In fall 2023, we spent seven nights on Oahu and five nights on the Big Island. We relaxed at Disney’s Aulani Resort and explored Oahu, including visiting Pearl Harbor and hiking Diamond Head.

We toured Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, visiting mere weeks before Mauna Loa’s eruption. We enjoyed sampling and learning about Kona coffee and saw the total lunar eclipse. We also traversed the summit of Mauna Kea with friends to view the sunset and stargaze.

Reservations Ahead of Time

There are few things you'll need to plan ahead for: 

• Diamond Head (Oahu): 

  • This broad, saucer-shaped crater was formed about 300,000 years ago during a single, explosive eruption that sent ash and fine particles in the air. As these materials settled, they cemented together into a rock called tuff, creating the crater, and which is visible from the trail in the park. 

  • Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for your hike. Wear good walking shoes, bring water, and wear a hat and sunscreen.

  • OPEN DAILY: 6:00 am to 4:00 pm (Gates Close = 6:00 pm)

  • $5 entrance fee per person / $10 per vehicle

  • Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance. 

  • Please arrive within the first 30 minutes of your reservation period.

  • Modifications will be considered for parking and/or entry reservation times, on a space-available basis and done at least 3 days in advance (additional fees may apply, partial refunds may or may not apply).

  • https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead/about
    
    

• USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor (Oahu):

  • Arrive at least 30 minutes before tour time! 

  • The 45-minute USS Arizona Memorial program begins at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Theater. It includes a brief introduction, a Navy-operated shuttle boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, and time to experience the memorial itself.    

  • Primary Booking Window: Tickets are available 8 weeks (56 days) in advance at 3 pm HST on a rolling daily window. Example: On Monday, May 2, tickets will be available for Monday, June 27; on Tuesday, May 3, tickets will be available for Tuesday, June 28.  

  • Secondary Booking Window: Additional tickets are available one day in advance at 3 pm HST on a rolling daily window. Example: On May 3, additional tickets will be available for May 4; on May 4, additional tickets will be available for May 5.

Restaurants/Food

Oahu

• Dan's Ma'ili Shave Ice: https://maps.app.goo.gl/viqwfg2ScMbZ7onf8?g_st=i 

Big Island

• Papa Kona Restaurant & Bar: We loved this restaurant but it’s in Kona so a car is needed based on where you're staying. We ate there twice. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Kp2oWRDQ7SGLXfSCA?g_st=ic 

• You HAVE to get an açaí bowl at Island Vintage Coffee. It’s one of the best things we’ve ever had. We got the Haupia Moana Bowl. If you like coconut, it’s the BOMB!

• Pine Tree Cafe: This was recommended to us by locals. It’s so tasty and inexpensive. https://maps.app.goo.gl/YCum14RSnmTyEuw26?g_st=ic 

More Details

On Oahu: We staying at the Disney Aulani resort for 4 nights (because we had a buy 3, get one night free deal that Disney offered), then we were in Waikiki for three nights. We own with Hilton Grand Vacations so that helped narrow down our resorts for both islands.

We stayed here in Waikiki and it was honestly one of the nicest hotels we've ever stayed at: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Hilton+Grand+Vacations+Club+Hokulani+Waikiki+Honolulu/@21.2799716,-157.8303756,15z/data=!4m9!3m8!1s0x7c0072757dddf3b1:0xc053bd594ea9e74!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d21.2799716!4d-157.8303756!16s%2Fg%2F12vrvtxv8?coh=164777&entry=tt. 

On the Big Island we stayed here and enjoyed it: https://goo.gl/maps/97KRuPye7u8amfgD8. 

If you're looking to inter-island hop, Southwest has GREAT pricing, better than Hawaiian Airlines. We actually cancelled a flight to book with Southwest points since it was so economical.

Rental cars can be $$$$. There are some tours on Oahu that pick you up in Waikiki and take you around the island.

We enjoyed taking the sunrise photography tour with this site: https://www.oahuphotographytours.com. 

On the Big Island, this was hands down one of the coolest things/tours we've done: https://maunakea.com. It is pricey, but worth it. It's a sunset/stargazing tour. (Best when not a full moon, but still good.)