Jan 7 – 9, 2016
East-West Center (EWC)
Pacific/Honolulu timezone

Touristic information

Oahu offers plenty of opportunities to have a great time. Please find a small selection below:

Waikiki
Is the touristic hub of Hawaii and Oahu. Don't be too shocked by the big crowds. With every mile you leave Waikiki behind the crowds will fall off steeply. This doesn't mean that Waikiki cannot be enjoyed. For instance, you find plenty of nice beach bars. For good MaiTais in a nice environment I recommend checking out the bars in the Moana Surf Rider and Royal Hawaiian hotels. Affordable food is in most bars and restaurants of average quality.

Pearl Habor
An interesting historic site that explains the attack of the Japanese on Pearl Habor. If you would like to see the Arizona Memorial and have not reserved well in advance you might have a chance if you go to the harbor very early (~7am).

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Bishop Museum
is the largest museum in Hawaii and has the world's largest collection of Polynesian cultural artifacts and natural history specimens.

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Honolulu Academy of Arts
a world class collection of Asian Art

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Manoa Falls trail

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Diamond Head trail

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Hanauma Bay
Great for snorkeling: It gets busy in the mornings and the parking lot will close down. Going in the afternoon when people are leaving is recommended. You will have to watch an educational video before being allowed to go to the beach. Among other sea creatures, you have a good chance to see sea turtles while snorkeling. Please keep a safe distance. They are protected and touching them results in a high fine.

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Waimanalo Beach
Most likely the nicest beach on Oahu and maybe in the whole island chain (people debate this question regularly).

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Kailua
Another very nice beach with fine white sand and turquoise water. Please be aware that wind and rain are typically coming from the east side. Therefore, if it looks like overcast in Honolulu most of the time the weather is already rainy on the Waimanalo and Kailua side.

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North Shore
Waves are getting big at the North Shore during winter time. The famous Triple Crown surf contest just concluded before Christmas. Certainly not for anybody who is not close to be a professional surfer, but great to watch.

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There is also a good spot to see turtles basking in the sun at the North Shore at a beach called Laniakea.

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The small town of Haleiwa is worth a visit.

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Kaena Point State Park at the north-western tip is home to monk seals and albatross. At this time of the year albatross should be breeding. This is a nice half-day hike.

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