First, don t forget to have a decent digital camera so you can take photos and remind him of the wonderful time he had afterwards ;-) !!* One location right out of Tahiti or Bora Bora is Haiku Gardens, probably the most beautiful tropical setting in Oahu. Under the Koolau Mountains in Kaneohe. The restaurant has been there forever (since the 60 s) has changed multiple times from privately-owned to Chart House to currently Haleiwa Joe s which is not expensive. Food is above average , you re going for the setting...http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/zlTf4mD9k��* Expensive breakfasts are cheaper than lunch or dinner. For a knock-out breakfast, the buffet at the Plumeria Beach House is pricey ($30 buffet breakfast) but the 100% kona coffee, fresh fruit, cook-to-order omelettes right on the beach at the Kahala Resort is total class. Free valet parking.* If you want to select one dinner that is slightly more $$$, for romance I would choose the Hau Tree Lanai, at the Kaimana Beach Resort, just east of Kapiolani Park. The terrace dates from the early 20th century, you eat under the same hau trees that famous poet Robert Louis Stevenson sat under when the original mansion stood here.http://www.kaimana.com/dining.htm* For casual breakfast (weekends only), try the Waioli Restaurant in Manoa Valley, on Manoa road, about where Oahu intersects Manoa Road (not EAST Manoa road), adjacent to the Salvation Army camp. You eat outside on the patio, at the beginning of the rain forest that backs Manoa Valley, about $8 per person.* Speaking of Manoa Valley, are you into hiking? Manoa Falls at the end of Manoa Road is a short hike through the rain forest (including a bamboo forest). If you like to hike, Maunawilli Falls in the back of Kailua is a more strenuous (you have to hike through the stream at least 4 times) to a hidden tropical pool-and-falls where you can jump in the water, surrounded by giant ferns. Really, right out of a South Seas movie...http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/hiking/man��* You can buy him (and yourself!) a lei! Visit Mauna Kea Street, next to chinatown, mauka from King Street. The street is famous for the dozens of small florists that string their own leis, orchid dendrobium leis start as little as $4. In any case, some of the leis are worth looking at, are small works of art in themselves.http://www.cindysleishoppe.com/* Agree with the other respondent that the view from Nuuani Pali Point lookout is spectacular. From downtown Honolulu, take the Pali Highway towards Kailua. GET OFF on Old Pali Road, which meanders through a small rain forest then connects back up to the Pali Highway before you get to the lookout itself.* Snorkeling in the coral reefs of the submerged caldera Hanauma Bay, and pointing out spotted tropical fish to each other is wonderful. Arrive early before the tourists both scare away the moray eels and sea turtles, and kick up the sand and cloud the water (and also so you can get a parking space!). You can rent equipment from a concesssion on the beach. If you buy a disposable camera for under-water pics, note they will come out very bluish, unless you have a decent flash.* Don t forget about the beauty of Hawaiian music and Hawaiian dance (the hula). You can go for drinks (food is very expensive) at Chai s Island Bistro at the Aloha tower. On Saturday nights, Danny Couch sings, famous for the (unofficial) state song of Hawaii. Also look for concerts from Keali i Reichel, they are great.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOLo9-gSx��* You can buy him a Hawaiian keepsake from Na Hoku, the big island jewelers. Prices are reasonable if you stay away from gold...http://www.nahoku.com/NaHoku/MensJewelryYou should show him the touristic side of Waikiki on a Friday night, and there is a (free) dance show from legitimate hula schools (called halaus) 3-4 times a week next to Duke s statue. On Fridays, the Hilton Hawaiian Village has free fireworks on the beach at about 8PM.
Aloha! how lucky to live in HI I m so jealous! = try the following:Drive up the Pali lookout - free - historic site with amazing views Hike Diamond Head Crater - $5 and amazing viewsValley of Temples - $5 gorgeous Boyodo-in-Temple amid rainforest dramatic cliffsLanikai Beach - voted most beautiful in the countryWaimea Valley Falls - believe free or very cheap - and very beautifulWaimea Bay on the N shore - amazing tide pools, and great surf views, watch the prosSnorkel Hanauma Bay - $5 best snorkeling on OahuAlso try snorkel or kyak at Kalua BeachHike to the Makapuu Lighthouse - great views, good whale watchingHalona Blowhole - fun spot and great whale watching, close to Sandy Beach for body surfing!Lyon Arboretum - inexpensive and so pretty!Pearl Harbor - USS Arizona Memorial - free and a huge part of Oahu historyWaikiki Beach - yup its touristy but amazing location, great people watching just lots of funLots and lots of free museums galleriesChina Town - awesome place to site see, buy fresh flowers, fruit, fishDuke s - great place to get a drink watch the sunsettons more to choose from, this is just a start