Oahu : The Heart of Hawaii - this site breaks up Oahu into cities/ regions and also by type of travel (wedding, golf, family vacation, arts & culture, etc.); click on beaches and find reviews of the best spots for your trip, click on family vacations and you can find maps, temperatures, events, things to do, or you can learn about the history of the island, some tips, off the beaten path ideas, and so on, visit-oahu.com

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve - this huge curved bay was created by a caved in volcanic crater just east of Waikiki and Diamond Head and it is a beautiful place to come and enjoy the view, the beach and the snorkeling; however, it is famous and therefore crowded and touristy. Food concessions up in the parking lot were a huge rip off--come prepared. Visitors are guided through a waiting area with displays and then on to an auditorium for a short film about preserving the bay, and finally onto trams to the beach area below. There are small fees for parking, entrance and using the tram. Lifeguards, showers, and changing rooms are down on the beach. I found it disappointing that all the trails and areas to either side of the beach were closed when we were there and that the water outside the closest portion of the bay was too rough for beginning snorkelers. In the areas we could access there were still many fish and urchins to be seen, making it a really fun experience despite the crowds, phone: 808-396-4229

U.S.S. Arizona Memorial - this moving tribute to some of those lost in the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, is free to the public and draws a huge number of visitors daily; there is a museum, film, optional audio tour, ferry to the memorial, which is positioned directly over the sunken battleship in the harbor, nps.gov/usar/

Battleship Missouri Memorial - just a short shuttle ride from the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial is the Battleship Missouri, nicknamed the Mighty Mo, where the Surrender Documents were signed signifying the end of WWII; the ship is a floating museum now offering tours (self-guided, audio, or guided) of the ship and many exhibits and artifacts relating to the period of the second World War, ussmissouri.com

International Market Place - located along the main strip of Waikiki beach (2330 Kalakaua Ave.) tucked in between shops is a giant open air market of over 130 touristy stands selling everything from fresh leis, to clothing, to jewelry, to Hawaiian pearls, including a large food court. In the food court are every kind of Asian food, including great sushi, Hawaiian BBQ, fresh coconuts, shave ice, and more all at more reasonable prices than local restaurants. Visitors will find lots to shop for and eat while strolling through the shady market place, internationalmarketplacewaikiki.com

Iolani Palace - this is the regal Victorian style residence of the last two Hawaiian monarchs located in downtown Honolulu; open to tour, it features an interesting film about the history behind the palace and the road to Hawaii's statehood, the spacious grounds, and a self-guided audio tour of the palace itself including galleries of artifacts and a small gift shop in the basement, iolanipalace.org

Dole Pineapple Plantation - has to be one of the biggest and best gift shops I've ever seen--everything related to Dole and the pineapple can be found there plus much more. Shop to your hearts content. Try the fresh pineapple, the baked goods, and be sure to watch a demo of how to choose, cut, and even grow a pineapple. Then if time permits ride the pineapple train for a short narrated tour, walk in the display garden, or try to find your way through the giant 3 acre maze, dole-plantation.com

Oahu - pages of photos, displayed as thumbnails to whet your appetite for your next trip to Oahu, Hawaii, frommers.com

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