Hawaii (State of) Travel Forum

My husband and I will be stopping on Oahu before a connecting flight home.
We'll only have 7 hours (!!!!!) and a rental car.
What's the best use of time including a beach side restaurant for lunch?

I suppose the best thing for 7 hours would be to drive into Waikiki. Be careful, lots of one way roads in the area. Parking is difficult, too. Lots of people, lots of restaurants and shops.

But...if you want to make the drive (an hour to an hour and a half one way), I would go to the north shore - Haleiwa. It's so beautiful and maybe you can pull over and dip your toes in the water, see some sea turtles sun bathing. You won't find any glamourous restaurants here - but some great places to eat.

I agree with Grace. Get a car and get out to Haleiwa. Get some food at either the Giovanni's shrimp truck or the Holy Smokes truck, both of which are located just over the little bridge as you drive into Haleiwa on the highway. If you've never been to Hawaii it will be a much better experience than going into the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. Then again, if you're into food, the best restaurants are there. Let me know if you're interested and I can recommend a couple.

Aloha, yes head for Haleiwa on the North Shore. A great restaurant with ocean view is Jamesons Haleiwa. See their website: http://www.jamesonshawaii.com/jamesonshaleiwas.htm
Also a stop in Haleiwa is a must and that is at Matsumoto Shave Ice. 60 years making shave ice. Try the ice cream and azuki bean added at the bottom of cup.
See: http://www.matsumotoshaveice.com/
Besides the drive past pineapple and sugarcane fields, this is where the surfing action takes place. Easy to get to from Honolulu International Airport (HNL). You can circle the Island in 2 1/2 to 3 hours, so the North Shore becomes the Windward Side with a return via the Pali pass to the HNL airport.
You will see a lot of ocean on the drive around and by Kaneohe, the beautiful Koolau mountain range before turning up the Pali Pass to go over to Honolulu. At the top, a quick stop at the Pali Pass Lookout is impressive. One hour for lunch,1/2 hour for a shave ice, and the drive around and stops, maybe one hour more and you still have some time to return the car. Have fun, Aloha oe.

Oops! Correct website for Jamesons: http://sss.jamesonshawaii.com/jamesonshaleiwa.htm

I don't know folks, 7 hours isn't really that much time if you consider:
- Possible delays in arriving
- Any arrangements that might have to occur at the airport re baggage xfer
- Getting the rental car
- Filling up the rental car with gas (optional)
- Returning the rental car

Will this couple really have 7 hours or will it be more like 4 - 5?

Personally, I'd drive down to Waikiki, do valet parking at one of the hotels, have a great meal there, and then go for a stroll along Waikiki Beach. It's close, it's reliable, and can be done in a variable amount of short time.

Incidentally, I built a website for some [now] friends who rented me a condo earlier this year. You can view a number of photos here: http://pocketpollster.com/apps/alohasurf/multimedia.aspx
Might give you some inspiration and/or ideas for your trip!!

Robert

P.S. If it were me or Andy, we'd first head straight to the Rainbow Drive-In!!! :-)

Haha! Right you are Robert! But we want her to get a nice impression of Hawaii and them come back for a meal (or two) at Rainbow Drive-In. Seriously, one could spend a week in Waikiki and have great meals every night just along Kapahulu Avenue.

imt414, it kind of depends on what kind of experience you want. Traffic into Waikiki isn't great depending on the time of day you are arriving. But if you opt for Waikiki, valet park at the Halekulani or Outrigger Reef, and take a walk towards Diamond Head along the beach and back on Kalakaua. Or if shopping is your focus, walking along Kapahulu to maximize your time checking out all the stores. But be sure to grab a drink and a pupu at either the House Without A Key at the Halekulani or at the Banyan Courtyard at the Westin Moana Surfrider.

Well, you've got the major options laid out for you.

One thing I think you should consider if your plans are not yet in concrete is to NOT rent a car. It's just a hassle and cabs will be quicker and the price difference probably inconsequential.

Yes, excellent point!

Mahalo to everyone!
There's so much to consider when planning a big trip!
I appreciate your input.