Pictures of hotels lining the shores of Waikiki Beach and canyons of tall buildings in downtown Honolulu have given Oahu a bad rap. The island is much more than an urban concrete jungle or a tropical Disneyland blighted by overdevelopment; it's also a haven for the nature lover and outdoor enthusiast. With year-round temperatures in the upper 70s, and miles of verdant and unspoiled landscape, Oahu is perfect for outdoor activities of all kinds, including hiking, golf, tennis, biking, and horseback riding. But the island's waters, which also enjoy year-round temperatures in the upper 70s, are where the majority of both residents and visitors head for relaxation, rejuvenation, and recreation. Locals don't think of their island or state boundaries as ending at land's edge -- rather, they extend beyond the reefs, well out into the ocean.
Bicycling--Bicycling is a great way to see Oahu. Most streets here have bike lanes. For information on biking trails, races, and tours, check out www.bikehawaii.com. For information on bikeways and maps, contact the Honolulu City and County Bike Coordinator (tel. 808/527-5044).
If you're in Waikiki, you can rent a bike for as little as $10 for a half-day and $16 for 24 hours at Wiki Wiki Wheels, 1827 Ala Moana, Suite 201 (tel. 808/951-5787; http://lava.net/wikiwiki-wheels). On the North Shore, try Raging Isle, 66-250 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa (tel. 808/637-7707; www.ragingisle.com), which rents full-suspension mountain bikes for $40 for 24 hours. If you're interested in taking a bicycling tour, The Parks at Waimea, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa (tel. 888/973-9200 or 808/638-5300), has mountain bikes, for advance and expert riders, starting at $35 for an hour and 45 minutes.
For a bike and hike adventure, call Bike Hawaii (tel. 877/MTV-RIDE or 808/734-4214; www.bikehawaii.com); they have a variety of group tours, like their Downhill Coasting Ride, which gives you a bird's eye view of Oahu from 1,800 feet above Waikiki. The tour includes coasting down 5 miles on a paved mountain road with scenic views above Waikiki, Honolulu, and Manoa Valley. Listen to the songs of birds, the wind through the trees and learn about the culture, plants, and geology of the Hawaiian Islands. After that, you leave your bike for a 2-mile round-trip hike to a 200-foot waterfall. The 9am to 2pm trip, which includes van transportation from your hotel, continental-style breakfast, bike, helmet, snacks, water bottle, and guide costs $75 adults and $60 children 14 and under.
If you'd like to join in on some club rides, contact the Hawaii Bicycle League (tel. 808/735-5756), which offers rides every weekend, as well as several annual events. The league can also provide a schedule of upcoming rides, races, and outings.
Glider Rides--Imagine soaring through silence on gossamer-like wings, a panoramic view of Oahu below you. A glider ride is an unforgettable experience, and it's available at Dillingham Air Field, in Mokuleia, on Oahu's North Shore. The glider is towed behind a plane; at the proper altitude, the tow is dropped and you (and the glider pilot) are left to soar in the thermals. There are three costs involved in a glider ride: plane rental fee, instructor fee, and towing fee. We recommend Mr. Bill at Honolulu Soaring (tel. 808/637-3404); he's been offering piloted glider rides since 1970 and has the best deal of $25 rental fee, $35 instructor fee, and $18 tow fee (nearly 40% cheaper than his competition).
Hang Gliding--See things from a bird's-eye view (literally) as you and your instructor float high above Oahu on a tandem hang glider. North Shore Hang/Para Gliding, at the Dillingham Air Field (tel. 808/637-3178; www.kailuablue.com), offers you an opportunity to try out this daredevil sport. A tandem lesson of 30 to 45 minutes to an hour in the air costs $175.
Horseback Riding--You can gallop on the beach at the Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku (tel. 808/293-8811; www.turtlebayresort.com, TheBus: 52 or 55), where 45-minute rides along sandy beaches with spectacular ocean views and through a forest of ironwood trees cost $35 for adults and $22 for children 9 to 12 (they must be at least 54 in. tall). Romantic evening rides take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 to 6:30pm ($65 per person). Advanced riders can sign up for a 40-minute trot-and-canter ride along Kawela Bay ($50).
For guided horseback tours of lush Waimea Valley on the North Shore, contact The Parks at Waimea, 59-864 Kamehameha Hwy., Haleiwa (tel. 888/973-9200 or 808/638-5300; www.go-atlantis.com), which offers a range of tours starting at $35 for 1 hour.
Skydiving--Everything you need to leap from a plane and float to earth can be obtained from SkyDive Hawaii, 68-760 Farrington Hwy., Waiawa (tel. 808/637-9700; www.hawaiiskydiving.com). They offer a tandem jump (where you're strapped to an expert who wears a chute big enough for the both of you) for $225 (if you look on the Internet they offer a $75 off coupon). There's no doubt about it -- this is the thrill of a lifetime.
Tennis--Oahu has 181 free public tennis courts. To get a complete list of all facilities or information on upcoming tournaments, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Department of Parks and Recreation, Tennis Unit, 650 S. King St., Honolulu, HI 96813. In Waikiki, if you want to check on the Diamond Head courts, 3908 Paki Ave., across from the Kapiolani Park, call tel. 808/971-7150. The courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis; playing time is limited to 45 minutes if others are waiting.
If you're staying in Waikiki, try the Ilikai Tennis Center at the Renaissance Ilikai Hotel, 1777 Ala Moana Blvd., at Hobron Lane (tel. 808/949-3811; www.ilikaihotel.com, TheBus: 19 or 20), which has six courts, equipment rental, lessons, and repair service. Courts cost $8 per person per hour for non-guests of the hotel ($5 for guests); private lessons are $44 per hour.
If you're on the North Shore, the Turtle Bay Resort, 57-091 Kamehameha Hwy., Kahuku (tel. 808/293-8811, ext. 24; TheBus: 52 or 55), has 10 courts, four of which are lit for night play. You must reserve the night courts in advance; they're very popular. Court time is $20 for 1.5 hours, equipment rental and lessons are also available.
