10 Uniquely Oahu Experiences

Looking to gain more than beachside bliss from your Oahu escape? We’ve partnered with travel blogger (and Hawaii lover) Susan Lanier-Graham from Wander With Wonder as she shares some of her favorite ways to make your island stay memorable.

The Hawaiian island of Oahu is third largest but most populous of islands. From city streets of Honolulu and busy beachfront resorts of Waikiki to rainforests of Mānoa Valley and wide sandy beaches of North Shore, re is much to see in this island paradise. Here are 10 uniquely Oahu experiences you can check out on your next visit to Hawaii.

Photo Credit: Susan Lanier-Graham

1. Explore Waikiki’s history on Waikiki Historic Trail.

Photo Credit: Susan Lanier-Graham

The Waikiki Historic Trail includes a series of 23 historical sites located throughout Waikiki. There are surfboard-shaped markers on 19 of 23 sites, each containing historical facts and photos. Conceived by Hawaiian historian George Kanahele, markers were carved in redwood by artist Bob Holden n cast in bronze. It can take 3 to 4 hours to find all 23 sites, but trail is easily divided into four distinct self-guided tours to help you pick portion that most interests you: East Waikiki Beaches, East Waikiki Inland, West Waikiki Beaches and West Waikiki Inland. Sites worth exploring include Marker 3, which is on former location of Queen Liliuokalani’s home and Marker 7, which describes Uluniu Estate of King David Kalākaua.

2. Meditate in Byodo-In Temple in Kahaluu.

Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Chuck Painter

The Byodo-In Temple was built in 1968 inside Valley of Temples Memorial Park in Kahaluu to honor Japanese immigrants in Hawaii. The non-practicing Buddhist temple, which is now a Hawaii State Landmark, is open to all faiths as a place to enjoy natural beauty, meditate or worship. The lush grounds include a reflecting pool, waterfalls, and koi pond. The temple is also home to Amida, a 9-foot-tall golden Buddha carved into wood and overlaid with gold leaf. The lovely Japanese teahouse is now a gift shop where you can pick up Asian items along with artwork crafted by local artisans. The temple is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and admission is $3, cash only.

3. Check out lei shops on Maunakea Street in Honolulu’s Chinatown.

Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Tor Johnson

The fragrant lei symbolize Hawaii. Nothing says Aloha like one of se beautiful flower rings and best on island are made in Honolulu’s Chinatown. If you stroll down Maunakea Street, you can stop in and watch locals handcraft lei from plumeria, tuberose, pikake and ginger. One of best spots to watch how locals craft fragrant offerings — and pick up one for yourself — is at Cindy’s Lei Shop. Cindy Lau was born in China and married a Chinese-American lei maker. Today, three generations work in shop y established in 1961.

4. Visit Pearl Harbor.

Photo Credit: Susan Lanier-Graham

Hawaii today is an island paradise, but visitors can remember sobering days of World War II and pay ir respects to those who lost ir lives onboard USS Arizona with a visit to Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, now managed by National Park Service. While re are a variety of companies that offer package tours — y will even pick you up from your Waikiki hotel — park service gives out 1,300 free tickets daily to walk-in visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 7 a.m. and do sell out some days. If you prefer to book tickets ahead of time, Park Service lets you reserve your tickets online for a minimal $1.50 fee per ticket. The 75-minute basic tour includes a 23-minute film, shuttle boat to USS Arizona operated by US Navy, and time to walk around memorial and take photos. An audio tour is available for $7.50. For $65 per adult ($35 for kids 4 to 12 years), you can purchase Passport to Pearl Harbor, which gets you narrated tour on USS Arizona Memorial, admission to USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, admission to Battleship Missouri, and entrance to Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor.

5. Tour Honolulu Fish Auction.

Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Joe Solem

The Hawaii Seafood Council operates only fresh tuna auction in U.S. at 5:30 a.m. every Monday through Saturday in Honolulu. While not generally open to public, you can book a tour of Honolulu Fish Auction, available on most Saturday mornings from 6 to 7:30 a.m. You’ll have a chance to go dockside and watch fishing vessels while learning about Hawaii’s fishing industry. Once you’re finished at docks, you’ll head to auction floor and get a first-hand look at variety of fish and learn about quality and sustainability of Hawaii’s fishing industry. The Hawaii Seafood Council offers tours, with at least 24 hours’ advance registration, for $25 per adult. You’ll need closed-toe shoes that you can get wet and remember to wear a jacket, because building stays 48F.

6. Explore Honolulu Zoo.

Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Tor Johnson

The Honolulu Zoo is an unexpected little gem of a zoo right on Waikiki Beach. Covering 42 acres, it is home to more than 900 animals. The zoo is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily and costs $14 for adults ($6 for kids 3 to 12 years). In addition to a variety of animals (lion, rhino, lemurs, monkeys, bears, tigers and more), re is a large aviary filled with birds from around world, reptiles and lush gardens that highlight plants native to Hawaii or important to Polynesian cultures.

7. Drive to Mānoa Valley.

Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Ron Garnett

The Mānoa Valley is just minutes from Waikiki, but drive re takes you through rainforests and past historic villages. You can explore Mānoa Falls once you arrive. As you leave Waikiki, take University Avenue through University of Hawaii campus, and n take E. Mānoa Road. Parking at Paradise Park is $5 and hike to falls is less than a mile. You will end at a viewing area at base of falls. There are additional hiking trails from re, but all for experienced hikers. If you have time, you can check out Lyon Arboretum, just up street from Paradise Park. The 193.5-acre rain forest has more than 5,000 tropical and sub-tropical plants along with seven miles of hiking trails. The arboretum is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but a $5 donation per person is suggested.

8. Savor buttery garlic shrimp from a roadside truck.

Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Tor Johnson

Garlic shrimp is a local Oahu favorite and food trucks are go-to spot for tasty treat. While you can find garlic shrimp at almost any of food trucks around island, most popular is Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, which opened in 1993. You can find it now parked at 66-457 Kamehameha Highway in Hale’iwa. The classic combination of fresh shrimp, garlic and melted butter will have your mouth watering as you wait in inevitable line for your shrimp. But it’s worth wait! You usually get a dozen shrimp. Giovanni’s serves m up over two scoops of steamed rice for $13.

9. Check out a local Farmer’s Market.

Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Dana Edmunds

Farmers Markets abound across Oahu. If you stop into one, you can pick up plenty of fresh pineapple, but you can also find cooked foods, herbs, sea salts, nuts, coffee and more. One of most popular of markets, although small, is Kapi’olani Community College (KCC) Farmer’s Market held every Saturday morning from 7:30 to 11 a.m. and on Tuesday nights from 4 to 7 p.m. Not only can you pick up better local products to take home than you will find in traditional tourist markets, you can also find plenty of prepared foods for your breakfast or lunch.

10. Explore Waimea Valley and Oahu’s North Shore.

Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism Authority, Tor Johnson

Oahu’s North Shore, about an hour by car from Waikiki, is spot for surfers. Locals claim y can find perfect wave on North Shore. There are more than 7 miles of beaches ideal in summer wear for those who want to swim, snorkel or go shelling. The surf picks up in winter, with waves often reaching 30 feet, so beginners are better to stay on shore and watch pros who come from around world to catch waves. Close to Waimea Bay is picturesque Waimea Valley, home to a beautiful botanical garden and Waimea Falls. The botanical garden covers 1,875 acres of sacred lands. You can stroll through lush gardens, explore historical sites and take paved path to waterfalls. The round-trip hike is 1.5 miles or, if you prefer, you can catch golf-cart shuttle ($6 one way or $10 round-trip). Waimea Valley is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is $16 for adults.