This began as a Dan's Deals trip, made possible by a Southwest companion pass acquired through a Dan's Deals tip. We started with a full day bus tour making a circuit of the island (Go Oahu included). Other than the obligatory stop for lunch at a roadside stop and souvenir shop(so the driver could make some kickback bucks) it was a good way to orient ourselves and figure out our tour priorities. Due to a traffic jam, we got shorted time on the Dole Plantation. Makani Catamaran was a fantastic experience. Part of the Go Oahu pass, (normal charge was $85) was a sail off a Waikiki on a glorious sunny day. It is whale-watching season, and we saw four whales and calves. To our captain's surprise, we found ourselves surrounded by a pod of dolphins. He said that this was a rare experience so close in. It was so absolutely amazing, that we chose to take another Catamaran ride on the other side of the island at Kualoa ranch, which was nice, but lost much by comparison. In retrospect, we should have chosen another Kualoa option on the Go Ohahu pass. Because we were in a Waikiki lodging, to be within walking distance of Chabad for Shabbos meals (another Dan's Deals tip) parking a rental would have been about $30 a night. We got weeklong Waikiki Trolley passes through Expedia (again, thank you Dan, for the 40% off deal on that) When I researched, I found that most of the Go Oahu attractions were on their routes. It was faster and cheaper than public transportation with guided tours along the way. Another tourist mentioned that there are also Zip Car and other daily/hourly cheap rentals of the same type available which we would have used as needed. The trolley took us to Diamond Head, up the scenic coast to SeaWorld (both Go Oahu included) Pearl Harbor (reserve Arizona Memorial tickets in advance online for $1 fee or you won't be able to visit the actual memorial site) including the aviation museum, the battleship Missouri and the Bowfin submarine, all with audio tours included under the GoOahu pass. In retrospect, I would've started our day there earlier, because we missed the Bishop Museum and the Iolani palace (both Go Oahu included). We were going to do the Polynesian Cultural Center (Go Oahu included), but had our Shailos when we found it was LDS sponsored, a group that is actively missionary in nature. BTW, the GoOahu pass and the trolley pass do not have to be used in consecutive days, so you don't lose a day with Shabbos. All in all, it was an amazing experience and we hope to go again. Thanks Dan!
