Donna’s Detours
About
Nestled in beautiful Kailua, Donna's Detours has mastered the art of showing visitors the Oahu that locals know and love. This isn't your typical tour bus operation – Donna specializes in intimate, private experiences that take you well beyond the crowded hotspots to discover the island's genuine character.
With seven thoughtfully designed tours, Donna covers everything from sweeping Circle Island adventures that hit those jaw-dropping coastal viewpoints and historic sites, to deep dives into Oahu's vibrant food and arts scenes. Her East Oahu explorations will take you to pristine beaches most visitors never find, while her comprehensive Pearl Harbor tours ensure you experience all the memorial locations with proper context and respect. And if you want to understand why the North Shore is legendary in surf culture, her North Shore adventures capture that magic perfectly.
What makes Donna's approach special is the flexibility that comes with small, private groups. She can adjust the day based on your interests, weather, or those unexpected discoveries that make the best travel memories. Her deep local knowledge opens doors to authentic experiences – the kind where you're tasting the real flavors of Hawaii or hearing stories that give you goosebumps.
Whether you're drawn to Oahu's dramatic history, its stunning natural beauty, or the warmth of its culture, Donna crafts each tour to match what speaks to you. It's the difference between checking boxes and actually connecting with a place.
Activities (7)
Private Tour of Pearl Harbor - All Sites
After decades of guiding visitors through Hawaii's most sacred historical site, I can tell you that Donna's Detours offers the definitive private tour of Pearl Harbor - all sites in Kailua. This 7 to 8-hour comprehensive journey accommodates up to 6 guests in an air-conditioned minivan, with pickup available from your hotel, cruise pier, or airport. During the drive, I'll share the historical context that makes Pearl Harbor so profound, preparing you for Japan's surprise attack on December 7, 1941. We begin at the Visitors Center with compelling exhibits and documentary films before boarding the shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial. Here, you'll honor the 1,177 sailors and Marines whose names are inscribed in marble within the Memorial's Shrine Room. Standing watch over the sunken Arizona is the Battleship Missouri—the "Mighty Mo"—where Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, ending the war. You'll walk her decks, exploring living quarters and battle stations, though reaching the Bridge and lower deck requires climbing several ladders. The USS Bowfin Submarine, nicknamed "The Pearl Harbor Avenger," lets you experience life beneath the waves while discovering era-defining undersea navigation and weaponry technologies. At the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, restored WWII bombers and fighters from both Japanese and American forces await, alongside aircraft from other conflicts and a Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet. This private tour of Pearl Harbor - all sites includes transportation, guide services, bottled water, advance USS Arizona Memorial reservations, and general admission to all four attractions. Children must be 4 years old to board the USS Bowfin Submarine. We accommodate strollers, folding wheelchairs, and lightweight scooters, with wheelchairs available at the Visitors Center and Battleship Missouri on a first-come basis. Starting from $950 for 1-2 people, with full refunds for cancellations made 72 hours prior.
Private North Shore Tour
Looking to escape Waikiki's crowds? This private North Shore tour takes you into Oahu's agricultural heart and legendary surf spots on a custom 6-hour adventure for up to 6 guests. We'll pick you up from your hotel, cruise pier, or airport and head straight to the island's piko (navel) – the fertile lands that once made Hawaii synonymous with pineapple and sugar. Your journey winds through Waialua Sugar Mill ruins and Haleiwa Town's charming plantation architecture, telling the story of when sugar cane ruled these fields. Then we hit the world-famous surf breaks: Banzai Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay, where winter's thunderous waves draw the planet's best surfers. Come summer, these same spots transform into calm swimming havens. Along the way, you'll taste locally-grown Waialua coffee and chocolate, explore the iconic Dole Plantation, and cool off with traditional shave ice. We'll stop at local bakeries or catch Leonard's malasada truck for those warm, sugar-dusted Portuguese pastries locals crave. I always include a hidden beach where Hawaiian green sea turtles love to hang out. Want to dive deeper? Add Waimea Valley and Falls for $30 per person – it's a peaceful walk through botanical gardens to a spectacular waterfall. Thrill-seekers can tack on beachside horseback rides ($150 per person, ages 8+) or shark cage diving ($130 per person). Lunch is your call: roadside shrimp trucks, food stands, or proper restaurants. Your private North Shore tour includes air-conditioned minivan transport, professional guide services, and bottled water. Kids under 4 can't join shark dives, and horseback riders need closed-toe shoes and long pants. We roll rain or shine unless Mother Nature gets truly nasty. Cancel with 72 hours' notice for a full refund. Starting from $525 for 1-2 people with Waikiki pickup included.
East Oahu Beaches & Historic Sites
From Diamond Head's iconic crater rim to the windswept cliffs at Oahu's eastern tip, this East Oahu Beaches & Historic Sites tour reveals the island's most spectacular coastal scenery and fascinating history. Your 4.5-hour private adventure accommodates up to 6 guests in an air-conditioned minivan, with convenient pickup from hotels, cruise piers, or the airport. Starting beneath Diamond Head where surfers catch morning waves, you'll wind through Kahala's elegant bungalows and beachfront mansions toward Oahu's dramatic eastern coastline. The towering Ko'olau mountains provide a stunning backdrop as you discover varying shades of turquoise water below rocky cliffs and pristine beaches. Essential stops include Leonard's for fresh malasadas, the powerful Halona Blowhole, and Makapu'u Lookout's breathtaking panoramas. You'll explore quiet rural back roads that locals love, visit ancient temple grounds, and browse an exotic fruit nursery (open most days) for an authentic taste of island life. A snack or lunch break in charming Kailua Town lets you soak up the relaxed beach community vibe. The journey continues uphill to Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, where King Kamehameha won his final decisive battle. Your east oahu beaches & historic sites Kailua experience concludes in Honolulu with the island's architectural treasures: Iolani Palace, the King Kamehameha I statue, and historic Kawaiaha'o Church. Adventure seekers can add the optional 2-mile Makapu'u Lighthouse hike for an additional $100 and extra hour (not recommended for children under 5). The tour welcomes all ages and accommodates strollers, folding wheelchairs, and lightweight scooters, though participants must be able to enter and exit the vehicle independently. Child car seats and booster seats are available upon request. Your east oahu beaches & historic sites adventure includes private transportation, expert guide services, bottled water, and Nu'uanu Pali Lookout access. Lunch and snacks are not included. Starting from $525 for 1-2 people, this rain-or-shine tour offers full refunds with 72 hours cancellation notice.
Full Day Private Circle Island Tour
This completely customizable 7-8 hour full day private circle island tour accommodates up to 6 people and reveals Oahu—from world-famous North Shore surf breaks to sacred Hawaiian temple sites tucked away in lush valleys. Your day starts with pickup from your hotel, cruise pier, or airport in a comfortable air-conditioned minivan. We'll cruise past legendary surf spots like Pipeline, Sunset Beach, and Waimea Bay, stopping wherever catches your eye. You'll taste Hawaii's best—locally-grown coffee, chocolate, and macadamia nuts, plus those irresistible frozen treats at Dole Plantation. Hunt for endangered sea turtles on a secluded beach, then browse Haleiwa's galleries where you'll feel the authentic North Shore vibe. The cultural stops are equally impressive. The stunning Byodo-In Temple recreates a 900-year-old Japanese Buddhist temple, while Nu'uanu Pali Lookout delivers those postcard-perfect panoramic views. Ancient Hawaiian cliff-top temple grounds and traditional fishpond restoration sites with Koa wood canoe repair workshops showcase the islands' living heritage. Want to enhance your tour? Add Waimea Valley and Falls ($30 per person) for a botanical garden stroll to a waterfall, or Byodo-In Temple ($10 per person). Explore zipline adventures and Polynesian Cultural Center villages with additional pricing available upon request. Along the way, we'll grab Leonard's famous malasadas (Portuguese donuts), shrimp plates, and shave ice while learning about Hawaii's history from Polynesian arrival through the Kingdom era to today. This tour welcomes all ages and accommodates strollers, folding wheelchairs, or lightweight scooters. You must be able to get in and out of the vehicle. Starting from $550 for 1-2 people, your experience includes private transportation, guide services, Nu'uanu Pali Lookout admission, and bottled water. For Ko'olina/Disney's Aulani Resort, add $125. Larger vehicles available with advance notice. Child car seats and booster seats available upon request. Lunch and snacks not included. Tours operate rain or shine with full refunds for cancellations made 72+ hours prior by phone.
Private Tour of USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri
Having lived here for over a decade, I can tell you there's no more powerful way to understand Hawaii's role in World War II than this private tour of USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri from Kailua. This exclusive 6-hour experience takes you through what locals call the "bookends of WWII in the Pacific"—from the devastating attack that changed everything to the moment Japan surrendered. Your private guide shares the real story during the drive to Pearl Harbor, preparing you for the exhibits and documentary films about December 7, 1941. The shuttle boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial is always moving. Standing in the Shrine Room, reading the names of 1,177 sailors and Marines carved into marble—men who died when their ship was bombed that clear Sunday morning—creates a moment you won't forget. Across the harbor stands the Battleship Missouri, the "Mighty Mo." This Iowa-class battleship holds special significance as both the last battleship ever built and the site where Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945. Walking her decks, you'll explore the living quarters and battle stations where sailors served. The Bridge and lower deck require climbing several ladders, though the upper and surrender decks accommodate mobility devices. Together, these vessels tell America's complete Pacific War story—from tragic beginning to triumphant end. Your private tour of USS Arizona Memorial and Battleship Missouri accommodates up to 6 people and includes air-conditioned minivan transportation, advance USS Arizona Memorial reservations, Battleship Missouri general admission, bottled water, and professional guide services. Children must be at least 4 years old to board the USS Bowfin Submarine. Operating from $830, the tour offers pickup from your hotel, cruise pier, or airport. Remember that U.S. Navy security requires checking bags at the Visitors Center ($10 each).
Private Tour of Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial
Having guided countless visitors to Pearl Harbor over the years, I can tell you this private tour of Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial Kailua offers something truly special – guaranteed access to one of America's most sacred sites. This 4.5-hour experience accommodates up to 6 people and includes those crucial advance reservations to the USS Arizona Memorial, where 1,177 service members lost their lives on December 7, 1941. Your journey begins with pickup from your hotel, cruise pier, or Honolulu airport in our comfortable air-conditioned minivan. Once at Pearl Harbor, you'll watch a powerful 23-minute documentary about the attack before boarding the shuttle boat to the memorial itself. Standing above the sunken battleship, reading the names inscribed in marble while your guide shares the stories behind the history – it's an experience that stays with you. The Visitors Center houses fascinating exhibits, including President Roosevelt's original speech draft with his handwritten edits that shaped America's entry into World War II. Want to dive deeper? Add the USS Bowfin Submarine experience for $30 per person and explore what life was like beneath the waves aboard this historic vessel. This private tour of Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial Kailua doesn't stop at the harbor. We'll drive past Honolulu's iconic landmarks – Iolani Palace and the King Kamehameha I statue – weaving together Hawaii's rich cultural heritage with its pivotal wartime history. The tour welcomes ages 4-99 and accommodates strollers, folding wheelchairs, and lightweight scooters. Your private transportation, expert guide, bottled water, and advance memorial reservations are all included. Tours start from $550, with full refunds available for cancellations made 72 hours in advance. Keep in mind that children under 4 cannot board the USS Bowfin, and occasional naval weather restrictions may affect memorial boat access.
Private Food, Art & Local Culture Tour
You'll uncover the real Honolulu on this private food, art & local culture tour that weaves together street art discoveries with authentic Hawaiian flavors. Spend 5 hours wandering through Chinatown and Kakaʻako's colorful streets, where world-renowned Pow!Wow! murals create stunning backdrops for tastings of local favorites like poi donuts and fresh poke. These neighborhoods tell Honolulu's story through both taste and sight. As you stroll past striking murals created by international artists, you'll sample authentic dishes from beloved hole-in-the-wall spots, family-run bakeries, and neighborhood cafes that locals have been visiting for generations. The experience goes beyond just food and art—you'll gain cultural insights that reveal how contemporary creativity and traditional Hawaiian flavors intersect in these evolving districts. Your private food, art & local culture tour Kailua adventure covers both Chinatown and Kakaʻako, featuring tastings of traditional Hawaiian foods, poi donuts, poke, and other local specialties. Each tour includes one beer or glass of wine, plus soft drinks and bottled water, while you explore the famous Pow!Wow! murals that have transformed these urban areas into outdoor galleries. This intimate experience accommodates up to 6 people, with convenient pickup from your hotel, cruise pier, or airport. Children must be at least 10 years old and accompanied by an adult. Tours start from $510 for up to 2 people, with additional participants at $65 each. Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen, and note that many food samples contain gluten, seafood, or meat. The walking route includes uneven sidewalks that may present challenges for those with mobility issues. Full refunds are available with 72 hours advance cancellation notice.