Aulani/Hawaii Help

[palaemon]

Does anyone know if Aulani will have excursions for the other islands? or just stuff at the resort?

We're thinking of a trip next April, and we are considering a 9-day Aulani trip and just doing excursions from there, or...

Staying Aulani for one night before a 7-day Hawaiin cruise and then 3-4 days after the cruise.

My DMIL & DFIL will not be coming back, so they want to see as much of Hawaii as they can (active/healthy ::knocks wood:: 72 & 76 y/o.)

We did a cruise last year and they loved it, but I know it took months for them to "get up to snuff."

Basically, What is there to do in Hawaii that is a "must see/do?" (besides Pearl Harbor, we're doing that for sure.)

I've heard of helicopter tours, but how to you get to the other islands? (This is where I'm thinking a cruise might be good.)

 

[spleen]

you would need to take an interisland flight to get to the other islands - approx. 30-60 minutes of flight time (depending on which island). A day trip is pretty easy to do depending on the flights that you pick though it probably won't be cheap - figure around $150-200 for roundtrip airfare.

As for the "must see/do" list - that would depend greatly on the amount of time that you have and your interests. On Oahu, that list is likely to be relatively small - Pearl Harbor is the big standout, for sure. Visiting Waikiki, hiking Diamond Head Crater, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, seeing Iolani Palace (the only royal dwelling in the US) are also common tourist activities.

 

[Anal Annie]

Ages ago day trips to other islands were much cheaper & much easier. They're not really worth it so much now tho with all of the airport security & stuff. You used to be able to do a round trip inter-island at the last minute for about $80-95. And you could just show up at the airport & go. No biggie. But now you have to arrive so early for security & the prices have gone up A LOT. Personally I would just move islands after 4 or 5 days. That is the best way to get a real feel for each islands personality and to avoid wasting time schelping back & forth to the airport etc. We don't usually spend more than 3 nights on Oahu before we move on. But with Aulani we'll probably stay for at least 4 nights if we can get in.

On Oahu, Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri is a must do - go EARLY (like 7:00 am because the line to get in will already be 45 minutes long). You have to visit Waikiki to do some shopping & see Diamond Head. Other than that there is not a lot on Oahu that I would call "must do". A lot of people go to the Polynesian Cultural Center for a day - I went once & feel like "been there, done that". Do you or your in-laws golf? There is always spectacular golfing anywhere in Hawaii. (You can arrange to rent clubs.) I surprised DH with a round on one of our trips - pre-arranged it on Maui at Robert Trent Jones Gold course where the Senior Masters play. It was a BEAUTIFUL course. Last time we went we spent 3 nights on the Big Island - it is so different. We did a 2.5 hr. helicopter tour over the active volcano (Kilauea) & around the north coast to see the waterfalls & rainforest. This is a BIG splurge but an INCREDIBLE and once in a lifetime experience for most. Way back in the 90's on one of our trips we DID do a day trip to Kauai. If you go to Kauai you have to drive around Waimea Canyon. Our favorite island is Maui. Lots of relaxing + snorkeling. Two must do's on Maui are the drive to Hana and going up to the top of Haleakala for sunrise - INCREDIBLE. You can do a Luau on any island but book early for the best ones.

http://www.pearlharboroahu.com/
http://hawaiiforvisitors.com/oahu/attractions/day-in-pearl-harbor.htm
http://ussmissouri.com/

http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/
http://www.bluehawaiian.com/bigisland/

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=haleakala+sunrise&qpvt=haleakala+sunrise&FORM=IGRE
http://www.nps.gov/hale/planyourvisit/sunrise-and-sunset.htm

http://www.hanamaui.com/
http://www.mauiinformationguide.com/road-to-hana.php
http://maui-golf.com/
http://www.oldlahainaluau.com/

http://kauai.aloha-hawaii.com/tours/waimea+canyon/

 

[BillPA]

Here are a few tour operartors I have used, they both have "off island" tours.
But I agree that going and staying on the other islands is a better way to see each island. Have a great trip.

http://www.polyad.com/

http://www.robertshawaii.com/

 

[MinnesotaChill]

[My DMIL & DFIL will not be coming back, so they want to see as much of Hawaii as they can (active/healthy ::knocks wood:: 72 & 76 y/o.)
QUOTE]

You're leaving your in-laws in Hawaii? You are a VERY GOOD DIL!