Things to do in Oahu for all budgets

Anyone who knows me knows that I do not sit still well. I'm a do-er. Too much monotony is the worst thing for me. Mike and I had a crazy idea to try something new. Ok, I had the idea and Mike was on board with it. A job came up at work for three years at Pearl Harbor. No one wanted it because they're crazy and tied down with real life like soccer practice and mortgage payments. I went into it with the idea that I would only take the job if Mike could land a job with the dive team out there. During my interview and site visit, I let everyone know that I was very interested, but had to work that detail out. Right before I left to come home, Mike called to say he was in! So, in a month I had packed up most of the house and taken off to start my new crazy life. Mike took care of most of the rest of the details because he's a rock star and here we are!

So far, we love it! O'ahu is a really amazing place to live and visit! There are tons of great hikes, beaches, people, great activities, etc. So, I thought I'd compile a list of those I've enjoyed so far.

Free

-Beaches (duh): Lanikai (parking is terrible, get there early), Kailua, Waikiki (again with the parking), Ala Moana, Bellows (east side, less crowded), Makaha (west side, less crowded)

-Hiking

   -Olomana (Three Peaks)

   -Koko Head Crater Tramway hike

   -Kailua Pillboxes

   -Kuli'ou'ou Ridge

   -Wiliwilinui
   -Makiki Tantalus

-Waikiki Sunsets

-Hilton Hawaiian Village Fireworks (Fridays at 745)

-Jump off the big rock in Waimea (Low Season only)

-Explore Haleiwa and watch the giant waves (Winter months)

-Lyon Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
-Farmer Markets at Kailua (Thursdays, Sundays) and KCC (Saturdays)
-Swim with wild dolphins at Makua Beach (be there by 730 AM and you'll start to see dorsal fins. The water is clear which makes it less scary to swim out.)

Very Inexpensive (Less than $10)

-Pearl Harbor
-Sunset/Sunrise yoga on Lanikai beach with Kailua Beach Yoga
-Diamond Head hike

-Manoa Falls hike

-Snorkel Haunama Bay

-Byodo-In Japanese Garden and Temple

-Vino and Vinyasa at the Westin Moana Surfrider once per month

Midrange ($10-$99)

-Waimea Falls Botanical Gardens (swim under a waterfall!)

-Surf Waikiki

-Sunset Catamaran trip

-Sunset Pirate Ship cruise (Groupon always has a deal for this)

-SUP or kayak to Flat Island and the Mokes in Kailua

Expensive but worth it ($100+)

-Scuba diving Waikiki wrecks

-Cageless shark (Pelagic Research) snorkel trip with One Ocean Diving

Food

Cheap

-Shrimp trucks on the North Shore

-Fish tacos at North Shore Tacos

-Acai bowls at Tropical Tribe (Ala Moana)

-'Ai Love Nalo (Waimanalo, vegan, 99% GF menu, 100% fresh awesome local food)

Mid-range

-Brunch at Over Easy, Kailua (YUM!)
-Brunch at The Nook, Honolulu
-Crepes No Ka Oi, Kailua

-Fish Tacos at Tommy Bahama, Waikiki (sit in the rooftop sand lounge)

-Drinks at Hard Rock's rooftop lounge, Waikiki

-Duke's barefoot bar, Waikiki
-Sweet potato chip nachos at Highway Inn, Kaka'ako
-Red Curry Fish or kalua pork and cabbage at Uahi Grill, Kailua
-Kona Brewing Co, Hawaii Kai

Pricey
-Hula Grill, Waikiki
-Roy's, Ko'olina