Oahu] Let's go to Oahu during Golden Week (GW)! About recommended activities and recommended tours

Oahu, Hawaii's most popular resort island

Oahu is the third largest island in the Hawaiian Islands, and major facilities are concentrated on this island.

Waikiki is home to hotels, condominiums, and shopping centers, and is famous as one of the world's leading resort destinations.

In this issue, we will introduce how to spend Golden Week on Oahu.

 

What is Oahu like?

The capital of Oahu is Honolulu, and the island's population is approximately 980,000.

Oahu is divided into five areas: South Shore (Honolulu) on the southeast coast, Central on the central coast, Leeward on the west coast, North Shore on the north coast, and Windward on the east coast.

Waikiki, the North Shore, Ko Olina, and Kahala are world-class resort destinations that are always bustling with activity.

 

How to get to Oahu

Direct flights are available from Tokyo and other locations in Japan to Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Note that the flight time is 6-8 hours each way, with the return trip being slightly longer.

Most flights depart Japan in the evening or night time and arrive in Honolulu in the morning or afternoon.

Since it is not yet time to check in to your hotel, leave your luggage at the hotel and go sightseeing or have lunch.

 

Attractions of Oahu

The charm of Oahu cannot be summed up in a single word.

The more you know, the more you will find out about the many things you want to do and places you want to go.

Enjoy Oahu at your leisure and feel further attracted to the island, whether it is experiencing Hawaii's history and culture or being healed by Oahu's nature.

 

Beautiful beaches and vast wilderness

Oahu has many beautiful beaches.

Not only the beaches of Waikiki, but also the beaches in the suburbs will enchant you with their endless emerald blue waters!

There are also spots with spectacular views created by nature and spots where one can feel the energy from nature, just to name a few.

 

One of the world's leading resorts

Oahu is lined with numerous resort hotels, condominiums, shopping centers, and restaurants, attracting tourists from all over the world.

A whopping 10 million people visited Hawaii in 2019, many of them coming to Oahu.

It is only in one of the world's leading resort areas that so many tourists can enjoy themselves day after day without getting bored.

 

Shopping and restaurants are also recommended

Shopping is one of the pleasures of Oahu.

Shopping destinations such as Ala Moana Center, Hawaii's largest, and the Royal Hawaiian Center, located in the middle of Waikiki, are scattered throughout the city.

New restaurants are opening one after another, and it is precisely because Oahu is an island where one can enjoy various genres of gourmet food.

 

GW Oahu

During Golden Week, the rainy season is completely over on Oahu, and the weather is stable and not too hot.

This makes it an ideal season for sightseeing and activities.

The average maximum temperature during this season is about 29°C, the average minimum temperature is about 22°C, and the daily temperature difference is about 7°C.

 

How to enjoy GW

Golden Week is a time of various events, partly due to the pleasant temperatures.

One of the most famous events is the annual "Lei Day Celebration" on May 1, which honors the lei of flower necklaces.

There is also the Waikiki Spam Jam event at the end of April and beginning of May.

Kalakaua Avenue will be turned into a pedestrian mall, where elaborate Spam dishes will be sold.

In addition to enjoying the activities to the fullest, participating in events unique to this season is a valuable experience.

 

Enjoy a wide variety of activities

Oahu is a mecca for ocean activities.

Some originated in Hawaii, and you can enjoy almost any ocean recreation you can think of.

 

Enjoy a pleasant trip in a mild climate.

The mild weather is ideal for sightseeing and activities. And if you are so inclined, you may want to take a trip offshore!

For example, how about the sandbar at Kaneohe Bay?

Sandbars are ankle-deep shoals that appear offshore only at low tide.

Since it is in the middle of the ocean, there is nothing to block the sun.

This is a comfortable time of year to go sightseeing.

I will post the tour that will take you to the sandbar at the end of this page, so please check there for more details.

 

You've got a trip to make! Let's enjoy it actively!

It's your trip, so why not try something you wouldn't normally do?

There are many fun activities that are only possible in Hawaii, such as ziplining, parasailing, and skydiving.

 

Recommended Sightseeing Spots

Next, we will introduce some of Oahu's tourist attractions.

 

Waikiki Beach

Many people think of Hawaii as Waikiki Beach.

Waikiki Beach, located in the center of Honolulu, is a major tourist attraction.

Waikiki Beach is the collective name for approximately 3 kilometers of beach, which is divided into eight main sections from the Ala Moana side to the Diamond Head side.

Centrally located Kahaloa & Ulukou beaches are the busiest of all Waikiki beaches, lined with many beach parasols.

The contrast between the white sandy beach and the blue sea and sky is impressive.

Diamond Head can also be seen to the east.

 

Recommendations

The area between Kahaloa & Ulukou beaches and Prince Kuhio Beach is the most accessible and therefore attracts the most people.

Golden Week in particular will be a busy time.

In addition, Waikiki Beach has a fireworks display every Friday.

It is part of the dance show at Hilton Hawaiian Village and goes up between 19:45 and 20:00 from the Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon by the resort.

You don't have to attend the show to see the fireworks, so go near Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon or near Ala Wai Boat Harbor for a beautiful view.

The Waikiki Wall, a breakwater on the border of Prince Kuhio Beach and Queen's Surf Beach, is recommended for viewing the entire fireworks display from a distance.

Since there are relatively few people at Queen's Surf Beach, you will see people relaxing, reading, and strolling during the daytime.

For those who want to spend a relaxing time, go to the east side.

 

Access

If you are staying in Waikiki or nearby, it is accessible by foot.

From the Hilton Hawaiian Village or Ala Moana area, you can take the No. 8, No. 19, or No. 20 bus to Waikiki.

Get off at the intersection of Kuhio Avenue and Kaiulani Avenue and walk a few minutes toward the ocean to reach the beach.

If you are renting a car, you may want to use a private parking lot, such as the Royal Hawaiian Center.

 

diamond head

Diamond Head, the symbol of Oahu, was so called because the English who came to Hawaii in the 18th and 19th centuries mistook it for a wall shining with diamonds.

The hike to the top takes 30-45 minutes, and from the top you have a spectacular 360° view.

The entire mountain is also said to be a power spot.

 

Recommendations

It is a 1.3 km, 30-minute hike each way to the top of Diamond Head.

This is a well-maintained hiking trail, but be sure to bring sneakers or other comfortable shoes, not flip-flops.

There are some breathtaking sections, such as the 99 steps, but handrails are provided so that even beginners can enjoy themselves.

Admission to Diamond Head is $1 per person.

 

Access

There are various ways to reach Diamond Head, including rental cars, cabs, sightseeing trolleys, and public transportation.

If you are renting a car, you should not get lost with a navigation system, but here is the fastest route from Waikiki for your reference.

Follow Kalakaua Avenue toward Diamond Head and turn left on Monsarrat Street.

Continue on and the street name becomes Diamond Head Road.

Sometimes you will see a small sign on the right that says "DIAMOND HEAD CRATER" and if you follow the sign, you will not miss the entrance.

Tourist trolleys are more expensive, but they will take you close to the trailhead.

If you choose to take public transportation buses, take bus No. 2 or No. 23, which leave from Kuhio Ave.

Bus 23 does not go to the trailhead, but stops near the entrance to Diamond Head Crater.

The No. 2 bus terminates one stop before KCC, but it runs more frequently than the No. 23 bus.

The bus fare is $2.50 per person, which is the most reasonable.

You can also catch a glimpse of local people's lives, so if you have time, I recommend taking the bus.

 

Moanalua Garden

Moaruna Gardens, home to the monkeypod tree made famous by "Kono Ki no Nani no Ki," is located about 30 minutes from Waikiki.

It is also a popular place for locals to relax.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children (6-12), and free for children 6 and under.

 

Recommendations

A Hitachi sign for "What is this tree?" is placed near the tree.

It is surprisingly cool in the shade of the trees.

The gift store has brochures available for limited distribution, which you can take home as a souvenir.

The land was originally owned by the Kamehameha royal family, and the cottage in the park was a villa of King Kamehameha V.

Later, it was handed over to Mr. Samuel Damon, who had a close relationship with the royal family, to create a park that would be loved by all, based on the desire to integrate other ethnic groups and coexist in harmony and co-prosperity.

The park's greenery comes from all over the world, and the monkey pods, known as "Hitachi trees," were imported from South America and are said to be approximately 130 years old.

You continue to watch over Hawaii.

 

Access

Moanalua Gardens is accessible by rental car, tourist trolley buses, public buses, and cabs.

The drive time for renting a car is about 15 minutes.

If you take Freeway 1 (toward West), you will continue on to 201 (toward West), but keep going.

Take exit 3 (EXIT 3).

Just before the exit, you will be informed that "Moanaluna Garden is the next exit," but there is no problem if you follow the directions for Exit 3.

After exiting, turn right at the first intersection, turn left at the next intersection, and follow the road to the left again to reach the parking lot.

To get there by local Hawaiian bus, take bus #3 (3 Salt Lake), which leaves from Kapiolani Avenue on the mountain side of Ala Moana Center.

The bus stop where you get off is the first stop off the freeway (Kaua St + Ala Mahamoe St).

From there, you can enter through the back entrance of the park by going straight along the road and it takes 5 minutes to walk there.

Please note that if you go straight down the street with the back entrance, you will enter the freeway.

It may be easier to take a tourist trolley bus or shuttle.

 

Kualoa Ranch

Kualoa Ranch, located in the northeast of Oahu, is a vast ranch the size of 450 Tokyo Domes.

Once a sacred place where only royalty were allowed to enter and where numerous myths are passed down, it is famous as a power spot on the island of Oahu.

You may have a rare experience of being surrounded by a spiritual atmosphere.

 

Recommendations

Kualoa Ranch offers a wide variety of activities in the great outdoors.

Horseback riding is a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of the ranch.

The only sounds you will hear as you tour the canyon are the sounds of nature, such as the wind and birdsong.

Take an open bus ride around the movie locations, sample fruit at the orchard, or spend the day enjoying a variety of activities to experience Kualoa Ranch from many different angles.

 

Access

If you sign up for a tour that includes transportation, you will be picked up from major hotels in Waikiki.

It takes about 50 minutes one way.

If you are driving a rental car from Waikiki, take Freeway 1 west - Freeway 63 north - Freeway 83 west and follow the road for 16 km.

Kualoa Ranch is approximately 40 km away and the trip takes about 50 minutes.

If you are traveling by public bus from the Waikiki area, bus 60 from the Ala Moana Shopping Center takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

 

Ala Moana Center

Shopping is just as attractive as Oahu's natural beauty and beautiful ocean!

Ala Moana Center is one of the largest outdoor shopping centers in the world with over 350 stores.

 

Recommendations

New stores are opening one after another in the huge Ala Moana Center mall.

There is a wide variety of stores, from famous department stores and top brand stores to casual brands, as well as stores unique to Hawaii.

There is a wide variety of restaurants, shopping and dining for many people.

You can also enjoy the free Ala Moana Hula Show at 1 p.m. daily at Center Stage.

 

Access

Conveniently located within walking distance of Waikiki.

Of course, you can also take the public bus, but the most convenient way is the Waikiki Trolley's Pink Line.

It connects Ala Moana Center to 14 locations in Waikiki and is very convenient.

If you show your JCB card, one adult and up to two children can ride for free in addition to yourself.

Additional charge is $2 each way, children under 2 years old are free.

 

Recommended Activities

Here are five activities you can enjoy on Oahu.

 

snorkeling

One of the easiest ocean activities to do is snorkeling.

With a mask and snorkel, a breathing pipe, you can easily peer into the underwater world.

Even in areas where there is no footing, with a life jacket and fins, you can proceed smoothly without sinking.

 

Recommendations

Snorkeling can be done at Waikiki Beach, but you may also want to venture to snorkeling sites outside the city.

A famous point of interest is Hanauma Bay, a nature preserve with hundreds of species of marine life.

The beauty of snorkeling is that you can easily do it whenever you feel like it.

 

cruising

Cruises on Oahu are usually dinner cruises or sunset cruises, but there are also cruises that offer a choice of morning, afternoon, sunset, and fireworks (Friday night only).

Every time of the day has its own way to enjoy it.

 

Recommendations

Recommended for those with children is a cruise on a pirate ship that takes them on a "treasure hunt" boat trip with the pirates.

This activity takes you on a voyage off the coast of Waikiki, where a pirate captain will train you to become a pirate.

Others cruise the Wai'anae Coast, where snorkeling and dolphin watching are available.

You will be lost in the many choices, from sunset cruises where you can enjoy the sunset over the Hawaiian ocean to cruises where you can enjoy the night view of Hawaii.

And the No. 1 Hawaiian favorite is the Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Star of Honolulu.

Enjoy a romantic sunset and a sumptuous dinner.

 

SUP

SUP is a paddleboarding system in which you stand on the board and paddle forward.

Paddling forward is fun, but it is also buoyant and stable, so it helps develop a sense of balance.

You can also lie down on the board, and the activity of yoga on SUP is also popular.

 

Recommendations

Unlike surfing, even beginners can learn to stand up quickly and easily.

You can rent them at Waikiki Beach for beach rentals, and some places will give you lessons.

Please try it!

 

parasailing

Would you like to see Waikiki from the sky?

Parasailing is one of the must-try activities.

Although it is called an activity, you actually only need to sit down and there is no need to maneuver the rope.

Relax in a chair in the air and enjoy the view of Hawaii.

 

Recommendations

You can experience parasailing in the waters of Waikiki and elsewhere.

Viewing Waikiki and Diamond Head from the ocean is also a rare experience.

It may seem scary at first, but once you are flying overhead, the Hawaiian breeze will surely make it a fun and memorable experience!

Enjoy the contrast between the blue sea and the lush green land from above, as if you were a bird.

 

zipline

Zip-lining is an activity in which a wire rope is stretched between trees and a pulley is used to slide down.

Visitors will enjoy the nature as they make their way around several courses set up in the lush green forest.

 

Recommendations

The largest on Oahu is the zip line at Kualoa Ranch.

The tour will take you through seven trails in the wilderness.

The aerial walk in the great nature is pleasant and you will enjoy it to the fullest.

 

Golden Week.
Recommended tours to join

Here are three tours that are perfect for Golden Week.

 

Heavenly Sea Sandbar
Snorkeling & Sea Turtle Watch Cruise

This tour takes you on Captain Bruce's boat to the heavenly sea, the Sandbar.

A sandbar is a shallow area of white sandy beach floating offshore.

They appear at low tide, and you can walk through ankle-deep shallows.

Only authorized tour boats can go there, and among them Captain Bruce is so famous that even celebrities nominate him.

Stand in the middle of the endless clear waters at a sandbar in the heavenly ocean.

It will be a special experience.

Staff members are readily available to take photos and create memories of your trip.

 

stand-up paddle
Tried surfing (SUP)!

You can choose between a guided tour for beginners and an unguided tour for those who want to enjoy the freedom of SUP.

Enjoy beautiful views of Kailua Beach while strolling on the water.

There is a two-hour lesson for beginners, which includes a lecture on how to balance, control the board, and paddle.

After the lecture, we will board our SUPs and start for Popoia Island, an uninhabited seabird sanctuary on the other side of the coast.

Upon arrival, take a short rest and head out to explore the island.

After the stroll, do your best to return to Kailua Beach.

After lunch, you are free to enjoy Kailua and Lanikai beaches.

 

Zipline Giant swing and mini bungee!
Let's play in an athletic park in the great outdoors!

This tour includes ziplining and other activities at Coral Crater Adventure Park, a 40-minute drive from Honolulu.

Hawaii's only full-service outdoor recreation facility, which has been featured on TV, offers many activities, including a zip line that glides across the expansive grounds and an adventure tower that crosses scaffolding 15 meters above the ground.

This tour is a greedy plan to enjoy all attractions.

The wire ropes strung between the trees range from 91 to 274 meters above the ground!

Ski and enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest.

 

summary

This issue focused on how to enjoy Golden Week.

We hope you have found the island of Oahu appealing.

Discover a new Hawaii every time you visit, and enjoy a trip to Hawaii that will heal you every time you go, and you will never get tired of going back again and again!

Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.