Oahu] 5 Recommended Driving Routes on Oahu! Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!

Oahu, Hawaii's most popular resort island

Suddenly, how much do you know about the island of Oahu? Oahu is one of the eight inhabited islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, which consists of more than 130 islands.

The Hawaiian Islands include the island of Hawaii, but in fact, the tourist destination generally recognized as Hawaii in Japan is not the island of Hawaii, but the island of Oahu.

In this issue, we would like to introduce you to the island of Oahu and show you how to drive a rental car, which is a perfect way to enjoy sightseeing on Oahu.

 

What is Oahu like?

First, let's look at some basic information about Oahu. It has an area of 1,545 square kilometers and a population of approximately 980,000.

The central city of Oahu is Honolulu, the capital of the U.S. state of Hawaii, and Honolulu is also the political, economic, and tourist center of all of Hawaii.

Although Oahu is part of the United States, its culture is characterized by the inheritance of the Hawaiian Kingdom, which existed until the late 1800s. Historic sites, songs, dances, and other traditional performing arts can still be felt today.

 

How to get to Oahu

When accessing the island of Oahu, air travel is a must. There are direct flights from Japan to Honolulu Airport, the gateway to the island, from six airports: Narita, Haneda, Chubu International, Kansai International, Fukuoka, and Shin-Chitose.

A wide range of airlines, from major airlines such as ANA and JAL to LCCs, are available, and flexibility in price and time is an attractive feature. The standard flight time is 7 hours for the outbound and 9 hours for the inbound, and the time difference from Japan is about 19 hours.

 

Attractions of Oahu

Oahu has a myriad of attractions, but one of the first that should be mentioned is its mild climate.

Many people may have an image of Hawaii as a place where it is always summer, and in fact, this image is not false. The average annual temperature is around 24 degrees Celsius, which is almost like a summer day in Japan.

Even if you visit in January, the coldest month, the average maximum temperature is often above 25°C (77°F), so you can wear summer clothes at any time of the year.

Many people from all over the world visit the area to escape the cold, and the environment could not be better as a resort destination.

 

Beautiful beaches and vast wilderness

When the climate is warm, it is natural for visitors to turn their eyes to the ocean. As if to meet their expectations, Oahu's ocean and beaches are among the most beautiful in the world.

Like the atmosphere, Hawaii's warm ocean water temperature nurtures a beautiful undersea landscape filled with coral, and the photosynthetic action of the coral enhances the clarity of the ocean. Coral also provides a home for tropical fish, making Oahu's ocean a natural aquarium.

The location is one of the best tourist destinations in the world, where you can see rare creatures such as sea turtles and whales. The beautiful white sandy beaches overlooking the ocean are a paradise.

Another major attraction is the wide variety of natural landscapes woven into the land: not only beaches, but also mountains, hills, and jungles spreading into valleys.

 

One of the world's leading resorts

Oahu, with its quality tourist environment, attracts a large number of vacationers every year. In some years, more than 10 million people visit Oahu each year. The more people who visit, the more sophisticated the local tourism industry becomes.

The famous and well-known hotels are lined up and evolving through friendly competition, and many accommodations, regardless of price range, offer quality service, as if pulled by them.

The level of activities, tours, and other tourist hospitality is generally high, and it is no exaggeration to say that everything on Oahu offers a warm welcome to visitors.

 

Shopping and restaurants are also recommended

Another major feature of Oahu is the abundance of shopping opportunities. There are a number of large shopping centers in Honolulu and other areas of Oahu.

You will be amazed at the variety of shopping environments such as Ala Moana Center, Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, and International Marketplace.

These shopping centers offer a wide range of products, from famous high brands to local fashions, from souvenirs to daily necessities and foodstuffs for locals, and everything in between. Even if you don't actually shop, you can have a great time just looking around.

Oahu also offers a wide variety of tempting gourmet delights from dining to sweets, such as loco moco, garlic shrimp, malasadas, and Hawaiian pancakes.

The great attraction is that you can see not only Hawaiian food but also American and other popular restaurants from all over the world, and there are many options to choose from.

 

Driving on Oahu is great!

Now, when visiting Oahu, the most primary mode of transportation for tourists is renting a car.

The bus routes are well-developed, but it is quite difficult to use buses in a place where there is no familiarity with the land and where all the signs are in English.

There are some differences from Japan in that the lanes are reversed and rental cars are left-hand drive, but even with these differences, renting a car is very convenient.

And not only is it a means of transportation, but driving a rental car on the scenic island of Oahu is one of the most attractive contents.

 

Driving Attractions on Oahu

So what makes driving on Oahu so appealing? We have picked up the following three points.

 

Driving while surrounded by spectacular scenery is great!

As I have already mentioned, Oahu's natural scenery is among the most spectacular in the world. The greenery nurtured by the tropical sun is beautiful, and at the end of the coastline are the jewel-like waters and beaches.

The experience of running through the great outdoors while breathing in the fresh sea breeze that blows through the open windows will surely become an unforgettable memory.

Of course, the cities of Honolulu and the North Shore also have their own unique characteristics, and all of these locations, as well as nature, will keep your curiosity piqued.

 

Efficiently visit tourist spots

Of course, rental cars are extremely convenient as a means of transportation.

If Honolulu or Waikiki is your base for sightseeing, you can follow the freeway to all areas of the city.

The size of Oahu is about one size larger than the main island of Okinawa, and most of the tourist attractions are within a reasonable driving distance from each other.

 

not tiring

Above all, it is nice to know that you will not have to worry about the hassles that are unique to overseas travel. If you are a seasoned traveler, you may be more preoccupied than you think when traveling abroad for the first time, or if you have little experience.

It is common for people to feel fine during the day, but when they return to their hotel, they are exhausted and depressed, or even sick.

However, with a rental car, the interior of the car during the drive is as private as possible, allowing you to rest your mind. You don't have to worry about the weight of your baggage while traveling, and you can also load and carry your purchases as you go. To fully enjoy your trip abroad, we highly recommend using a rental car.

 

Car rental agencies available on Oahu

In order to enjoy such a road trip, you must first rent a car, right?

However, if you go to a foreign country without any preparation, it can be surprisingly difficult to find a rental car store. We would like to introduce some rental car agencies that are easy to use, and we hope you will find them useful.

 

Nippon Rent-a-Car

The first thing to check out is Nippon Rent-A-Car, a Japanese company that is safe and secure for Japanese people. As a Japanese company, it is nice to know that they are able to serve customers in Japanese.

 

Store Features

Renting a car at a destination is a common practice in domestic travel, but when renting a car abroad, the differences in systems can often be confusing.

However, with Nippon Rent-A-Car, various fee systems are set up in an easy-to-understand manner, and there are many attractive features such as cash payment, free drop-off at the Honolulu Airport parking lot, and no daily rental car tax. There are also plans that do not require you to fill up your tank when returning the car. In general, the convenience of this service is perfect for international travel.

 

Hours of operation and fees

Hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Fees vary depending on the type of vehicle, but range from $110 to $180 per day.

 

Access

Nippon Rent-A-Car Hawaii offices are located at Honolulu Airport and in Waikiki.

The Waikiki office is located on the first floor of T Galleria, a duty free store on the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Royal Hawaiian Avenue, the main street in Waikiki. It is a conspicuous location, so you will not get lost when accessing the office.

 

Alamo Rent A Car

Next, I would like to introduce Alamo Rent-A-Car, a rental car company based in the United States. Its website is available in Japanese, making it relatively easy for Japanese to use.

 

Store Features

Alamo Rent-A-Car has a self check-in system that allows you to make reservations in advance, eliminating the need to speak English at the time of rental. Rates are also less expensive than Nippon Rent-A-Car, making it a recommended option when you want to keep rental car costs somewhat low.

However, some say that the support is a little less friendly than that of Nippon Rent-A-Car, and there have been cases of problems due to miscommunication about procedures.

We would like to compare various factors, such as fees, before deciding where to use the service.

 

Hours of operation and fees

There are several Alamo Rent-A-Car locations on Oahu, but tourists generally use the one closest to the Honolulu airport.

The Honolulu Airport Office is open from 5:30 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Rates range from $72 per day for the least expensive to about $150 for the most expensive.

 

Access

The Honolulu Airport Office is too far away to walk to, so use the Alamo Rent a Car shuttle bus that comes to the pick-up area. You can travel to the sales office for free.

 

Honolulu Auto Rental Airport Office

Another company we would like to introduce is Honolulu Auto Rentals.

This place is smaller than Nippon Rent-A-Car and Alamo Rent-A-Car, but its main attraction is that although it is a local company, it is run by Japanese people and all staff members are Japanese.

 

Store Features

The staff is Japanese, and of course all rental services are provided in Japanese. Another nice thing about this place is that the system is very clear.

The basic package plan includes insurance, compensation, etc., so there is no need for the hassle of being forced to choose options, which is common at local car rental agencies.

The price range is between Nippon Rent-A-Car and Alamo Rent-A-Car, which is well balanced and highly recommended.

 

Hours of operation and fees

Hours are from 7:30 to 11:00 a.m. Rates range from a low of $92 per day to a high of about $150 per day.

 

Access

If you make a reservation in advance, a staff member will meet you at the arrival lobby and take you from there to the sales office, making transportation easy.

The sales office is located less than a 5-minute drive from the airport.

 

Five recommended driving courses on Oahu

Now that we have told you about car rental agencies, let us introduce you to some recommended driving routes to enjoy sightseeing on Oahu.

Even if you drive in various directions without a specific destination, you are sure to have fun on Oahu, but we have carefully selected the most satisfying courses from among them!

 

Waikiki - Lanikai Beach

The first course we would like to introduce to you is the one that takes you from Waikiki, one of the most popular tourist spots, to Lanikai Beach, one of the most beautiful and scenic spots on Oahu.

The course offers a luxurious ocean view course that starts and ends at Waikiki Beach and Lanikai Beach, two of the most beautiful beaches on Oahu.

 

Recommendations

Waikiki, the starting point of the tour, is the well-known center of Honolulu. With numerous accommodations and commercial facilities lining the streets, many people choose to stay in this neighborhood as a base for their trip.

There are two routes from Waikiki toward Lanikai Beach, the most common being the route along the mountain. This route can get you to the vicinity of Lanikai Beach in as little as 25 minutes, but we will not be using this one.

To enjoy the drive to the fullest, take the slightly more circuitous but scenic seaside route.

From Waikiki, take the H1 freeway eastbound and follow the road to a road called Kalanianaole Highway. Follow the road as you look out over the blue ocean, then take the 20 A exit onto Route 63 and just keep going. You will see signs all over the place indicating the location of Kailua Beach as you walk through the chic residential area.

Lanikai Beach, our destination, is connected to Kailua Beach, so once you park your car at the Kailua Beach parking lot, all you have to do is walk to the end of the beach! Even though it takes a long time to get there, it only takes 30 minutes at the earliest and an hour at the latest, which is a perfect distance for a drive.

Lanikai is a name derived from the Hawaiian words "Lani" (heaven) and "Kai" (ocean), and the beautiful scenery of the ocean is reminiscent of heaven. The beautiful location is sure to relax you after a long day of travel.

 

Waikiki - Kailua

The next route we will introduce is from Waikiki to the city of Kailua. However, Kailua is the city where Lanikai Beach is located, and the location of the destination is almost the same as before.

So let's change things up a bit and enjoy the Kailua cityscape itself instead of the ocean!

 

Recommendations

For this driving route, we want to focus mainly on enjoying the cityscape, so we will choose a route along the mountains that can be reached early. From Waikiki, take the H1 freeway westbound for a short distance and exit onto the Pali Highway.

From there, there is a straight road leading to the mountains, and if you continue straight along the road, you will reach the town of Kailua. Kailua is one of the most exclusive residential areas on the island of Oahu, and has the appearance of a high-quality, chic, adult town.

The mood is reminiscent of old America, and just driving through the city will give you an immersive experience like a scene from a movie. When you get tired of driving, stop the car and take a stroll around the area, and you will find a wide variety of fashion, gourmet, and other talented stores!

Boots & Kimos, a famous Hawaiian pancake store, is especially popular with tourists as well as local residents, and its excellent macadamia nut pancakes are a must-try.

There are also a variety of other stores, including cute and stylish cafes and restaurants with a relaxed, adult atmosphere, making it the perfect destination for a road trip.

 

Waikiki - Haleiwa

Kailua was the southeastern area of the island, now let's take a look at the drive to Haleiwa, located in the northwestern part of the island. Haleiwa is also blessed with beautiful waters and offers both spectacular scenery and delightful streets.

 

Recommendations

When traveling from Waikiki to Haleiwa, take the H1 freeway westbound to H2 Kamehameha Highway.

There, you can take a course toward Waimea and eventually reach the town of Haleiwa. Haleiwa has two beautiful beaches, Haleiwa Beach Park and Haleiwa Ali'i Beach Park, which offer excellent views from the road leading into town.

Driving through Haleiwa with the sparkling ocean reflected in your eyes and feeling the ocean breeze is an extremely refreshing experience. Haleiwa also has a reputation for its wonderful cityscape. If Kailua is a chic adult town, Haleiwa is a pop-up young adult town.

Surfing is popular in Haleiwa, and surf stores can be seen everywhere in town, creating a fashionable atmosphere with numerous surf brand apparel stores.

It is also highly regarded as a B-grade gourmet town, and is not to be missed for its lineup of famous restaurants serving garlic shrimp and shave ice, two of Oahu's most popular local delicacies!

Why not park your car, pick up takeout from a popular restaurant, and enjoy lunch and a leisurely stroll along the seaside?

 

North Shore

The North Shore is the general term for the northern coastal area extending from Haleiwa.

Many of you may have heard of it or heard of it before, as it is one of the most popular tourist areas on the island of Oahu, along with Waikiki. If you come to Haleiwa, you should definitely go further and drive around the North Shore area.

 

Recommendations

The North Shore has a series of sights too numerous to mention, so let us introduce some of our favorite spots as time goes by.

First, why not head to Kahuku for lunch options outside of Haleiwa? Most of the garlic shrimp served in Haleiwa and elsewhere are landed in Kahuku.

That is why there are so many great garlic shrimp restaurants in Kahuku, and you can choose from a full lineup of dining establishments that are unique to the region of origin. After lunch, a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center is recommended in the late afternoon.

Located in Laie, just past Kahuku, this theme park offers visitors a chance to experience the traditional culture of the Polynesian islands, including Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, and Tahiti, through hot performances. In any case, there is a lot to see and do at this spot, so you are sure to be very satisfied!

And in the evening, after spending some quality time at the Polynesian Cultural Center, be sure to turn around and head back the way you came, to a spot called Sunset Beach.

Sunset Beach, as one might expect from its name, is a beach with a spectacular sunset view. Both the ocean and the beach are beautiful, and seeing the best sunsets on an unobstructed beach is a great way to end your drive on the North Shore in the best way possible.

 

Airport ~ Moanalua Garden

The main attraction of Oahu is that all the spots are within a good distance from each other, and you can follow a number of them in a not-too-long drive.

However, some people may not have much confidence in their driving skills. Even if they do not spend much time behind the wheel, driving in an unfamiliar environment where the lanes and steering wheel are reversed can seem very daunting.

So, I would like to introduce one more driving route that is perfect for familiarization, which you can try as soon as you arrive at the airport.

 

Recommendations

Last but not least is Moanalua Gardens, which can be reached by a 10-minute drive from the airport. Once you rent a car and leave the airport, proceed to Paiea Street, Nimitz Highway, Puloa Road, and Mahi'oleh Street.

You will eventually see a sign that says "DEAD END," but the road continues on, so keep going straight. You will see a parking lot ahead, and if you park there, you will arrive at Moanalua Garden.

This Moanalua Garden is actually quite a familiar spot for Japanese people.

Have you ever seen the TV commercial "Kono~ki na nani no ki ni neru ki"? If you have, you may have seen the trees called "Hitachi Trees" in the commercial.

That Hitachi tree is located here in Moanalua Garden, and you can enjoy seeing the trees on a grand scale. You can also see many other precious trees planted here, making it a perfect place to experience the nature of Oahu.

It is also a historic site that was once owned by the Kamehameha royal family, who ruled Hawaii, and is a recommended spot for visitors to experience Hawaiian history!

 

You can rent a car.
Recommended Sightseeing Spots

Following the driving directions, we have picked out a few other attractions for you to visit. Let's check them out in order, as we introduce the attractions and accessibility of each!

 

Kualoa Ranch

Like Moanalua Gardens, there are many places on Oahu that are associated with former Hawaiian royalty. One of the most popular is Kualoa Ranch.

The land is blessed with abundant nature and is known as one of the best power spots on the island.

 

Recommendations

Kualoa Ranch is not only a land of natural scenery, but also a very popular activity spot where visitors can participate in horseback riding, ATVs, zip-lining, and other activities.

It is also famous for being used as a filming location for the famous movie Jurassic Park, and is a popular spot for visitors to tour the filming locations. You can enjoy the grandeur of Oahu as much as you like, so please come visit us!

 

Access

The driving route to Kualoa Ranch is from the H1 freeway westward to the Likelike Highway and Kahekili Highway. You can then simply follow the road to reach Kualoa Ranch, which takes about 50 minutes.

The path is simple and easy to get lost, and the distance is moderate, making it highly recommended.

 

Ala Moana Center

Next, as a spot that you can easily visit on a road trip, let us introduce you to Ala Moana Center, one of Oahu's most famous super-sized shopping centers.

Ala Moana Center is located just west of Waikiki Beach and is easily accessible. It offers a full lineup of products to satisfy both local residents and tourists.

 

Recommendations

Ala Moana Center's huge facility has an atrium structure, which is a great way to enjoy Oahu's unique open-air atmosphere even though you are indoors.

The tenants include famous American department store chains such as Neiman Marcus and Macy's, as well as well-known high brands such as Louis Vuitton and Hermes.

Not only that, the reasonably priced products also include a wide range of apparel, sundries, souvenirs, and foods, making it a spot where visitors can enjoy a fulfilling shopping experience.

 

Access

Access by rental car is easy, just follow Waikiki Beach to the west.

Ala Moana Center is a very conspicuous facility, so you will not have any trouble finding your way there. Parking is large and free, making it an ideal destination for a light drive.

 

Lanikai Beach

I would like to introduce Lanikai Beach, which I have also featured as a driving route, in more detail.

Oahu's popular beaches tend to be crowded, a problem unique to resort areas, but Lanikai Beach's secluded location makes it possible to enjoy a quieter mood.

 

Recommendations

Lanikai Beach has fine-grained sand that is extremely pleasant to the touch.

The deep blue of the ocean and the contrast of the sandy beach are so beautiful that they remind one of a work of art. This is one of the best beaches in the U.S. and a must-visit spot.

 

Access

Access to Lanikai Beach follows the driving directions, so please refer to the earlier section.

 

Kailua Beach

The beach you will be visiting in conjunction with Lanikai Beach is Kailua Beach, which also serves as the entrance to Lanikai Beach. It is by no means a bonus spot, and to our surprise, this beach was also voted No. 1 on the prestigious Best Beaches in the U.S. list for 2019.

 

Recommendations

Kailua Beach is characterized by its crescent-shaped sandy beach, and the easterly trade winds always provide a refreshing breeze.

Not only is the ocean and sandy beach beautiful, but it is also a popular point for surfing and other marine sports, and offers a view of Oahu's typical scene of surfers waiting for the waves. It is recommended to visit this spot together with the nearby town of Kailua, and it is a highly satisfying spot.

 

Access

As well, please refer to the earlier section on driving trails.

 

Nuuanupali Observatory

Lastly, we would like to introduce a slightly less well-known spot, Nuuanu Pali Lookout, which is an ideal destination for a road trip. The Nuuanu Pali Lookout is located on a break in the Ko'olau Mountains and offers a spectacular view of the location from its 900-meter cliff.

 

Recommendations

This place is not often mentioned in tourist guidebooks because it is not accessible by bus. However, it is very attractive because the cliff faces in a good direction and offers a broad view of the beautiful scenery from Kailua to the North Shore.

You can even see the island of Molokai beyond the ocean, and you will be able to enjoy the best of Oahu's landscape.

It is said that this spot was the last battlefield when King Kamehameha the Great unified Hawaii, so it is a good idea to enjoy the scenery while thinking about the history of Hawaii and Oahu.

 

Access

To get there, take the H1 freeway from Waikiki, then take EXIT 21B to Pali Highway. There is a small signboard about 8 km from there, so be careful not to miss it!

You can get to the parking lot of the observatory by deviating to the right on the path at the end of the sign.

 

summary

In this article, we have introduced the rental car situation on the island of Oahu and the tourist spots that you can visit with a rental car.

Although we tend to focus on landmark spots such as Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head first, Oahu's casual streets and roads also have a great deal of charm. Take a leisurely drive and enjoy the year-round sunny weather, and take your eyes off the various locations.

We hope this article will be of some help to you in your sightseeing.