hawaii vacation questions

[Nik's Mom]

Hi,
We will be celebrating our 10th anniversary next August and wanted to take a nice vacation with the kids. We were planning on going on a Disney cruise, with a few days at WDW, but with it being hurricaine season, having second thoughts on being on a boat.
So, I am thinking of changing plans and heading to Hawaii. Anyone ever been? We'd like to go to Oahu. Maybe stay at Hilton Hawaiian Village. Please let me know what you thought of Hawaii.
Thanks!

 

[mookie]

Been to Hawaii 3 times - I just love it there. Our last trip was this past March to Maui and Kauai. i've been to Oahu before, and while some people like it, I felt it wasn't a true Hawaiian vacation because it is somewhat like a big city. I'd be happy to answer any questions, and also maybe help on some tips, just let me know!

 

[MagicKingdom05]

Nik's Mom,

I will be in Oahu sometime in August 06 myself. I haven't decided where yet, but look forward to the planning stage, because it will give me something else to consintrate on.

 

[Bellissima]

I've been to Oahu and stayed right next door to HHV. My children and husband enjoyed it more than I, not being a swimmer or beach-goer (red-headed white girl). But I enjoyed the food and shopping! I think the HHV would be a great resort to stay at -- looks very resort-y. We walked over and visited all the shops around it.

It's gorgeous and very romantic for walks on the beach at night. We had our in-laws with us, and we did a lot of tourist-y things, like Pearl Harbor, Mighty Mo, a magic show, the Polynesian Cultural Center and their show and a luau.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You'll love Hawaii and the Hilton Hawaiian village.


My daughter--age 5...decided that a trip to Hawaii would be better than DCL....so we are planning a trip next October. We will stay at HHV. It is a VERY nice hotel!

 

[binny]

If youre interested in renewing your vows, I know an AWESOME minister!

he did our renewal for our 10th last year and it was the most amazing thing!!


You can PM me if youre interested

 

[Nik's Mom]

Thanks for the encouragement. Does anyone care to share tips? Where can I go for info. Jason, what websites and/or message boards have you found?
We're also thinking of renewing our vows. On the beach would be nice.
We will be traveling with my elderly Mom, my ds's (6 year old with autism, and 3 years old). I'd appreciate any advice.
Thanks.

 

[robinb]

Do you really want to stay on Oahu? I would recommend the Big Island and the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Kohala coast near Kona. People call it "Disneyland West" for good reason. The pools are great and the resort even has a tram! We have our 3rd trip planned there for Spring Break ... my DH has tons and tons of Hilton Honors points so we're staying for free.

I have never stayed at the HHV, but I have reservations at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider. The Moana is right at Waikiki Beach and close to all the shopping. Unfortunately, the HHV is a rather isolated from the rest of the strip. If you choose to stay on Oahu, you'll have to see the Dole Plantation (the only other place in the world I know to get Dole Whip!!) and the Polynesian Cultural Center which has a spectaular South Seas/Polynesian dance show. Their male fire dancers were the best I ever saw. I'll pay for the extra-close tickets on my next trip since I adore that kind of dance .

 

[kessieann]

This past March my whole family (24 of us) stayed in Oahu & Maui. Oahu was definitely the "big city" with all the hustle and bustle that goes with it. Part of our family went to Pearl Harbor and the other 1/2 went to the Polynesian cultural center. Both groups liked their tours.

Maui was much more of what I pictured Hawaii to be about. The oldest in our group was 67 and the youngest was 3. We did the Old Laihaina Luau and totally enjoyed that. We did the Haleakala sunrise which was just so--so for having to get up at 3:00 a.m. It was a sunrise as far as most of us were concerned. It was freezing and it is a long way up.

I would suggest to get a true taste of Hawaii to do one of the other islands in addition to Oahu. They have flights between the islands which don't take too long.

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

Depending on what you want to do. Oahu is VERY commercial. Just got back from there a few weeks ago (5th time). We did Oahu this time (first time in 9 years) because DS had never been, so we thought Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Cneter would fun for him. It was, but... we stayed at the HHV and frankly we thought it sucked. The pool is hardly big enough to accomodate even 1/8 of the guests. If you don't get there at 9:00 forget about getting a good spot. The beach is great, probably the biggest on Waikiki. But, the thing about Waikiki is, you have the beach on one side and pretty much a downtown of any city on the other side of the street. Frankly, not my cup of tea for "paradise", but that's just me.

We did the Big Island, too. While nice, it is huge and not enough of a tropical island for me. More like being on the moon.

To me the ideal island is Maui. If you can afford it stay at the Kea Lani. http://www.fairmont.com/kealani/

(of course the Four Seasons is nice, too. We stayed there for our 15th)

We went there after our short stay in Oahu this time. On the last day we was Owen Wilson in the buffet line for breakfast. Two years ago (for our 20th) we saw John Tesh (and his wife Connie Selleca.. what a *****) there. They ended up on a snorkeling tour with us. For two morning sI saw what lounges they wanted to get at the pool, so, I would wake up earlier and snag the spots they wanted... only because is was such fun to see his wife ***** and moan.

Anyway, my vote would be Maui. Simply the best.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Because my ds is autistic, the hotel we stay at is very important. We will definitely spend a lot of time around the hotel we stay it. That's why I was thinking HHV. But if it's so isolated, maybe I'm better off somewhere else that's centrally located. Don't think we'll do the Polynesian cultural center. My Mom said it took her all day there, and I don't think ds would go for that. I know we will do Pearl Harbor, the Aquarium, lots of beach time. the Dole factory, relaxing around the hotel. So what would be a good location?

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

Oh and if you decide on Maui, you MUST do dinner at Mama's Fish House and order the Mahimahi.. yummmmmm..

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

Because my ds is autistic, the hotel we stay at is very important. We will definitely spend a lot of time around the hotel we stay it. That's why I was thinking HHV. But if it's so isolated, maybe I'm better off somewhere else that's centrally located. Don't think we'll do the Polynesian cultural center. My Mom said it took her all day there, and I don't think ds would go for that. I know we will do Pearl Harbor, the Aquarium, lots of beach time. the Dole factory, relaxing around the hotel. So what would be a good location?

Again, what are you looking to get out of your vacation. Oahu can be pretty hustle bustle, even with the hotels along Waikiki. Maui is much more laid back (as is the big island). The hotels there pretty much have everything you could ask for fun and relaxation. the HHV is really not all that isolated, IMHO. But, it is HUGE. Like a small town within Waikiki. I didn't find it to be all that kid friendly.

Another really good family type hotel on Maui is the Grand Wailea. We prefer the Wailea area But, others like Kaanapali, (way on the other side of Wailea) because it is close to Lahaina.

And if you want to renew your vows on the beach, the Kea Lani is the PERFECT place.. we saw that happen 3 times in our 10 day stay there. I would not want to renew my vows on a beach in Waikiki. Waay too crowded and public.

 

[kessieann]

We stayed at Kaanapali in Maui and we definitely loved it. Lots to do and we used one of the guide books to go and find hidden "treasures". We had family at both the Kaanapali Resort (older and more run down) and also at the Westin Maui (more expensive but a drop dead gorgeous view.)

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Do you really want to stay on Oahu? I would recommend the Big Island and the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Kohala coast near Kona. People call it "Disneyland West" for good reason. The pools are great and the resort even has a tram! We have our 3rd trip planned there for Spring Break ... my DH has tons and tons of Hilton Honors points so we're staying for free.

I wanna hear more! That sounds awesome. We wanted to island hop--sounds like this is the place to go . (We're in HHonors Fantasyland as well )

 

[Nik's Mom]

I never thought of other island before. Tell me about Maui. What is there to do. We aren't the type to just sit on the beach. We like sight-seeing too. That's why I thought of Waikiki. Tell me about Maui. I'd love to hear more.

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

I never thought of other island before. Tell me about Maui. What is there to do. We aren't the type to just sit on the beach. We like sight-seeing too. That's why I thought of Waikiki. Tell me about Maui. I'd love to hear more.

snorkling at molokini crater. Boat over to Lanai (and see spinnig dolphins and flying fish onthe way there and back) helicopter over to hana and take the road to hana back. (don't drive it yourself, too long going there and back)

Biking down Haleakala, (but don't do the 3:00 am Power Rangers excursions... try this guy.. http://www.tombarefoot.com/maui/aloha_bike.html

it was awsome, and your son can ride in the van with him

helicopter tours around Maui

http://www.visitmaui.com/

 

[kessieann]

Maui was our favorite and we found plenty to do for all age groups. As I said earlier the Old Laihaina Luau was a great time. They taught the kids some of the different Hulas, the food was pretty good and if you like fruity island drinks this is the place to be-they are unlimited with your ticket price.

My family was more adventerous and liked to take the guide book and go find things off the beat and path. We went for a drive one day and found the most gorgeous views of the ocean. We found a Banyan tree forest. We found an area that had the coolest water spout (all thanks to the book of course). The family with the smaller kids liked to hang out at the pools and dabble in the ocean by the beach. Most of the hotels have kids programs where they teach hulas or make various things.

We booked a snorkeling tour one day but because of the wind we did not make it out to Molokini. Where we ended up was okay because the coral was neat but I think it would have been much more exciting to actually go to Molokini.

Haleakala is the volcano that is way way way up. The big thing to do is to go watch the sunrise or do the bike ride down the mountain (none of us did this). I was glad it was dark when we went up because when we came down and I saw how steep it really was I was a little freaked out! It was freezing so ask your hotel to borrow some blankets if you do this.

After Haleakala we went onto the Hana highway for awhile. The whole highway can take up to a whole day so we just opted for a short drive. We found the most awesome spot that you had to literally climb and navigate but the reward at the end was a spectacular waterfall.

There are tons of these little ABC stores that sell fairly inexpensive island itmes. They are on just about every corner in Oahu also. We also found the neatest little market on the main road in Laihaina where we bought our more authentic souveniers. It was just set up in a parking lot.

We were at the Westin Maui and I could see the cruise ships heading into Lahaina from my hotel. It was an breathtaking view.

 

[Honu]

For us Oahu is where you go to nightclub hop and party. It's not the best choice for families. My sister lived there for many years, so I've spent quite a bit of time there. Now I am prepared to be flamed for this, but hear me out. My complaint isn't about racism, it's about sheer numbers. The main reason we don't go to Oahu is because of the heavy tourism from Japan. For me an overwhelmingly large influx of any tourist group negatively impacts the experience of all the other tourists. We don't go to WDW during cheerleading competitions for the same reason.

I would really recommend one of the other islands for you. They are much more friendly and the true aloha spirit shines through their people.

Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island is great resort, dolphins, snorkeling lagoon, pools, slides, but everything on the Big Island is remote and this resort is really out there. So that's probably not what you're looking for.

I would recommend the Ka'anapali area of Maui. The Hyatt would be a good choice. It's in a fairly developed area with lots to do. IMO, the best place for kids on Maui is the Grand Wailea Resort. My nieces would rather go there than WDW, no contest. The pools/slides and the beach are fabulous, as are the Teddy Bear Pancakes from Room Service.

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

Maui was our favorite and we found plenty to do for all age groups. As I said earlier the Old Laihaina Luau was a great time. They taught the kids some of the different Hulas, the food was pretty good and if you like fruity island drinks this is the place to be-they are unlimited with your ticket price.

My family was more adventerous and liked to take the guide book and go find things off the beat and path. We went for a drive one day and found the most gorgeous views of the ocean. We found a Banyan tree forest. We found an area that had the coolest water spout (all thanks to the book of course). The family with the smaller kids liked to hang out at the pools and dabble in the ocean by the beach. Most of the hotels have kids programs where they teach hulas or make various things.

We booked a snorkeling tour one day but because of the wind we did not make it out to Molokini. Where we ended up was okay because the coral was neat but I think it would have been much more exciting to actually go to Molokini.

Haleakala is the volcano that is way way way up. The big thing to do is to go watch the sunrise or do the bike ride down the mountain (none of us did this). I was glad it was dark when we went up because when we came down and I saw how steep it really was I was a little freaked out! It was freezing so ask your hotel to borrow some blankets if you do this.

After Haleakala we went onto the Hana highway for awhile. The whole highway can take up to a whole day so we just opted for a short drive. We found the most awesome spot that you had to literally climb and navigate but the reward at the end was a spectacular waterfall.

There are tons of these little ABC stores that sell fairly inexpensive island itmes. They are on just about every corner in Oahu also. We also found the neatest little market on the main road in Laihaina where we bought our more authentic souveniers. It was just set up in a parking lot.

We were at the Westin Maui and I could see the cruise ships heading into Lahaina from my hotel. It was an breathtaking view.

As far as seeing the sunrise on Haleakala, don't fall for the hype. You only have about a 50% chance of seeing the sunrise on Haleakala (maybe even less). To me, definately not worth waking up at 2:30 in the morning to get up there. That's why we opted for the bike tour we went with. Plus, we didn't have to dress so warmly as the sun was already up at 7:00 am. And we didn't have to wear the Power Ranger suit!