Hawaiian Vacation Resources

[billsfan]

The two of us are thinking of going to Hawaii for a week in the fall of 2019 if we can book a one bedroom at Aulani. I did a little bit of research and I was thinking about the last week in September.

I chose this week because it appears like a slow time and because I read that September is a celebration of Hawaii by Hawaiians.

If anyone has pros and cons for this week I would like to hear about them.

Also what are some great online resources for planning a Hawaiian vacation

Thanks

 

[bobbiwoz]

Go to the Aulani forum on the Disboards, we have learned a lot here. This September will be our second third week of September vacation there. We have also been there in February, and none of us noticed a significant difference in those two times of the year.

 

[southerngirl528]

Also what are some great online resources for planning a Hawaiian vacation

I love both the TripAdvisor Hawaii forums, (though be forewarned there is a negative Nellie on the Oahu forum that ALWAYS poo-poo's Aulani, saying how there "is nothing there, very remote", and that "it's not Disneyland", etc., etc. And she has never even stayed at Aulani, though she is a frequent visitor to Oahu) and then I sign up for emails from www.beatofhawaii.com.

My favorite places to rent cars from are: www.costcotravel.com (if you're a member! and there is a great Costco just about 7 or 8 minutes drive from Aulani!) and www.discounthawaiicarrental.com . Both these sites ALMOST always give a free 2nd driver, they offer all the major car companies, and I have rented from both multiple times.

I suggest you listen/download some great Hawaiian music to get you in the aloha frame of mind. Below are just a FEW of my faves:

Keali'i Reichel - wonderful voice, and he wrote and sang the chant for Aulani.

Kuana Torres Kahele - again, great music writer as well and like Keali'i, they are both kumu hula (hula teachers)

Teresa Bright - She has a LOVELY smooth jazz meets Hawaiian style and she regularly performs in the evening at AMA AMA or Off the Hook. SUPER nice lady and an Oahu native.

Jeff Peterson - unbelievably talented slack key guitarist from Maui, now lives on Oahu. (sure wish they would have Jeff perform when we are back at Aulani next year!)

Nathan Aweau - amazing bass player who used to play backup for Don Ho (he must have been super young then!) and has a gorgeous voice

There are some truly fabulous Hawaiian musicians that perform each evening at Aulani at the 2 lounges. OUTSTANDING.

Hope this helps! Happy planning and ALOHA!

 

[Dean]

I use the Timeshare Users group reviews, DIS and other DVC related boards, Tripadvisors (volume not as much quality) and generally do internet searches. I always find that my core research leads me into other options. For example, I was looking for a Lei option for 15 people at or near the airport and found a whole site that sells to the public. Total cost for 15 lei's $100 roughly $50 cheaper than it would be been at Costco.

I've got to add that we just spent 3 weeks in HI (a week each Maui, Oahu & Kauai). We did 2 Luau's this trip (Old Lahaina Luau on Maui & Chief's on Oahu). We've been to HI over the years and done 5 other Luaus including the PCC. Historically OLL is considered the best but I have to say that Chief's was the best show by far we've seen plus just a nice group of people. We chose it over Fia Fia (same cast) even though Fia Fia would have been at the Marriott timeshare we were staying at. We chose it because the 4 y/o was free here, not at Fia Fia, the base price was less and we had a 25% discount for the group of 15 (14 + the 4 y/o). We love PCC also but the whole day there with the show getting back to the resort at midnight is just too much for us.