Aulani for a HS grad vacay..concerns and questions...

[DisneyBliss7]

My daughter is planning a high school graduation trip with some of her friends. I would defiantly have them stay at Aulani, if their Hawaii plan works out that is....Can anyone please share their experience there? I'm curious on the transportation. They won't be renting a car. They want to go to all the shops. Are they in walking distance or do they have a bus the girls can take? Also, is the grocery store close enough to walk too? Or will they deliver groceries like Garden Grocer? What about buses/shuttles from the airport to the resort? I have so many questions before I agree to let her go, (parents are paying for large portion so we have say. All my concerns are based on the safety of where they go). My daughter will be 18 along with one of the other girls but one of her friends have an early bday and will still be 17 at the time of the planned trip before college starts. Will that be an issue with the resort? Thanks for any info

 

[TagsMissy]

Honestly I never suggest Aulani without a car. The resort is on the other side from Waikiki and while there's a couple shops across the street I am not certain there's much of interest in those shops for teenaged girls like there would be in Waikiki which is a 40 minute drive without traffic ((which gets really bad during rush hour)).

 

[nkereina]

They want to go to all the shops. Are they in walking distance or do they have a bus the girls can take? Also, is the grocery store close enough to walk too? Or will they deliver groceries like Garden Grocer? What about buses/shuttles from the airport to the resort?

I agree with PP - Aulani without a car is tough, and I would categorize Aulani as a family resort. A bunch of 18 year olds with no car may be bored, especially at night.

There are maybe 2-3 shops across the street from Aulani, which includes a small grocery store and a few others which are nothing to write home about. Ko Olina is a planned luxury vacation development, so you won't find malls or anything like that without going on the freeway. In Kapolei, there is a mall and some outlets a little further away which they could probably get to by taxi or Uber for maybe $20-$30? Just a guess though. As PP mentioned, the main shopping area is Waikiki which is a good 30-40 minute drive away. Not sure of the buses but considering the Ko Olina location, not sure if that would be viable.

There is one grocery delivery service but I don't know much about it - perhaps someone else can confirm. The ABC Store across the street does not have a huge selection but if they're just in need of snacks and drinks, they would be able to make do. Or if they take a taxi to Kapolei, they could probably stop at Safeway or Target too.

There are shuttles that can be arranged from the airport but not certain of cost a we have always rented a car. A taxi would be another option.

If I were 18, I would want to stay in Waikiki. Shopping, beach, action. They could book tours from their Waikiki hotel which would have shuttle pick up and drop off. We did two organized tours from our Waikiki hotel - Diamond Head which they may enjoy and Pearl Harbor/Swap Meet. Pearl Harbor may be iffy for teens but they might like the Swap Meet which has some cheap souvenirs and snacks. There are also restaurants for every budget in walking distance - cheap quick eats like Wolfgang Puck Express, chain restaurants, and just casual sit downs too.

 

[Midoria]

Since safety is a concern, I’ll start out by saying Hawaii’s main problem is theft. You’re way more likely to have something pilfered while you’re looking the other way than have someone physically assault or intimidate you. Just be aware that Hawaii has the largest homeless population in the country. The interesting thing about the homeless here is that they don’t panhandle and/or bother people like I’ve experience in other states. When people say that an area has a lot of homeless, lots of people equate that with being a high-crime area. Not true. The only time I’ve had weird experience I’ve had is when one homeless guy was talking to me about lauhala, and another homeless guy yelled at him to leave me alone. Them the lauhala guy hollered back that I was interested in it (and I was!). lol

I agree about Waikiki being a better fit for that age. Aulani so isolated. If they want to see other parts of the island with no car, they will need to utilize the excursion options. Cab prices from Kapolei to points of interest would be astronomical. Trying to use The Bus to go touring around the island will double or even triple their travel time due to traffic and distance. In Waikiki, the buses are way more frequent and plentiful. Iolani Palace, Kamehameha Statue, Bishop Museum, Chinatown, etc. all have busses that go straight from Waikiki without the need for a transfer. Also, many group tours, luaus, and the PCC have pickup/drop off in Waikiki so a car is not needed to get there and back.

The main shopping destinations on this island are Waikele outlet (Waipahu), Ala Moana Mall (near Waikiki), and Kalakaua Ave. (in Waikiki proper), and the Aloha Stadium swap meet (Salt Lake). None of these are close to Aulani.

 

[happymommy]

I agree with the others. Aulani is a family resort, and I can't imagine not having a car.

There are lots of families, little kids, food is pricey, and they may be bored as it pretty much shuts down after dark.

If they wanted to go to Oahu, I agree Waikiki would be a better option.

For a high school graduation, they may prefer something like an all inclusive resort. It would cost less for sure, and have lots of activities, meals included, no need for rental car.

Yes, theft is a definite concern on Oahu. If they do go, make sure they are aware!

 

[nkereina]

I'll also add that the pink line shopping trolley in Waikiki might be a good option for them too, if they stay in Waikiki. It's a hop on/hop off bus with lots of convenient stops along Waikiki Beach and up to Ala Moana Mall. It was $2 per ride, and you can get on or off anywhere. It was really convenient and easy to use, since we did not have a car in Waikiki. We used this to get to the mall, but walked everywhere else. We stayed at the Waikiki Beach Marriott which was a great location for us, and also full of convention attendees which made it a popular/busy hotel.

 

[Elima2015]

I saw your post yesterday, but didn't have time to reply. My first thought was that, to be totally honest, I don't think Aulani will be a great trip for 3 high school grads. It IS a beautiful resort and I felt very safe there. However, it is so far away from the airport, shopping, activities, not many restaurants, that I don't think I would have fun there as a young adult, especially with no car (and I think a car is key when staying at Aulani). There are also tons of families with young children. I would vote a stay in Waikiki. I'm completely unfamiliar with Maui to know if there are good options on that island.

What an awesome graduation gift!

 

[Turtleship]

Hilton Hawaiian Village is your answer. You can thank me later

 

[happymommy]

While HHV is a great resort, I still don't think Waikiki is the best option for HS graduates. Let them wait until they're older and can rent a car to go to Hawaii.

I'd go with an AI in the Riviera Maya - Southwest vacations has great deals that include transfers, it's much safer, and you just need some money for excursions like snorkeling and zipline type things. I just went to a great AI on one of their vacations, and it was like getting airfare for free. I went to an adult only one, which has much better food, but you have to be 18. They have great family ones though.

Disclaimer: I've lived on Oahu, but took my husband there for his first time when we were 27 (I had been before, but we didn't move there until we were 29).

 

[nkereina]

I agree that Hilton Hawaiian Village would be a good choice in Waikiki. If Maui is on the table, I'd suggest any of the Starwood properties in Kaanapali. We stayed at the Westin and it was awesome, and walking distance to an outdoor mall with dining (Whaler's Village). But all of the Starwood properties have a free and frequent shuttle to the outlet mall, Cannery Mall, and the town of Lahaina which would give them more shopping, access to more dining, and also two of the best luaus in Hawaii are in the vicinity of a shuttle stop as well.

 

[Midoria]

While HHV is a great resort, I still don't think Waikiki is the best option for HS graduates. Let them wait until they're older and can rent a car to go to Hawaii.

Really? Young people generally love Waikiki and it's the best place to stay if you do not have a car. Also, the emphasis is on the fact that they are graduates. If they are ready to move away from home and go to college, then going on vacay with good friends shouldn't be an issue. I don't see visiting here as being any different than going to any other state,

I'll also add that the pink line shopping trolley in Waikiki might be a good option for them too, if they stay in Waikiki. It's a hop on/hop off bus with lots of convenient stops along Waikiki Beach and up to Ala Moana Mall. It was $2 per ride, and you can get on or off anywhere. It was really convenient and easy to use, since we did not have a car in Waikiki. We used this to get to the mall, but walked everywhere else. We stayed at the Waikiki Beach Marriott which was a great location for us, and also full of convention attendees which made it a popular/busy hotel.

Hawaii recently passed a law so that The Bus will now offer 27 hour passes at $5 each which is awesome! Usually it's $2.50 for each ride with a 2 hour transfer window.

Hilton Hawaiian Village is your answer. You can thank me later

I think that depends on how they decide to travel. Personally, I would not recommend a tourist trap like HHV (or any resort, actually) for people that young. Weird to say in an Aulani forum, I know. lol Granted we have not gotten much info about the young ladies in question in terms of their personalities and what they hope to get out of their trip. They may very well be excited about the prospect of having a resort experience. But late teens and early twenties is such and exciting time and Hawaii is a great place to be adventurous - not sit in one place the whole time and get one of those pre-fab Hawaii "experiences".

 

[KBinCO]

I think it would be fun. We only had a car for one day and everything else we did provided transportation from the resort. There are Ubers- it's not huge but they are around and totally an option. There are plenty of tour companies that can take them around the island to explore if they don't have a car. They can also book shuttles through Aulani. I think it's doable.

 

[longboard55]

Our daughter and 4 friends did Waikiki for HS grad. It worked out well. We had ABC limo arrange to pick them up at the airport.

They did a luau for their only travel activity. They would go to the beach in the day and a fun dinner at night. As I recall the ate at Dukes, PF Changs, California pizza. So not overally expensive places. From the sounds of it a large part of the day was spent getting dressed and primping.

Parents were a problem and took a lot of pushing.

 

[CaliAdventurer]

As a mom of a 22YO, I would def prefer my 18 YO at Aulani than Waikiki. Waikiki is awesome but it has a Vegas kind of energy to it. We have done Aulani with and without a car. Its perfectly fine without a car. They can have a lovely time at Aulani, go to the Four Seasons next door to feel more metropolitan for a spell, and take excursions to Waikiki and North Shore. It will cost about $70 per kid to go to Waikiki with the tour group but hey. They'll be safe and accounted for and back to tranquil Aulani at night. Just my 2 cents worth : )

 

[Midoria]

As a mom of a 22YO, I would def prefer my 18 YO at Aulani than Waikiki. Waikiki is awesome but it has a Vegas kind of energy to it. We have done Aulani with and without a car. Its perfectly fine without a car. They can have a lovely time at Aulani, go to the Four Seasons next door to feel more metropolitan for a spell, and take excursions to Waikiki and North Shore. It will cost about $70 per kid to go to Waikiki with the tour group but hey. They'll be safe and accounted for and back to tranquil Aulani at night. Just my 2 cents worth : )

How something feels is very subjective, but I lived and worked in Waikiki for my first 4th months on this island and have also been to Vegas multiple times. Both areas are very touristy and busy, but that's the extent of it. Waikiki is very family friendly and stays that way well into the late hours. You see tons of multi-generational families, singles, honeymooners, and young people having a night on the "town" all at once. Part of the reason I felt so safe there is because of that.

Assuming these girls are away to college next fall (as opposed to living at home and commuting), they will soon gain the ability to party hearty with friends in the nearest town and sleep wherever regardless what their parents want them to do. Trying to put them in an isolated resort for protection/parental peace of mind isn't going to change that. Terrifying fact, for sure. I'd be praying every day lol But I think it's also a good test of their maturity.

 

[longboard55]

That was the issue we had. The same parents who were sending their kids to colleges 1000s of miles from home had a hard time with a week in Hawaii. Hawaii is actually a pretty safe place.