HONOLULU ATTRACTION FIELD GUIDE
From Battleship Silence to Pineapple Fields: A Day Crossing Kauai to Oahu’s Icons
A full-day, guided circuit that pairs the USS Arizona Memorial’s solemn history with Dole Plantation sweetness and Oahu’s signature coastal lookouts—this guide explains what to expect, what’s included, and how to prepare.
From Battleship Silence to Pineapple Fields: A Day Crossing Kauai to Oahu’s Icons.
This all-day excursion ferries you from Kauai to Oahu for an intense, varied itinerary: a focused visit to the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and the USS Arizona Memorial followed by a drive through the North Shore, a stop at the Dole Plantation, and a sequence of coastal and mountain lookouts that stitch together Oahu’s best-known landscapes and local flavors.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Pearl Harbor & the USS Arizona Memorial
Spend substantive time at the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center—watch a documentary, explore exhibits on the December 7, 1941 attack, and take the short boat ride to the open-air USS Arizona Memorial to view the sunken battleship and the memorial wall that lists the 1,177 lost.
Dole Plantation: Pineapple Fields and Dole Whip
A relaxed hour at the Dole Plantation includes gardens, Rainbow Eucalyptus trees, the chance to savor the signature Dole Whip, and access to the gift shop; the optional Pineapple Express train ride is available for an extra fee depending on group size.
North Shore to South Shore: Surf, Shrimp Trucks, and Lookouts
The route threads famous surf beaches and Haleiwa (drive-by), pauses for panoramic views at Pali Lookout, and includes a lunch stop at Tanaka’s Kahuku Shrimp, followed by dramatic south-shore lookouts such as Halona Blowhole, Hanauma Bay, and Diamond Head.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
This is a long, carefully staged day: an early morning flight from Kauai into Honolulu, immediate transfer to Pearl Harbor for museum time, the short boat ride to the Arizona Memorial, then a scenic loop across Oahu with photo-ready stops and a relaxed plantation break—culminating in south-coast vistas before returning you to the airport and onward to Kauai.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this cross-island day trip, and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Carry government-issued photo ID (passport if arriving from outside the U.S.), cash for roadside stands and food trucks, comfortable clothes and covered shoes (no swimwear at Pearl Harbor), sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and a camera.
Roundtrip airfare from Lihue (Kauai) to Honolulu and ground transfers on Oahu are included; attraction entry fees are provided by the guide except the optional Pineapple Express train at Dole Plantation.
Pick-up in Honolulu occurs between roughly 7:00AM and 8:00AM with the tour starting at 7:00AM daily except Sunday; the full tour duration is approximately 11 hours.
Meals and gratuities are not included; bring cash for food trucks and optional Pineapple Express tickets (adult and child rates apply when available).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Are attraction tickets included in the tour price?
Yes—entry tickets for the attractions on the tour are included and will be provided by your guide, with the exception of the Pineapple Express Train Ride at the Dole Plantation which is optional and paid separately.
What if the pre-arranged Arizona Memorial boat passes are not available?
If pre-arranged boat passes are not provided by the National Park Service, you will be directed to the Arizona Memorial walk-up line; typical wait time for the walk-up line is about an hour.
Where and when do I meet the tour after my arrival in Oahu?
Pick-up locations differ by carrier: Southwest passengers meet outside terminal 2 at baggage claim 31 (pick-up location #5); Hawaiian Airlines passengers meet outside the Hawaiian terminal baggage claim at pick-up location #1—look for the van with the Aloha Sunshine Tours logo.
Can I bring a bag into Pearl Harbor?
Purses and bags are not allowed inside Pearl Harbor; bags may be stored for $7.00 each. Clear plastic bags that show contents are permitted, and medical equipment that cannot be stored in a lightweight clear bag is allowed.
Is swimwear allowed at Pearl Harbor and what is the expected dress code?
Swimwear is not allowed at Pearl Harbor; appropriate dress and conduct are expected to honor the solemn nature of the memorial.
What are the recommended arrival and check-in times for the included inter-island flight?
Approximate departures are between 6:00AM–6:15AM with arrivals to Honolulu around 6:45AM–7:00AM; check-in at least one hour prior to departure is advised.