Oahu, hawaii advice

Got invited to hawaii for a wedding in September and we are looking for some advice from those who have been there or can shine some light on where to stay wether its a hotel or a home. Something close or on the beach to enjoy every moment. My kids love the beach! 


Wedding is on the 4th of september on oahu island
Whole family 2 adults & 3 kids
Plan on staying there for a week

Would like to do a fishing trip aswell.

Any help would be great.

Thank you!!

Chuwy

Try to find a place in Kailua, good kayak rental company there, tandems etc.  I always stay at the Camp Bellows but its military.

  https://www.kailuasailboards.com/

Wits the wedding venue?

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=75334.msg858887#msg858887

When we go to Oahu we typically stay in ko' olina. kids love the lagoons.  W the glut of hotels, I'm guessing airbnb options may not b worth the search so just stick w hotels. You'll b eating out a lot so Ull nēd less kitchen than some other weeklong trips that u may go on w ur kids

AirBnb

wherever you stay, definitely make a trip to Haleiwa Joes and just order the prime rib (i swear it's a dinosaur size piece of meat, google it). I always went to the one in Kaneohe, but there's one in Haleiwa too (not sure if they have prime rib there). If you go Kaneohe, get there early (they don't take reservations and prime rib sells out fast) and ask to be seated on the balcony (even if the wait is longer). Gorgeous rainforest views and good food and drinks all around.

My fiancee and I used to split the prime rib and order an extra side of mashed potatoes and it was more than enough. So ****ing ono.

Also, be mindful of the swell as it is starting to pick up in September and the pacific seems to be much more powerful in da aina than da mainland. If you have kids that like the beach, I'd +1 the Kailua idea (find an Airbnb). Kailua beach is pretty cool for families (especially on the south end near where the canal hits the beach), and Lanikai beach is also a good spot for kids (no wave action at Lanikai due to the protection from the reef).

I'd also +1 renting kayaks at the Kailua link below (depending on your kids' age) and you can paddle tandems out to flat island (~0.4miles from Kailua beach park) to explore and from there out to the "Mokes" (twin islands off Lanikai), and there's a turtle sanctuary in the middle of the reef on the way out. Protip: if you land on the beach of the Northern Moke, you can hike around the West side/North side and on the back there's a cool swimming hole with cliff jumping. But don't venture out into deeper water there because allegedly the tiger sharks breed there. But I dunno I used to swim out to flat island and the mokes all the time and never saw a shark.

To get to turtle sanctuary: From flat island, paddle on a direct heading to the Mokes (against the instructions/"rules" in the video they make you watch when you rent the kayak). If you do this at high tide, you'll be able to cross directly over the reef and you'll probably pass by a bunch of turtles. Don't do it at low tide though or else you'll scrape the coral and that's bad for the reef.

Also, Haunama Bay is a great snorkeling spot for kids (the visibility will probably just be starting to turn bad about the time you're there, coinciding with the increased winter swell. But if you see reports that it is clear definitely check it out. Bring a few $ cash to pay the parking attendant and arrive early or you'll get turned around (lot fills quickly).

Re: fishing, the locals on youtube always seem to be fishing off the beach that is just South of Kaena Point (NW corner of the island). I was too busy to fish much aside from a little bit of shore casting on the Marine base in Kaneohe. If you want to call me to get ideas for other fun stuff to do, PM me and I'll give you my cell phone. I had a bed there for three years so I have a decent idea what's there.

Oh, and last food (grindz) tip: if you love sushi or japanese food, you MUST go to Izakaya Gaku (make reservations). There's also a japanese market on the third floor of Alamoana Mall that has some decent grindz in case you get stuck shopping there.

I'm comfortable anywhere, so I just pick the cheapest lodging I can find in a reasonable distance to Waikiki (where my sister lives).  Try bidding on Priceline.  Once that landed me a penthouse suite downtown, but that was an exception

+1 on Hanauma bay, but make sure you swim out past the breaker reef.  Everything is dead on the shore side of the breakers, but it turns phenomenal once you swim out.  You may want to check out Sharks Cove too.

Kayaks at Kailua is really fun too, but it was SUPER windy when we went out in a tandem.  And the owners wouldn't let us rent the scupper pros their guides use....

Gorge on the supermarket poke, and try to scheme ways of shipping back hunks of cheap ahi

If you want to stay in the Waikiki area, I recommend the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel.
https://www.astonwaikikibeach.com/rooms-suites/

Get any of the ocean view rooms but avoid the Standard interior rooms unless you are Ok with having no windows. An older hotel with smaller rooms, but nice and right across the street from the center of Waikiki Beach. Compared to other beachfront hotels and even lodging anywhere on Oahu, a very good value.
Warning, plan on extra travel time for any lodging in Waikiki. The traffic getting in and out of Waikiki can be terrible.

For kayak fishing either Boogie -D ( David Elgas) or Rocket (Isaac Brumaghim). Boogie-D (Coastal Kayak Tours) guides out of the North Shore and Rocket (Aquahunters Kayak Eco and Fishing Tour) , as of a couple years ago was guiding on the West Side/ Ko Olina area

Do your traveling along the east side early in your trip. That's where you can find the roadside guys selling their fresh catch (Mahi, Ahi etc)

I appreciate all the feedback. I asked my wife to look up on all the sites and places to see what she tought of them. Id make the decision but we men know how pleasing the wife makes for a happy life.

The wedding is taking place at Molii Gardens, and im sure we can find a place close and also fun for the kids.


Thank,
Chuwy

Leonard's hot malasadas.  Don't miss that. Hanauma bay is the bomb.

Definitely hit leonards for the malasadas.

Aloha stadium swap meet for beach towels and gear, also any souvenirs that youre bringing back. 

I stayed in ko olina on my first and only trip there, would not advise others to do the same unless you want to play golf with old folks and not visit any other parts of the island.  Makaha and nanakuli beach were really the only things to check out on that side and traffic sucked big time (alot of commuters live out that direction and work in the metro honolulu area).  When i go back im gonna split my vacation between turtle bay resort and the Outrigger in waikiki.

Pearl Harbor memorial was a humbling experience.  Probably not the best for kids though.

I seen a pickup truck on kam highway with people riding in the bed.  I instantly wanted to rent a truck and  ride in back for a brief taste of freedom. No helmet laws either.

Definitely go to hanauma bay, buy snorkels before you go so you dont have to rent something a thousand other people have had in there mouth.  Go early so you get parking, they do turn people away. 

Dont overlook the hiking opportunities.  Manoa falls was super easy and rainforests are unreal.  Its lime waljing around the land of the lost.  Dont pay for hike tours, most everything is free and parking wasnt an issue.

Rent a jeep, busses and shuttles suck. Dont leave anything visible though, feom what i was told break in on tourist vehicles (jeeps) arent uncommon.

Do some beach hopping on the north shore.  Not all the beaches are whomping 20' shore break but definitely keep a close eye on the kids. I really wanted to hit jump rock in waimea bay but the swell was pumping when i was there.  Shrimp trucks are the big food draw up there if you get hungry. Kam highway  also gets alot of traffic.












Sent from my SM-G928T using Tapatalk

My family is going there in June.  This looks like fun for my daughter for some sure catch fishing.

https://www.fishingfarmshawaii.com/about/

Don't forget to stop by Taniokas....hands down best poke I've ever had!!  Go to the original shop, not the express.  This place was recommended by Str8fishin and its definitely THE place for poke.

How good was it?  I was there 4 days and I ate it 5 times, twice the first day!   

Have fun man!

Don't forget to stop by Taniokas....hands down best poke I've ever had!!  Go to the original shop, not the express.  This place was recommended by Str8fishin and its definitely THE place for poke.

IDK, I spent 3 months on Oahu last year and am a poke addict. Taniokas is good but I'd go to Tamuras (gotta love awesome Poke at the back of liquor store) or Fresh Catch first. I actually have a list of must go poke places on all the islands and Guam lol.