I'd say #1 is make sure you have a rental car. Most people do, but just don't try and take the shuttle to Turtle Bay and call it good. Everything worth doing there requires a car.
In addition to the usual stuff you can find in a guide book (Waikiki, north shore, diamond head, etc.) is to consider—if you have the time, and it's your first trip to Hawaii—taking a day trip to the Big Island. If you're only there for a few days, forget it. But if you're there for 7-10, these whirlwind day trip tours are fun, and you can appreciate the difference among the islands. And the Big Island is amazing, lava flows and all!
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