I just got back from Oahu a couple of months ago. We stayed at the Hale Koa hotel on Waikiki beach. It's only for military or government families. If your husband is stationed on the base - can't remember the name - it's about a 1/2 hour to 45 minute easy bus ride.

The grounds of the Hale Koa are breathtaking. No better place on the island for taking shots of stunning gardens, birds and flowers. They also offer a wonderful luau - reported to be the best on the island. The food was great!

Want pics of sea life up close? Go to Sea Life Park. Buy the tickets in the lobby of Hale Koa or on base with your military ID and save money. For about $140.00 you can spend about 1/2 hour in a pool with dolphins. I took some super pics there - the animals are really close. If you eat at the restaurant there, you will have spectacular views with some pretty good food that you'll pay way too much for. Stay away from the milkshake shop, though. It's awful.

Next door to the Hale Koa is a hotel (Hilton?) that has a beautiful little shopping mall inside. Even have flamingos. As you face Hale Koa, there's a small road that leads into it to the right of the Hale Koa property.

Hale Koa is on Ft. DeRussy, which used to be something like 72 acres of swampland and the Royal Hunting Grounds. Our government bought it in the early 1900's and did some spectacular things with it. There is a military museum on site that isn't open on Mondays, but the gift shop sells some spectacular postcards that are early photos of Hawaii that you might enjoy. The museum is free.

Oh, there is also a rainforest on Oahu -again, check in the lobby of the Hale Koa with the travel agency. Another great source for us were the bus drivers for inside info!

Have fun! Check out the websites below.