We drove on an alley parallel to the beach and found parking there

Looks like everyone else has already answered your questions. It is definitely a to do item! We love the Pipe and plan on going back next winter.

Traveling alone on the North Shore of Hawaii is fine. People are friendly and helpful. You can inexpensively take the bus to the beaches and sit and relax for many hours. There are hostels to stay at near Waimea Bay that are reasonably priced.

There is a small parking lot at the entrance to Banzai but most parking will be parallel parking along the main road. Do NOT park at the school across the street as you will be towed. If a tournament is going on and parking is hard to find, there is a skate park to the south that will have excess parking spaces.

The easiest way is to Uber. We have used them several times to go back and forth to the airport. The cheapest way is to take the local bus.

We were there in mid morning. Ask around and find out what the waves are like. If it’s messy, the good ones may not be out. Enjoy

Depends on surf conditions. There is a lifeguard and the beaches are flagged according to conditions.

Hey Phil, you could easily stay in Waikiki and travel up to pipeline for the day, very doable. It's about an hour's drive. If you are not dead set on staying in Waikiki I would consider staying on the North Shore if I were you. It's much more relaxing up there and a more "authentic" Hawaiian experience. Waikiki is ok to visit for a short time but unless you are there for high end shopping, the bar scene or you just enjoy crowds, I'd stay North shore every time. Depends what you are there for I guess.