WAIKIKI AQUARIUM

Gaze at jellyfish, sharks, monk seals and other creatures; at 2777 Kalakaua Ave.

Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily; aquarium opens at 11 a.m. on New Year's Day

Cost: $9 general, $4 for those 13-17, $2 for those 5-12, free for keiki 4 and younger

FYI: The aquarium has more than 2,500 specimens of more than 420 species

Directions from Waikiki: Within walking distance of most hotels

Phone: 923-97411

See Waikiki and beyond with a hike inside Diamond Head Crater — it's spectacular

Hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

Cost: $1 entry fee

FYI: Wear comfy shoes, bring water

Directions from Waikiki: Take Monsarrat to Diamond Head Road

Phone: 587-0300

Most popular snorkeling spot; at 7455 Kalaniana'ole Highway

Hours: 6 a.m.-6 p.m. daily except Tuesdays; 10 p.m. closing second Saturdays. Closed on New Year's Day.

Cost: $5

FYI: Go early; entry denied if parking lot ($1) is full

Directions from Waikiki: No. 22 bus; car, H-1 east, Kalaniana'ole Highway

Phone: 395-2211, 396-42296

Go under the sea; board at Hilton Hawaiian Village

Hours: Tours on the hour, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.

Cost: Premium sub tour, $105 adults, $53 children; smaller sub tour, $84 adults, $42 children

FYI: Children must be at least 36 inches tall; tours are English- and Japanese-oriented, so inquire

Directions from Waikiki: Walkable from some hotels; Hilton is off Kalia Road at Ala Moana

Phone: 973-98119

A breathtaking photo-op site, with views of the Ko'olaus, Kane'ohe, Kailua and the Pacific; the site of 1795 King Kamehameha battle

Hours: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: Free

FYI: Hang on to your hats on a blustery day

Directions from Waikiki: Pali Highway, to lookout cutoff

Phone: None

A re-creation of plantation-era homes of Japanese, Filipino, Chinese, Portuguese and other cultures

Hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Tours at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. only on New Year's Eve. Closed on New Year's Day.

Cost: $13 adults, $10 seniors, $5 youths 4-11

FYI: Guided tours on the hour

Directions from Waikiki: Car, H-1 west to exit No. 7; bus, No. 43, from Ala Moana Center

Phone: 677-01100

See World War II planes; at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Closed on New Year's Day.

Cost: $14 adults, $7 children; free for active-duty military

FYI: Includes the first American warbird to encounter Japanese planes headed to Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941

Directions from Waikiki: Car, H-1 west; exit 15A (USS Arizona/Stadium cutoff)

Phone: 690-0169

Where the wild and not-so-wild things are; at 151 Kapahulu Ave.

Hours: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily

Cost: $8 (13 and older), $1 for children 6-12

FYI: Picnic in a shady spot; there are often concerts and other events

Directions from Waikiki: Walkable from hotels; off Kalakaua Avenue at Kapahulu Avenue

Phone: 971-7171

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