Local Resident of Hawaii and DVC Member ask me anything

[igomezhnl]

Aloha,

As a Current Hawaii DVC Resident (Aulani) Home Base. I've notice that many people have had questions about what to do on the Island of Oahu. Use this thread and feel free to ask me any questions about your upcoming trip to Aulani or Hawaii


Ian

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Thank you for your gracious offer to help with vacation planning. I am not a DVC member, but am looking at staying at Aulani in a DVC unit next October. My kids get a 2 week fall break the first of October, so we are considering coming then. We probably can't stay the entire two weeks because of my husband's work, but are looking at 10 or 11 nights.

I have been reading the Oahu travel forums on TripAdvisor regularly. Seems that most people there aren't fond of the area where Aulani is located. They say it's too far out to see the major sights on the island. Since this is our first trip to Hawaii, we do want to see Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and such. Would you recommend staying a couple of nights in Waikiki to do these things before going to Aulani? If so, what hotel there would you recommend?

Secondly, I'm torn about visiting more than one island. Part of me thinks that we can certainly fill up this amount of time with a mixture of sightseeing and relaxing/playing at the resort. But I also realize that we may never make it back to Hawaii. I think I'm doing well to get my husband on a 10+ hour flight for this trip! So, should I see another island? If so, which one? I'm thinking Maui, but maybe that's because it's the main one I hear about other than Oahu.

My travel party will be my husband and me (both 44 at the time of the trip) and our daughter (17, and a senior) and our son (14). I know they will enjoy trying paddle boarding and snorkeling.

Thank you so much! I look forward to your reply.

 

[juncker]

How about recommendations for a good restaurant for lunch in Chinatown area? Any Dim Sum locations?

 

[happymommy]

Thank you for your gracious offer to help with vacation planning. I am not a DVC member, but am looking at staying at Aulani in a DVC unit next October. My kids get a 2 week fall break the first of October, so we are considering coming then. We probably can't stay the entire two weeks because of my husband's work, but are looking at 10 or 11 nights.

I have been reading the Oahu travel forums on TripAdvisor regularly. Seems that most people there aren't fond of the area where Aulani is located. They say it's too far out to see the major sights on the island. Since this is our first trip to Hawaii, we do want to see Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and such. Would you recommend staying a couple of nights in Waikiki to do these things before going to Aulani? If so, what hotel there would you recommend?

Secondly, I'm torn about visiting more than one island. Part of me thinks that we can certainly fill up this amount of time with a mixture of sightseeing and relaxing/playing at the resort. But I also realize that we may never make it back to Hawaii. I think I'm doing well to get my husband on a 10+ hour flight for this trip! So, should I see another island? If so, which one? I'm thinking Maui, but maybe that's because it's the main one I hear about other than Oahu.

My travel party will be my husband and me (both 44 at the time of the trip) and our daughter (17, and a senior) and our son (14). I know they will enjoy trying paddle boarding and snorkeling.

Thank you so much! I look forward to your reply.

If even just you can go for the 2 weeks and let husband join when he can, it would be worth it, since it's a long flight (and expensive unless you have a boatload of airline miles like we always do).

We used to live on Oahu (Kailua) for just 3 years, and own at the Marriott Ko Olina next to Aulani now. Coming from the East Coast, we won't go for less than 2 weeks now. We enjoy so much down time at the resort relaxing and enjoying the beach and pools. We think the area is the best!

Waikiki has just gotten too crazy for us - we miss the way it was years ago (and the beach is so much more narrow - wish they could work on that). It's fun to go for a day, but we just feel so at home once we head back to Kapolei.

If you do island hop, Maui is very large. It's cool though.

Next year, we're taking the kids to Kauai for just a day to hike and sight see. It's nice and small, and we want them to see the canyon.

The Big Island is so great, but I'd want a week there to see both sides. We did that when our son was 4 months old, and it was great hiking and the people there are the nicest! Of course I feel all of Hawaii has some of the nicest people in the world.

Honestly there is enough to do on Oahu for 2 weeks. But that's us - we love it the best.

 

[igomezhnl]

Thank you for your gracious offer to help with vacation planning. I am not a DVC member, but am looking at staying at Aulani in a DVC unit next October. My kids get a 2 week fall break the first of October, so we are considering coming then. We probably can't stay the entire two weeks because of my husband's work, but are looking at 10 or 11 nights.

I have been reading the Oahu travel forums on TripAdvisor regularly. Seems that most people there aren't fond of the area where Aulani is located. They say it's too far out to see the major sights on the island. Since this is our first trip to Hawaii, we do want to see Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, and such. Would you recommend staying a couple of nights in Waikiki to do these things before going to Aulani? If so, what hotel there would you recommend?

Secondly, I'm torn about visiting more than one island. Part of me thinks that we can certainly fill up this amount of time with a mixture of sightseeing and relaxing/playing at the resort. But I also realize that we may never make it back to Hawaii. I think I'm doing well to get my husband on a 10+ hour flight for this trip! So, should I see another island? If so, which one? I'm thinking Maui, but maybe that's because it's the main one I hear about other than Oahu.

My travel party will be my husband and me (both 44 at the time of the trip) and our daughter (17, and a senior) and our son (14). I know they will enjoy trying paddle boarding and snorkeling.

Thank you so much! I look forward to your reply.

Aloha,

Congratulations on your trip to Hawaii, how exciting. October is a great time to visit, since it's during the slow season. That being said, you pretty much hit most of the things on the head in regards to what to visit. However when I take many of my friends around that our from the
"Mainland" these are the cities we hit first.

Q1: What Cities should I visit in Hawaii? (Full Day Trip)
-North Shore (Haleiwa)
Haleiwa is a surf town located on the Northern part of the Island. It takes approx 45 minutes from Koolina, 1:15hr from Waikiki. Some of the best surf spots in the world within a 5 mile radius. Must eat at Romys Shrimp Shack, the only shrimp that is not imported off island. Which is located 20 minutes east of Haleiwa. Also shave ice at Matsumoto's which is located in the heart of Haleiwa Town. Another place to go is Waimea Bay, which should be picturesque during your visit.

-Kailua (1/2 Morning trip)
I'm a little biased, because I live in Kailua. But I would highly recommend spending the day here. It's about 45 minutes from "Aulani" if you take the H-3 (Most Scenic Freeway in U.S). Kailua is a small hipster town, with many great places to eat. I would recommend starting early and eating breakfast here everyone recommends a place called "Boots and Kimo's" which you can look up on tripadvisor. But I would order the MAC Pancakes at Big City Diner. Must visit Lanikai Beach, top 10 beach in the U.S. And possibly hiking at "Pillboxes" which is located on yelp. Better than Diamond Head.

-Waikiki and Honolulu (3hr Trip)
Waikiki is a nice place to spend time, but only for a short period. Try to stay on Kalakaua "Main Strip". Avoid Kuhio and Ala wai at Night (ghetto). Great place to dine is Dukes Restaurants located at Outrigger Reef on the Beach. However eat at the Bar Area which is located in the Rear. It's actually a cheaper area to purchase Bar Food directly on the Beach. Time this during the sunset.


Is Koolina or Aulani to Far?
Yes and No, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Honolulu without traffic. However in order to get to Honolulu from Koolina, you need to hop on the H1 Freeway. And unfortunately their are no backroads or highways. That being said H1 causes the most traffic in Hawaii. The H-1 stretches from University of Hawaii-Koolina. So if you are going to plan your day, either leave the Resort before 6:15am or after 8:45am. If you are going directly to Honolulu, you can hop onto the zipper lane (fast lane), but you can't get exit. Your trapped till you reach Downtown Honolulu. Coming back to Koolina, either leave before 2pm to the resort or after 7pm on weekdays. Remember that Oahu is a small island, it just takes longer to get anywhere because of our poor infrastructure and "aloha spirit" driving lol.

However just realize that Aulani charges $35per day for parking.

Must Do:
1. Pill Box Hike Lanikai
2. Lanikai Beach
3. Snorkel Hanauma Bay (get their early before 9am, parking ) Hanauma bay add on see below
4. Waikiki for a half day.
5. Haleiwa for a full day.
6. Surfing with me (www.surfhnl.com) lol
7. Bike Ride through Kailua
8. Scenic Drive through Waikiki

I
I
V
Hanauma Bay Addon
After spending the day Hanauma bay I would punch in "Makapuu Light house" on my gps. It will take you through a scenic ride to the windward side of Oahu. it takes about 15 minutes from Kailua. But provides a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. It's a mini "PCH California Drive". Theirs also multiple places

Should I visit other Islands?
It's your preference, you can do mostly everything on Oahu. It just depends if you would like to see different scenery or the seven wonders of "hawaii" lol.

Big Island-Volcano (just remember you most likely will not see lava)
Kauai-Canyon
Maui-Haleakala (but almost not worth it if it's cloudy)

 

[igomezhnl]

How about recommendations for a good restaurant for lunch in Chinatown area? Any Dim Sum locations?

Mei Sum Dim Sum is great

if you want manapua Royal Kitchen

 

[BillPA]

If you stay on points, there is not a charge for parking.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

Ian,

Thank you so much! I appreciate the suggestions of places that I didn't know about. I have been wanting to visit Aulani since I first heard of Disney's plans to build in Hawaii. I think I'm leaning toward spending the whole time in Oahu. Maybe alternate days of sightseeing with hanging at the resort. Now, if I can just convince my husband that we finally need to take the plunge and buy DVC!

Christy

 

[Girimama33]

Is the Monkey Bar still open in Pearl City?

 

[igomezhnl]

If you stay on points, there is not a charge for parking.

Great point "no pun intended". To bad daisy is not a DVC

 

[igomezhnl]

Is the Monkey Bar still open in Pearl City?

hahaha closed long time ago..i think i was in kindergarten

 

[Girimama33]

hahaha closed long time ago..i think i was in kindergarten

I lived in HI a long. long time ago and went to college while I was there. The Monkey Bar was open then..in the 1990's. DH had gone to the Monkey Bar when he was on a trip to Oahu with his father when he was little...one of the few things he remembers about it. I took him to Oahu this year...for what felt like the first time, but we spent most of our time at Aulani and did not venture out too much. Since we are going back in March, he has been asking me about going to the Monkey Bar. Now I will have to break the news to him.
Thanks for the info.

Oh...and the Pill Boxes hike in Lanikai is great (if you want to hike in HI).
I used to love hiking Sacred Falls, but they closed it in the 1990's after a rock slide and never opened it back up.

 

[igomezhnl]

I lived in HI a long. long time ago and went to college while I was there. The Monkey Bar was open then..in the 1990's. DH had gone to the Monkey Bar when he was on a trip to Oahu with his father when he was little...one of the few things he remembers about it. I took him to Oahu this year...for what felt like the first time, but we spent most of our time at Aulani and did not venture out too much. Since we are going back in March, he has been asking me about going to the Monkey Bar. Now I will have to break the news to him.
Thanks for the info.

Oh...and the Pill Boxes hike in Lanikai is great (if you want to hike in HI).
I used to love hiking Sacred Falls, but they closed it in the 1990's after a rock slide and never opened it back up.

Wow nice story. Yeah Hawaii has changed over the years. Honolulu is still the busiest city, but it must be very surprising to see Kapolei (Closest City to Koolina) developed. I'm sure when you went to college then, their was nothing but Red Dirt and California Grass in Kapolei. Hawaii is turning into a little OC California tbh. La Mariana is the only original Tiki Bar left in Hawaii, its very nice and was featured in Hawaii Five 0 recently. Location is near the airport.

 

[Girimama33]

I lived in Maile for a while. I was there when they finished the Ihilani and had a few lagoons. I remember being in awe.... It has changed quite a bit.

 

[igomezhnl]

I lived in Maile for a while. I was there when they finished the Ihilani and had a few lagoons. I remember being in awe.... It has changed quite a bit.

It sure has, enjoy your vacation soon

 

[myty5]

Is the Monkey Bar still open in Pearl City?

No, the Pearl City Tavern has been closed for several years now

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[keaster]

We are going to Aulani in March, what kind of weather can we expect?

 

[igomezhnl]

We are going to Aulani in March, what kind of weather can we expect?

TBH Hawaii's temperature pretty much stays the same. 80 Degrees F, with a chance of showers.

However Aulani is located in the Dryest part of the Island (Leeward Coast), so it's constantly sunny then the rest of the Island.

Hawaii's weather fluctuates it can pouring rain in Honolulu and you can drive 5 miles and it will be completely dry. This is due to the close mountain ranges near the ocean.

 

[PetePanMan]

Thanks for all the advice

- how long does the pill box hike take (return)?

- where are the best cliff jumping spots?

- best affordable hotels in Waikiki?

- How is Hanamu Bay (forgot how to spell it - sorry) sorkelling later in day in terms of crowds, fish etc.?

Thx much

 

[Girimama33]

Actually, one of the best snorkeling spots on Oahu is just up the road north a few minutes from Aulani at Kahe Point Beach Park...Electric Beach.