Fun Things to Do on Oahu, Hawaii

Waikiki will forever be associated with surfing and its gentle waters are the perfect place for a beginner to take a surf lesson. A statue of legendary Hawaiian surfer and Olympic swimming champion, Duke Kahanamoku, greets visitors to Waikiki and is an iconic photo opportunity. The popular beach is situated right on the edge of Honolulu and therefore combines the amenities of a major city with the beautiful scenery and endless activity of the coast.

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a popular tourist attraction and the best place to start if you want to learn about the traditional culture of the Hawaiian people. A visit there will involve a tour through seven individual recreated traditional villages, each belonging to a different Polynesian island group: Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti, the Marquesas, Tonga and the Maori people of New Zealand (Aotearoa) are represented. Expect to see performances of traditional dance, arts and crafts and end the visit by watching a spectacular canoe pageant while enjoying a luau feast.


Polynesian Cultural Center
55-370 Kamehameha Highway
Laie, Hawaii (HI) 96762
(800) 367-7060

Pearl Harbor is the site of one of the most important events in world history--the bombing of U.S. Navy ships by Japan during World War II. Visit the USS Arizona Memorial to pay tribute to the servicemen who were killed during the attack, many of whom remain interred on the sunken vessel. Pearl Harbor's visitor attractions consist of The USS Arizona Memorial, Battleship Missouri Memorial, USS Oklahoma Memorial, USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park and the Pacific Aviation Museum, all living monuments that will teach you about the events before, during and after the infamous attack.

Oahu has 40 golf courses including elite championship courses, easy par-threes for beginners and boasts "the hardest golf course in the world," Ko'olau Golf Course. This course is known for its slope rating of 152 from the back tees and its difficulty is enhanced by the landscape and natural features of the course. During a round you will pass through three different climate zones and have views of waterfalls, ravines and tropical jungle. Remember to bring lots of golf balls.

Ko'olau Golf Course
45-550 Kionaole Road
Kaneohe, Oahu, HI 96744
(808) 247-7088

Oahu's seven-mile long North Shore is a world famous spot for big wave surfing. During winter months the waves reach up to 30 feet and all year round the North Shore is only safe for experienced surfers to tackle. Beginners and non-surfers can watch the elite of the surfing world show their stuff from the safety of the beach. If you come at the right time, you may get to see a professional surfing competition, such as the Rip Curl Pro Pipeline Masters or the O'Neill World Cup of Surfing.