Need Advice About Hawaii Vacation?

I am going on vacation to Hawaii, and I will be staying in Honolulu. I wanted to know if there are any places that are a ';must see'; or any great restaurants. I also wanted to know if it's expensive out there? I heard it was but I am not sure? Any suggestions?Need Advice About Hawaii Vacation?
The top things to do in Hawaii are:





1. Go to Pearl Harbor to see history at the US Arizona Memorial. You can drive or take the bus there; no need to book a tour. (Oahu Island) But you need to go early because the site is popular and the wait for your free tour can be about an hour.





2. If you are on the island of Oahu (where Honolulu and Waikiki beach is) go to the other side of the island to see the great deserted beaches (get a rental car for a day or two). Take highway 99 north toward Waimea and stop at the Dole pineapple plantation for a tour.





3. The Polynesian Cultural Center ( on Oahu) is a great place to learn about authentic Hawaiian life. But understand that its run by the Morman church and there are NO alcoholic beverages served there, not even beer. You can buy tickets to tour the place and another type ticket that allows you to stay for the evening laui.


4. If you go to Maui, you gotta do the downhill bike ride. I don't recommend the sunrise one because you have to get up at 3:00 AM to get started up the mountain and its cold up there that early. If you are a romantic do it, but otherwise no. There are different bike companies and some don't take you all the way to the top, and some don't guide you back down. You can come down by yourself, there's only one road with just a little traffic, but if you are squeamish about riding in the street, a company that accompanies you down will help watch the traffic for you. I have been twice and prefer Maui Downhill to the others. These companies have web sites They will pick you up at your hotel, take you to their shop to pick out a wet-suit (for the cold and mist/rain shower maybe) and gloves and helmet; then take you up the mountain; then follow your group down so they can block traffic for your ride; then afterwards take you back to your hotel. Expect this activity to take 75-80% or more of the day.





5 Also in Maui, The Road to Hana is a great drive (you need a rental car). It鈥檚 a 30 mile winding road that takes 4 hours to drive. Its like driving through the jungle; has a bunch of one lane bridges. Then drive through Hana to the Seven-Pools attraction and go for a swim.








Use Roberts Hawaii and get a tour on Maui or another island for the day. They are good; I have used them several times.





Don't try to keep a car in Honolulu except for the days that you need it because it will cost $12 to $15 a day to park at your hotel. You can find food inexpensively if you look. Don't eat in hotel restaurants. There is a McDonalds and A Dennys right in Waikiki so you can get breakfast or lunch and not pay a big price. There are food concessions in the International Market (across from Waikiki Beach) and if you walk a few block back from the beach there are other restaurants that you may have back home like Chile's and TGI Fridays.





When you get to Hawaii in the airport there will be free booklets called ';Hawaii This Week'; or some such title which have maps and coupons and information about what's going on. Please make sure to get one of these. You may also find them on the street in news racks.





Visit the web sites below for more ideasNeed Advice About Hawaii Vacation?
Honolulu is like L.A. on an island. It鈥檚 very urban and with urban settings that are also tourist destinations you will see lots of shopping, tours, beaches, water sport activities, Pearl Harbor monument ect鈥?br>




If you wish to see Hawaii at its best, I suggest island hopping. Each island has something unique to see.





To learn more visit this website: http://gohawaii.com/
Some must see things when on Oahu:





- Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor (free - run by the US Parks Service)


- Hike to the top of Diamondhead (also free)


- Rent a car and tour the island for a day. Visit the north shore (Pipeline, Sunset Beach)


- Hanuama Bay - best snorkling in the world (nominal fee to enter the park)


- Punchbowl cemetary (WWII heros buried here)


- Catch a luau (Germaine's in ok)


- Honolulu Zoo (right near Waikiki beach)


- Honolulu Aquarium (right near Waikiki beach)





Some awesome restaurants:


- Hanu Hanu Room for Brunch at the Hilton


- Duke Canoe Club (go have drinks at sundown on the patio)
It is more expensive than Manhattan....yes it is VERY expensive. As for ';must see'; places, I suggest you go to the Dole pineapple farms.
It is a mistake to stay in Honolulu. Go to the Big Island and see the Volcano.
Oh yea - it's expensive... But it is a once in a lifetime vacation, so don't worry about the cost, and don't let it keep you from doing something really fun, (just because it's a little expensive).





You gotta see the North Shore - it's great - best surf in the world.





Rent a car and drive around the island - see some places off the beaten track - there are tons of tourist traps to avoid - just go and find some small local places.





Learn to surf in Waikiki





Climb Diamond Head





Go to one or two of the other islands if you have time





Be sure and take in a luau.





Drink a Mai-Tai (or two)





See the USS Arizona Memorial.





Have Fun!





Cheers!
Great restaurant: Alan Wong's - absolutely delicious, but a little pricey.





Dukes on the beach is great to just chill out.





If you can afford it, stay at the Halekulani - it's worth the money.





I know it's tacky, but it has history: The Royal Hawaiian (the pink hotel on the beach). They have local music at night, and it could be a fun place to have a drink.





A suggestion: If you are interested, go to the post office and buy a pack of stamps (I know it sounds funny). You can only get the ';Duke'; stamps there (he's the Hawaiian surf king), not on the mainland.
I agree with Sal and Mike. The Polynesian Cultural Center is also cool for a first timer. Waimea Falls are beautiful. Hanama Bay and the USS Arizona are a not to miss. Look for the long lines at local diners. The lunch plates are out of this world! Keep your radio on Hawaiian music!!!!!!!
Many things to do there. Take lots of money because the whole island is a tourist trap. Everything is expensive. Food alone will cost you dearly. If you're tight on money, goto fast food joints. Or better yet, goto where the locals go. It may not be 3, 4 or 5 star but you'll save a bundle! Have fun. Aloha!