A Hawaii Holiday Away From the Big Island - On Oahu

Hawaii certainly is famous for its beautiful beaches; but Oahu, Honolulu especially, is world-famous for being home to Pearl Harbor. Children are particularly enthralled by a look at the warship Arizona resting in its shallow watery grave clearly visible under the waters of the Pacific. The place where one of the ship's gun turrets breaks water and at places where the wreck leaks a little oil 50 years after the ship was sunk make the emotion-charged history of the site, come alive to emotional visitors. The Arizona Memorial opens first thing in the morning at 7:30 AM. Be sure to get there early. There are a million visitors who come here each year to pay their respects. They close entry to visitors once the daily allowance is filled.

Of course, a Hawaii holiday isn't about a history lesson alone. How about taking in some of the wildest water action you ever seen in a water park - at the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park in Kapolei? This isn't your standard everyday water park. One of their rides, appropriately called Cliffhanger has you plummeting six stories down in a ride with gushing water that'll have you screaming for more. They have miniature golf and all kinds of other water rides as well. Does the thought of a Hawaii holiday without surfing seem boring? Get warmed up at this water park at their artificial surfing wave pool. Your kids will certainly love it.

For more thrills, only land-based, try the Kualoa ranch - think safaris, Hawaii style. No, there are no wild animals here. What you get is a tour of the jungle on their crazy ATV vehicles or on horseback, that can take you through riverbeds, tropical forest trails and other wonderful jungle vistas. If some of this seems familiar to you, it's because they filmed the movie Lost here. If you've worked up an appetite, try a happy afternoon walking through the local Chinatown. It's China of course, only done Hawaiian style. You get wonderful cooking everywhere, and there is cheap shopping for souvenirs. You don't need much guiding to have a good time here - you just need to follow the sights and smells.