A drive along the East End of Oahu can be enjoyed as an entire day with stops for snorkeling or it can be done in 2 to 2.5 hours. Remember to bring your camera and to fill a cooler full of ice and cold drinks is always a good idea in Hawaii. This drive begins along Kalakaua Avenue heading toward the Diamond Head. Continue past Waikiki Beach and through Kapiolani Park. This park is the center of many activities on Oahu. Concerts and cultural festivals are held here often along with the Kodak Hula Show. The Waikiki Aquarium is also here along with the Honolulu Zoo. Lighted tennis courts are free for anyone to use. At the far end of the park, there is a large fountain. Continue past the fountain and prepare to turn right onto Diamond Head road. Here the road passes the Diamond Head lighthouse on the right. Diamond Head beach is located at the base of the Kuilei Cliffs along this road. This beach is very popular with windsurfers. Take a moment to enjoy the view and get some great pictures at the parking area on the right.
To continue along Diamond Head road, will bring you to a triangular shaped park. Diamond Head road continues toward the left and Kahala Avenue begins here and continues toward the right. Continuing toward the left along Diamond Head road will take you to the entrance of Diamond Head Crater. Once within the crater you can park and hike to the summit all in about 90 minutes.
The drive along Kahala Avenue will take you through one of Oahu's most prestigious neighborhoods. This road terminates at the entrance of the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel where you may want to stop in for brunch, lunch or just to browse the grounds and enjoy their wonderful dolphin pool, tropical fish and sea turtles. Continue along this road and prepare to turn left onto Kealaolu Avenue and then turn right onto the entrance of Kalanianaole Highway. This divided highway is the main artery along the East End of Oahu. This part of the drive will take you along several coastal suburban neighborhoods complete with fast food places, schools and supermarkets. Hawaii Kai is the biggest and most popular of all the Eastern Shore neighborhoods. This is a great place to stop and have lunch at the original Roy's restaurant, which features Pacific Rim cuisine, or to gather up some sandwiches for a picnic at Hanauma Bay.
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