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One suggestion:
I created this one day itinerary for a mainland friend and copied/pasted it here, they liked it and i think you would too.
Spend a day to drive the entire island of Oahu. Weekday is better because you avoid the bad traffic, tourists, and general population out on the weekend.
-If you are in Waikiki start early like at 7-8am-ish and head east past Kapiolani park.
-Drive up diamond head road and park along the side at the lookout to take in the south waters.
-Continue on east past Kahala where the ultra rich live, pass by the mega mansions then onto kalanianaole hwy. Don't worry because you will be driving against traffic so it should be smooth sailing.
-Drive past Hawaii Kai then up to stop at Hanauma Bay for brief photo opportunity. (Dunno if you should go snorkling here because it won't compare to your great reefs.)
-Continue on to the winding roads of the coast where you pass sandy beach a popular local surf spot, then onto Makapuu bay. You can park and trek to the lighthouse. Great photo opps. If lucky you might spot some whales breaching.
-From here go North along the coast, pass by Waimanalo where Hawaiians call their home, up past the polo fields by the military base.
Stop off at Kailua and eat at Boots & Kimos. Mac nut pancakes with their special creme sauce and monster omletes.
-Continue on North driving along the coast, the beaches become less pretty, to Laie (sounds like la-ee-ay) and visit the Polynesian cultral center.
-Kamehameha Hwy takes you inland, pass through Kahuku, then lunch/snack at the shrimp truck on the side of the road. Shrimp and prawns are grown in nearby farms.
-Pass by Turtle Bay and the roads come closer to the coast and the beaches become prettier. You are now at the famous north shore.
-Stop of at Waimea Bay, if the winter swells calm down then take a dip and jump of the rock!
-Wash off then head into Waimea valley to the botanical park for a stroll.
-Continue on to Haleiwa (sounds like ha-lay-ee-va) to the small town and shop around. There is a small bakery there that have killer m&m cookies. Also get some shaved ice at Matsumoto's (think snow cones) with different flavored syrups. Take home a souviner shirt. (Caution tour buses drop off japanese tourists here and huge lines can sometimes form)
-Return south on Kam Hwy, you are now at the central part of the island.
-Visit the Hawaii's plantation village in Wahiawa. It is a museum that took the various ethnic plantation homes and located them here for preservation. Tours would be great, otherwise it would seem like you're visiting a bunch of old houses without understanding the nuances of old hawaii plantation history.
-Head south to Pearl Harbor then return in the afternoon to Waikiki.
Note, you should do research for hours and tours in the places in interests and schedule your time, but I think you can do all this in a day.
Also some places to visit near Waikiki requiring car:
Rainbow drive inn - get a plate lunch with slushi float
Catch of the day - try the 30 types of poke (think chevice) order the furikake salmon (poached salmon with aiole sauce - to die for!)
Also check out yelp for places of interest especially food!
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