1. Matsumoto's in North Shore
2. Giovanni's Shirmp Shack
3. Lanikai Beach - http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/beaches/lanikai_beaches.htm
4. Kailua Beach Park - http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/beaches/kailua_beach_park.htm

Honolulu Academy of Arts - absolutely fantastic museum. IME, hiking on Guam is just as good as, if not better, than Oahu so I don't know that I'd spend much time doing something here you can do at home. Second the USS Arizona/Pearl Harbor. Spend a day on the beach in Kailua (as Joie recommends) and prop up the bar at Buzz's for one of the legendary mai tais. I think you'll generally be disappointed with the restaurants and food available as Guam wins hands down in that category. You should have breakfast at Original Pancake House on Dillingham and get a Chicago Dog at Hank's Haute Dogs in Kakaako. Also, you have to try Shokudo. Have brunch at Michel's at the Colony Surf. In fact, check out the Guam Food Guy's write up in a recent newsletter: Hawaii Dining Tour scroll down to mid-page to see where it starts. Definitely you want to hit Nico's at Pier 38 for the awesome loco moco. And, call us - at very least we can chat - and if you have time we'll take you out!

ohhhhh! oahu!! i got you girl.. um, i would have to disagree with matsumoto shave ice, BECAUSE it's waaaaaaaaaay too crowded. secret local spot? waiola shave ice. the one on the corner of date and citron?? i forget the exact street, but if you cant find it, the one on kapahulu would do..
easy beautiful hike? manoa falls.. so majestic how they laid it out.. hard hikes, i will have to get back to you.
i totally agree on giovanni's shrimp, about 12 bucks a plate..but sooo good..
i know lots of good places to eat, so hit me up if you want suggestions..quintero's for mexican, i forget the name, but i want to say young's fish market for hawaiian, doraku for cuban/japanese fusion, shokudo, ... just to name a few.
oh! and my most favorite beach spot is cockroach cove, i know that sounds bad, but it's so beautiful and kinda secluded. it's a little before the blowhole you have to hike down (easy), and it's where that one scene from 50 first dates was filmed, where adam sandler is knocked out by a golf ball and was daydreaming about drew barrymore. you can sometimes see turtles swim up to you here.. beautiful.
oh and i agree with koa pancake house, never been to the one in kaneohe, but i've been to the one in pearl city, chocolate chip pancakes are soooo bomb.
let me know if you want to hang out! i would be delighted to take you around!

p.s. if you want to learn how to surf, i have friends who teach at hawaiian fire! they are super nice and super cool.. they are girls, so it may be more comfortable.

You should hang out with this Gene Park fellow. I hear he's a gas, gas, gas.

First of all, listen to Gail when it comes to places to eat. Ala Moana is huge and will just suck you in, so, unless you want to spend your vacation shopping... If you want to try Hawaiian food, Young's fish market is good, but Highway Inn is better. It's a bit of a drive to Waipahu, but if you plan to hit the Waikele Outlet Mall, it's just a little further. Waikiki at night is bustling with activity and fun, but for swimming in water that doesn't have a layer of coppertone on it, head to Turtle Bay or Ko'olina. Whatever you decide to do, I'm sure you'll have a great time, the weather is awesome right now.

Isn't nagoya where the pottery village is? Some friends went there and found it interesting. Don't know much about Oahu, I prefer the big island myself. Lava tubes, Akaka Falls, Waipio Valley, if you take a trip over and feel doing outdoorsy stuff. The big island isn't the place if you are interested in the "night life".

Nagoya- point and laugh at all the japanese tourists

Hono/Oahu- Point and laugh at all the japanese tourists

in reply to min's comment: waiola's shave ice! i have to agree it's closer in town and just as good as matsumoto's if not better! try the green tea with condensed milk and mochi balls! : )

on oahu you must do the diamond head lookout hike, round top/tantalus, moana falls, pali lookout, and cruise h3 tunnels to kaneohe..and while there a fabulous place to dine is haleiwa joes on haiku.

great place for happy hour and listen to local live bands check out mai tai's, 3rd floor of ala moana mall.

have a great time!

i am glad that we are both getting to go on vacations but we must coordinate better next time cause i wont see you like FOREVER. . .with you leaving when ken and i get back AND with me having to work so much in order to get everything ready to leave. sigh. i already miss you.

Ditto to all the Oahu places to see!

Here's my short list of places to eat:

Uncle's Fish Market and Grill off of Nimitz Hwy: http://www.unclesfishmarket.com/

Keneke's out in Waimanalo for their shave ice and ice cream(Just before you get to Bellows Beach

Sugoi for their Garlic chicken bento

Chun Wah Kam Noodle Factory for okazu/plate lunches

Karen's Kitchen for more okazu/plate lunch varieties

Hula Grill at the Outrigger Waikiki

Yakiniku Camellia for all you can eat/cook Korean buffet

Leonard's Malasadas - You can't make a trip out here and not have one or two or three!

Teddy's Bigger Burgers out in Kailua for da bomb burgers

Climb Diamondhead.

Take some beginners surf lessons at Waikiki.
Go to Makapu to see the migrating whales (bring binoculars).

Do Sunday mass at 5:00 PM at Waikiki, I think it's St. Augstine's church. They have a Tongan choir there which sounds very nice.

Also there is a Teddy's Burger now in Waikiki, so no need to drive to Kailua for that anymore. My favorite place to have burgers though is Islands Restaraun in the Ala Moana Center.

Enjoy a beer at either the Kona Brewery at Hawaii Kai or Brew Moon near the Ward Center.

Visit your friend Brian who works at Kapiolani Medical Center and/or Shriners Hospital.

I'm here on Guam right now but maybe I'll see you there. Take care.

how very exciting! so jealous of your vaca! have fun and be safe.

everyone's suggestions are making me super hungry.

i almost had some shrimp from giovanni's...but ran out of time...

i can't wait for all the picture/video updates ;)

Said fabmimi on 02.28.08 at 3:50 PM

Josie: Hope you have a great time on Oahu. All the above sounds great. I do the hike up Diamond Head everytime I go there and there's a yummy Thai restaurant called "Spices" on King Street in Honolulu.

HAVE FUN!!!!

Now onto Oahu.....

Honolulu Art Musem - Must See.
Denny's in Waikiki off of Lemon Tree Road - Best Denny's in the WORLD.
Eat at Compadres - order the "sampler" and a small pitcher of Margaritas.
North Shore.
China town.
Nuff Said.

Hugs.

Mmmm... Food....

Anni's Bakery :: Sweet Potato Haupia Pie
Kimchee fried rice @ LikeLike Cafe