You’ve visited Diamond Chest’s head, swam 700 yards of Sinisman’s Hat, and lifted the treacherous waves of Banzai Pipeline. You are tired, but you have no intention of sitting at home or in your hotel on such a beautiful day on the island of Oahu like today. So pull the soft head Jeep Wrangler, put your Ray Ban sunglasses on your face, and check out the battle on the Sony digital camera. These are the most popular sports on Oahu.
Your first destination should be Mount Tantalus, a 2,010-foot loop ten miles up the mountain not all that far from Waikiki. Tantalum mountain must be slowly conquered in detours while keeping an eye out for hidden clues; stray kittens and the occasional resident rooster and dog. You will also see pullouts on the road where you can park your vehicle and soak in the view. Ascending Tantalus can seem like a ride through South America, complete with the sounds of rare birds and the unfamiliar smells of rare leaves. You can ride in the rain or the sun pockets from the small showers, and you will catch at least one amazing rainbow or two. But the real payoff is near the top, where you turn into Pu’u Ualaka’aState Park. There you will park your vehicle and get out at the point where you will see 25 square miles of Oahu. between all of Diamond Head and the concrete jungle of Waikiki. The view is breathtaking and you will undoubtedly wish you had a larger memory card and a wider camera lens. To reach Tantalum from Waikiki, take Ala Wai Boulevard, make a right on Kalakaua Avenue, right on Kapiolani, right on Keeaumoku. Cross onto H-1, right on Wilder, left on Makiki, left on Makiki Castles Drive, right on Tantalum when Makiki Castles Drive dead ends. Get up and go up and go around and be happy.
Another amazing drive on Oahu that would make for a highlight reel vacation is a ride around the coast on the Kamehameha Highway (or simply the Kam Highway). My favorite way to get around this is to take the H-1 West from Honolulu to the H-2 via Central Oahu. When you pass through the town of Wahiawa (not the prettiest sight on Oahu), you will be on Kam Road (a country road here) on the way to the north shore. It’s a beautiful drive to take in the windows and roll down the soft top so you can take in the scents of the pineapple fields, especially when you pass the Dole Plantation. The mountains on your left seem surreal. You will pass the quaint and famous beach town of Haleiwa, not a bad place to stop and grab a bite to eat and shop. I recommend the burger at Kua’aina Sandwich. Follow the road to the right (here’s also called road 83). You will pass through Waimea and see Waimea Bay, Cove and Sunset Beach. Continue through Kahuku, La’ie, and Hau’ula. You are now on the south side of Oahu. The most spectacular part of this trip comes right across the Pacific Ocean through Ka’a’awa. Stop again at one of the parks along Kane’ohe Bay. You’ve just wrapped around most of Oahu’s islands and taken in some of the most beautiful sights.
No written description of the Interstate H-3 can do this elevated carriage justice. No, the H-3 is not an interstate highway in that it does not take you outside the state of Hawaii. It is called an interstate route because the tax money is paid through federal-return. A lot of federal tax money. In fact, at nearly $100 million per mile to build, this 16-mile stretch is the most expensive in the United States. City. He took H-3 and completed 37 years. If you don’t want to take a helicopter tour over Oahu, driving Interstate H-3 is awesome. You will be high above the ground through the cliffs of the Ko’olau Mountain Range. Travel through the mountain using Tetsuo Harano’s tunnel. Just before the tunnel (if you came from your ride on the leeward side), you’ll find a metal ladder on the side of the mountain to your left. Winds up, up and up. Called Haiku Stairs (or Stairway to Heaven), you could normally take these stairs up into the clouds for some of the most amazing views, not only of Oahu but of the planet. It should be noted, however, that the stairs are now closed to public use. There are politics and issues of guilt. For more information on the status of Haiku Stairs, go to http://friendsofhaikustairs.org/
As a resident of the island of Oahu for the past year and as someone who moved here from the metropolitan area of New York, I would put it mildly that there are differences in driving in Hawaii compared to driving on the mainland. In Hawaii, you are expected to “Drive with God”. That means not sticking your middle finger out the window when someone pulls in front of you. This means allowing someone to pull ahead of you and flashing the Shaka when someone else returns the favor. If you are in the islands long enough, you will undoubtedly become a different person (I know). You will be patient in red lights and also slow to fade. Drive speed limit and listen to traffic signals. Blow the pipes, and apply to the governors of the republic: Do not sound, do not hurry.
