The must-do highlights of Honolulu in three days

Whether you’re stopping over en-route to mainland US or enjoying a quick ‘aloha’ holiday, you can pack a lot in to 72 hours in Hawaii.

Most visitors from Australia land at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu and spend their time on the beautiful island of Oahu. Here’s our recipe for an unforgettable three days there.

DAY ONE

MORNING

The statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing, near Waikiki Beach.Credit: iStock

Overnight flights from Australia to Honolulu land in the morning (some of them very early), but most Waikiki hotels won’t allow you to check in until 3 or 4pm. Pre-arrange for an early check-in or pack swimming gear in your carry-on luggage so you can head straight to Waikiki Beach.

It really lives up to the hype, a dazzling turquoise playground for swimmers, surfers and sun-seekers. Claim a patch of sand in the heart of the action, in front of The Royal Hawaiian Hotel or near the statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing. Cool down with a Dole pineapple soft serve from Lawson Station at Moana Surfrider (marriott.com).

Families might like to check out the sheltered beach and kid-friendly lagoon in front of Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (hilton.com), about a 20-minute walk from the Duke. Stop first at an ABC store (abcstores.com) - there are dozens of them - to pick up some floats and water toys.

LATE MORNING

If your day started early, you’re probably ready to eat by now. Waikiki hotel restaurants can seem pricey when you do the currency conversion and then add tax and tip (a tip of at least 18 per cent is the custom), but there are some affordable local hangouts. Steak Shack (steakshackhawaii.com), located on Waikiki Beach, just to the west of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, serves up tasty, satisfying grilled steak and chicken plates with rice and organic greens, from $US10.35. Eggs ’n Things (eggsnthings.com) is another popular spot for brunch, located about a block from the Duke statue.

AFTERNOON

Now’s a great time to take a surfing lesson or give stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) a try. Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort sits on the original home of Outrigger Canoe Club, where Duke was a member. The Moniz family’s Faith Surf School (faithsurfschool.com) can be found there, offering lessons in surfing and its etiquette, SUP and outrigger canoe surfing. When guests take a lesson, they get to play in the waters where modern surfing was born. Beginners are welcome.

LATE AFTERNOON

ABC stores are ubiquitous in Honolulu.Credit: iStock

Head back to your hotel, check in and freshen up. Ready to shop? You’ve come to the right place. Kalakaua Avenue, Waikiki’s main street, is lined with high-end boutiques, shopping malls, multiple locations of ABC Stores (we told you) and the ubiquitous Honolulu Cookie Company (honolulucookie.com) shops. Veer off the main drag to find a bargain at Ross Dress for Less (rossstores.com) and Nordstrom Rack (nordstromrack.com) where your dollar will go further.

EVENING

Sunset is a glorious occasion celebrated every day in Waikiki, and for good reason. Depending on the season and the weather, the sky can turn brilliant shades of pink, peach and lemon. Grab a Mai Tai at Duke’s on the sand at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort (dukeswaikiki.com), enjoy some live music and order a platter of pupus (that’s Hawaiian for appetisers). Follow up with dinner at Momosan (momosanwaikiki.com), a casual spot on the ground floor of Alohilani Hotel, serving tasty ramen, bao buns and sushi rolls.

DAY TWO

EARLY MORNING

Diamond Head, the spectacular volcanic crater near Waikiki Beach.Credit: iStock

Start the day with a hike at Diamond Head (gostateparks.hawaii.gov) and be rewarded with panoramic views of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki Beach. Visitors need an advance reservation and must pay a $5 fee. The trail to the summit is just 2.5 kilometres round-trip, but does include some uphill walking and steep stairs. The monument is open from 6am to 6pm, but it’s a good idea to go early morning to avoid the crowds. Refuel after the hike at ARS Cafe (arscafe.net), serving arguably the best coffee you’ll find on the island.

MORNING

Learn what it means to be Hawaiian at Iolani Palace.Credit: iStock

Take an Uber to downtown Honolulu for some museum-hopping. Iolani Palace (iolanipalace.org) is fascinating, the only royal palace to have ever existed on US soil. Home to royal members of the Kingdom of Hawaii before Hawaii became a US state. It’s been well-preserved and offers great insights into the history and culture of the formerly independent nation. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of what it means to be Hawaiian.

EARLY AFTERNOON

It’s a 10-minute level walk to The Pig and the Lady (thepigandthelady.com), a modern Vietnamese restaurant serving specialty pho, satisfying banh mi baguettes and glorious chicken wings. Reservations recommended, but not essential. A wander around the nearby streets reveals Oahu’s Chinatown.

AFTERNOON

Hop in an Uber or walk 20 minutes to HoMA, Honolulu Museum of Art (honolulumuseum.org). There’s always something interesting going on, with a changing roster of special exhibits and an impressive permanent collection. The gift shop is a treasure trove of tasteful Hawaiian souvenirs, books and historic photographs.

Tours of Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design (shangrilahawaii.org) begin and end at HoMA, where participants are met and transferred as a group by mini-bus. The former residence of heiress Doris Duke, Shangri La is now a very glamorous public museum with lavish grounds. Advance bookings essential to avoid disappointment.

EARLY EVENING

Sunset luaus are as Hawaiian as the hula, the perfect way to get into the aloha spirit. Expect to see graceful performers in grass skirts, energetic fire-dancers and an Elvis impersonator or two (the King filmed Blue Hawaii on location in 1961 and loved the islands). A feast of roast meats, fresh seafood, tropical fruit and island desserts is laid on. Two of the best are at The Royal Hawaiian (marriott.com) and Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort (hilton.com). Highly recommended to book ahead.

EVENING

If it’s Friday night, don’t miss the Hilton’s fireworks extravaganza, launched from Duke Kahanamoku Beach and Lagoon area at 7.45pm. Watch from the sand at Fort DeRussy Beach, adjacent to the Hilton.

DAY THREE

MORNING

Pearl Harbour is Hawaii’s biggest tourist attraction.

The number one visitor destination in Hawaii, Pearl Harbor National Memorial (nps.gov) is home to a visitor centre and the USS Arizona Memorial, located over the battleship that was sunk in 1941, and claimed 1177 lives. Spend a couple of hours here at the museums and the monument, which requires a ticket. If you haven’t booked in advance, you can try for a day-of ticket, the earlier the better.

LATE MORNING

Less than a 15-minute drive from the Memorial, Ala Moana Center (alamoanacenter.com) is the world’s largest open-air shopping mall. With more than 350 shops and restaurants, there’s plenty to explore. Take a break from shopping at Mariposa, inside Neiman Marcus department store (neimanmarcushawaii.com), a lovely space for coffee, brunch or a glass of bubbles.

AFTERNOON

You could spend the rest of the day at Ala Moana or at the beach, but if you’re eager to see beyond Honolulu, head up to Oahu’s North Shore. Home to famous surf breaks (and tanned, fit surfers), shrimp trucks and shave ice shops, the north side of the island is where you’ll see a less crowded, more local scene. If you don’t have a rental car, then public transport is the best way to go. Take TheBus (thebus.org), route number 60. The coastal views are spectacular.

EVENING

Toast another perfect day with sunset cocktails at House Without A Key, Halekulani Hotel’s (halekulani.com) sublime beachfront venue. The most coveted reservation is 5.30pm for an outdoor table. That’s when former Miss Hawaii winners elegantly dance the hula to live music. The food is great, the cocktails on point and the view of Diamond Head is unbeatable. A classic for a reason.

LATE EVENING

Still going? Must be all that fresh air and aloha energy. Finish the night with cocktails at Lewers Lounge, Halekulani’s secret jazz bar. Dress up a bit, it’s a classy establishment featuring world-class jazz musicians. (halekulani.com)