Travel Channel

So we have decided to plan out a trip next year to Hawaii. I am curious to know about going from island to island. Is this something people do or do you generally find one you like and stay and visit the many places there. I am interested in seeing the Honolulu area and the Oahu Island, but would like to see a volcano while there. Does Oahu Island have any or am I going to have to visit the big Island too? Any other tips for us newbies?

Lived on Oahu for 3 years. You want to stay on Kauai or Maui, fly (day trips) to Oahu (souvenirs) and to the Big Island for volcanos.
On Oahu directions are given as Ewa (eva W is V)or West and Diamond Head (East) Mauka (mountain) or Makai (ocean).

Oahu is very commercial, congested. Some of the best places to visit/eat: Nico's fish market Pier 38, Uncle's fish market Pier 38 (great food good prices, nice. Locals ([Kama Aina]love them. They are just West of Town on Nimitz Hy.(Honolulu, not Waikiki) Waikiki is further East. Waikiki is for tourists, town is where we all worked and the businesses are.

Find some Ramen/Saimen restaurants look for the ones that are local, i.e. Boulevard Saimen on Dillingham, not much to look at great Saimen, there is a Ramen place across the street from the Honolulu Police Dept. I believe it's Tan-Tan Ramen on Beritania St. Find the Gelato store that supplies all the restaurants, you can purchase dixie cup size samples, off Kapiolani Blvd (Makai) on Cedar St. it's a regular neighborhood, not commercial area. Go to China town, there is a Chinese (hole in the wall) place just (Mauka) off of King St. Diamond Head of the river/canal. Get Manapua. Ask for the baked ones, they are barbeque porked filled and wonderful. We used to have them for breakfast.

If you are looking for GREAT Chinese food (dinner or lunch) China town Smith St. Little Village Noodle House. Honey Walnut Shrimp to die for! with the (actual name) Mother of all Fried Rice. Have cocktails at a little place called Indigo just a block East of Little Village. It is also a restaurant, but I never ate dinner there. Looked good though.

Sunset Beach huge turles land on beach just East of Haleiwa North Shore.

Ko Olina, Ihilani resort by Marriott. 4 coves calm water for swimming, beautiful beaches. You don't have to stay at the hotel to use the beaches. Difficult to park sometimes, use the valet at the hotel and tell them you are having brunch. (which is good food), then you can stay all day no worries.

On the weekend go to the Swap meet at the Stadium, cheap shirts, trinkets for the tourists. OR go to the International Market in Waikiki, under the huge Banyan tree. Bargain with the people! You get better prices.

Go to the Kaneohe side of the island, through the H3 tunnel. What a VIEW! Go see the Bhuddist temple at the Valley of the Temples. $2. It's in a cemetery, don't let that deter you. It's awesome.