Hawaii Travel Questions

[Bearvet]

I know there have been many threads about Hawaii (I've read them all) but I have a few questions that I haven't seen yet. I would appreciate any advice you can give me.

We're planning to go in 2010 for our 25th anniversary with another couple who will be celebrating their 30th. My friend just got a teaching job, which really limits when we're able to go. So, it will have to be in the summer and we were thinking we should avoid July 4 - maybe go right after that? Is there a preferable time to go between late June and mid-August?

We are planning on 2 full weeks and I'm hoping to get a timeshare exchange at least 1 week. Then we'll split the other week between 2 more islands. We'll fly in and out of Honolulu. So, where should we spend the 1 full week? What other 2 islands should we do 3 days for one and 4 days for the other? Is it reasonable to do a brief trip (either day trip or 1 overnight) to the 4th island during the 1 week of timeshare?

Our interests are mainly to see as many sights as possible, go to at least 1 luau, Pearl Harbor - the basic tourist things. We'll snorkel, but we don't scuba dive. My DH is a golfer but my friend's DH is not (well, a little bit) - so DH will want to golf a few times. Both of our DHs are not really beach people, but my friend and I are, so we'll plan some beach time. We'll probably rent a car.

Those are the basics for now - we really need to pick our dates soon, so I can request the timeshare(s). Thanks for your help.

 

[jkp464]

We went in June a few years ago (around the 3rd week). We wanted to go sometime during the kids' summer vacation. We also have a timewhare, and when we called to get something on Oahu about 18 mos. in advance, we were put on a waiting list. We gave them a general time frame (mid June to end of August). When they had a resort available, they called us to see if that resort and dates worked for us. From what I researched a few years ago, I think you'll be fine whatever week you pick. The weather is pretty constant year round, and they don't seem to have the extreme peaks and valleys in number of tourists that Disney has. We had no problems with crowds in June and the weather was perfect!! Enjoy!!!!

 

[Jeafl]

We went June 15-30 a couple of years ago, and it was wonderful! Perfect weather, not very crowded, easy to get into restaurants. No problems at all.

We went to the big island, Maui and Oahu. We spent the first whole week in Maui, and LOVED it! Then we flew to the big island and spent 4 days there, then on to Honolulu and spent 3 days there. 3 days in Honolulu is MORE than enough. We pretty much wanted to see Pearl Harbor and that was it. It is not nearly as nice as the other islands, at least not the Honolulu area.

We did our luau in Maui, in Lahaina. It was right on the edge of the ocean, and very, very beautiful. I forgot the name of it, but I could look it up if you are interested.

I know you said you will probably rent a car, but honestly, you will NEED a car. It is nearly impossible to get around ANY of the islands without one.

As far as going to a 4th island, to be honest, I would not. Even with 2 weeks and 3 islands, we spent an awful lot of time sitting in airports. Hopping over to the next island sounds a lot easier and more efficient than it really is. It's also not as cheap as you imagine it would be either!

If you need or want more info, PM me. We did A LOT when we were there, and I still have most of the other information hanging around. ALso, the absolute best guidebooks are the "Revealed" books. (i.e Maui Revealed, Oahu Revealed, etc.)

Good luck, and have fun planning!

 

[DawnCt1]

There is no "bad time" to go to Hawaii, including the 4th of July. We have been there then. The Hawaiians will wish you "Happy 4th of July", and if you are there June 11th, You can wish them a Happy King Kamehameha Day! If you could stretch your trip out to 17 days, 3 islands can be really comfortable. If possible, fly into Honolulu, out from Maui and do another island in between. Which one? Having not been to Hawaii before, pick Hawaii, the Big Island. There are two distinct sides to it, and 9 or 11 climate zones. It is incredibly diverse, and need I mention, the home of Madam Pele, resident of the world's most active volcano. I would spend 3 or four days on O'ahu, 5 to 7 on the Big Island with at least two nights on the Hilo side, 4 nights on the Kohala Coast or Kona side, and the rest on Maui. When you narrow your islands down, I can be more helpful about specific things to see and do. To me, this would give you the most diverse experience.

 

[scooter15]

They also have an interisland ferry. Currently they just have it between Oahu and Maui. They are supposed to add Kauai and then The Big Island. This just started in December 2007.

 

[Bearvet]

Thanks for your help! I've forwarded the info to my friend and we'll talk about it later today. It's a big help to know that we don't need to plan around July 4th. I already have 2 timeshare weeks on deposit but they expire in Feb 2010. I think for $99 I can extend them for 6 months and might be able to get a jump on people who have to wait for the 2 year window. I'll check into that more.

We were leaning toward Ohau, Maui and Hawaii and that seems to be what everyone has suggested so far, so I think we're on the right track. Hopefully someday we'll get back to visit Kauai.

Thanks again and I'll post again when we know more. I know I'll have tons of questions! I also use the Fodors talk forum but they're not always as friendly as people on the DIS! But there's a lot of good info there too, so I'll at least read the comments.

 

[Bearvet]

Reviving my old thread since we now have some details!

June 25/26/27, 2010 - July 2 Honolulu (no timeshare yet) Oahu

July 2-9, 2010 Kona (Kona Coast Resort - 2 units) Big Island

July 9 - 16, 2010 Kihei (Maui Sunset II) Maui (1 2-bedroom unit, hoping for a 2nd unit still, but this will do for the 4 of us)

Even if these are not the perfect places to stay, for the price of an exchange ($189 for the week) we'll be happy with (almost) anything.

So, if the timeshare works out in Honolulu, we'll have up to 3 weeks total! We can do partial weeks the 1st and 3rd weeks (due to work schedules, etc), but will have 1 full week on the Big Island - I'm certainly going to aim for 3 full weeks! So I guess the plan will be to fly into Honolulu and fly out of Maui as someone suggested.


If I can't get the timeshare in Honolulu, do you have hotels or condos to recommend? VRBO? Once we get that week lined up, we can work on other plans. We are so excited!!!!!

Thanks for your help!

 

[trip]

They also have an interisland ferry. Currently they just have it between Oahu and Maui. They are supposed to add Kauai and then The Big Island. This just started in December 2007.

Not any more.

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2009/03/30/daily1.html

The company announced March 19 that it was pulling the ship out of Hawaii.

 

[Pixie Dust for Me!]

On Oahu, I'd recommend the Haleiwa area....we loved it there. Honolulu is just another "big" city (no offense intended).

K

 

[Bearvet]

Reviving my old thread one more time - because our trip is in 3 weeks!!!! We did get a timeshare in Honolulu (Waikiki) and also got a second one on Maui, so we have 3 full weeks - yahoo!

We had credit card points to use for our flight (flying into Honolulu and out of Maui), so our round trip tickets were less than $200 for each of us. We have rental cars booked on each island with discounthawaiicarrental.com (Alamo) and feel like we have decent prices. Also have all inter-island flights booked.

Our plans on each island include:
Oahu - Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Hanauma Bay & windward coast sights, 1 day at North Shore, Pearl Harbor & swap meet and Polynesian Cultural Center.

Big Island - Helicopter tour & Botanical Garden, Volcano Nat Park, snorkel boat trip, Mauna Kea Summit Tour and Waipio Valley horseback ride.

Maui - Haleakala Bike Tour, Old Lahaina Luau, road to Hana and sunset cocktail cruise. Lots of snorkeling here.

All necessary reservations have been made for activities. My biggest disappointment is that the Kalaupapa trip (Molokai) to do the Damien Tour won't work out. The trail is closed due to a landslide and the only way to get there is to fly - it's $400 per person and I just don't have an extra $800 in my budget.

We have also picked out many restaurants to try - we have agreed that we don't want to "eat" our vacation, so we're looking for casual (on the beach if possible) places - $20 per person for an entree.

If you have any suggestions about any favorite restaurants or sights, I'd love your input. We realized we'll be driving a LOT on the Big Island, but we're willing to do it. Thanks!

 

[CruiserMom]

I just wanted to say, you have done a fantastic job of planning a wonderful Hawaii vacation! We went in 2009 for the first time, and did many of the things you have planned.

Couple of things:
Hanauma Bay on Oahu - Heaven on Earth! We snorkeled there with DD who was 11 at the time, and this was her first time snorkeling. It was just amazing! But if you enjoy snorkeling, try to snorkel Black Rock on Maui when you are there. That was where we saw the most fish.

Road to Hana on Maui - Amazing as well! But it is a long day. We didn't get to the Seven Sacred Pools until about 5pm, and didn't really want to swim because the wind was blowing and it was getting chilly with the sun going down. I wish we had skipped a couple of stops on the way and gotten there earlier and spent more time there.

Have fun! I am so jealous! We are planning a return in 2011, and staying on the Kona side of the Big Island (we stayed in Hilo before, wasn't all that impressed!).

 

[DawnCt1]

Reviving my old thread one more time - because our trip is in 3 weeks!!!! We did get a timeshare in Honolulu (Waikiki) and also got a second one on Maui, so we have 3 full weeks - yahoo!

We had credit card points to use for our flight (flying into Honolulu and out of Maui), so our round trip tickets were less than $200 for each of us. We have rental cars booked on each island with discounthawaiicarrental.com (Alamo) and feel like we have decent prices. Also have all inter-island flights booked.

Our plans on each island include:
Oahu - Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, Hanauma Bay & windward coast sights, 1 day at North Shore, Pearl Harbor & swap meet and Polynesian Cultural Center.

Big Island - Helicopter tour & Botanical Garden, Volcano Nat Park, snorkel boat trip, Mauna Kea Summit Tour and Waipio Valley horseback ride.

Maui - Haleakala Bike Tour, Old Lahaina Luau, road to Hana and sunset cocktail cruise. Lots of snorkeling here.

All necessary reservations have been made for activities. My biggest disappointment is that the Kalaupapa trip (Molokai) to do the Damien Tour won't work out. The trail is closed due to a landslide and the only way to get there is to fly - it's $400 per person and I just don't have an extra $800 in my budget.

We have also picked out many restaurants to try - we have agreed that we don't want to "eat" our vacation, so we're looking for casual (on the beach if possible) places - $20 per person for an entree.

If you have any suggestions about any favorite restaurants or sights, I'd love your input. We realized we'll be driving a LOT on the Big Island, but we're willing to do it. Thanks!

Oh my goodness, you have a WONDERFUL trip planned. If you can add a hike to the top of Diamond Head; leave early one morning, you can see all of Honolulu from the top.
You will love Maui. Are you driving the Hana Hwy yourself? If so, and the bridges have been replaced, you can go all the way around and visit the Tedeshi Winery on the way back. Also try to get to the IO needle. Nice park.

We loved, loved, loved the Waipio Valley horseback ride. Try to be in VNP after dark. Look for the hot lava and a moonbow.

Too bad about Kalaupapa. That was such a highlight for us. That was the best tour we ever did in Hawaii. Mule riding in let us experience the isolation of it all. Wish I was going with you!

 

[DawnCt1]

Favorite restaurants; Big Island, Cafe Pesto, Merrimans and Roys.
Maui, Roys, Maui Taco, Maui Plate Lunch, Leilani's on the Beach.
Honolulu? We pretty much returned to our hotel at night to eat at the Hali Koa. Hard to beat those prices!

 

[hereyago]

Near Honolulu airport is a place called Big Kahuna's pizza, many different types of pizza, but one thing that rocks are the garlic cheese balls. get there early because if they run out of dough they close for the day.



Hanauma Bay-go there early as well. Snorkeling at the North Shore, Shark's Cove before October is also very nice.

 

[Patricia]

You did plan an excellent trip. I would like to add that although Honolulu is a city, the island of Oahu has much to offer. Don't forget there are beautiful beaches and quite a lot of treasures to explore. North shore is a great experience, as is Koolina. Spent much time on that side last summer as my daughter lived and worked there. I loved it. BTW, went last year June 14 to July 3 and it was perfect, as always. Take your time, enjoy the experience each place has to offer. Hawaii is much more than a pretty beach destination. Its history and culture offer a diverse experience to savor. Enjoy!! I wish I was going this year too!! It's on our calendar for '12.

 

[jfoofj]

I went to Hawaii for a two week honeymoon in 1997 (w/ my now exH) and we left on June 22 and came back July 7th I belive... we had an awesome time. We stayed on Kaui and Maui... in Maui we stayed on Kannapali beach (it was a time share/condo place, can't remember the name but it was right next to the Westin which looked AWESOME, our place was pretty good too though).

My exH did golf a couple times, and I spent the day by the pool/on the beach. I honestly don't remember all the stuff we did, but I do remember eating at Lelanis on the beach (a previous poster recommened that) and at a burger place in Lahaina called Cheesburger in Paradise that was great. (Ok, is it sad that I remember the food on my honeymoon and not the sightseeing ). Oh, there is a little shopping plaza on the strip of hotels on Kaanapali beach.... right near the Westin.... and we got a lot of cool souveniers and ate (again, with the food) at a restaurant that had the BEST boneless buffalo wings I have ever had in my life.

We did do a helicopter tour, but I got airsick, so if you tend to get motion sickness take something before that, and DON'T eat a big breakfast that includes sausage. Puke. Fest.

Have fun, enjoy, it really is a trip of a lifetime.

 

[disykat]

On your way to the North Shore - shrimp shack! We went to Romy's.

 

[Wis2InTink]

Go to Duke's restaurant on Waikiki beach at the Outrigger hotel. Henry Kapono
performs live on Sunday afternoons. Get there early for a seat, or seating is also available upstairs (with happy hour drink and food specials). Don't forget to try the hula pie! It serves many people! Check out their website. We just returned from a 2 island vacation in early May. I hope to get there sometime this summer, because my daughter just moved there!! The flights from the midwest are so long.