Local Resident of Hawaii and DVC Member ask me anything

[Hintz72]

Thank you so much for your input. Do you have any other suggestions with such a BIG group?

 

[luvs2cruise]

I'm enjoying reading all of these great tips. We will be going to Oahu in June 2015 so I'm taking notes.

 

[Hintz72]

I have another question. Is there a resort shuttle which just goes between the Ko Olina resorts and over to the shopping centers? I read something about an "All Resort" shuttle, but I cannot find anything online.

 

[SlightlyocdDisneyfan]

A question for locals, or those who have traveled to Aulani recently... is there any place for kids to play tennis near the resort? If so, does anyone have any experience with costs, court availability, etc. I'm trying to decide if it will be worth packing the rackets.

 

[evaready51]

We are DVC Members and are going to HNL Jun 2015. We're staying for free at our friends condo in Turtle Bay. Can we go have lunch @ the Aulani? Will they charge us for parking?

 

[Girimama33]

We are DVC Members and are going to HNL Jun 2015. We're staying for free at our friends condo in Turtle Bay. Can we go have lunch @ the Aulani? Will they charge us for parking?

Yes, you can have lunch. They will validate parking for a few hours if you dine at Ama Ama or Makahiki or shop in their stores.

 

[sumlee]

Thank you for all the fab advice! I will be saving this thread for reference when we visit in a few weeks. THANKS!!!

 

[drmrchk]

Thanks for your willingness to help

Do you have any thoughts on the Waimea Falls North Shore excursion you can book through Aulani. It seems perfect for what we want -- a waterfall, a hike, and fun for the kids, with botanical garden bonus. It says kids down to age 4....can they do the hike? We don't want to have to carry him 0_o

Also -- what kind of clothing and shoes do you recommend? I'm not sure the terrain so do we need actual hiking boots like we take up the mountain here? Or can we all get away with tennis shoes or chacos? Do we want to have swimsuits on under our clothes (can we swim in the waterfall?) and toss some towels in a backpack? Or just shorts and shorts? (we'll be there over NYE)

We were also looking into the Fire Surf lesson for me and the kiddos (kindergarten and 2nd). It sounds like a good experience and sounds like you might approve?

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

 

[Girimama33]

Thanks for your willingness to help

Do you have any thoughts on the Waimea Falls North Shore excursion you can book through Aulani. It seems perfect for what we want -- a waterfall, a hike, and fun for the kids, with botanical garden bonus. It says kids down to age 4....can they do the hike? We don't want to have to carry him 0_o

Also -- what kind of clothing and shoes do you recommend? I'm not sure the terrain so do we need actual hiking boots like we take up the mountain here? Or can we all get away with tennis shoes or chacos? Do we want to have swimsuits on under our clothes (can we swim in the waterfall?) and toss some towels in a backpack? Or just shorts and shorts? (we'll be there over NYE)

We were also looking into the Fire Surf lesson for me and the kiddos (kindergarten and 2nd). It sounds like a good experience and sounds like you might approve?

THANKS SO MUCH!!!

We did not do Waimea Valley through Aulani...we just drove there on our own during our circle island tour day. The walk through Waimea Valley is on a paved road, so you do not need hiking boots. You can actually purchase tickets to be shuttled to and/or from the waterfall area if you decide not to walk. Hard to say if it will be too hard for your little ones. When I did it in July I wore a cotton maxi dress and flip flops without issue.
The gardens are on the way to the falls throughout the valley.
You can swim at the falls, but do not go in there if you have any open sores. The water is also pretty dingy as well...way dirtier than when I lived there 20 years ago.

 

[Hintz72]

Where is the best place to park in Waikiki? My Brother and I want to take the kids to the beach and rent some surfboards and our wives want to do some shopping.

 

[happymommy]

Where is the best place to park in Waikiki? My Brother and I want to take the kids to the beach and rent some surfboards and our wives want to do some shopping.

We find the easiest place to park is in the Hale Koa resort's parking garage. I didn't realize until a few years back that you can park if not military; you just pay a higher rate (when we lived there and DH was in the Marines, it was super cheap to park there). Now when we go back, if go to Waikiki we still like parking there.

 

[jodistrock]

Hello! I am planning a trip for sometime in 2016 (gotta start saving!). I am wondering most about the weather. We can come the end of December-early January, Spring Break (expensive flights!) or mid-late June. What is the weather like at each of those times? Thanks!