Planning a trip can be stressful. Packing your luggage, planning out your itinerary, and picking a hotel are just a few of the challenges that await you. The last thing you want to do is arrive in Oahu and realize that you have no idea where you’re going.
That’s why we’ve put together this downloadable Oahu map to help you plan your trip. It includes map dots for all of the attractions that are included with the Go Oahu Card, and it prints on two letter-sized sheets of paper (or two sides of the page if you’d like to conserve paper). Enjoy!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Since Jack Johnson and his wife Kim founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation in 2003, the Kokua Festival has become an annual fundraising event bringing some of the world’s top music talent to Honolulu’s Waikiki Shell. Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, Paula Fuga, Mason Jennings, and Go Jimmy will all be performing live on April 19 and 20.
If you’re a fan of eco-tourism, then you’ll definitely want to check it out, because all aspects of the festival were planned with environmentalism in mind. Their goal is to be a zero-waste, carbon-neutral event. To this end, fans are encouraged to BYO (reusable) water bottle and refill their water bottles at one of the water stations located in Kokua Village. The village will also feature local food items and booths from environmentally friendly companies like Patagonia, Simple Shoes, and Stonyfield Farm.
Kokua Festival is also partnering with Evolution Sage to offset the carbon emissions caused by those traveling to Oahu for the show. When you purchase tickets online, you’ll have hte option to contribute an additional $2 in carbon credits to fund renewable energy programs in Hawaii.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
As an island out in the Pacific, Hawaii has a history and culture that are drastically different from the rest of the United States. Hawaii is one of only three U.S. states that were indepedent before joining (or being annexed by) the United States. It’s also the home to the only official state residence of royalty in the United States.
Iolani Palace is a designated historic landmark that has been lovingly restored and maintained by the people of Hawaii. Built in 1882, it was the official residence of the last two Hawaiian monarchs, King King Kalakaua and Queen Liliuokalani. Volunteer guides take you through this grand historic building and tell stories from Hawaii’s royal past.
Hawaii Maritime Center traces Hawaii’s seaside history from its discovery by Polynesian navigators over 1,500 years ago to its whaling history to the present day. Visitors will find exhibits on the history of surfing, canoe racing, and more. They can also step aboard The Falls of Clyde, which is one the most famous ships in Hawaii’s history.
Queen Emma Summer Palace in lush Nuuanu Valley is the former home of Queen Emma, consort of King Kamehameha IV. It was built on the East Coast, then transported around Cape Horn by ship and assembled in Hawaii in 1848. Here you’ll see artifacts, furnishings, and personal items from the royal families of Hawaii.
What’s your favorite Oahu attraction? Leave a comment, and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
If you’re not a seasoned surfer or a certified beach bum, it can be difficult to determine when it’s safe to head out into the waves.
Good thing there’s the Hawaii Lifeguard Association to help you out! They’re created this wonderful map with daily advisories, watches, and anything else to be cautious of before you head out to the beach. From wind, waves, and those pesky jellyfish, they’ve got the spectrum covered. Since you should also always swim with a lifeguard present, they also provide this list of guarded beaches for your safety.
Here’s to your family’s fun and safety!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Hawaii is a notoriously expensive place to vacation. All of those Mai Tais and stays at fancy resorts certainly add up, but I managed to spend 10 days in Hawaii for less than $1,500, including airfare, hotels, and food. Here’s how I did it:
Hotel. My boyfriend and I landed a room for $90/night at the Royal Gardens Waikiki using Priceline. Don’t be afraid to low ball your bids, because we discovered that they had even cheaper (but not quite as nice) rooms available, too. We also stayed at some modest, but very hospitable bed and breakfasts on the Big Island. If you’re willing to do a little digging and stay somewhere that’s slightly off the beaten path, there are lots of deals in Hawaii.
Food. We set a budget of $40 per day for each of us, but we didn’t use up all that money on several occasions. It helped that some of our hotels and B&Bs had breakfast included. The quality of breakfast varied, but one place had an especially impressive spread with fresh guava juice, coconut muffins, Kona coffee, and other Hawaiian specialties. On days when breakfast was not included, we had an inexpensive breakfast right in Waikiki at Seaside Bar & Grill or Eggs’n Things. Some of our activities, like the Makani Catamaran afternoon sail, also included food or drinks.
Transportation. I had a travel voucher with Delta Airlines and they had the deal on airfare from Boston to Honolulu, so we flew Delta. We had originally planned to rent a car on Oahu, but we actually discovered that you can get around pretty well using TheBus. We took the Roberts Hawaii shuttle from the Honolulu Airport to our hotel, but our return trip was so early that we opted for a cab on the way back. The hotel concierge surprised us with a limo, which turned out to be the same price as a cab!
Having just returned from a trip to Hawaii, I thought I’d share some of the tips I picked up on the road. Some of these are items that I actually brought and others are items that I wish I’d brought!
Sunscreen. This sounds obvious, but if you’re as fair as I am, then you’ll definitely need it. Remember to reapply every few hours, especially if you’re going in the water.
Camera (and extra batteries). With all the beaches, sunsets, and other gorgeous views, you’ll want to take tons of photos to remember you vacation. If you’re curious, you can check out my Hawaii vacation photos on flickr.
Extra cash. We discovered that Bank of America doesn’t have a single ATM on the island of Oahu! Fortunately, I’d brought a little extra money and was able to get cash back with my debit card at a grocery store to avoid paying a transaction fee with another bank.
Sturdy walking shoes. Hawaii has excellent hiking, but you’ll need good quality shoes so you can get the most of out of your trip. I brought sneakers and hiking boots, but I actually saw women trying to climb up to the top of Diamond Head Crater wearing flip flops or platform sandals!
Bathing suit. Another obvious item to bring to Hawaii, but I’d recommend bringing two so that you can alternate days. Wear bathing suit #1 snorkeling and let it dry the next day when you visit Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park.
Extra duffel bag or backpack. A little travel trick is to pack a lightweight bag in your suitcase so that you’ll have extra luggage space for souvenirs on your return trip (or if you’re overweight). My boyfriend bought a case of chocolate-cover macadamia nuts, which he had to carry through the airport, because it didn’t fit in his suitcase!
Surge protector. Between my laptop, camera charger, hair dryer, cell phone charger, and all my boyfriend’s electronics, we found ourselves fighting over electrical outlets, because some of the places we stayed only had one or two outlets. If you travel with lots of tech toys, this one is a good idea regardless of your destination.
Anything I’ve missed? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
This is part 2 in a series of blog posts recounting my recent trip to Oahu. Catch up on part 1 here.
Relaxed and rejuvenated after a romantic Valentine’s dinner the previous night, the boyfriend and I headed to Iolani Palace and took the grand tour in the morning. Our volunteer tour guide Leilani was the perfect example of Hawaiian hospitality. She took tremendous pride in taking us around the palace and shared stories from Hawaii’s history (she even had some ancestors who worked in the palace).
Next we walked over to Makani Catamaran for their afternoon sail (note that this was a rather long walk, but we enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air). The crew served us lunch and drinks as we coasted along the coast of Oahu. We saw several dolphins and whales, but they moved too quickly for us to get a good photo! The best part was lying on the deck and feeling the sun and ocean breezes against my skin. They even had one part of the deck that is open netting so you can see (and feel) the water beneath.
Next we took TheBus back to our hotel to get ready for Germaine’s Luau. Our guide played the ukulele on the bus ride over, and the sunset was one of the best we saw on the entire trip. I also have to say that I enjoyed the vast selection of tropical drinks! All in all, a fun way to experience a Hawaiian luau.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
View from the top of Diamond Head Crater Photo uploaded by Go Card USA
I’ve just returned from 10 glorious, relaxing days in Hawaii, and I’m thrilled to share some travel photos and a few tips from my trip to Oahu. You’ll be reading more about my trip once I get settled in, but here’s a little sneak peak at my first day on Oahu.
After fourteen hours of flying, the boyfriend and I collapsed into bed as soon as we arrived at the Royal Gardens Waikiki (tip: we got a good deal through Priceline, but they often post specials on their website, so I’d check that first). The hotel lacks some of the fancy amenities found at pricier places, but it’s quite elegant for its low price and offers clean, basic accommodations.
The next morning, since our bodies were still on Eastern time, we awoke at some ungodly hour (I’m guessing 5 am, which is 10 am EST) and set out in search of breakfast. Since many travelers to Hawaii are also dealing with drastic time changes, the restaurants in Oahu are prepared for early risers. We chose the Seaside Bar & Grill, since they offer a $2.99 breakfast special, including 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, and 2 strips of bacon. The breakfast burrito ($3.99) is also tasty and generously portioned.
Next, we set off for snorkeling in Hanauma Bay. I had Lasik back in January, so I was thrilled when my doctor cleared me for swimming in time for Hawaii! I’ve always wanted to try snorkeling, but obviously it’s no fun if you’re worrying about contact lenses or if you can’t see because you’ve gone without them. I’m amazed by how blue and clear the water was, and we saw some tropical fish that looked like they were straight out of Finding Nemo. (more…)
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
If you’re a traveler who’s got their camera around their neck at all times, Budget Travel has a great article for you!
Entitled “How to Take Better Sunset Photos,” the article offers tips for making your photos of memorable sunsets as great as they were in person. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an amateur photographer, the article outlines everything from resolution settings to elements of a great composition.
Do you have any photography tips for traveling to Hawaii? We’d love to hear where you think visitors should go to obtain the best sunset photographs. Leave us a comment!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
I visited the Makani Catamaran on my trip to Oahu last February and absolutely loved it! The whale sightings, the wind blowing against our skin (not to mention that drinks are included)… This video does a nice job of capturing the experience.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
Oahu’s Waves Photo uploaded by 
View from the top of Diamond Head Crater Photo uploaded by 