Hawaiian Vacation, what are the best spots and things to do?

[Skinner]

Not sure on which Island its on but you can tube down old irrigation rivers that are cut into the mountains.

[supldys]

Second for north shore. Do not attempt the surfing unless you're ready for it, but theres nothing like spotting some giant sea turtles. Just watch out for the bums, some of them get mad if you're too close to their "home."

Definitely hit up L&L for some Loco Moco

And pearl harbor is a must see

[Mojoe]

There are some great suggestion here already, with good detail. I lived on Oahu for almost 4 years. Here are a few things that stick out to me. Drive the islands you visit. On Oahu, the Like Like highway, pronounced leaky leaky, will bring you up over the mountains from the windward to the leeward side of the island. There are several scenic pull offs along the nice twisty road with tunnels. Some pull offs have trails you can hike. When you are heading down the highway, back toward Waikiki, there is one pull off that has a short trail to a nice cliff diving spot. Beware, at times locals didn't want us there, but were friendly after seeing us there several times. Cool sight either way.

 

Go to Pearl Harbor and take it in. Don't talk, just observe and talk about it later. Damn.

 

Waimea Falls is a pretty cool place also. Worth seeing and swimming up to the falls. http://www.best-of-oahu.com/waimea-falls-park.html

 

Hanama bay park was awesome for snorkeling and just seeing sights, over all.

https://hanaumabaystatepark.com/. As you are facing the ocean, off to the left of the beach and around the point, is the toilet bowl. This would be a great bucket list item, except...see below.

Here is a vid from someone upset about the law suit, from GEETO, after visiting there.

 

Staying on the bucket list, one of the most exhilarating things I did on Oahu was go skydiving up on the North Shore. When you exit the plane, the first thing you do is crap you pants, that's just all there is to it. The reason for this is not the height, it's not that you are going to fall 12,000+ feet or that you may be tandem and have no control. Nope, you crapped your pants because at 12,000+ feet, you can't help but think "there is no way we are going to land on land and not in the water". Don't forget, you are right on the shore for the airstrip and you are falling over water the whole time at terminal velocity, a slow 120mph. It was absolutely awesome.

http://www.skydivehawaii.com/Skydive/YourfirstJump/Pricing/tabid/140/language/en-US/Default.aspx

 

See the other islands if you have time. I spent a lot of time training on this one island, http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/05/when-the-last-patient-dies/394163/

From Maui, you can see the island of Molokai. I don't know that you can go there, or that anyone would want to. But, it's neat to know there is an island like this. And if the kids aren't behaving, tell them you will leave them on that island.

 

Do you ski? Bucket list item for sure here. I spend a good bit of time on the big island too, although I got to do no sight seeing. But, I always wanted to go snowboard of this mountain. http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Mauna-Kea

 

I have heard renting a scooter is a pretty cool way to spend a day too. Hope some of this helps. Have fun.