Some thoughts based on a grand total of 4 days on Oahu:

The Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor might be tough - we arrived at 7:45am and got over to the memorial at about 1pm.

In the same area, though, you can see the Missouri and Bowfin submarine.

A drive up Nuaanu Valley to the Nuuanu Pali Lookout provided nice viewing of the north-east side of the island and was a quick trip by car from HNL. Same with Pu Ualakaa State Park to look over Diamond Head, Waikiki, HNL.

All of our other activities involved getting wet, which you probably don't want to do on a MR. You could just wander around Waikiki Beach, but it was a bit touristy for me.

Does anyone here know the island well enough to answer my latest idea?

Looking at a map, I'm wondering if there's time enough to do a quick driving loop around the southeast part of the island....past Waikiki, Diamond Head, Kahala, Kailua (short beach stop), then back over Pali Highway (61) to the airport.
It will be a Saturday, between 4:00-8:00pm. Am I crazy to think I can do the loop in 4 hours?

I think you'll be okay with four hours, but that's not taking into account how security will be on that Saturday night. You won't really encounter much traffic on the roads seeing how it's a Saturday, but just watch your time.

My largest concern would be the time it'd take to get through the rental car line and returning the car.

My preferred routes to HNL from the Windward side would be either the Likelike Highway or the H-3 Freeway. They both terminate very close to the airport.

I take it that there is not an express line through security at HNL for elites, right?

It depends on the airline.

Honolulu Int'l Airport has a system called the "Gold Lane." Only those boarding passes stamped with the "Gold Lane" stamp may proceed through that line--though there isn't really a special security area for these stamp holders. Rather, it allows you to cut almost to the front of the line. The Gold Lane is not open unless there is actually a need for it.

Delta does not offer Gold Lane stamps because the security screening station closest to the Delta check-in counters does not have a Gold Lane.

United, American, Northwest and Continental all have access to the Gold Lane. However, of the four, only Continental will stamp your boarding pass if you're an elite. I'm not so sure of United or American, but Northwest does not stamp elite boarding passes with the stamp--you MUST be traveling in First Class.

Hope this helps.

And, FWIW, if a security line is long, you can always walk to down the terminal to see if another check-in station has shorter lines.

Thank you Slippahs, FlyinHawaiian for the good input. Based on what you've said, I'm not going to attempt Pearl Harbor, but rather will do the loop drive around the SE portion of the island. It will at least give me a nice overview during my short layover.

Here's the trip report. Touched down at HNL with 5.5 hours until my departing flight. Walked across the parking lot, picked up my rental car and was on the road within 20 minutes. Went up Hwy 61, to the Nuuanu Pali lookout, enjoyed the view, then over to Kailua Beach. Beautiful beach, had a 30 minute swim. The park has showers to rinse off the salt water. Watched the sun set, then back into the car and continued south on Hwy 72 around the tip of the island. Stopped at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Not enough time to go down to the beach, but enjoyed the view and a brief look at the exhibits. Since I arrived at 6pm, didn't have to pay any admission fees. Continued west into Honolulu, past Diamond Head, through the downtown area, past the cruise ships along the Nimitz Hwy back to the airport.

Very comfortable loop in 3.5 hours. Made it to the airport with lots of time to spare, did a little shopping, picked up my Starbucks City Mug for "Waikiki" and back onto the plane. A very successful mileage run - picked up a sweet 27K miles and requalifying for Gold.

I'm glad everything turned out ok; I appreciate folks letting us know if our advise was worth anything. Please promise me you'll come back again (hopefully to stay a little longer and spend some more $$$) :)

Aloha ^

4 Hours in HNL
 

Hello folks, I'm arriving HNL on 11/30 at 9:52 am on HA and departing at 2:15pm on NW. I'm travelling with 2 kids and the wife. Does anyone have any suggestions on a nice early lunch spot ?

Bumping for advice
 

Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch and Crab... but it is quite far (i.e., not walkable).

You could also try the L&L close to the airport, but with any means of transportation, I'd go with the above recommendation.

Great report! I'll be in the same boat as you - 5.5-6 hours on the island. I'm encouraged to read that I'll be able to take a nice SWIM in the pacific during this MR stop! Glad to hear I'll be able to do it!

6 hours in HNL -- what to do?
 

I have a 6-hour layover between flights. Any suggestions on how to spend the time other than hanging around in the President's Club would be much appreciated.

My top three suggestions would be the beach, the beach, and the beach. It's Hawaii, go outside, see the sun.