I really dont have much desire to do Hono...the only reason I can see going to that island (instead of the others) is for Pearl Harbor.

There are bus routes to the HNL airport (routes 19 and 20). http://hawaii.gov/hnl/ground-transportation/the-bus

I second the recommendation for Pearl Harbor and the Arizona memorial. I personally am not a big fan of Waikiki, but it you've never been there, it could be fun for a day.

On 12-hour or so layovers coming from Japan I've often rented a car and driven around the island, which can easily be done in that amount of time. A very refreshing experience. I've always been able to find a car for what I considered to be a good price. If you take this suggestion, I recommend renting from a company that is directly on site at the airport. You can save some time picking up and dropping off the car that way, because you can easily walk to the infield car rental locations from baggage claim

I was thinking of that but I'm only 19. Renting a car at my age would be out of the question financially. Unless there's a company there that will rent to me at that age and not charge $200 for the day!

Well then, here's an idea: take the bus to Hanauma Bay State Underwater Park and go snorkeling. I believe you can rent snorkel gear right there at the park. IMO, this is one of the best places to snorkel on Oahu and the scenery is excellent as well on several different levels!

Yes, you can rent

Yep, but sometimes they run out of rental equipment due to high demand. When I lived in Honolulu, this was one of my favorite places to swim and snorkel.

I also believe that bus route #22 operates to the park from Waikiki......

Been there X times during peak season and never had a problem....

That's a great idea! He can then shower up, take the 22 back to Waikiki, have dinner, and make it back to HNL. (ChiefNWA, you can get transit routes using Google Maps.)

We had a 4-hour layover en route to LIH around supper time. Took the bus to Hilton Village, watched the sunset at the beach and had a Maui Zaui at Roundtable Pizza there, and then took the bus back. It was unrushed and a great time and we would do it again for sure.

2 AM to 8 AM layover in the HNL airport...
 

upcoming travel will include the referenced layover. do I recall correctly that there is an "hourly" in-airport hotel, the kind that gives you a tiny "room" so you can sleep for just a few hours, maybe catch a shower, before your next flight, all without leaving the airport? appreciate if anyone knows details. I seem to recall walking past one before, but never paid attention since never had the need for one there before. thanks.

99.99% sure there is no such in airport hotel.

closed after 9/11
there are 2 hotels with 24 hr shuttles within 10 mins of the airport, but not sure that it would be worth the trouble & expense. There are lots of dark, quiet corners airside in HNL where you could try to rest for 6 hrs, unfortunately no couches.

Meh....not sure I would want to stay in either two of those for the price (over a 100 bucks but a bit cheaper if you reserve online).

They did re-do them some....but they are still shady.....

Just had a friend passing thru from Kwaj stay the night there and he wasn't impressed at all....

For that short of a layover, I'm not sure I'd spring for a hotel either....

But, the two airport hotels are hardly "shady." They are what they are: convenient two-star hotels for folks who only want a decent bed for a short time. Both have been relatively recently remodeled. I have stayed several times at the Ohana Airport Hotel when I simply needed a place to crash. The room was clean, small, nicely appointed and the restaurant food better than one would expect (and there's great sushi and pizza to be had a half a block away).

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