Looking into Hawaii for 2014 for our 25 Anniversary. Have questions?

[PolyAddict]

I'd suggest getting the book Oahu Revealed. (There is a book for each Island.)

Decide what you want to see, what tours you want to take and what things you would like to do. I lived in Waikiki for 6 months and found everything that was listed in this book was spot on. Almost everyplace has a website so you should be able to get up-to-date hours and prices. If you are going be there at least 10 days, you might split the time on a second Island. If you aren't going to be there that long, you might try a day trip tour. You would leave early in the morning and return late that night.

Start making your list!

Thanks for the tip. The book sounds like a great idea for our flight to WDW next week!

 

[crisi]

Decide which island you want to make your home base. We chose the Big Island and Maui, went for seven days and switched islands after three. Each island has its own distinct personality, and you won't find everything on each island. For instance, volcanos are the Big Island and Pearl Harbor is Oahu. But the Big Island is NOT a good beach island by and large, while its a great place, if your dream vacation is sitting on a beach, pick a different island (or your Big Island resort carefully).

 

[ckmommy]

My Dh and I went to Oahu, HI about 2 years ago. Ir was our first time really taking a vacation without the kids. Our Honeymoon was not the best, so this was like a second honeymoon for us.

We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki Beach the whole time we were there--6 nights.

We rented a car for the whole time we were there as well.

One of your questions was about food. It was expensive--but with a family of 7, only paying for 2 people all week it was cheap for us, sort of! Most meals we had ranged from $60-$120 for dinner. We ate at Dukes, Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger,A sushi place right by the hotel, at the Hilton several nights, Oceanarium.
If you are an adventurous eater, try the plate lunches at almost any local restaurant. I think they ranged from $7-$10. The BEST food was from a shrimp truck on the North Shore (Giovanni's). I can't remember the price--10-$15 dollars--so yummy!!
Do not miss the Shave ice from Matsumoto on the North Share as well. My mouth is watering!!

We did Pearl Harbor, Dole plantation, lot's of waves at the North Shore, Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, ATV tour Kualoa Ranch.

It was such a nice vacation. One I want to take again one day!!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Have fun planning!

 

[chris31997]

Thanks! A friend told me the Luau was included at PCC or maybe thats just a higher price? I do not have a military ID.

We liked Paradise Cove, I believe for their luau. Germain's is suppose to be good also. You do pay extra for the PCC luau, skip it. Definately go to PCC and "visit" the islands of the Pacific. Just like Epcot, it is people from those islands working there.


The military card would give you local rate. It would help with the cost of things.

 

[jel0511]

Thanks so much! Do you prefer Hawaii or St John?

I like both for different reasons. I LOVE Hawaii and if it was closer than a 10 hr flight, we'd go more often. I love St John for the quietness and calmness of the island. We've been to St John so many times, it feels like home. If all things were equal, like flight times, I'd go to HI, though DH would pick St. John......

We liked Paradise Cove, I believe for their luau. Germain's is suppose to be good also. You do pay extra for the PCC luau, skip it. Definately go to PCC and "visit" the islands of the Pacific. Just like Epcot, it is people from those islands working there.

Nah, Germain's was HORRIBLE IMO. The food was horrible and the show wasn't entertaining at all. I kept hoping every time the show stopped it was the end, but it just kept on going. It became a joke in our family, WHEN WILL THIS END!!!! In the end, I wish we had driven ourselves, then we could have left, but since we used their transport, we were held hostage until the end....... The Spirit of Aloha show at the Poly was better, that's not saying much......

 

[taitai]

Decide which island you want to make your home base. We chose the Big Island and Maui, went for seven days and switched islands after three. Each island has its own distinct personality, and you won't find everything on each island. For instance, volcanos are the Big Island and Pearl Harbor is Oahu. But the Big Island is NOT a good beach island by and large, while its a great place, if your dream vacation is sitting on a beach, pick a different island (or your Big Island resort carefully).

Our experience was completely different. We found the beaches on the Big Island to be among the most beautiful we have ever visited and we have traveled everywhere. Amazing snorkeling, great waves, gorgeous sand. Our favorites were Kuanaoa, Hapuna, Wailaia Bay and Makalawena. We also really enjoyed Kua and Kukio and A-Bay for a good sunset. Honaunau doesn't really have a beach but has some of the best snorkeling anywhere. Loved it.

If you go to the Big Island (my favorite island), you have two airport options. Hilo (ITO) is where you would fly if you want to visit Volcano National Park. Kona (KOA) is the airport for the west side where the best beaches are. All the best beaches are in the South Kohala district and some of the best snorkeling is a little south in Kona.

I find Maui to be too much like Southern California and I agree with the poster who likened Oahu to Miami. I think Kauai and the Big Island are the most "Hawaii" at least in my eyes.

Have a great trip.

 

[Pakey]

I've been to Oahu twice, Hawaii once and I'm getting ready to hit Maui for the 5th vacation in 2 months. I've been all over the world and Hawaii is still a favorite for me.

Maybe because I'm from a higher cost of living area but I don't think the prices are that unreasonable in Hawaii. There are "those" places. We did spend $50 for a sandwich, a salad of sliced tomatoes and 2 iced teas in Makawao once but

My two vacations to Oahu were very different from one another. I would recommend at least getting out of Waikiki for part of your vacation. The thing I've learned from all of my vacations to Hawaii is that the best part of being there is just being there. Don't overbook yourself with activities. Take the time to enjoy the weather, the water, the sand.

 

[beansmom]

I can only speak about Maui as that is the only island upon which I have been but eating out is no more expensive than eating out right here. Groceries, however, were at least double. For groceries, we plan our menus and buy accordingly.

Snorkeling is free if you take your own equipment which we do. A scuba excursion was a little under $200 for dh. We find there is so much beach and water that we didn't really need tons of activities. The National Parks service charges $10 for entry to Haleakala (the most beautiful stargazing place I've ever been so far) and the same to Oheo Gulch.

We loved it so much we are going back for two weeks next January--one week wasn't nearly enough.

 

[donnsuz]

I agree with many of the posts -
- Hawaii is for relaxing not running around crazy (the opposite of most of our Dis trips). Plan a couple of adventures such as snorkel, hiking, sailing, or helicopter tours, but leave a lot of down time to just take it all in and spend time actually talking to the locals and walking around looking at the sights.
- We like to go to museums. There are lots of small ones and all are very inexpensive.
- Eat local. Also, consider that with counter service places you're going to be leaving a much smaller tip, generally, plus possibly skipping drinks. You could get juice, soda, or water from a store (ABC is everywhere) and save the adult beverages for your room mixed with POG.
- You don't have to get a hotel room on the beach. Stay a bit inland and you can often walk to a beach. You'll save money there too.

 

[beansmom]

I agree with many of the posts -
- Hawaii is for relaxing not running around crazy (the opposite of most of our Dis trips). Plan a couple of adventures such as snorkel, hiking, sailing, or helicopter tours, but leave a lot of down time to just take it all in and spend time actually talking to the locals and walking around looking at the sights.
- We like to go to museums. There are lots of small ones and all are very inexpensive.
- Eat local. Also, consider that with counter service places you're going to be leaving a much smaller tip, generally, plus possibly skipping drinks. You could get juice, soda, or water from a store (ABC is everywhere) and save the adult beverages for your room mixed with POG.
- You don't have to get a hotel room on the beach. Stay a bit inland and you can often walk to a beach. You'll save money there too.

agree with this. I would use tripadvisor.com as well to get more info about the islands. without TA, I would be lost when planning my travel.

I learned about Hana from TA and it was absolutely the jewel of our trip. it really WAS paradise.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Thanks for all this detail. I am wondering if you would know the airport code for the Big Island?

Commercial Airports on Big Island:
Hilo = ITO
Kona = KOA

 

[bluedoggy]

We made our 1st trip to Hawaii last September. It was our "25th" wedding anniversary.. 14 yrs late. We stayed in a timeshare condo. It cost us just over $800/wk for a 1 BR - a week on Maui and a week on the Big Island. Not 5-star by anymeans, but heck, we were on the islands... You can find them on several sites where people rent out their condos or units. VRBO another option.
We found we enjoyed going to where the locals ate... good Hawaiian BBQ, plate lunches, etc. We didn't do fancy dining, since we wanted to feel the true island life.
It was cheaper eating out breakfast and late lunch than making food in the condo.

We did stay at Aulani at the end on our DVC points. Then we treated ourselves and ate at the resort. But again- saved $$ by eating just breakfast and doing a late lunch. (Rather than dinner prices)
We always had a Mickey Bar or something sweet as a treat in the evening.

You can do Hawaii reasonably, if you put your mind to it.

We didn't know if we would ever get back, so we did all we could. Didn't break the bank.

But now we have "Hawaii" fever and are saving to go back in a few years (not waiting another 39 yrs...

 

[jperrot1]

We stayed on the island of Lanai (lodge at koele) about 12 years ago and the food was expensive. We blew through $100 each adult easy each day (probably more). But, we ate at the Resort just about every meal. And, all meals were very upscale.

 

[jsmith]

Im the one who asked about military IDs-its actually possible to vacation in Hawaii relatively cheaply -we do it often-if you are military. But that aside if you choose the right activities you dont have to spend a ton. There are 'must see's on Oahu. My personal feeling is that every American who can should see Pearl Harbor ( and Ground 0) at least once in their life time. The Punchbowl Cemetary as well. The other reason i asked is that one of the better Luau's is at the Hale Koa Hotel-the food is better and its more reasonably priced than the others but the Hale Koa is an Armed Forces Recreation Center and requires a military ID. However sometimes they have day of tickets avaialbe so you can check with the activities desk at your hotel if you are staying on Waikiki.
I agree with the poster who, overall, perfers the Big Island-its a really interesting place with some of the most diverse eco and climate systems on earth in a microcosim. The beaches are beautiful and mjuch less crowded than on Oahu too.
I hope you have a wonderful trip-its an amazing place.