things to do in Hawaii?

MacCool

There's a Thai restaurant in Haleiwa that's really excellent. If you're renting a car (you should) it's an easy drive from Honolulu once you clear the city traffic, which can be a real bitch. You really should tour the north shore...get a look at some of the most famous surfing beaches in the world - Sunset, Waimea, Banzai Pipeline. Consider hiking Waimea canyon. Nice little interpretative center. You can go all the way back to the falls if you don't mind the gaggle of tourists.

Also, consider going up to the Kualoa Ranch (certainly will be a bus leaving from your hotel)...take a 4-wheeler or horseback tour of the Ka'a'awa Valley. Lot's of TV shows and movies shot there, including LOST and Jurassic Park.

The helicopter tour really is something that should be done. Do one that circles the island...really the best way to get a feel for Oahu, especially Diamond Head, KokoHead, and Pearl Harbor.

IMWEZL

Yeah you can Bring your own drinks too. I would get there early because it gets packed.

Man Def I wish I would have known about the local grinds back when I was on island. Those red velvet pancakes sound great! I like Korean BBQ too. I went to Sorabol in Honolulu and the only item I could read on the menu was bin-bin-bap.