If you haven’t noticed, lately I’ve been going through pictures from old trips.  And I mean old, like high school old.  I didn’t think I had my pictures from the last trip to Hawaii with me in Utah, but I do!  So, I went through them and picked out the best to share with you here.  And let me tell you, there were some pretty bad ones.  I’m talking harsh angles and a lot of blur.  Talk about high quality.

Well, here are the best of the mediocre and like my New York post, a few tips and things to do on the island.  I’ll start with a little background.  This was my second trip to Hawaii, Oahu both times.  We actually stayed at the same hotel both times and I really enjoyed it.  There are tons of awesome things to do on Oahu and this 7-day itinerary will help you plan your trip.  And after you decide what to do, check out what you should buy while you’re in Hawaii!

Hike Diamondhead

Diamondhead is an extinct volcanic crater visible from Waikiki Beach.  If you’re standing on the beach facing the water it will be on your left.  I don’t remember a ton about this hike, but I didn’t think it was super horrible.  I do remember there was a section with a lot of stairs, like 99 I think.  A lot of people run up the trail every day to work out.  There are awesome views of Waikiki Beach and Honolulu from the top.

Drive around the island

I would recommend renting a car to see the island.  Oahu is kind of big, so it’s easier to get around with your own car.  One day, drive around the island and check out all the beaches and things the island has to offer, which is quite a bit.  I really liked driving around the island.

Visit Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri are pretty much must-sees if you’re on Oahu.  I actually went both times I was in Hawaii.  I’m not a big history person, so I’ll be real, I wasn’t that excited about it, also, I was pretty young both times.  I would recommend everyone go at least once, but I probably won’t be back myself.

Snorkel Hanauma Bay

If you like snorkeling, you can do snorkeling trips and tours, but you can also drive to Hanauma Bay and snorkel just off the beach.  I feel like it was pretty windy the day we went, so we just stopped at the overlook for a bit.

Hike Waimea Valley

From the Waimea Valley Visitor Center on Oahu’s North Shore, there are several trails winding through the lush jungle.  You’ll get to see tons of native plants and the 40-foot Waimea Falls.  You can also see ruins of native Hawaiian structures.

Relax on Waikiki Beach

Like the North Shore, you can’t go to Oahu and not see Waikiki Beach.  There are eight different sections of the beach so no matter what you’re looking for, there will be a part of the beach for you.  And if Waikiki Beach isn’t quite your thing, there are tons of other beaches to see around the island.

Check out the North Shore

I think you kind of have to go to the North Shore if you’re on Oahu.  Some of the things you should try to do are see sea turtles at Ali’i Beach Park, visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, do some hiking, check out Ka’ena Point, visit Waimea Bay, swim with sharks, and find petroglyphs.