Welcome to O‘ahu—the “Gathering Place”—where royal Hawaiian history, wartime remembrance, and modern island life sit side by side. On the island’s leeward coast, Ko Olina’s calm lagoons cradle Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa (opened in 2011), created with local cultural experts to honor Native Hawaiian stories and art. It’s a resort stay with a sense of place: look closely and you’ll spot menehune motifs, voyaging canoes, and kapa patterns woven into the design.

Beyond the resort, O‘ahu delivers big: Waikīkī’s surf breaks and city energy, Pearl Harbor’s solemn memorials, Kaka‘ako’s street art, and the North Shore’s winter swells. Inland valleys hide movie-famous ridgelines at Kualoa Ranch, while Windward beaches like Kailua shimmer in shades of turquoise. Food here is a love language—plate lunch, poke, malasadas, and shave ice stand shoulder to shoulder with chef-driven kitchens.

Practical notes: book timed reservations for Diamond Head and popular sights; pre-book resort experiences, lū‘au seats, and Kualoa tours. Reef-safe sunscreen is required, and wildlife is protected—give turtles and monk seals space. Renting a car makes day trips easy; allow 45–70 minutes to cross the island depending on traffic, and plan extra time for parking in town.

Ko Olina (Aulani, O‘ahu)

Ko Olina is a master-planned oceanfront community 27 miles west of Waikīkī, known for four man-made lagoons with gentle water—ideal for families and first-time snorkelers. Aulani anchors Lagoon 1 with waterslides, a lazy river, Rainbow Reef snorkel lagoon, cultural programming, and the serene Laniwai Spa.

Days here easily blend beach time with hands-on learning—‘ukulele lessons, lei-making, storytelling by the firepit, and the splashy Menehune Adventure Trail. Step out the gate to Ko Olina Station for coffee, poke, and an ABC Island Country Market deli, or wander next door to fine dining at the Four Seasons.

• Where to stay: Browse resorts and condos near the lagoons on VRBO Ko Olina or compare hotels (Aulani, Four Seasons O‘ahu, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club) on Hotels.com Kapolei.
• Getting there: Fly into Honolulu (HNL). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. The drive HNL → Ko Olina is ~25–40 minutes; rideshare typically $45–$80 depending on time of day.

Day 1: Arrival in O‘ahu + Sunset at the Lagoon

Morning: Fly into HNL. If renting a car, pick up at the airport; a compact runs roughly $50–$85/day. If you prefer rideshare, request curbside and head west toward Ko Olina.

Afternoon: Check in at Aulani and stretch your legs along the lagoon path. Grab a light bite at ‘Ulu Café (poke bowls, flatbreads, acai) or Island Country Markets next door for onigiri and fresh-cut fruit. Drop into the Menehune Adventure Trail to get the kids exploring hidden “magical” effects around the resort.

Evening: Claim a spot on the lawn for sunset over Lagoon 1. For dinner, book Monkeypod Kitchen Ko Olina (hand-tossed kiawe-fired pizzas, fresh fish, and the famous mac nut “Monkeypod pie”; lively nightly live music) or Makahiki at Aulani for island fare in a lush setting. Nightcap at ‘Ōlelo Room—order the ahi sashimi and learn words from the Hawaiian-language decor while listening to live music.

Day 2: Aulani Day — Characters, Spa, and Rainbow Reef

Morning: Start with Makahiki Character Breakfast (reserve early; adults ~$45–$54, kids ~$28–$34) and meet Mickey and friends in resort attire. Caffeine fix at Island Vintage Coffee (Ko Olina Station) for 100% Kona brews and acai bowls. Then float the Waikolohe Stream lazy river or tackle the Volcanic Vertical slides.

Afternoon: Book a treatment at Laniwai Spa and arrive early for the hydrotherapy garden; facials and lomilomi massages typically start around $210–$260. Non-spa folks can snorkel in Rainbow Reef (clear-water lagoon; day access ~$25–$45; gear included) and grab colorful shave ice at Pāpālua Shave Ice—ask for sweetened condensed milk “snow cap.”

Evening: Reserve ‘AMA ‘AMA – Modern Island Cooking for sunset: a multi-course menu highlighting local seafood and upcountry produce, with an oceanfront terrace. After dinner, join Mo‘olelo firepit storytelling in the courtyard or stargaze by the lagoon.

Honolulu (Day Trips from Ko Olina)

Honolulu blends royal history, art, and a dynamic food scene. Downtown holds ‘Iolani Palace and the King Kamehameha statue; Chinatown hums with galleries, noodle shops, and cocktail bars. Waikīkī delivers the classic crescent beach, surf lessons, and golden-hour hula.

From Ko Olina, expect 45–70 minutes by car depending on traffic. Parking garages in Waikīkī and downtown run ~$2–$5 per half hour; meter up in popular spots early.

• Where to stay (if extending time in town): Browse VRBO Honolulu or compare hotels on Hotels.com Honolulu.

Day 3: Diamond Head, Historic Honolulu, and Waikīkī

Morning: Drive to Diamond Head (Lē‘ahi) for a sunrise-or-early hike; timed reservations required for nonresidents (~$5 pp + parking). Bring water for the steep stairs and tunnels; the crater rim views are island-defining. Coffee and kouign-amann reward at Kona Coffee Purveyors + b. pâtisserie in the International Market Place.

Afternoon: Step into ‘Iolani Palace (audio tour ~60–90 minutes; around $26) to learn about the Hawaiian Kingdom and the final monarchs. Lunch options: Helena’s Hawaiian Food (since 1946; short ribs pipikaula, poi, laulau; arrive early) or The Pig & The Lady in Chinatown (Vietnamese-inspired; pho French dip, smoked brisket “laab”). Wander Kaka‘ako’s murals or the boutiques and eateries at SALT.

Evening: Hit Waikīkī Beach for a swim or try a surf lesson. Dinner choices: House Without a Key (oceanfront kiawe-grilled fish, live Hawaiian music and hula at sunset) or casual, queue-worthy Marugame Udon (house-made noodles; tempura bar). Cocktails: reserve Bar Leather Apron for an omakase whiskey experience, or sip Mai Tais at Duke’s Waikīkī with live tunes.

Day 4: North Shore Road Trip — Hale‘iwa, Waimea, and Sunset

Morning: Depart Ko Olina for the North Shore (45–60 minutes). Coffee stop at Green World Coffee Farm in Wahiawā for a plantation brew and malasadas. Look for honu at Laniākea Beach from a respectful distance (no touching or blocking them from the sea).

Afternoon: Stroll Hale‘iwa town for galleries and surf shops, then fuel up: Kono’s (kalua pork bombers) or Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck in Kahuku (garlic scampi classic; bring cash). Choose your adventure: Waimea Valley botanical walk to a waterfall swim (life vests provided), or summer snorkeling at Shark’s Cove tide pools (calm-season only; reef shoes helpful).

Evening: Catch sunset at Sunset Beach or Ehukai (Pipeline)—winter brings big-wave theater. Drive back to Ko Olina for dinner at Mina’s Fish House (tableside fish sommelier; kampachi crudo, whole fried fish) or Roy’s Ko Olina by the golf course (blackened ahi, misoyaki butterfish).

Day 5: Kualoa Ranch + Kailua Beach, then Ka Wa‘a Lū‘au

Morning: Head to Kualoa Ranch (pre-book; Movie Sites tour ~$54–$60 pp, ATV Raptor from ~$150+) to ride through “Jurassic Valley” among basalt peaks and taro patches. En route caffeine: Morning Glass Coffee (Manoa) for hand-poured Kona and mochiko waffles.

Afternoon: Continue to Kailua for powder-soft sand and calm water; rent a board or simply float at Kailua Beach Park. Lunch at Kalapawai Café & Deli (grilled mahimahi sandwich, lilikoi bars) or Over Easy (soft-scramble, custard French toast). If you hike the Lanikai Pillbox, go early/late, carry water, and park legally.

Evening: Return to Ko Olina for Ka Wa‘a — Aulani Lū‘au (most evenings; premium and standard seats; adults typically ~$185–$229). Before the show, try hands-on crafts and see the imu ceremony; the performance tells Hawaiian voyaging stories with mele and hula. Post-lū‘au, wander the torch-lit path by the lagoon under a sky of stars.

Day 6: Easy Morning + Farewell

Morning: Ease into the day with paddleboard or kayak rentals on the lagoon, or one last lap of the lazy river. Breakfast at ‘Ulu Café (breakfast burritos, fresh pastries) or drive 10 minutes to Kapolei’s beloved My Café for flight pancakes (ube, haupia, lilikoi) and loco moco.

Afternoon: Pick up omiyage at Island Country Markets (local cookies, mac nuts, Kona coffee). Check out and allow 2–2.5 hours for the drive, rental car return, and airport security.

Evening: In the air, scroll your photos of sunsets, surf, and smiling faces—then start plotting your return to the Gathering Place.

Optional add-ons and local gems: Experienced snorkelers can visit Kahe Point (Electric Beach) near Ko Olina—clear water, strong currents; go only in safe conditions. History buffs might trade Diamond Head for Pearl Harbor National Memorial (reserve USS Arizona tickets in advance; Ko Olina to Pearl Harbor is ~25 minutes). Shoppers can browse Ala Moana Center and hunt small-batch makers at weekend markets.

For flights to Honolulu, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you decide to split time between Ko Olina and town, search stays on VRBO Ko Olina, Hotels.com Kapolei, VRBO Honolulu, and Hotels.com Honolulu.

Six days at Aulani and around O‘ahu gives you a little of everything: restful lagoon mornings, storied palaces, mural-filled streets, and surf-brushed sunsets. With this itinerary, you’ll taste the island’s best bites, learn its living culture, and leave with sand still clinging to your sandals—in the best way.