oahu

[IraqiVet]

Hey All
Wife and I are going to Oahu on 2 Nov -9 Nov first vacation since I got wounded in Iraq in 04. besides diving (3 days) what would your suggestions be to do. Some of my ideas swim w/dolphin's, swim w/sea lions,luau,nice dinners and maybe sub ride. Who would you pick for dive center?. Will be staying at the Hale Koa. Thanks for any info!!.
Matt

 

[alcina]

I had a great time on my two visits to Oahu and I'm sure you will, too.

I'd highly recommend Lisa (justleesa) for all of your diving needs. Here's a recent public kudos to her http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=124237

 

[okamiotoko2004]

IDH or south seas for your diving, both very military friendly, South Seas is not that far from the Hale Koa. Dive Oahu is also good but a little more expensive but they have their own boat.
Things to do. Pali lookout, Ploynesian cultural center, blow hole (can dive it too), lots of hiking here, shark encounter. Check out the MWR on base at www.pearlharbor.navy.mil or www.hawaii.navy.mil Those are the only ones I know of I am sure the other services have their own sites. Also check out 101 Things to do on oahu they have a magazine here and I believe a website, try a google search.
Thanks for serving brother. Drop me a line when you get here I will buy you a beer if I am here.

 

[ch0ppersrule]

IDH gives military discounts (or they used to). Hale Koa has a really nice pool. Like okamiotoko says- drop us a line and we can drive up to the Hale Koa and have some drinks with ya. We have 1 year left here so I know we will be around. The Arizona Memorial is a nice tour and check to see if you can get the Admirals Tour (100X better), the Mighty Mo is a nice tour. If you swim w/dolphins do it at the Mandarin. Sea Life park is pretty cheesy and our visiting family thought they paid to much for what little they got. You can go to Bellows and boogie board. For luau's I would pick Paradise Cove. PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center) is nice, but it is ran by Mormons so there is no smoking (yuck), alcohol or caffeine. You definitely will need to spend a couple days to see it all (your ticket is good for 1 dinner and show then 3 days to visit the area). I went with my in-laws and really needed that drink. LOL

 

[chepar]

I would skip the sub ride - it's expensive and you don't really see much. I guess you can see the wrecks they sunk - specifically to give their clients something to look at, I heard - but it would be more fun to dive those wrecks.

I did the sub ride years ago - must have been before they sunk the wrecks, because all I saw was sand and the occasional fish swimming by.

 

[www.scubamazing.com]

I like Deep Ecology for diving, but they are a little bit away from you. Their staff is great though and their #1 priority is the health of the Ocean. I think that is a good passion to have.

You should definitely do the Polynesian Cultural Center. And why not take a surf lesson or at least rent a surf board for a couple of hours?

 

[Hawaii Scuba Divers]

I would love to take you and your wife out diving while here in Oahu...
Aloha Mark..

 

[justleesa]

We just recently went to the Magic of Polynesia show that is playing at the beachcomber...found that to be pretty good. We also went to go see the new show " Cirque Hawaii" on Sea Side ...that was very good and would be worth seeing again

Every Friday night you can enjoy the Hilton Hawaiian Villages Fireworks (Hotel next to yours) and there is always something going on if you walk down the strip of Waikiki (hula shows, musicians, artists, massage therapists, mimes....stuff like that).

If you check www.gohawaii.com - look at the events calendar for what other cultural things will be going on while you're here.

 

[Scuba_RN]

My husband and I just returned from Waikiki. The Hale Koa is wonderful- you will love it. For diving we used Oahu Dive Center out of Kailua. We had rented a car so we just drove and met them at the boat sites- one of which was a 10 minute drive from the hotel. The other took about 25 minutes to drive. I just posted a review of ODC on this forum if you would like to read it.