Oahu bound!

Hey macboy, I guess you don't read your old threads, huh? Seeing as I lived on Oahu for 30 some years, I might qualify as knowing a thing or two about the place. What do you want to know about Hawaiian Water Sports? I've known Josh and his wife (the owners) since they opened the place. They're just about the only people I would deal with there, although Noel at Naish Hawaii isn't a bad guy to deal with (but stay away from anyone with Naish as a last name, the only one worth a sh*t is Robbie, the rest are a**holes... eh, but what do I know?).

If you're going to Oahu and you're not at least an advanced intermediate kiter with wave / open ocean experience, then the only place you'll want to go is Kailua. Stand by for light winds, small launches and big crowds though. December isn't a particularly good month for kiting in Hawaii. The "good" winds season starts about May and lasts into November. Come December the winter storms screw up the Tradewinds, so you may get good winds or you may not. Best plan is to have a backup sport for the visit. Personally, I packed my kites for the winter and concentrated on surfing instead. Winter is -awesome- for good waves on Oahu. If there isn't any wind and you want to do something in Kailua with the wife, go to HWS and rent a couple kayaks from Josh and paddle around Flat Island or up to Lanikai. Then when you're done, take the wife to Maui Tacos for lunch.

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... what/where would you recommend for someone looking for surf lessons

Not Waikiki, although that would probably be the most convenient place to go. Last I checked, they were giving lessons at Barber's Point (also called Kalaieloa) but I don't have any contact info for them. Next time I talk to one of my buddies there I'll ask him to get me the number. Waikiki is too much of a zoo IMHO.

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and is Hanauma the best snorkeling or is there somewhere else that we should go with our masks and fins?

Hanauma Bay is the -worst- spot to snorkel on the island (thanks to the millions of tourists and their pee over the years). If the wind / waves are down, then there's a spot not far from Kailua you can go out (called Makai Pier) or about 20 minutes past Barbers Point is the best snorkeling (Electric Beach, near Nanakuli). But it all depends on the wind and waves.

Another good workout is to take the hike up to the summit of Diamond Head crater. Do it early in the morning before it gets too hot. It's not too difficult and the view from the bunkers at the summit are awesome. In fact, if you're into hiking, Oahu has some of the nicest (and most challenging) hikes I've ever experienced. Some of the spots we went to didn't look like anyone had been there in dozens of years. Very tropical, lush and secluded. Watch out for wild pigs though...