Make sure you pick a school that does pictures and put that in your budget. You will want evidence. I have watched 100s of lessons off of waikiki, Hawaii is a great place to try, everyone will catch waves and stand up. But going on your own with no experience without an instructor will just get you very frustrated. Also your arms have a limit, so trying on your own will blow out your arms before the lesson. Get the instructor, they are all over Oahu. They know the right places. Also, group lessons are better than individual, they give you a little rest time, usually they will put you in a group even if you only have one or two.