Which part of Oahu?

Question

Family with 5 kids (ages 13-20) on Oahu Dec 11-20. Running Merrie Mile in Honolulu but otherwise looking for first Hawaii vacation experience. We will rent a house (not hotel or resort). Which part of the Island would you suggest we look for a house? We are not looking for nightlife or restaurants - but good area as home base for hiking, beach going, low key sightseeing. We will have car and dont mind driving. We do not have to stay close to Honolulu for the race. Any advice would be appreciated. Is weather a factor in which area to choose?

Answer

For a family with five kids on Oahu looking for a house rental and a low-key, activity-focused vacation, there are several areas that make excellent home bases. Since you’ll have a car and don’t mind driving, you can prioritize access to beaches, hikes, and scenic spots rather than proximity to nightlife or restaurants.

Here are some recommended areas:

North Shore (Haleiwa, Pupukea, Laie, Sunset Beach): Famous for its iconic beaches, surfing, and relaxed vibe. Great for families who want to explore quieter beaches, try beginner hikes, and see famous surf spots. Weather in December can be cooler and windier with bigger waves on the North Shore, which can limit swimming in some areas.
Windward Coast (Kailua, Lanikai, Waimanalo): Offers beautiful sandy beaches, calm waters suitable for swimming and kayaking, and access to hiking like Lanikai Pillbox and Maunawili Falls. Usually drier and warmer than the North Shore in December. Kailua is a convenient central base for accessing both Windward hikes and the Honolulu area for the Merrie Mile race.
Leeward Coast / Ko Olina: Resorts and vacation rentals are quieter and more suburban, with calm lagoons for safe swimming. Driving to hikes and other attractions is possible but farther from Windward hiking areas.

Some factors to consider for your choice:

Weather: December is the wet season on Oahu, with more rain on the North Shore and Windward sides. Leeward coast tends to be sunnier. Check historical rainfall when choosing your home base.
Beach conditions: North Shore can have large winter surf — fun to watch but not ideal for swimming, especially with kids. Kailua and Lanikai offer safer swimming conditions year-round.
Distance to Honolulu: For the Merrie Mile race, Kailua or Windward Coast is about 30–40 minutes from Honolulu; North Shore is 45–60 minutes; Leeward Coast is around 30–35 minutes depending on traffic.

Summary recommendations:

If your family prefers calm beaches for swimming and easy hikes: Kailua or Lanikai.
If your family wants iconic Hawaiian scenery, surfing spots, and a more rustic vibe, and don’t mind limited swimming: North Shore.
If you prefer sunny, quiet neighborhoods with resort-style beaches and don’t mind driving to hiking spots: Ko Olina / Leeward Coast.

With a car, any of these areas can serve as a good base for low-key sightseeing and beach days. For December, Kailua or the Leeward Coast tend to give the best combination of weather, beach safety, and convenient access to other parts of the island.

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