Hawaii questions

[MemoryMakers2669]

My mother, age 63 and her friend...a little older than that, want to go to Hawaii next year sometime. They live in Baltimore, so would fly from there. Both are VERY active and have no limitations. A bit on the wild side, but not big drinkers really.

Where is a good place to go for them, considering age and such? I am clueless about Hawaii, so don't know the differences in the islands at all. The best place to fly into would be good, don't want to have to change plans in Hawaii if at all possible.

They want a beach of course and to be on it, but also want to be able to drive themselves around and have activities nearby. Will most likely eat out the whole time, but should be in a time share, so could do some of their own cooking.

Oh and what time of year is good to go there??

Thanks!

 

[GoodFairies]

Anytime is a good time to go to Hawaii. The weather is pretty constant year round. As a fellow Marylander, the best time for me is to go when it's winter here. We have gone in early February and early March.

If they aren't opposed to it, they should try to see two islands in trip if they are going for at least a week. Inter-island travel is pretty easy and quick. The islands they choose should be based on what they really want out of this trip. We have always flown into Honolulu.

The Big Island has lots of things to "drive to and check out" such as Volcanoes National Park, Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo, macadamia nut farms and coffee plantations.

Oahu has Honolulu which is a 'little' big city. Think of a small scale New York with awesome weather! Lots of shopping (normal and very high end stores), restaurants, nightlife, and also the beaches. You can get around a lot on foot and with public transportation. If they stayed at the North Shore or somewhere else they would probably be driving more.

Maui is kind of right in between. Very relaxing but also has touristy stuff that you can go to, yet not be right in the midst of it.

Those are the three islands I have been to. For the first trip we did Oahu and the Big Island (Hilo side) and for the second trip we did Oahu (Honolulu, Ala Moana, and Waikiki area) and Maui (Wailea shore). This was nice because we had a fast-paced part and a relaxing part of each trip. Molokai and Kauai, from what I've seen on the travel channel, are the islands you go to when you've done everything else, and just want a resort/beach vacation.

Hawaii for Dummies is a good book with lots of maps and descriptions of the various parts of the island to help decide where to stay and what to do.

 

[chyam]

Have to agree with most of what the previous poster said. I would fly into Honolulu, there is plenty to see there and also the bus transportation is EXCELLENT and fairly cheap, I think there are passes that you can buy also. Then maybe on to another island like Hawaii to see what a less touristy Hawaii, Maui and Kauai are also beautiful but the island of Hawaii has the black sand beach, Volcanoes national park and also the coffee and macadamia farms. Please tell them to try and take at least 2 weeks, people don't understand the time difference, if they go in the summer it is 6 hours difference or in the winter it is a 5 hour difference and it does take a day or 2 to adjust. I would try and avoid January since that is sometimes their rainy month. Most any other time it is very comfortable., little need for ac most of the year. My parents lived there for 8 years and I took every opportunity to visit them My grandmother who was 82 came and spent 6 weeks and she was able to do most anything including climbing Diamond Head......it's mostly stairs and the view is magnificent. I believe from where they are coming from it will be about a 10 flight if they go straight through, I know it is 11 from FL and 9 from Chicago. Waikiki is very touristy but it is also very nice, The International Market Place, Ala Moana Shopping Center, the zoo, beautiful parks and of course a trip to see Hanamau??Bay . They will have a wonderful time.

 

[Linda/MA]

I, too, would recommend Oahu and stay right in Waikiki. There is a lot to do there within walking distance and as said before, a great bus system. I've always rented a car for a day or two and driven around the island. It's a beautiful drive and lots to see. They would probably also want to visit Pearl Harbor. They would need transportation to go there or hook up with a sightseeing tour. The other island I would recommend is Maui. It's quieter than Oahu but still has lots to do especially in the Lahaina/Kaanapali area. The island of Kauai is beautiful but very laid back -- great for couples -- and the big Island of Hawaii is really big. Oahu and Maui would be my two choices.

 

[shortbun]

Beware of the statement,"anytime." Kauai for instance has a VERY rainy period in the spring and a very rainy area of the island. I stayed there once for 10 days in May and it rained all day-every day. Yuk! I would recommend Maui for the ladies-Kaanapali area, maybe the Whaler condos with an ocean view. Good shops nearby and great restaurants all around but a very pretty beach. I do not recommend Oahu as Honolulu is merely a big city on a beach anymore. The Big Island could be fun for them as there is a real variety there too. Maybe 6 nights on each Maui and Hawaii. Would give them real variety and a great vacation. They could put 2 nights in Honolulu on the front of the trip so they could see Pearl Harbor if they're interested.

 

[Laura]

I agree with shortbun, there are times of year to avoid. Winter weather can bring more storms, and the seas can be rougher--it's when the famous waves arrive on the North Shore of Oahu. Also, there are wet and dry sides to the islands.

DH and I went to Maui and the Big Island in May 2003 for our honeymoon. We stayed on the leeward sides of both islands (Lahaina and South Kona) and had super weather. I definitely recommend doing two islands if possible, but if not, either Maui or the Big Island would be great--I'd give a slight edge to Maui for a first-time visitor. DH likes Kauai better than those two (I haven't been to that one), because it's really laid back.

 

[Jeafl]

We flew nonstop into Maui and it was wonderful. I highly recommend the Lahaina/Ka'anapali area on Maui. Beautiful beaches, beautiful hotels and condos, great restaurants, etc. Also they might enjoy the road to Hana, although if they are a little worried about driving on the narrow, winding road they could take a bus tour. There are some spectacular sights (i.e waterfalls and such)

If they go to the big island, The Hilton Waikoloa resort is a destination in itself. It has the most beautiful grounds I have ever seen. You take either a boat or a monorail to get to your room and all over the resort. If they are really active they could go see the active volcano or the volcano national park. Both are great.

On Oahu, the Waikiki area was just ok. It is definitely a big city type environment, but still worth going to. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village which is like a small city in itself,. We hardly left the grounds for 4 days and had plenty to do. Pearl Harbor is there, the Polynesian Cultural center they might enjoy as well. There is really a lot to do on every island except Kauai which is great for relaxing but not much else.

 

[minniecarousel]

I'll agree with Maui - we love it there - the Ka'anapali area.

If they want to stay on the island of Oahu, I recommend the North Shore. The beaches are spectacular! The Polynesian Cultural Center is out that way & is a fun thing to see.

 

[Maryr1]

We just returned from Hawaii. We took my mother for her 80th birthday. It was our 5th or 6th trip there. I think 10 to 14 days ia perfect-less than 10 days is hard. We have done both 2 islands and 3 islands. I find 2 islands better-even with inter-island air, you lose too much time at the airport. If you do Oahu, there is the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor as well as the Punchbowl-lots of historic stuff. I found 3 days to be a good amount of time there. The big island is just wonderful with the volcano National Park as well as the lava fields etc. We stayed at the Hilton Wikoloa Village and it was fun but this last time we stayed at the Four Seasons-it was fabulous!!!! I will say that going in February was more fun for me than going in June. The weather was great both times, but the whale watching in February was just amazing.We so enjoyed the Four Seasons that we are going back this February for school break week.I hope she has a wonderful trip!

 

[MemoryMakers2669]

Anyone know the airport code for Maui?

 

[mommytotwo]

Anyone know the airport code for Maui?

It is, OGG