Marco Garcia
Some of the best experiences on Oahu? They're myriad, but we like to head to Waimea Bay right off the plane fom November to March. That's when monstrous waves -- some 30 feet tall -- roll into Waimea. When they break on the shore, the ground actually vibrates and everyone on the beach is covered with salt spray mist. It's amazing to see how small the surfers appear in the lip of the giant waves. And watching this unforgettable experience won't cost you a dime.
See Hawaii from a different angle -- get out on the water for a day. The waters are fabulous for scuba diving and snorkeling, but if you'd like to keep your head above water, kayaking will keep you relatively dry and still able to see Oahu's vibrant green foliage and clear blue skies.
Perpetual award-winner D. K. Kodama, who built Kapalua's Sansei into one of Maui's most popular eateries, has become something of a local legend with his exuberant brand of sushi and fusion cooking. Choices abound on the extensive menu, but you can't go wrong with Sansei's award-winning trademark: Asian rock shrimp cake.
Standing on the deck of the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor is an unforgettable experience. On that fateful day -- December 7, 1941 -- the 608-foot Arizona sank in just 9 minutes after being bombed during the Japanese air raid. The 1,177 men on board plunged to a fiery death -- and the United States went to war.
Get up early, drive across Oahu, and have breakfast at Cafe Haleiwa with the surfers. In the summer, when the waves are flat, Waimea Beach Park is great for swimming, snorkeling, and bodysurfing; in the winter, watch surfers take on huge, 30-foot waves. On your way home, return to Haleiwa and stop at the shrimp trucks for a cheap and delicious meal.
If you want to really "understand" Hawaii, this 45-minute tour is well worth the time. The Iolani Palace was built by King David Kalakaua, who spared no expense. The 3-year project, completed in 1882, cost $360,000 -- and nearly bankrupted the Hawaiian kingdom.
At Duke's Canoe Club at the Outrigger Waikiki, it's always three deep at the beachside bar as the sun sets; extra-special entertainment is a given here -- usually from 4 to 6pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and nightly from 10pm to midnight.
This valley is stalked by wild peacocks and about 700 curious people a day, who pay to see the 9-foot meditation Buddha, 2 acres of ponds full of more than 10,000 Japanese koi carp, and a replica of Japan's 900-year-old Byodoin Temple.
A host of cultural sights and experiences are to be had in Honolulu's Chinatown. Wander through this several-square-block area, with its jumble of exotic shops offering herbs, Chinese groceries, and acupuncture services. Before you leave, be sure to check out the lei sellers on Maunakea Street.