
and Ala Moana Boulevard, you’ll find the home of Hawaii’s two major
banks, city hall, state, county and federal courthouses and a small, but
thriving Chinatown community. Continuing across Vineyard Blvd to the next
intersection is the beginning of Bishop Street. Up ahead in the distance
are Honolulu Harbor and the Aloha Tower. However, before we continue to
the Aloha Tower and Marketplace, turn left from Bishop to King Street.
Continue along King for another block and you will see on your left the
Iolani Palace on the right. On the left will be the King Kamehameha
Statue. On the left just past the Palace are the State Archive Building
and the Hawaii State Library. On the right are the Hawaii State Supreme
Court and Kawaiaho Church up ahead. Prepare to turn left at the
intersection of Punchbowl. On the right, you will see City Hall and on the
left, you will find the State Capitol Building. Prepare to turn left again
onto Beretania and you will pass Washington Place or the Governor’s
residence. Prepare to turn left again and you will find that you have
returned to Bishop Street with the Aloha tower ahead. At the base of
Bishop Street is the Aloha Tower Marketplace. Shops, restaurants and
entertainment are found here on weekends and holidays and on “Boat
Days” when cruise ships arrive at the harbor and passengers are greeted
with song, dance and flower leis. Once at the end of Bishop Street, turn left onto
Ala Moana Boulevard. This road will take you along the coastline and
eventually into Waikiki. There has been a significant amount of
development in this area of Honolulu recently. On the left is the Prince
Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Federal Building. Yes, the same person for which
the highway is named. Across the street is Restaurant Row. This plaza has
many dining and dancing establishments, and is particularly popular with
the young local crowd.
As you continue along Ala Moana Boulevard, you
will see the Victoria Ward shopping complexes on the left. Ward Warehouse
and Ward Centre has recently been joined by the Ala Moana Farmer’s
Market to offer the shopper many different shopping experiences. Ward
Warehouse has restaurants, boutiques and other fine establishments, while
Ward Centre is more upscale and trendy. Farmer’s Market is full of fruit
and vegetable stands and fish markets for those who like the very
freshest.
On the left-hand side of Ala Moana Boulevard, you
will see Kewalo Basin. This is the landing for many commercial, deep sea
and tour boats. Sunset dinner cruises depart from his spot every night at
5p.m. Just past Kewalo basin is Ala Moana Beach Park, Oahu’s most
popular local beach. The water here is calm and sheltered. The beach is
long and not very crowded. There are also jogging paths, restrooms and
snack stands that make Ala Moana Beach a great place to spend time.
Up ahead on the left is the Ala Moana Shopping
Center. This shopping center is the center of daily activity for many
islanders. Over 200 stores on 500 acres and everything from entertainment
to Hawaiian food is found here. Ala Moana operates a Waikiki shuttle that
makes stops at several Waikiki hotels. It is also important to remember
that Ala Moana is one of the largest of city bus stops offering transfers
to suburban as well as inter-city bus lines.
Continue to the end of the shopping center,
across the Atkinson Drive intersection, over the Ala Wai canal. Ala Wai
yacht harbor is on the right hand side. Once crossing the Ala Wai, you
will have entered Waikiki. Our tour comes to close at the intersection of
Ala Moana Boulevard as you turn right onto the one way Kalakaua Avenue.
You have returned to Waikiki.
Driving up the Northeast Coast
Driving the KAM HWY. northward along the Windward
Shore on a beautiful day is a wonderful experience as stunning views
and gorgeous beaches reveal themselves around every turn. You'll pass some
famous sights, like the BYODO-IN TEMPLE -
Japan's 900-year-old architectural treasure is duplicated in exact detail
at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, beneath the majestic cliffs of
the Koolau mountains. The beautiful Oriental garden setting also has a
carp pool, massive nine-foot Buddha statue, and tea house. Kaaawa, a small town stretching just a few
blocks, offers an interesting rock formation known as the Crouching
Lion and Kualoa Ranch & Activity Club, a 4,000-acre working ranch
where guests are welcome to take part in activities. The entrance is
near the Kualoa Regional Park entrance.
Another popular stop on the northeast coast is the
Polynesian Cultural Centre at Laie
. The center is made up of native villages
representative of those in Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa,
Marquesas, and Hawaii. In the evening there is a splendid Luau (Polynesian
dance feast).
Kahuku, about three miles southeast of Kahuku
Point, the northernmost point of Oahu. Wooden cane houses are homes to
aquaculture workers who supply restaurants with prawn and clams. In
front of the ground of the Kahuku Sugar Mill are shrimp trucks that
serve a local favorite of macaroni salad and shrimp served over rice.
Visit the farm stands along Highway 83 for bananas, fresh papaya and
pineapple to complete a tasty lunch.
Northern Tip
As you approach Oahu's famous North Shore, keep
an eye out for the shrimp farm and retail stand dispensing the freshest
shrimp you'll ever eat, right out of the water. Here you find also the old
Sugar Mill -
near Kaaawa are the stone ruins of the first sugar mill on Oahu erected in
1864.
After passing the Turtle Bay Hilton, produce
stands selling fresh fruit and vegetables like Kahuku Corn and Kahuku
Watermelon may intermittently appear, usually on the mauka / left side.
Giant white propeller-windmills are in view along the foothills and
mountain tops. Along this shore are a number of tiny rock islets, at least
one of which can be visited at low tide, but only in the calm seas of
summer: Kukaimaini Islet. Kukaimaini is small and rocky with no beach and
only sparse vegetation. It is located offshore of Waiale`e Beach Park,
which is undeveloped and unmarked at the roadside.
Along the North Shore (Sunset Beach)
Waialee is located right before the shockingly
green pasture lands of the University of Hawaii Livestock and Poultry
Research Farm, as seen from the KAM HWY. Just past the farm is surfing's
legendary Velzyland, which is by no means anyplace for novices. Access is
via the public right-of-way at the curve of KAHAUOLA ST. at Sunset Point. Turn
right /makai onto KAHAUOLA ST. from the KAM HWY. Read and obey all
parking restriction signs, and then from Sunset Point walk east along the
sand to reach Velzyland. Sunset Point, being the easternmost extreme of
Sunset Beach, has a great view of the shore westward along the entire
length of Sunset Beach.
The whole of Sunset Beach is wide, and in winter,
deeply sloped by the humungous waves you see being challenged by the
world's best surfers. The waves are dangerous even to beachcombers here,
as they can easily knock a body down and drag him out to sea. Children,
supervised or not, should never be allowed to play at water's edge during
the winter here, or at any North Shore beach. The two exceptions are the
Turtle Bay Hilton's Kuilima Cove and Haleiwa Beach Park, which are the
only two winter-safe swimming beaches on the entire North Shore. Think
twice about swimming at any other North Shore beaches in the wintertime,
but if you are determined, check with the lifeguard about rips and other
life-and-limb threatening bugaboos. In the summertime however, Sunset and
all other North Shore beaches are normally quite placid and offer
superlative swimming conditions.
Parking at Sunset Beach is available roadside
where the KAM HWY. skirts the sand. Oddly, there are no restrooms here,
despite Sunset's popularity and worldwide fame. There is daily lifeguard
service from June through August, and all year long on weekends. Sunset
Beach is long and wide, with deep, comfortable sand. Its joys include
strolling the strand and participating in various beach activities, such
as surfing, surfer watching, jogging, sand castle building, snoozing, and
daydreaming about winning the lottery and moving to Hawaii.
Where the HWY. starts to pull away from the sand
at Sunset Beach, there is a very narrow road makai / right, named KE NUI
ROAD. It runs parallel to the sand between the beach and the KAM HWY. for
1.0 mile, to Ehukai Beach. KE NUI ROAD has numerous p.r.o.w.s that provide
access to the beach and some of Hawaii's most famous surfing spots:
Kimmieland, Gas Chambers, and the infamous Banzai Pipeline. Ehukai Beach
Park is accessible only from KE NUI ROAD, and is obscured from easy view
from the KAM HWY. by foliage along its flanks. Ehukai is a developed park
with restrooms and daily lifeguard service year 'round. Like all beaches
in these parts, swimming is very hazardous from late October through
April. Ehukai is the site of the best vantage point from which to watch
surfers conquer the Banzai Pipeline.
After WAIMEA VALLEY RD., the KAMEHAMEHA HWY.
crosses the bridge, and for those on foot, the view from the bridge toward
the beach is lush and pretty. Directly after crossing the bridge, look
makai/right for the entrance to Waimea Bay Beach Park. There is a good
amount of parking here, but on weekends or during surfing season, when the
lot fills up early, you will find roadside parking along the KAM HWY.
After passing the beach park entrance, continue uphill. The roadside as it
reaches the top of the bluff is a great place from which to watch surfers
and the winter surfing contests at Waimea. The area becomes quite busy
then and a party atmosphere prevails. Bring food and cold drinks, or buy
from one of the lunch wagons who come to supply the crowd, make friends
and have fun...this kind of event is what the North Shore is all about.
Waimea Bay Beach Park provides daily lifeguard service throughout the
year. It has a restroom, outdoor shower, and a large lawn with trees and
picnic tables. Waves and backwash are treacherous in the winter, but in
summer Waimea Bay is a favorite place for families. Then, the water is
calm and swimming conditions excellent.
The Waimea River flows toward the sea but a
barrier beach keeps it from reaching the ocean. Only after a strong rain
does it break through. When the water is flowing, a unique condition
develops as the water flows over a depression in the river bottom that is
like a stationary wave going no place. Local children on boogie boards
catch this "wave" and ride it endlessly, or until bored. At the
opposite, or Kaena Point end of the beach, Jumping Rock at times
accommodates scores of people who cling to it and watch as others catapult
themselves off the top into a carefully timed incoming wave. This can be
observed from along the KAM HWY. past and uphill from the entrance to the
beach park.
Driving back through the Valley
Wahiawa's Helemano Plantation (next door to
the Dole Plantation) is a place that helps developmentally challenged
people to build lives. Its shops offer ideal places to pick up
souvenirs and items to enjoy during your stay. Shops include bakery,
gifts, silk flowers and a Country Store with island produce. There is
also a restaurant.
Western most point
Kaena Point, a good place to park the car and
see Hawaii by foot. A 2.5-mile hiking path closely follows the shore
where cliffs rise dramatically. The area is particularly dramatic in
winter when breeding humpback whales can be spotted and waves as high
as 50-foot tall crash onto the shore. We suggest you drive not along
the west coast at night.
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