I'm in waikiki -- unusual things to do/see?

Question

some background -- im 21, female, in hawaii for the first time for my sister's wedding. this is nowhere near the top of my list as a travel destination, i prefer to travel off the beaten track and wouldn't have come here otherwise, it's a tourist trap but i want to make the best of my time here. can anyone recommend interesting things to do? both day and night activities -- and be specific please! (names and locations!) i have about ten days and probably can't really leave oahu as im here with my parents with limited cash. i'm up for surfing and other water sports, some sightseeing and good bars/clubs.

Answer 1

a great club is Anna Banana's!

Answer 2

Snorkeling anywhere is super take a disposable under water camera from Walmart less than $10

Answer 3

My favorite in Oahu was hiking trails, nice ones up near Tantalus. Takes time of course.

Hanauma Bay is awesome, east of Honolulu. (Swim with the fishes)  

Answer 4

Shoots, if I were in Waikiki, I'd be trying to see the new show "Waikiki Nei" at Level 4. I really enjoyed the show "'ulalena" on Maui by the same production team. In fact, I enjoyed it four times!

Answer 5

Of course, there are lots of outdoors activities. There are any number of great hikes, from easy to challenging.  Some of my favorites are: Diamond Head & Makapuu for the vistas, & Judd Trail/Jackass Ginger for the small waterfall & swimming hole (swim with caution - leptospirosis is a possibility)  Snorkeling at Haunauma Bay has already been mentioned.  Another spot on the north shore is Shark's Cove; it is a bit less crowded.

http://www.backyardoahu.com/

http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/sha...

If you enjoy history or architecture, then you really should visit Iolani Palace downtown.  It was the home of the last reigning monarchs & is absolutely beautiful.  A guided tour is $20, but is well worth the price.

http://www.iolanipalace.org/

If you enjoy art, check out Art on the Fence on the weekends at Kapiolani Park.  Whether you are just looking, or you are shopping, you are sure to have a good time.

http://www.gohawaii.com/event?id=8291

Some areas for sight seeing:

Pali Lookout off Pali Highway for great views of windward Oahu

Tantalus for great views of Honolulu

Byodo in Temple in Kaneohe - a beautiful temple in a beautiful setting

http://www.fotothing.com/photos/a96/a968...

There are some nice places to pull off the road at the foot of Diamond Head to view the ocean & windsurfers

http://hawaiianx.com/index.php?option=co...

Nice beaches: Cockroach Cove (just west of Sandy's & much safer), Kailua Beach, Waimea Bay.

http://gohawaii.about.com/od/oahuphotos/...

Misc: we have a decent zoo & a fair aquarium.

I hope you will have a nice vacation & get to see enough of our island that you don't think it is all "tourist trap".