Oahu Memorial Day Weekend - 10+ Fun Things to Do in May

What better way to honor our fallen heroes than with a visit to some of the more important memorial sites in the entire country? The Pearl Harbor Historic Sites are iconic for their poignant commemoration of the events of December 7, and many other battles from WWII. A few of your options include the USS Bowfin Submarine (which sank an amazing 44 enemy ships in her time), the Battleship Missouri or 'Mighty Mo' (the last battleship ever built), the USS Arizona Memorial (which commemorates the lives lost in the initial attack on Pearl Harbor), and the Pacific Aviation Museum (an educational collection of exhibits and artifacts). Please note that admission to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites is free - the Go Oahu pass covers the cost of any tours. Getting In: The below are included on the Go Oahu pass.

• USS Bowfin tickets
• Battleship Missouri tickets
• USS Arizona Memorial Tour tickets
• Pacific Aviation Museum tickets

If you’d really like to explore the secret heart of Oahu this Memorial Day Weekend, join up with this amazing excursion. Enjoy a morning tour featuring many of Oahu’s hot spots, from Pipeline Surf Beach (where all the pros hang out) to the sumptuous North Shore Shrimp Trucks. You’ll also get a glimpse at many hidden gems that most tourists never see. Post lunch, you’ll get a chance to snorkel with giant Hawaiian green sea turtles – truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Getting In: Oahu Hidden Gems + Snorkeling with Turtles tickets are available as a premium attraction option with the 3-, 5-, and 7-Day Go Oahu passes.

One of the best ways to explore authentic Hawaiian culture is with a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center. This amazing cultural attraction combines the best in entertainment with top-notch educational opportunities. Learn how to husk a coconut, hop aboard a leisurely canoe ride, and enjoy many other cultural activities and demonstrations. If you’d like to stick around in the evening, the PCC puts on a stellar luau that’s an absolutely must-see event in Oahu. Combine that with a dinner show, and you’re set! Getting In: Polynesian Cultural Center tickets are included with the Go Oahu Card, with Ali'i Lū'au tickets available as a premium attraction option with the 3-, 5-, and 7-Day Go Oahu passes.

By Memorial Day Weekend in Oahu, the weather can reach scorching temperatures, so take every opportunity to cool off that you can. Hop aboard a Makani Catamaran Sail for a unique opportunity to sail the lovely clear waters of the Pacific on a luxe 2-hour cruise. It’s the perfect way to see the stunning coastal waters of Oahu, where you should keep one eye out for a bevvy of wildlife like dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and even whales (in season). Getting In: Makani Catamaran Sail tickets are included with the Go Oahu pass.

If you love watersports, then you can’t leave Oahu without trying your hand at snorkeling. It’s an easy activity that takes no experience and offers immense awards. Plus, the snorkeling equipment is included, so you don’t even need to pay for your own gear. Hanauma Bay is the perfect place to go on your snorkeling adventure because of its gorgeous coral reefs and luxuriant population of tropical fish and other critters. Swim alongside rays, octopi, and even more turtles. Getting In: Hanauma Bay snorkel gear rental is included with the Go Oahu pass.

Get out and enjoy the early summer weather in Oahu with an exciting hiking excursion of your choice. A couple of the most popular options are the Diamond Head Hike and the Makapu’u Lighthouse Hike. Opt to ascend to the crater of an extinct volcano whose calcite crystals fooled early explorers into thinking that they had found a treasure trove of diamonds. Or, choose to hike out to a historic lighthouse on Makapu’u Point and check out their historic hyper-radiant lens. Getting In: Diamond Head hike transportation service and Makapu’u Lighthouse hike transportation is included with the Go Oahu pass.

Pedal your way to easy explorations with Oahu bike rentals. This gives you the freedom to ride where you please, stop and explore as long as you’d like, and (perhaps most importantly), avoid the atrocious Waikiki traffic. Moped rentals are also an option, if you’d prefer a little bit more pep in your journey (only available to those 18 and older with a valid driver’s license). Getting In: Oahu Bike rentals are included with the Go Oahu pass.

If all you really wanted out of a Hawaiian vacation was a chance to relax on the beach, then a trip to the perfect paradise of Secret Island Beach is up next on your list. Enjoy beautiful vistas of Kaneohe Bay as you lounge in the sun. If you tire of tanning, or if the kids are a bit antsy, you’ll have access to three hours of unlimited activities, from badminton to stand-up paddleboarding. You get the best of both worlds - with a chance to relax or be active depending on the mood that you're in. Getting In: Secret Island Beach tickets are included with the Go Oahu pass.

Animal lovers absolutely must make some time to pay a visit to Sea Life Park. While you’ll certain see plenty of critters in their natural environments in Oahu, it’s important to pay a visit to those who have benefited from human rescue and rehabilitation efforts as well. A highlight of this attraction is their 300,000-gallon tank filled with a recreated tropical reef, which is home to a wide variety of species from reef sharks to brightly colored fish. If you’d like to really make a day of it, opt for the Dolphin Encounter package, which gives you the distinctive opportunity to get up close to friendly dolphins who splash, play, and even “dance” as they swim right by you. Getting In: Sea Life Park Hawaii tickets are included with the Go Oahu Card. Sea Life Park Dolphin Encounter tickets are available as a premium attraction option with the 3-, 5-, and 7-Day Go Oahu passes.

One of Oahu’s signature Memorial Day events is their compelling Lantern Floating Ceremony. It’s a tradition each year and is a way that Hawaiian remember their lost loved ones. Over 7,000 paper lanterns will be lit and released into the sea on Ala Moana Beach. This beautiful ceremony is a very emotional experience that brings people together through love and loss. If you’d like you can sign up to float a lantern in remembrance of those you have lost. Getting In: The Lantern Floating Ceremony is free.