General Hawaii Info for those who haven't been

I guess I will first tell you why you should listen to me and my review. My name is David Kalohi(Hawaiian name good start right) I was born in Hawaii in the early 80s, but did not grow up there. I was a military brat and traveled all over the US, Canada and in high school I lived in Japan(so I know what traveling is all about). I returned to the tropical paradise in after graduating high school. I lived there until this past January and now reside in the desert, Las Vegas.

First and foremost do not, I repeat do not get caught up in the whole "Waikiki sneeky between the cheeky". Get away from the whole over done tourist trap that is Waikiki. Go out and explore what Hawaii has to offer. Truthfully I wouldn't even set foot on Oahu. The outer islands, i.e. Maui, Kaui and the Big Island are what you really want to see.

Your going on vacation right? So, enjoy what these islands have to offer. Maui for example has great 4-5 star hotels and yet doesn't have a metro feel. You can do here exactly what you can do in Honolulu. Expect the whole club thing, strip clubs, high end shopping. Then again you could probably do all this at home, or even come to Vegas and really have a blast at the clubs, strip clubs and prada. You should go surfing, snorkeling, scuba, hiking. Enjoy the out doors and the prepetual summer.

Truthfully I can't tell you any secret spots on any of the outer islands because I never lived there. I have vacationed on the outer islands and loved every minute of it. However if you do not take the road less traveled by and end up in Waikiki explore Oahu and see what the island has to offer.

Points of interest on Oahu:

Hawaii Kai-
Pui Kena(Hawaii Loa Ridge)-This is a gated community with huge million dollar houses, not 1-2 million but 10 and up. Crazy rich people. However the general public is admitted access to this community to hike the ridge. All you have to do is show your id's and tell them you want to hike the ridge. I don't recall if you have to have instate residency but you can always call or just stop by. It's an intermediate hike about 3-4 hour round trip. It's wonderfull though when you do finally get to the top and see the entire Windward side. Well worth the trip. I think there's actually a website for this hike and any other that you may want to do. Sorry no link though.

Big old Tourist trap Haunama Bay
its cool, very crowded, you will probably walk a lot seeing as that parking is crazy and you will probably have to park a few miles away and walk up hill to go down hill to go back up(get there super early to park inside, is it worth it? Not really. Don't get me wrong it's very very cool if you haven't been snorkeling before. I however did a lot of free diving in hawaii and have seen a lot of things under the sea.

Parasailing-I never have tried it, but I heard It's a great ride. It's located in Koko Marina Center. There's also all kinds of water sport activity shops in this center and others in Hawaii Kai.

Sandy Beach-great beach for those who KNOW how to boogey board or body surf. Again I repeat KNOW how to. This beach is ranked #1 in the nation for broken necks and injuries due to the shorebreak. Please, Please stay out of the white wash. One of the funiest things that the locals and lifeguards laugh at are tourists that are too scared to get in the water and stand right where the waves come crashing down(shore Break-hence waves break on the shore) this is the worst spot to be in. Go in at your own risk. seriously I have had a couple of boyz, 24 to 26 years old, come from vegas thinking they were manly men and get creamed at Sandies. They got out of the water with a healthy respect for the ocean.

Windward Side-Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe

Light House-There's another hike here right as you turn the corner and see the windward side and Makapuu bay. I believe this entire hike is paved, I can't recall but it's a nice view when you get to the light house.

Sea Life park-very nice park for the kids...nough said

Makapuu Beach-An intermediate beach, you can jump in the water and have fun be beware there still is a current.

Baby Mak-A little dirt parking lot between the big beach(makapuu) and the pier. A nice little surf spot for novice when the waves are actually coming in. The surf is hardly ever good here though. There's also some nice snorkeling aroung the coastline between baby maks and maks.

The Pier right by Sea Life park/Makapuu Beach-this is where some of the locals do a little fishing and is a great place to jump in the water and go snorkeling. If you can't get into Haunama come here and see a smaller version. A little bay is formed by the pier and it's seawall. There's a lot of coral and smaller fish on the inside. For those who have ocean experience on the outside of the sea wall theres more coral and to the right of the sea wall on the outside the coral juts out for about 50 yards. There is also a second reef out there way to left and about 200 yards out that I used to go skin diving but I wouldn't recommend anyone going out there unless you REALLY know what your doing.

Waimanalo Beach-very very beautifull beach(it's gotta be its the beach I went to when I came home during the summers) Its totally a novice beach and great for families and those who want waves but don't want to fight for their lives.

Bellows-If your military you should know all about this Air Station. It's basically a little camping area, when it's not being utilized by the marines. They have paintball, cabins, bike trails, kayaks and a driving range on the base/station/post whatever.

Kailua Beach/LaniKai beach-Again wonderfull family beaches, these are kinda crowded and a little touristy(no way as bad as Waikiki), beautiful beaches though, great for a picnic and swiming. You can also rent out kayaks and paddle out to a small island and if your so inclined there's two big islands out there also.

Man I guess I could go on and on. I have only told you about 1/4 of what you could potentially get into. I guess that will be for another day. I hope this was helpfull. It is my first review.