#BUCKETLISTJUNKIE

I have spent an unimaginable amount of time scouting out the far corners of this island. Although Oahu is only roughly 44 miles (71 km) long and 30 miles (48 km) across with a shoreline of about 227 miles (365 km), this volcanic island is home to some of the most prestine of landscapes. This little island has allowed me to climb heights of over 756 m (2,480 ft) and dive down to see some incredible sea-life. I was blessed to give birth to my first child on Oahu and also to spend her first two and a half years exploring and learning the hawaiian culture. Traveling these countless miles to find the most interesting and beautiful backdrops for Lifesong Photography & Designs, in addition to experiencing some of its culture has been a huge enjoyment.

I originally created a Google Docs spreadsheet, but realized that provided little to no help when trying to quickly decide where you may want to visit! I thought a blog might be the best!

There are three ways you can see the Oahu Bucket List: (1) read through the list below (click on the links to get to the images), (2) click HERE to see the full #bucketlistjunkie blog or (3) visit the Google Doc Excel Sheet HERE (a more comprehensive list including restaurants).

I have split it into five groups: hiking peaks, chasing waterfalls, water activities, places and other adventures. I am working to update each link below with recent images from my Oahu touring, so CHECK BACK SOON! I will also be adding restaurants & cafés!

HIKING PEAKS

Aiea Loop Trail

Chinaman’s Hat

Crouching Lion Hike

Diamond Head

Ehukai pillboxes (Sunset Pillboxes)

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail: Dragon’s Nostrils and Tidepools

Hanauma Bay Rock Bridge

Hauula Loop Trail

Judd Trail

Ka’ala Peak (Pu’u o Mahuka Heiau)

Ka’au Crater

Ka’ena Point State park

Kahana Valley’s Nakoa Valley

Kaunala Loop Trail

Kealia Trail

Koko Head: Stairs, Arch & Koko Head Rim Trail

Kolekole Pass*

Kuliou’ou

Lanikai Pillbox hike

Lanipo Trail

Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail

Makiki Valley

Manoa Cliffs trail to Pu’u O’hia

Mauna Lahilahi

Moanalua Valley Trail

Olomana 3 Peaks Hike

Omega Station Hike

Pali Puka

Peacock Flats

Pu’u Ma Eli Eli

Pu’u Mana Mana

Pu’u Pia

Stairway to Heaven (Puʻukeahiakahoe)

The Kaniakapupu Ruins–CLOSED

Tripler Ridge Trail

Waianae (Pu‘u‘ohulu Kai aka Pink) Pillboxes

Waimea Heiau Lookout

CHASING WATERFALLS

Laie Falls

Likeke Falls

Lulumahu Falls

Malaekahana Falls

Manoa Falls

Maunawili Falls

Waihe’e Falls

Waimea Falls Hike

Waimano Loop Trail: Cardiac Hill, The Tunnels and The Falls

WATER ACTIVITIES

Ali’i Beach

Ala Moana Beach Park

Barber’s Point

Bellows Beach*

Diamond Head Beach Park

Dillingham Beach (Mokuleia Beach Park)

Electric Beach (Kahe Point)

Eternity Beach

Honolulu Duck Boat

Haleiwa Beach Park

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve

Hickam Beach*

Ka’ena Point Beach

Kailua Beach Park

Kayaking to the Moke Islands

Ka’wela (Turtle Bay Beach)

Ko Olina Lagoons

Kualoa Regional Park

Laie Trampoline

Laniakea Beach

Lanikai Beach

Makaha Beach

Makapu’u Beach Park

Nanakuli (Mermaid Beach)

Sharks Cove

Sunset Beach

Waikiki Beach

Waimanalo Beach

Waimea Bay

Whale Watching (Star of Honolulu Whale Tours)

White Plains Beach*

PLACES

Aloha Tower

Banzai Pipeline

Bishop Museum

Brewseum

Coconut Island

Diamond Head Lighthouse

Dog the Bounty Hunters House

Ford Island Memorials*

Hale’iwa Town

Halona Blowhole

Honolulu Downtown

Ho’omalunia Park Botanical Garden (View of Ko’olau Mountains)

Int’l Mktplace

Iolani Place

Kaka’ako

Kaneohe Marine Base*

Kaniakapupu Ruins (Summer Place Ruins)

Kawainui Marsh Trail

Kunia Regional Signals Intelligence Center

La’ie Point

Lana’i Lookout (Hwy 72)

Mac Nut Farm (Tropical Farms)

Natatorium WWI Memorial

Old Bottles and Antiques

Pacific Aviation Museum

Pali Lookout

Peggy’s Picks

Punchbowl National Cemetary and Sacrific Rock

Spitting Cave of Portlock

Tantalus Lookout

USS Arizona Park

USS Missouri

Waimanalo Country Farms

OTHER ADVENTURES

Bishop Museum

Byodo-in temple

Camp at Ahupua’a O Kahana State Park

Chef’s Luau

Children’s Discovery Center (Honolulu) Museum

Christmas Tower Lighting with Santa on Hickam*

Coral Crater Free Fall

Dole Plantation + Helemano Plantation

Doris Dukes Shangri La Honolulu Museum

Ewa Train on Sundays

Fireworks Downtown Waikiki

Hangers in Ford Island

Hawaii Army Museum (Fort Derussy)

Hawaii Nature Center – Honolulu Museum

Hawaii’s Plantation Village Museum

Hawaiian Railroad Society Museum

Heiau Ancient Temple-CLOSED

Iolani Palace/King Kamehameha Statue

itrampoline

Jurassic Park Tour

Kualoa Ranch

Kukaniloko Birthing Stones

Manoa Chocolate Factory Tour

North Shore Soap Factory Museum

Oceanarium

Oeno Winemaking (for Happy Hour)

Old sugar mill

Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor on Historic Ford Island

Paradise Cove Luau

Polynesian Cultural Center

Queen Emma’s Summer Palace Museum

Run Ala Moana Park

Run Kakaako Waterfront Park

Dolphins from power plant

Skydiving over N Shore

Trolly Ride

Tropic Lighting Museum

Ulupo Heiau

USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park

Valley of the temples

Wahiawa Botanical Gardens

Waikiki Aquarium

WW2 Red Light District tour

Chinatown Frist Friday & Pictures of bricks

Harbor Tour

* some or all areas require base (DoD) access

RESTAURANTS

Aloha Wow Wow Lemonade

Bee & Tea Boba Café

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf