Riding a bike is a great way to explore Honolulu and Waikiki, you can get a broader view of the beach areas and the miles of scenic coastline that make up the island. Bike paths are plentiful and bike rentals are located all over the island is an excellent way to stop at the attractions in with the freedom to stop and check out things on your own time. There are bike rentals available in different areas but keep in mind some of the destinations are miles away, so biking is a good option for going a short distance.

Renting a car is something you should definitely consider while in Oahu, the airport and Honolulu have several rental car companies to choose from. Even if you only rent a car for a few days, map out and plan a few days of sightseeing to see the major attractions. If you want to explore the beautiful outlying areas of the island, a car is highly recommended. Areas are quite spread out with things located in each direction on the coastline. Driving on the island is relatively easy, just be aware of the normal traffic during rush hour which can be busiest between 7 am – 9 am and from 3 pm – 7 pm. Pay attention to the speed limits in Oahu as they tend to be lower than the standards in the US and are strictly enforced.

Parking in downtown Honolulu is what you would expect in any major city, it can be busy with tourists and commuters and lots of traffic.You can find public parking garages but they can be expensive, be sure to bring lots of quarters for meters as they charge around $0.25 every10 minutes.

There is a public parking garage located under the state capitol building and also one located at Iolani palace. Check with your hotel regarding parking they will be able to give advice on the best places to park while you are out exploring the island. Many of the state parks here do charge for parking but it is normally a small fee.The Honolulu Zoo parking lot entrance on Kapahulu Avenue has metered parking with a rate of around $1 an hour and the Waikiki shopping plaza has a flat rate of approximately $5 (cash only) offered on some evening and weekend hours.

There are a few alternatives to paying for some of the expensive parking prices in Waikiki, free parking can be found along Ala Moana Park Drive, behind the Ilikai hotel and Duke Kahanamoku, Ala Wai Boulevard has free parking spaces across from the convention center available 24 hours a day, the Shell parking lot on Montserrat Avenue (located on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki near the Honolulu Zoo and Kapiolani Park) offers unlimited free parking, Waikiki Beach Embassy Suites in port cochere offers 3 hours of free parking between 10 am and 3 pm as long as you provide a receipt from one of the Waikiki beachwalk restaurants or shops, the Royal Hawaiian Center offers an hour of free parking with validation after the free hour charges are approximately $2 for 2 hours, a purchase is required for this free, reduced rate. Be sure to look for signs regarding overnight parking and time limits on when parking ends.

A helpful site for checking parking availablity and pricing is www.bestparking.com/honolulu-parking.

The weather is beautiful year round on Oahu, with average temperatures between 75 – 85 degrees and trade winds that keep things nice, cool and comfortable. Summer is between April and October when the daytime highs are around 85 degrees with sunshine for the entire day, this time can also be the dryer season.

The winter months are from November to March with an average daily high of 78 degrees; this time of year is also considered the rainy season with a few gray days. The western side of the island referred to as the leeward side is generally drier and the eastern side or windward side tend to be wetter.

Winter is surf season on the island where the surfers come from all over to catch the big waves on Oahu`s North Shore, major competitions are held in November and December months.

Whale Watching season starts in December and ends sometime in May with the peak months being January through April.

The Honolulu festival is normally held sometime in early March. A three-day event celebrating the relationship between Hawaii and the Pacific Rim.

The Annual May Day concert is held at the Waikiki Shell an outdoor concert venue near Kapiolani Park.

Some of the best shopping can be found in Oahu, a shopper’s paradise where you will find both indoor and outdoor settings for your shopping needs. A wide variety of shops specializing in authentic items and the beach areas. The high-end retailers and charming boutiques found along the main strip of Kalakaua and Kuhio Avenues offer a variety of unique items to take home.

The currency in Hawaii is the US dollar. US standards apply when tipping, restaurants 15 – 20%, bartenders $0.50 – $1 per drink, housekeeping $1 per bed, per night, luggage porters $1 per bag, room service 10 – 15% of the total bill, taxis are 15% of the fare. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Hawaii by clicking Hawaii

Oahu is a great destination to enjoy great food, a foodie haven! The island offers so many fresh fruits, vegetables, and seafood based on its unique location and offers several different cuisines including Japanese food to Western fusions. Some local dishes include delicious Malasada a hot Portuguese doughnut, Loco Moco a hamburger steak with egg served over rice and covered in gravy, a plate lunch includes two scoops of rice, macaroni salad and meat including kalua pork, Korean barbecue and chicken katsu is a local staple or cool off with some shaved ice.

Nightlife in Oahu starts when the spectacular sun melts into the Pacific Ocean, Honolulu and Waikiki are the places to be, energetic, active and full of variety every night of the week. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, lounges, clubs and even hotels that offer local food, tropical drinks including the Mai Tai, live music, and dancing! Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown offer great options for a fun night out with wine bars and jazz clubs to DJ`s spinning live music with happy hour specials. Waikiki has 24-hour restaurants and cafes for great late night snacks. Keep in mind certain areas are not safe after dark especially parts of downtown and Chinatown, Pearl City, Waianae, Nanakuli, and Kalihi.

The official language in Maui is English and Hawaiian, the Hawaii pidgin language originates from Polynesian languages, part of the Austronesian language family which is widely dispersed throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Although Hawaiian is not commonly spoken it is good to know a few common phrases such as; Aloha – Hello and Goodbye, Mahalo – Thank you, Kokua – Help and Lua – Bathroom.

The major hospital located in Oahu is the Queens Medical Center. Telephone 808-538-9011.

To call for an ambulance, police or fire department call 911.