The North Shore

Description:

This property recently completed a massive $35-million renovation to revitalize its dark interior, which had existed for 30-years as an unrequited casino. The lobby is now open and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the dramatic oceanview. The resort is spectacular: an hour's drive from Waikiki, but eons away in its country feeling. Presiding over 808 acres, Turtle Bay is loaded with activities and 5 miles of shoreline with secluded white-sand coves. It's located on Kalaeokaunu Point ("point of the altar"), where ancient Hawaiians built a small altar to the fish gods (the altar's remains are now at the Bishop Museum).

All rooms have ocean views (some have balconies) and now feature marble floors and countertops in the bathroom, and comfy bedding. Unfortunately, the improvements -- though significant -- don't live up to the expensive rack rates: For these prices you can stay in true luxury at the Halekulani in Waikiki, where you will get much better accommodations and much-improved service. If you can afford it, book the separate beach cottages. Positioned right on the ocean (the views alone are worth the price), the 42 bungalows boast hardwood floors, four-poster beds with feather...

Description:

Experience the natural beauty and culture of the entire vast Pacific in a single day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, a kind of living museum of Polynesia. Here you can see firsthand the lifestyles, songs, dance, costumes, and architecture of seven Pacific islands or archipelagos -- Fiji, New Zealand, the Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, and Hawaii -- in the re-created villages scattered throughout the 42-acre lagoon park. A recent $1.1-million renovation project remodeled the front entrance and added an exhibit on the story of the Polynesian immigration.

You travel through this museum by foot or in a canoe on a man-made freshwater lagoon. Each village is "inhabited" by native students from Polynesia who attend Hawaii's Brigham Young University. The park, which is operated by the Mormon Church, also features a variety of stage shows celebrating the music, dance, history, and culture of Polynesia. A luau takes place every evening. Because a visit can take up to 8 hours, it's a good idea to arrive before 2pm. Just beyond the center is the Hawaii Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which is built of volcanic rock and concrete in the form of a Greek cross and includes...

Description:

Alii Beach Park lies on the north shore of Oahu west of Haleiwa. The beach is best known for the large swells that bring beginner and expert surfers to the area. This is a county facility and surfing lessons are given by that entity on winter weekends. Swimming is also popular at this site. Calm waters can be found in the southern section of Haleiwa Alii Beach Park, where there is a protected bay area.

Description:

Haleiwa Beach Park lies on the northern shores of Wailalua Bay well protected from the high waters of the north shore. A sandy beach gives way to calm waters for swimming and other water activities. This county park also supports picnic tables, restrooms, showers, as well as, basketball courts, volleyball courts and a softball field.

Description:

All that is left of the vast Dole plantation is a pictorial display of the pineapple's history and a country store offers fresh pineappels and gifts. In the back, nearly two acres of rich, red earth have been turned into the world's largest maze (recognized by the Guinness Book of Records) with a path 1.7 miles long. It is built from 11,400 tropical plants, including hibiscus and fragrant plumeria; in the center is a garden in the form of a golden pineapple.