Chinamans Hat along Kamehameha Highway (836)
Chinamans Hat along Kamehameha Highway (836)

If you are planning on flying in to Honolulu (HNL) international airport, and you have several days to spend on the Hawaiian islands, it is worth staying a night or two in O'ahu to take in some of the sights.

If you have a day to sight see, O'ahu is one of the more popular islands, best know for the city of Honolulu, Waikiki beach and the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor.   

Click on this link to see more information about Peal Harbor and its WWII memorials:

http://www.nps.gov/usar/ 


Moonrise of Waikiki with Diamond Head in the distance.
Moonrise of Waikiki with Diamond Head in the distance.
Senic Drive around Oahu

If you like site seeing, rent a car for a day and make the drive around the island.  This is the best way to see most of what Oahu has to offer. 

Plan on spending the whole day, though the drive is only 120 miles and will take 4 hours, not including stops.   You can visit Diamond Head, Hanauma bay (though this can be an half or whole day in itself), China mans hat, many beautiful beaches along the way (inlcuding North Shore and Sunset Beach) as well as stop into the Dole Pinapple plantation.  If you want to visit the Dole plantation, visit it before going back to sunset beach for the sunset you'll never forget.  

Click on this link below for more information about this site filled drive:

 http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/drives/oahu/ci.htm


Hanauma Bay and its coral reefs
Hanauma Bay and its coral reefs
Hanauma Bay

If you have a day to lounge around Hanauma Bay is wonderful for snorkeling, but PLEASE do not touch or stand on the coral.   Many years of tourism have lessened the beauty of this reef.  This nature preserve park is open daily, except Tuesdays.   Click on the link below for more information about the states most poplular park.

http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/facility/hanaumabay/welcome.htm

Winter waters at Bonzai Pipline, North Shore beach
Winter waters at Bonzai Pipline, North Shore beach
North Shore

Also on my list of must sees' include the winter surf at North Shore (also known simply as the Pipeline, where its' 30 foot swells make this beach the most intense surf in the world!)  Unless your a pro, don't attempt surf in March, but you can watch others tear it up, and maybe even catch a pro compitition!

http://www.northshoreoahu.org/

http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/nshore.html

Plan on visiting North Shore in the afternoon so you can head over to Sunset Beach along with the locals to catch the most awe inspiring sunset on the island!

Duke's Waikiki in Honolulu at sunset
Duke's Waikiki in Honolulu at sunset
Famous Waikiki Beach

If surfing lessons are your thing, the best place in the world to learn to catch a wave is on Waikiki beach!   Anyone can master these warm, slow waves, and the beach (and its beach-goers) are also something to take in!  

While your there, cool your thirst at Duke's Waikiki lengendary bar and resturaunt, located in the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel.  It's been there almost as long as surf boards have been around, named after Hawaii's King of the Beach, surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku.