Just booked Hale Koa and Aulani trip

[matheke]

Well, just booked the rooms for our stay in Oahu. Since I am retired military there are quite a few more options for us. We are staying at Hale Koa on Waikiki beach 15-18 July and then Aulani 18-23 July.

From all the posts, we will be renting a car for the week. Just some ideas/questions.

We will try to do Pearl before heading to Aulani. I have a friend who knows somebody on the board for the memorial and can get us tickets/tour.

Anybody know how far Barbers Point exchange is from Aulani? Looks close on the map and we hope to do some shopping there.

This is part of our Niece's Graduation present and we are looking for marine life/aquarium/conservation type activities if you know of any.

Thanks and hope to see some of you there.

Dan and Sue

 

[OKW Lover]

According to Google Maps, Barbers Point Exchange is a 15-20 minute drive from Aulani.

Pearl Harbor is really a must do. Ask your friend to get you tickets for around 10 am on the boat. Then get there around 8:30 - 9:00 to do the audio tour through the exhibits before your time to get on the boat out to the Arizona Memorial. There are no bags allowed on the tour. They warn you not to leave bags in your car (not even the trunk) as the local bad guys know there are goodies in there and there have been lots of break-ins. You can check you stuff just outside the entrance for a nominal fee.

 

[Aviator621]

Retired military as well, and was stationed at Hickam for 3 years, so know the island pretty well. A few suggestions: first, although you have a connection for the Memorial tickets, also consider as a retiree, you have access to the COMPACFLT Remembrance Barge Tour, that takes you around Ford's Island, with a running narration on the Dec 7 attack, and is really a unique experience. It is only on limited days, and you can only reserve 30 days in advance, but would seriously consider it.

For the Exchange, not sure what you are looking for, but there is nothing special at the Barber's Point exchange, as it is now just a grab and go. Pearl Harbor Exchange, however, is exceptionally nice, and right off of H1 on your way to Ko Olina and Aulani. If for just food, Commissary is right next to the exchange, or consider the nearby Costco.

Finally, for the marine activities: snorkeling is really good in the Ko Olina Lagoons. You can also try Hanauma Bay, but personally don't think it is worth the extra trouble for what you get. There are dolphin viewing excursions that leave directly from the Ko Olina marina that usually have snorkeling stops as well. Finally, for a reasonably priced hands on encounter with dolphins, you can go to Sea Life Park, on the Windward side of the island. (If you do that, you may want to afterwards head to Bellows Air Force Station which has one of the best beaches on the island. (http://www.bellowsafs.com))

Hope these help. Let me know if you have any questions on these, or any other suggestions.

 

[twodogs]

My dad is fully retired military and will be with us in our first trip to Aulani this summer. Do you know if the Bellows beach is open 7 days a week? I tried their site but could not locate specific info on days/hours that it is open. For the commissary, are the prices much better than Target? We have a Costco membership but really won't need those large quantities for our trip. Thanks!

 

[Aviator621]

My dad is fully retired military and will be with us in our first trip to Aulani this summer. Do you know if the Bellows beach is open 7 days a week? I tried their site but could not locate specific info on days/hours that it is open. For the commissary, are the prices much better than Target? We have a Costco membership but really won't need those large quantities for our trip. Thanks!

Bellows was open seven days a week when we were there, but would call to confirm. As for the Commissary, MUCH cheaper than local stores, with the exception of Costco which was somewhat competitive (of course you do have that bulk size issue you mentioned.)

 

[funantiques]

We are doing a 3 way split. Hale Koa----Aulani---Bellows. From the pictures, Bellows still looks amazing!

 

[Nanny oly]

we Have stayed at the Barbers point cottages 14 days, the bellows cottages 14 days and Hale Koa usually just for arrival and departure to be closer to the airport......we are looking at booking our 1st trip to Aulani and split between there and Bellows..... I will say that no matter where we stay the cottages will be 1st and the Aulani part will be the later part because even thou the beach at the Bellows is amazing....the beds are awful!! LOL! I would skip the barbers point or the bellows commisary and go to the Pearl Harbor one....the overs are more like lil gas stations ....they have a better variety at Pearl Harbor.

 

[twodogs]

Thank you for that tip about the commissary!

 

[sgrap]

We are doing the same thing next week . . . Hale Koa and then Aulani. Our newly commissioned 2LT son just got his new CAC today, so we are relieved! Any tips on things to do around Oahu making use of his military status? I also heard from a military wife on Oahu today that only people with CAC's can go into the commissary?? I'm a bit concerned about sending in my 22 year old son for groceries for the whole family. The choices he makes are not generally the grocery choices I would make!