Oahu, Hawaii

7/3/2025

Aloha from Oahu. I spent 7 days exploring the island with my mom. I saw new sights and a few friends. The weather was beautiful and the ocean views were amazing. So come along and explore with us!

We flew from Pittsburgh to Honolulu with a layover in Detroit. Our flight from Detroit was 9hrs, so I spoiled mom and we flew business class.

After getting our rental car and bags, we headed towards Waikiki where we would be staying 2 nights at Hale Koa, a military connected hotel right on the ocean. I wasn't able to secure a room for our whole visit, so we stayed at another part of the island the rest of our time. I booked an ocean front room but was upgraded to a deluxe ocean view room on the 13th floor. This room provided amazing views from the balcony. After a long day of flying, we had dinner at the hotel and walked to the beach, taking in the views.

The next morning, we got up early to head to our Pearl Harbor tour. I booked a 8:00 time slot.
For booking, tickets open 8 weeks in advance from your date of interest. There is an another option where additional tickets open the day before you interested date. The parking lots open at 7am and we got there right after it opened, so we got a close parking spot. Parking is $7 which can be paid at the kiosk or by using the QR code or website.

**I just read online that after Labor Day 2025, tickets are first come, first serve basic due to reconstruction work that need to be completed on the memorial. So definitely look into this before you plan you visit.

We walked to the visitor center. There were informational boards all over and you can choose to tour other areas such as Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum, Battleship Missouri Memorial and Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. If interested, there is a video that shows at the theater at every 30 minutes. We showed our tickets and after a quick safely briefing, we booked the shuttle ferry which was included in our ticket. It was a quick few minutes and we arrive to the USS Arizona. At the end of the memorial is as list of all the people who lost their life on Dec. 7, 1941 You can look out into the water and see the remains of the submarine below. Then took the ferry back to the visitor center.

From there we explored the eastern coast of Oahu. Our first stop was the Byodo-In temple which translates to Temple of Equality. This Japanese buddhist temple is located in the Valley of the Temples. I have included some information signs below, if your interested in learning more. It was established in 1968 to celebrate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The cost was $7 to get in. The hours are 8:30am-4:30pm. I would recommend getting their early. When we arrive around 9:30 and there was limited parking in the lot.

Then we drove down the coast and stopped at Waimanalo Beach Park and took in the views.

Our next stop was the Makapu'u Lookout. Near by was a trail which takes you the lighthouse.

Our last stop was at the Halona Blow hole. We were lucky to find parking since the lot wasn't very big. As you watch the video, can you see the blow hole?

Then on the way back to the hotel. We stopped at a Leonard's bakery food truck and got an malasadas, which was super yummy!

Next day, we checked out and headed towards the North Shore of the island. Our first stop was at Kualoa Ranch. We would be taking the Movie Site Tour, however there are tons of tours to pick from on their website. This ranch has been the filming spot to many movies. which provided different tours. We learned this ranch started off growing sugar cane. Today it is a cattle ranch. In addition to their tours there is a market which sell items grown on the ranch. market store. We picked a 9:50am tour. So after finding parking and checking in, we waiting for our tour. Our tour took place on a school bus. Along the way we saw the filming sites to many movies. We saw a few WW2 bunkers and even got to go inside one that has been used for numerous movies. We stopped at the bones grave yard used in Kong Island.

From there we headed to the hotel. We would be spending the next 4 days at The Ritz Carlton Turtle Bay property which is a Marriott Brand. We checked in, learning we were upgrade to an ocean view with a bigger balcony, on the 3rd floor. We were given our welcome lei. We took in the ocean views from our balcony. Our room key is in a form a bracelet which is super convenient. In the room we were given water bottles to use. Each floor had a water bottle filling station which was very nice. Not sure if it was every floor, but our floor has laundry facilities. This hotel offers valet parking. You could text them that you want to car pulled up and it was ready by the time you reached the lobby. This was great so mom didn't have to stand to long while we waited for the car.

We ate dinner at one of the hotel's restaurant. Mom got mushroom pasta and I got a cauliflower meal. Both were very yummy.

Happy 4th of July. Today we would visit my old student and her family. We met them at the Mid- Pacific Country Club where we swam in the pool, ate at the dinner buffet and enjoyed the fireworks from the 3rd hole.

The next morning, I walked the beach and enjoyed the views. I started at the cove and then walked to the tidal pool. Later that day, I headed down to Kailua Beach and sent the afternoon at the beach. Then we did dinner with friends. I totally forgot to take pictures of the beach.

Our last day full day in Hawaii, I spent the morning see an old friend. We went to Waimea Falls. There is an admission of $25 per person, however with your military id, it was only $10 to enter. In order to access the fall, you walk on a paved lane to the falls. Along the way, there were different sections that explained Hawaiian history and about different plants. My friend Ashley and I went into the pool of water and went under the waterfall. It was great fun!