Hawaii Help

[ckmommy]

Hi All,

My Dh and I have been kicking around several ideas of an adult only vacation. We finally decided on Honolulu!!!!
We are going in October. We have several things we want to doiamond Head, Pearl Harbor, North Shore, Poly Cultural Center (maybe), Luau--at the Poly Cul. Center (maybe)--or Hale Koa Luau--near our hotel.
Anybody have other ideas? Good restaurants, fun places???

 

[CruiserMom]

If you like to snorkel, go to Hanauma Bay. It is a nature preserve, where you can snorkel off the beach. It is fantastic! We snorkeled in chest deep water and saw tons of fish.

There are lots of fun restaurants along Waikiki, you can stroll along there and pick something that looks good.

We didn't really like the Pol Cultural Center, but I've heard others say they loved it. We just didn't feel it was worth it. However, if you are driving there, there is a park along the way, on the northern shore, where the "Chinaman's Hat" island is. Its a neat place to stop and take pictures.

We wanted to go to the Ko Olina area of Oahu (where they are building the new Disney resort) but didn't make it there. We also didn't make it to Waimea Bay. Maybe next time!!

 

[ckmommy]

I have heard many mixed reviews of the Poly. Cul. Center--that is why I am not sure I want to go there--the drive and the time spent there may be better spent somewhere else.

I did not know the Disney was building a Hotel(?) there. That will be a must see for me.

 

[trip]

If you like a touch of history, take a tour of the Iolani Palace.

 

[abdmom]

If you are planning on going for more than a few days, I would check out at least one other island. The islands are very diverse and it would be a shame just to see Oahu. Tripadvisor has a lot of info about the islands.

 

[minniebeth]

I have heard many mixed reviews of the Poly. Cul. Center--that is why I am not sure I want to go there--the drive and the time spent there may be better spent somewhere else.

I did not know the Disney was building a Hotel(?) there. That will be a must see for me.

It's in the process of being built. Won't be done until 2011 sometime.

 

[LindaR]

I've been a couple of times and really feel its worth renting a car and driving all around the island yourself! (Actually, you can only go so far, can't make a complete circle).

DD21 and I LOVE Byoda-in.......a beautiful Japanese temple in a beautiful setting. Gotta drive up the north shore (depending on when your trip is) to see the big waves and turtles!

Beautiful island!

 

[LindaR]

Oh, and we HATED the Poly Cult Center soooo much that even though we had taken a tour bus (that would not return til like 10-11 pm) we left and took THE BUS back to our hotel (Hale Koa)! That was actually way more interesting than PCC.

 

[Deb in IA]

We were on Oahu for a week last July, and the Polynesian Cultural Center was one of the highlights of the week for us.

To each their own, I guess.

As for restaurants, we LOVED Roy's. We stayed in a rental house on Ewa Beach, so we went to the one in Ko Olina. That's where the new DVC property is being built. It was only a big hole in the ground when we were there.

I would also recommend Bishop Museum - lots of information about Hawaiian history and their royal family. They were doing a big renovation of Hawaiian Hall, and I think it is open now.

We also really liked the Dole Pineapple plantation. There is a large pineapple maze, and yes, they have Dole Whips.

Have a great time!

 

[Pakey]

We also loved the Poly Cultural Center. We did not care for the luau much. In fact, we haven't liked any of the luaus we have done on any of the Islands.

The highlight of our trip to Oahu was our day trip to the big island. The flights to island hop were inexpensive and we loved getting away from the crowds on Oahu.

 

[DawnCt1]

We were on Oahu for a week last July, and the Polynesian Cultural Center was one of the highlights of the week for us.

To each their own, I guess.

As for restaurants, we LOVED Roy's. We stayed in a rental house on Ewa Beach, so we went to the one in Ko Olina. That's where the new DVC property is being built. It was only a big hole in the ground when we were there.

I would also recommend Bishop Museum - lots of information about Hawaiian history and their royal family. They were doing a big renovation of Hawaiian Hall, and I think it is open now.

We also really liked the Dole Pineapple plantation. There is a large pineapple maze, and yes, they have Dole Whips.

Have a great time!

I have to agree here, we loved the PCC. It's sort of the "Sturbridge Village" of Hawaii, (those of you from New England will understand). It was nice to visit the different areas of the PCC, see the demontrations, etc.
We also loved the Bishop Museum and when we were there, missed the Hawaiian Hall too because of the renovation. I would also add the Honolulu Zoo to the list.

 

[DawnCt1]

The best luau deal in all of the islands is the luau at the Hale Koa. We go everytime we are there. The host; Glenn Medieros is excellent (Nothing's Gonna Change my Love, 1987) He is a teacher on Kauai I believe.

 

[Patricia]

Spent two weeks there last June. I would have to recommend the Ko'Olina area as well. It is simply beautiful and such a relaxing beach area with fabulous hotels. Be sure to go early as it closes to the public when it gets full. Dole Pineapple is on the way to the north shore so it's an easy stop. The shrimp trucks on the north shore are amazing and it's a lot of fun to take the shrimp to the beach and just sit there.. so peaceful. I was a tough sell on those shrimp trucks but I have to tell you, I have never tasted anything like it. Enjoy! Take an open mind for the beauty of the culture of Hawaii and explore the outer areas of Oahu. Hawaii is much more than an island destination!

 

[DawnCt1]

Spent two weeks there last June. I would have to recommend the Ko'Olina area as well. It is simply beautiful and such a relaxing beach area with fabulous hotels. Be sure to go early as it closes to the public when it gets full. Dole Pineapple is on the way to the north shore so it's an easy stop. The shrimp trucks on the north shore are amazing and it's a lot of fun to take the shrimp to the beach and just sit there.. so peaceful. I was a tough sell on those shrimp trucks but I have to tell you, I have never tasted anything like it. Enjoy! Take an open mind for the beauty of the culture of Hawaii and explore the outer areas of Oahu. Hawaii is much more than an island destination!

I agree. Eat local. Not just at the fine restaurants, like Roys, which I love, but at the local stands and plate lunches.

 

[Patricia]

Ahhhh, I forgot about those. My daughter lived on Oahu for a year and when we visited she "encouraged" us to eat them. Amazing... It was the thing she missed most when she came home.. ok, maybe the weather too, but the plate lunches and shrimp trucks come up at least once a week!

 

[jsmith]

If you are considering the Hale Koa Luau im assuming that you have a military ID ( and i concur with Dawn-its the best-we had been there several times before we went to the one a PCC-we were sooooooo disappointed in the food at PCC. The night show there however is amazing). the Two nicest-least crowded beachs on Ohau are at the SeaBreeze club on Hickam/Pearlharbor and at Bellows Air Force Station. Bellows is military access only during the week and will not be crowded AT ALL-and it has a great view of Chinamans Hat. Remember to buy all of your attraction tickets at ITT at either Schofield or the NEX-they will cost you less there than anywhere else-they are cheaper there than taking the military discount at the box office of what ever attraction you are going to. If you rent a car and will snorkel more than a couple of times go to MWR on Pearl and rent equipment for the week-last time it was 18 for the week as opposed to 10 a pop elsewhere.
Eat at Kienkikes in wiamanolo and teds bakery on the northshore-and the shrimp shacks. drive out past Ko'olina to the end of the black top-its beautiful-and go back over the KoliKoli pass toward Milani. Get Malasadas for breakfast at Leonards Bakery.

 

[DawnCt1]

Ahhhh, I forgot about those. My daughter lived on Oahu for a year and when we visited she "encouraged" us to eat them. Amazing... It was the thing she missed most when she came home.. ok, maybe the weather too, but the plate lunches and shrimp trucks come up at least once a week!

Shave ice and Kona Pie ice cream at Lamperts.

 

[ckmommy]

Gosh--thanks everyone for the replies!!

A question--we are not military or government employees. I had thought I read that the luau at Hale Koa was open to the public if there was room. does anyone know if this is true? We are staying right next door (I think) at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. If there is no way possible to get in, we will be doing the luau at Poly. Cul. Center.

All these Hawaiian words for city names has me very confused. I think I need to buy a map.

we really want to snorkel, but do not own any gear--is there somewhere we can rent it at? I am going to have to look at the beaches mentioned.

I am looking forward to the "native" food. I love shrimp and am looking so forward to the shrimp trucks I have read about. Are they easy to find? Are they only in the North Shore area? The plate lunches are something else I am interested in finding. I am not sure that I will like everything on the plate, but am willing to try it.

We are going to be in Hawaii for 6 nights--do you feel that we should go to another island? will there be enough time? I just have no idea how much time to budget for all the things we want to do.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

We were there a few years ago for 2 lovely weeks. If you are only going for 6 days, I'd just plan to stay on Oahu. We stayed in Haleiwa (North Shore) and loved it! Turtle Beach is really neat...we loved seeing the big sea turtles. Waimea Bay was lovely....had a great time swimming there and a couple of times with turtles below me.

Shrimp Trucks are awesome! PCC was interesting but the food at the luau was not good...though the show was. Definitely visit Pearl Harbor and I'd recommend the USS Missouri.

Buy one of the "revealed" books (i.e., Oahu Revealed). It's a good guide.

Ted's Bakery...cinnamon rolls...yummy! Shaved ice...not so much (I like our snow cones with the "snowy" ice better). Drive around the island...it's great. If you can go to the National Cemetery, it's really interesting.

If you are looking for inexpensive souveniers, can't beat Hilo Hatties!

Aloha!

 

[gm]

hi, We stayed there last June for 6 nights at Hilton Hawaiiaan Village. They have a place there were you can book tours and stuff and they pick you up from the hotel. We booked snorkling at Hanauma Bay which included equipment. They picked us up in the morning and dropped us back by 4 and i believe it was $8-10 per person cannot remember exactly but it was worth it. We also booked a tour around the island and it stopped at many places like the dole plantation,pearl harbor, north shore,Hilton head and showed us many star houses and many other places around hawaii and it was $30 pp. It was an all day tour. Again, they picked and dropped you off at the hotel. This tour was so worth it.

My DS booked the LOST tour and he said it was worth every penny lol!!!. It was expensive $250 all day in Hummer. Also we did the underwater submarine tour which leaves from our hotel so it was convenient.

We did all the touristy stuff and now if we ever go back. I am renting a car and enjoy the island better since I know more now. Also I would definitly go to Maui,Kaui.

Hope that helps.