question
we leave in four days for Oahu and I realized we don't have anything planned! We are staying in Waikiki and are not sure to start. We want to do lots of outdoors stuff and maybe see a luau or something. do you have any recommendations on things to do on Oahu?

answer
Don't worry, when you walk out of your hotel room you will be assailed by things to do. There are activity booths set up on Waikiki Beach and on the sidewalks and there are newspaper stands filled with activity coupon booklets.

First or second night there, watch the sunset from Waikiki Beach -- you will fall in love right there. If you like a lively dinner atmosphere, watch it right from Duke's on the beach. You may also want to look into the dinner cruises off Waikiki --- amazing sunsets!

Try Kayaking off the windward coast - lanikai or Kailua area, the water there is the prettiest blue-green color you've ever seen and there are little teeny islands you can kayak out to.

Do the diamond head hike just cuz it's cheap and easy and you can say you did it and see the big city by the vast pacific ocean.

Yes, do a luau, definitely. Also, do some hiking and maybe check out the Waimea Falls Park. When you see the visitor pamphlets in the airport and at the hotel, look for the one titled "101 things to do on Oahu" -- that is where you will find good hikes and more tips.

p.s. - be prepared for the sheer amount of people on Oahu (there are a lot) and if you are put off by the concrete jungle that is Honolulu, just head up to the northern side of the island and see a little old Hawaii. Next time, you can think about Kauai or the Big Island where the pace is a little slower and there is a lot more open space.

Aloha, Lisa