Visiting the Hawaiian island of Oahu can be expensive, but its scenic beauty and tourist-friendly offerings provide dozens of things you can do for free. The free activities include hikes, tours of historic sites and monuments, and evening events on the beach.
Sightseeing
While in Oahu, be sure to see the USS Arizona National Memorial Park at Pearl Harbor, the site of the Japanese attack that thrust the U.S. into World War II. It's an important history lesson, and admission is free. There are also free guided Waikiki Historic Trail tours that begin at the Visitor Information Station at Kalakaua and include stops at the former home of King Kalakaua, the last king of Hawaii. Spend some time on the beaches of the famous North Shore on the windswept north end of the island, where you can watch surfers navigate monster waves. Don't forget to check out Turtle Beach, where you can see giant sea turtles lounging on the sand.
Free Hikes
The best way to admire the scenic beauty of Oahu is to hit the trails; there are literally dozens of short hikes available free of charge. One of the most popular is the Diamond Head Crater trail, a steep 540-foot climb to the rim of the crater (this requires a $1 walk-in fee). Another popular hike is a 1.6-mile round-trip trek to the scenic Manoa Waterfalls. Another hike that offers a breathtaking view of the coastline is the Makapu'u Point Lighthouse Trail just off Highway 72. And the 2.5-mile Hau'ula Loop Trail across from Hau'ula Beach Park provides stunning views of the Kaipapau Valley.
Evening Events
On any given night in Oahu there are multiple free activities to choose from. On Friday nights, you can see a free fireworks show on Waikiki Beach at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. There's also the Kuhio Beach Torch Lighting and Hula Show, held nightly at the Kuhio Beach Park Hula Mound near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. Or take in a free movie on weekends at "Sunset at the Beach" at Kapahulu Pier, where a giant movie screen is erected on the beach, along with food booths and live entertainment. And from June through August, you can see a free concert at the Honolulu Zoo as part of the summer concert series.
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