Hawaii????

[lauradenise4779]

So, I'm sitting here watching Jon & Kate Plus 8, and now I want to go to Hawaii!!! Actually, I've wanted to go for YEARS, but I'd like to get the ball rolling on this one.

I know "budget" and "Hawaii" don't exactly belong in the same sentence, but can anyone point me to a website/hotel/activities that won't truly break the bank. Our kids are 10 and 7 1/2. If you've been, what would you do again or do differently? Is there a time of year that is best to go?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

 

[mzlee]

I was there this time two years ago celebrating my 15th anniversary. My mom just came back from there last week. The weather is good this time of year. I don't know much about what to do for the kids since we didn't have any with us but we promised to take our DS13 with us the next time we go. I know there was a waterpark there and the Polynesian Cultural Center would probably be good for the kids. Was there any particular island you wanted to go to? We went to Oahu and stayed in the Wyndham Waikiki Beach Resort. I would start with the Oahu visitor's guide website:
http://www.visit-oahu.com/

 

[Mililani Mouser]

go to maui and kauai!!

 

[zachsmomie]

go to maui and kauai!!

I second Maui! Drive the Hana highway for free and go to Haleakala Crater (also free I think). These are 2 of the most beautiful spots you will see. Pack a picnic lunch and gas is your only cost.

Having said that, Hawaii is NOT a budget trip. You can go hog wild or you can just go wild but either way, expect some $$$ to be spent. The cost of items at the supermarket, gas station, etc. is much higher than the mainland and if it is a dream trip, it is worth saving and waiting and going when you won't be fretting about money.

 

[sillysmom]

To see the most you can see for the least possible price, a cruise is the way to go. NCL has a 7 day cruise that we just took, you see Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Kuai, and Helo, you'd never be able to do that in 7 days on your own. The prices are very reasonable as well.

 

[BarbR-Atlanta]

Sillysmom,
I leave on Thursday for the same cruise: The NCL Pride of America. We are cruising for a week, after spending 2 days in Oahu. I have been to Oahu before, and the Big Island, but this will be a first for Maui and Kaua'i.

I am so excited-we are staying in an 11th floor Penthouse with an adjoining room, for our family of seven! We have been on 8 cruises, but this will be our first NCL.

Pick up a book on Hawai'i OP. You will find it's like nowhere else on earth. Yes, it's expensive, but WOW, so worth it!

 

[Butwhyistherumgone?]

subbing to find later thanks OP for asking

 

[disykat]

One thing to remember is that you don't have to stay beachfront. I went to Hawaii twice as a child and have gone twice as an adult on trips that would definitely be described as budget.

We have stayed in hotels a block or two from the beach - easy walking distance. There are many vacation rentals in Hawaii. Lots of folks have vacation rentals attached to their homes. One time, we found an ad in our local paper of a family who have a home there they rent out. We were able to meet with them prior to going and have local references, etc. It was probably 1/2 mile from the beach in a neighborhood, but it had it's own pool and for 7 people it was a steal! Spending time on the beach is free and most of our eating is low-key picnic style stuff. Get aquainted with the local grocery stores. When we eat out it's usually local fast food, pizza, etc. We do a few tourist pay-to-play activities and a little bit of tourist class eating, but it is limited.

I think if you're willing to live like a local and check your 1st class tourist mentality, you can do Hawaii on a budget. If you prefer to travel 1st class it is going to cost you though.

 

[Tanzanite]

We have been twice its beautiful very expensive we stayed in Wailea Maui and Honolulu want to go again to other islands.

 

[disneygirl_wdw]

A cruise is the way to go. You don't have to worry about waiting in the airports to do island transfers. The cruise we did had overnights on Kauai and Maui so you could stay out all night if you wanted to. I saw more on a cruise than I did a few years ago. NCL Pride of America is a god cruise. I just got back a few weeks ago. I also recommend renting a car instead of doing excursions. It was a great way to see the islands. They have transportation to and from the rental agencies from the port. On the overnight ports there is parking. We visited Oahu, Kauai, Maui, Kona, and Hilo. POA will also took us down the Na'Pali coastline a must see.

 

[robsmom]

We went to the Big Island when my son was 7 and he loved it. My DH and I loved Maui and and contemplated 2 islands but ended up deciding to stick with one. For us it worked, we did not have to lose a day switching. On the big island we started at Hapuna Beach and enjoyed some rest/relax beach time and a day trip to the Ranch and Wialea canyon. We then checked out and spent a day driving around the island clockwise, stopping at some of the key tourist spots and ending at the volcano national park. We spent one night at volcano national park - but if doing it again would suggest 2. it was so nice to be in the cool mountain enviornment after the hot sun and beach. After volcano park we drove the rest of the way around the island and checked into the Hilton Waikelea (sp). I would not call this resort budget but we actually got a decent deal and it was fabulous for a child. they have a man made lagoon than has sea turtles, fish, eels etc. we kayaked in it, paddle boated, snorkeld, etc. Just a really great place for a kid. From this base we also did a day trip into Kona to go shopping, eat at the Hard Rock, etc. We were introduced to Crocs on that trip and had a great time buying us each a pair at the Croc store in Kona. We spent 12 nights total, saw alot, but also had enough down time to really have a vacation break.

 

[2kidsnutsfordisney]

My dh and I went just this past October and had the most amazing vacation. We had also been to Maui for our honeymoon back in 1991 and while Maui was very nice this trip we went to Kauai and the big island. Both were amazing but Kauai hands down was my favorite. We stayed in an Outrigger condo complex in Kauai and it was AMAZING. Huge two bedroom condo with huge bathrooms and bedrooms, stainless steel top of the line appliances, granite countertops, awesome meandering pool, 3 or 4 sand bottom hot tubs. When we take the kids one day this is were we will stay again! We are very active so this vacation was for hiking and sightseeing not for just laying around. If you are into hiking and exploring the island then you will not be disappointed. The Na Pali coast is breathtaking, there are waterfalls everywhere and we even did a zipline tour that was awesome. On the big island we stayed in a Wyndam condo complex in Kona (not on the water) and it was also very nice! Our total cost for 10 days for two islands including airfare, hotel, rental cars, activities, misc. expenses and food ended up just under $5000. Now we did end up going with another couple so the two bedroom units were shared as was the cost of the rental cars but when you consider Hawaii I thought it was very reasonable. We also live in the midwest so airfare was higher than someone who lives on the west coast.

I did alot of research and I would highly recommend the books The Ultimate Kauai handbook and the Ultimate Big Island book. All of their recommendations were right on the money! We considered these our bibles of what to do and where to go and it never disappointed us.

Good luck on your planning - I cannot wait until we go again

 

[amyup]

You can do Hawaii on a semi budget. We went fall of 2007 and stayed for 11 nights. We went to both Kauai (6 nights) and Maui (5). For the 5 of us we spent $6500 total. Considering it will cost us that much for our Disney cruise in 2010 w/airfare I think we did pretty good on our Hawaii trip.

We ended up getting a fantastic deal through Pleasant Holidays for our airfare and car rental. We booked our lodging seperately. We stayed in a condo in Kauai....using www.vrbo.com. It was fantastic and steps from the beach. In Maui we stayed at the Westin. We got a great rate $799 for 5 night w/ rental car included. It was a special I received in the mail. We enjoyed the resort but prefer to have a condo....more space and you might need it after a long vacation with kids.

Hawaii is expensive to eat at but there are so many free activities to do. We spent a lot of time hiking, beaching, boogie boarding, and snorkeling. All free!!

The boys had a fabulous time and would prefer Hawaii over WDW anyday.

 

[amyup]

I recommed the Ultimate books as well! Fabulous little gems throughout. Oh and Hawaii is very addicting. Almost as much as Disney!

 

[Donnainnj]

Hawaii was my all time favorite vacation we have taken. If we could do a week at a time, or could find a really good airfare we would be there more then Disney. Our trip was 17 nights plus one overnight flight. One week on the Big Island, 1 week on Maui, and 3 nights on Oahu. I loved the Revealed books (Maui Revealed, Big Island Revealed, etc) We were able to stay in 2 br ocean front condos with ocean views for the first 2 weeks, booked through vrbo.com and the oahu nights were at the Hawaii Prince at $95 per night priceline. (also water view, marina) We pricelined all our cars for the trip using biddingfortravel.com to decide on bids for the hotel and cars. We ate a few meals in the condos, but mostly ate out. On the Big Island we did a boat trip/snorkeling by Captain Cooks monument, that included a dolphin "show" as we left that was amazing. They were leaping and spinning all over the place. We snorkeled at Kahalu'u, went around the entire island, including Volcano National Park, hit the beach, explored Kona, did a Helicopter ride over the volcano and falls. In Maui we did the Iao Needle, a little museum near there, Lahaina with a lot of shopping and looking, The Old Lahaina Luau, the Hana Highway, Haleakala, a whale watch etc. In Oahu, we shoped, went to Pearl Harbor, and beached. (that beach was ruff) and went to Diamond Head. The entire trip was about $10,000 for the 4 of us. That includes about $3600 in airfare from Newark to Oahu, and three interisland flights, and about $500 for the helicopter. This was April of 2004, so i'm sure prices will vary. The weather in Hawaii changes more day to night then time of the year, so all times are good, just make sure you stay on the part of each island that has the weather you desire.
From the East Coast I wouldn't do the trip for less then 2weeks. Between the travel time and the airfare the longer the trip the better your bang for the buck.
Happy Planning, and if all works out we may be planning a trip out there Summer of 2010 for our 20th Anniversary.
Hope you can make the trip! Happy Planning.
Donna

 

[amyup]

I recommed the Ultimate books as well! Fabulous little gems throughout. Oh and Hawaii is very addicting. Almost as much as Disney!

Actually it was the Kauai and Maui revealed books that we used.

 

[Binnie]

We lived on Oahu for nearly 3 years in the early 2000s, and although nothing is cheap, there are ways to visit less expensively.

Stay in Waikiki (as much as I hate to say it!). The hotels are cheap, especially now that tourism is way down, and there are beaches and restaurants in close proximity, if you don't want to rent a car. There are plenty of discount buffets and those sorts of things, too. If you wanted to go further affield, there are more opportunties to save money, too.

Another option would be to sat in Kona on the big island, but it is more expensive (you have to figure in the inter-island flight, too), and frankly, I wasn't that impressed. I LOVED the Hilo side of the big island.

Maui and Kauai are very peaceful, but also tend to be more expensive. And Lanai is out of this world on price!

We did a cruise around the islands, too. I think that cruise line is now defunct, which is a good thing!

It's a wonderful and fun place to visit. I hope you get the chance!

 

[bamamom]

subcribing ..... we want to go in june 2011

 

[TnTWalter]

Subbing...want to do this for extended family vacation...my folks, brother's family, MIL, us.

Looking forward to reading and planning when we return from Florida. Always planning the next adventure!

 

[EmpressBubbles]

When my DH and I went to Hawaii for his 40th BDay, we spent 3 days in Oahu and 7 days in Kauai. We opted to go budget in Oahu and stayed in the Ohana brand hotels. They are usually less than $100/night. They aren't anything special, but they get the job done. There is so much to see and do, you aren't there much anyway...it just needs to be clean. (You should have seen our fabulous view of the trash dumpsters!) Still, it made the budget stretch just enough for the ocean front room in Kauai!

My parents went fairly economically when my brother was stationed there several years ago. My brother was able to get them a military rate on a nice room with a kitchenette. They shopped at the local farmer's markets and had a great time just hanging out and eating in the room for a lot of their meals.

The point is, Hawaii will never be CHEAP, but it can be made less expensive. It just depends on how you want to do your trip.

I know you'll have fun regardless!!!