The Magnum - Hawaii Bucket List

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bradchambers · #1 Post by **bradchambers** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 7:23 am

Ok, maybe not a bucket list, but at least the "gotta do" list when visiting Hawaii. I'm going to start saving for a trip to the islands, and I want to plan out the places to go and things to do that would be essential to a trip there. I've seen the great pics some of you have shared here taking a swim in the tidal pool or standing outside the gate to the estate, clearly those are top 2 for me. But what else? As I will likely not be alone, I wouldn't want to spend all of my time doing Magnum-centric things, but I think 2 or 3 days driving around Oahu should allow me to get my fill without being rushed. Anyone care to comment or publish their top 10 sight seeing spots? Perhaps an actual itinerary?
Where I know I have to go:
The estate (pics in the tidal pool and at the front gate)
The Island Hoppers pier
Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial
Byodo-In Temple at Valley of the Temples Memorial Park
Some of the various accessible Kamehameha Club spots
U of H
Chinatown

IKnowWhatYoureThinking · Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:05 pm

Pearl Harbor would be at the top of my list for Hawaii. I wouldn't mind seeing the estate or Island Hoppers, but I would not leave the island without visiting the Arizona Memorial.

lutherhgillis · #3 Post by **lutherhgillis** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:21 pm

I would have to visit the Arizona. My next-door neighbor was on a ship in Pearl during the attack and survived. He lived beside us for 40 years before he ever mentioned that fact! Traumatic does not even begin to describe the horrors of war. We knew he was a WW2 veteran but we had no idea about Pearl Harbor.

I would also visit the North Shore along with the places already mentioned.

MPS · #4 Post by **MPS** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 4:36 pm

Make sure to drive on the Pali Highway (Hawaii Route 61) from Honolulu to the windward side of Oahu. It has cool tunnels, jungle-like growth and a great look-out at the top. The winds at the Pali Lookout are so strong my kids (when smaller) were able to lean right into them and not fall flat on their faces!

You can be standing in the clouds up there, getting soaking wet, then it clears and you have the most beautiful view of the windward side of the island.

If you get off the main road, just outside Honolulu, there are neighborhoods that are totally surrounded by lush jungle. I'm sure most of the shots of TM driving through jungle-like spots were filmed here.

#5 Post by **ConchRepublican** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 5:08 pm

I'm looking forward to this list coming together and saving it for my trip!

This weekend I took a look and found what I thought to be decent costs in October, $850.00 PP roundtrip from Newark, NJ, nonstop, 10 1/2 hours. I wonder what they give you on a trip like that . . . . . but I digress.

I'd also like to go to the point where he spoke to Michele in his ghostlike state from Limbo.

Steve · #6 Post by **Steve** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:00 pm

ConchRepublican wrote:I'm looking forward to this list coming together and saving it for my trip!

This weekend I took a look and found what I thought to be decent costs in October, $850.00 PP roundtrip from Newark, NJ, nonstop, 10 1/2 hours. I wonder what they give you on a trip like that . . . . . but I digress.

I'd also like to go to the point where he spoke to Michele in his ghostlike state from Limbo.

What do they give you nowadays flying 10 1/2 hours?? Well, when we went in April of 2007 on American Airlines coach, we got our seats (very hard and no leg room) any food you wanted you had to purchase on board which consisted of ham & turkey sandwiches/$6.00.......small cans of pringles/$6.00......large bag of M&M's/$6.00. The flight attendants came by with the carts after about an hour in the air, disappeared for almost 6 hours and then went down with the carts again about 2 hours from Hawaii. With the stupid TSA gel regulations you can't even pack some food and bring along any longer, but, you do get a couple of movies and the excitement of heading to paradise. I bit the bullit on the way back and upgraded all of us to Business Class just to get some padding and leg room!........
Now to the list:
Of course The Anderson Estate which James so eloquently described as being on sensory overload while you are there.
The drive to The North Shore but I would go the long way around, past the Estate along the windward side unless you are in a hurry. The Pineapple farms are all long gone if you go thru the middle on up, however Dole still has a tourist plantation set up.
We climbed up Diamondhead, which is a bit of a task but not too painfull. It is all along pathways and stairs and the view when you get to the top is breathtaking.
Pearl Harbor
And most of all, enjoy and relax, you are in Paradise!!!!

#7 Post by **J.J. Walters** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 9:11 pm

Hotel Street/Chinatown (Hubba Hubba is gone, but the sign still remains), Falls of Clyde, the Parke Chapel (Magnum's secret meeting place), Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, Queen Emma Summer Palace, the Walker Estate.

If you want to add a little adventure to your trip, try to sneak in to the Elk's Honolulu Lodge, or the Outrigger Canoe Club!

Jaybird · #8 Post by **Jaybird** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:27 pm

Since I am a paddler......start at Lanikai or Kailua beach and paddle down to Waimanolo with my wife. Swim into the pond in front of the estate. Both of us don mask and snorkel, my wife is snorkeling while I hold her just like the intro. My snorkel is around my neck. Have a picture taken trying to duplicate TM glancing down at the butt and then getting that grin and "stare into the sky" look.

FYI: Lanikai is a great place to stay. No hotels. Only B and B's or homes to rent. 20 minutes from the airport through the tunnel. Lots of good restaurants. Best beaches around. Tons of water sports. Drive down the coast to the estate and keep going into Waikiki or head back thru the tunnel. Drive up the coast about 1 1/2 hours and you're at the North Shore. Totally different vibe on the North or West shore.
The best bet would be to rent a really nice place with two or three other couples. Don't go during the rainy season. In March 2006 it rained every day on the windward side.

Lily · #9 Post by **Lily** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:20 am

Agree with all places mentioned, but also must add the Iolani Palace as it gives a wonderful insight into the Hawaiian monarchy.

Oh, and for the ladies...you cant miss a days shopping at the Ala Moana Centre

Aloha!

Icepick · #10 Post by **Icepick** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 2:37 am

Steve, that AA flight sounds just like Northwest. A sandwich. Next time I'm going Air Canada direct.

Things to do list, other than Magnum stuff, in Oahu...let's see...

- Hanauma Bay - Beautiful setting, snorkling with giant sea turtles, Blue Hawaii was filmed there. Go very early in the morning so you can get a parking spot and miss the major crowds.

- Sunset Beach - on the North Shore. No explanation needed.

- Dole Plantation - there's a 20 min mini-train tour also the world's largest maze, but I'd avoid that. The train is around $7 but there is also a large gift shop and a restaurant area. Have a Dole Whip smoothie!!! It's kind of cool just to go in and take a look if you're driving up to the North Shore.

- Elvis fans - like Magnum there is a few spots for the King. The Aloha 73 concert was at Blaisdell Center Arena, which has an Elvis statue out front. For a more detailed explanation of where the helicopter landed PM me.

- Fatty's Chinese Restaurant - quick Chinese food at a counter. It's in Waikiki just off Kuhio. It's on the other side of the International Market.

- Dukes - bar/restaurant. It's right on the beach in Waikiki and everyone must visit at least once. Same goes for Coconut Willys in the International Market.

- Shopping - There's a Chelsea premium outlet called Waikele Premium Outlets. It's in Waipahu which is past Pearl Harbor just off the H-1. You could probably do both on the same day. If you're going with the Mrs than this might be a good counter balance to Magnum stuff. Not stereotyping of course;

--also, Ala Moana shopping mall. It's your typical mall but its completely outside. The food court has some interesting stuff.

--also the Ward area. This is near Ala Moana mall.

- Crouching Lion Inn - great restaurant that has recently changed ownership and it's being or going to be completely refurbished. And yes, Magnum was filmed here. It's at Kahana Bay up the east coast or the Windward side of Oahu. Nice coastal drive up to the North Shore.

- Horseback riding - Kualoa Ranch. This is by the above Inn. Magnum was filmed here as well as Lost, Jurassic Park, Godzilla, and others.

- Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Farm - this is on the way to the two above places. It's in Kaneohe and is Oahu's best kept secret, or is it? Sample great coffee and nuts.

- Honolulu Zoo. Fantastic place if that's your cuppa tea. Check out the hilarious little meerkats or see the tigers, elephants, or soak up the tropical foliage and rest under a gum tree.

- Fort DeRussy Park/US Army Museum - a short walk west from the main bit in Waikiki. Free Admission.

- Chinatown. But if you're like me from Vancouver, it's pretty much like being at home; One thing I did notice is that the shop keepers in Chinatown were very friendly compared with Vancouver. Actually all shop keepers in Hawaii are friendly.

- Pearl Harbor - no need to explain this place but check with your hotel as they might have some sort of discount coupon.

Oahu Gold - this is a discount booklet available for free everywhere. This has heaps of coupons in it.

MPS · #11 Post by **MPS** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 4:55 am

I have one to add to your list, Icepick:

A Mai Tai at The House Without a Key (at the Halekulani Hotel) in Waikiki. Way too expensive, but a fun way to top off an afternoon of shopping

bradchambers · #12 Post by **bradchambers** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:14 am

Excellent suggestions, especially the Kualoa ranch. My girlfriend is a huge Lost fan (as am I), so I would love to be able to get some Lost locations in as well. Anyone know where the fuselage / crash site beach is? Or any other notable location (I would imagine a lot of Sydney and other flashback locations are around Oahu).

Sam · #13 Post by **Sam** » Wed Jul 30, 2008 12:38 pm

Brad,here is a link for a "Lost" tour.The crash location was the beach just before Dillingham Field.It is my understanding that the fuselage is stored at Dillingham.

http://www.lostvirtualtour.com/

Link to crash site.

http://www.lostvirtualtour.com/lost/fil ... index.html

Here is a pretty good map of Oahu,it's very similar to the map in "This Week" magazines which can be found on most street corners in Waikiki.

http://www.driveguidemagazines.com/oahu ... ahuku.html

I know James is a big fan so I'm sure he'll have more info.

IslandHopper · #14 Post by **IslandHopper** » Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:40 am

Pearl Harbor and the Arizona is a must see. Also go to "Little Round Top." There were several scenes throughout the series that were shot there (Tran Quoc Jones). It provides an unbelievable vantage point overlooking Waikiki, the Punch Bowl, Diamond Head. I would also go to the Valley of the Temples. Next time I go I want to go to Club Hubba Hubba on Hotel St. This bar can be seen in many episodes (China Doll, Thank Heaven For Little Girls And Big Ones Too...).

N1095A · #15 Post by **N1095A** » Sat Aug 02, 2008 4:23 am

Anyone know if Omega Station is still standing? I know it was used in "Lost", but it's fate was in question about a year ago.