Plans while staying at Aulani

[TEK224]

One of things I'm looking forward to most when I go in Feb. is getting the malasadas from Leonards. Last time I think I ate 6 of them on the trip!

 

[mrsxsparrow]

Manoa Falls is in Honolulu, that might be the waterfall you hiked to. Very muddy if it's rained recently. But the waterfall is prettier too! .

Figured it out -- it was Waimea Falls on the North Shore.

One more tip. If you go for a hike and there's a bunch of people trying to get you to buy mosquito repellant, you'll probably be like us and think they're just out to get your money. Silly tourist scam.

Buy the repellant. Don't ask me why

 

[edmartin]

Great thread!

If we use Aulani as a "home base", how easy or difficult is to to do day trips to any of the other islands? [Total Hawaii novice here.]

 

[lilpooh108]

I just booked an ocean view studio for April 3-10 (over Easter weekend) at Aulani. I would like to fly home on April 10. Now, I need to plan the week prior at The Big Island, and Maui. Does it matter if we do Big Island first, or Maui first. I am using freq. flyer miles on United for this trip.

All recommendations so far are GREATLY appreciated. I'm a sponge. Let me have it.

BTW, one of the days, we want to rent a Harley and see one of the islands by motorcycle. Any recommendations which island would give the best experience?

Thanks again

I think it matters which island you do first. It depends on your personality, though.

For us, we HATED going to Maui (even though we had been there many times before) immediately after staying 4 nights on the Big Island because the pace was so hectic. I felt like I had literally left a relaxing vacation on the Big Island to get stuck in traffic and to rush to get to dinner reservations in Maui. For that particular trip, we were miserable in Maui just because we had been so relaxed on the Big Island.

If having an inconsistent pace bothers you (like it bothers us), I would do Maui first, then Big Island, then Aulani.

 

[jekjones1558]

I just booked an ocean view studio for April 3-10 (over Easter weekend) at Aulani. I would like to fly home on April 10. Now, I need to plan the week prior at The Big Island, and Maui. Does it matter if we do Big Island first, or Maui first. I am using freq. flyer miles on United for this trip.

All recommendations so far are GREATLY appreciated. I'm a sponge. Let me have it.

BTW, one of the days, we want to rent a Harley and see one of the islands by motorcycle. Any recommendations which island would give the best experience?

Thanks again

Have you booked your flight to Hawaii yet? Perhaps you are flying into Honolulu and transferring to an inter island plane for your flight to either Maui or Big Island. If you haven't booked airfare yet then you might want to consider an airline that flies to Maui or Big Island, which would save the hassle of stopping in Honolulu then taking the Wiki Wiki to the little airport where the inter island flights depart. Some major islands may fly to Maui but not Big Island.

 

[Dennyha]

Have you booked your flight to Hawaii yet? Perhaps you are flying into Honolulu and transferring to an inter island plane for your flight to either Maui or Big Island. If you haven't booked airfare yet then you might want to consider an airline that flies to Maui or Big Island, which would save the hassle of stopping in Honolulu then taking the Wiki Wiki to the little airport where the inter island flights depart. Some major islands may fly to Maui but not Big Island.

I haven't made my flight reservations yet, but will be using United frequent flyer miles for the trip. I am planning to fly home from Honolulu airport. We could fly into Kahului Airport (Maui) or Kona (Big Island) to start our vacation.

BTW, what's a Wiki Wiki? Do you need reservations for the inter island flights, or do you just show up? Approx. cost?

 

[jekjones1558]

I haven't made my flight reservations yet, but will be using United frequent flyer miles for the trip. Ip am planning to fly home from Honolulu airport. We could fly into Kahului Airport (Maui) or Kona (Big Island) to start our vacation.

BTW, what's a Wiki Wiki? Do you need reservations for the inter island flights, or do you just show up? Approx. cost?

Congrats on being able to use FF miles to fly to either Kahului or Kona. Delta (our hub airline) has so few Hawaii FF seats that it is really tough, especially if you want first class.
The Wiki Wiki is a shuttle that takes you from one terminal to another in Honolulu. Years ago you did not really need reservations for interisland flights but now you do. I prefer to fly directly to whatever island for arrival. If you fly to Honolulu and your flight is delayed, you could miss your interisland flight and may or may not be able to get another that day. Interisland flights are around $100

 

[mkymsehi]

BTW, what's a Wiki Wiki? Do you need reservations for the inter island flights, or do you just show up? Approx. cost?

Denny,

Wiki Wiki is a free shuttle from the main terminal to the interisland terminal. For those who don't want to walk about 3/4 of a mile carrying their carry on luggage. United gates are at the furthest point away from the interisland terminal.

Considering you're sitting on the plane for 5+ hours from the west coast, it's a good way to stretch your legs and back by walking. Provided you have time for your connecting flight to the neighbor islands. Plus you can grab a bite to eat, or shop in one of the stores.

If you have a short layover, then take the shuttle.

Oh, and your question about renting a Harley. For sure you can here in Honolulu. Several little rental lots in Waikiki. There is a dealership here near the airport, on Nimitz Hwy and Puuloa Road. Other locations listed here as well.

http://go.mappoint.net/HarleyDavids...10&FC=NoBike&GSTATE=HI&State=HI&statesearch=1

 

[Disneypapa]

My wife and I did the Polynesian Culture Center (see the night time show) and really enjoyed it. A visit to Pearl Harbor is a must. A couple of other great activities is to hike up to Diamond Head and do a submarine excursion off the beach.

On the Big Island plan a helicopter fly over the volcanos, you'll love it.

 

[emilymad]

We just got back from a week on Oahu. 6 nights at Aulani and 1 night on Waikiki. We alternated a day relaxing at the resort and then a day out exploring, etc. That worked really well for us but we could have really stayed more than a week to see everything. We did Pearl Harbor one morning and then drove the loop around the island up the North Shore. We stopped at a shrimp truck for lunch and then stopped again for shaved ice. We hiked Diamond Head one morning and then stopped at Leonards Bakery. We could have used another few days so we could have hiked or snorkeled. We could have completely skipped Waikiki though. I guess it was good to see once but we would never bother with it again.

Also, keep in mind the traffic/drive times. From reading on here we were prepared but it easily took an hour one way to get Pearl Harbor and a little more to Diamond Head.

We used the Oahu Revealed guide book and found it invaluable. The maps in the book were a huge help and we never really got lost.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Being your first time to Hawaii I would limit your trip to 2 islands in 2 weeks. There is a lot to do in Oahu and of course you want to relax at the resort too I imagine. Hanuama Bay for snorkeling and Pearl Harbor are high on our list. It's enough for us to just see Diamond Head (not necessarily hike it) while spending some time on Waikiki Beach--even if it's just at a nearby place for dinner--since it's so iconic. You may enjoy shopping at the market (can't remember the name) in downtown Waikiki or at the huge flea market (near Pearl Harbor.) We haven't made it to the Polynesian Cultural Center yet in the two trips we've made--but plan to when we go next time. If the waves are monstrous when you go--watching people surf on the north shore is unbelievable! You could also go to the Dole Plantation on the way (I think--I am bad with directions!)

There's less to "do" in Maui. The drive to Hana of course is the biggest highlight and a day long adventure. Snorkeling excursions are highly recommended-especially to Molokini. Driving up the volcano (don't know how to spell the name!) Or biking down it after sunrise depending on the age/ability of your group. Depending on where you stay -- visting Lahaina too. Okay, I guess there is a lot to "do" here too!

 

[bfosbenner]

Thanks so much for the info. We, DW and another couple booked Feb 11-18 in a 2 Bedroom and then fly to the Big Island for 5 days. Stop in La for two nights on our return trip.
This will be all our first HI trip!

 

[Dennyha]

Our dates just changed, due to my misunderstanding United's Saver mileage charts. We fly into Kona on Apr 3, and fly out of Honolulu on Apr 16. We have Aulani booked from Apr 9-16, so we will use Apr 3-9 to explore the Big Island, and perhaps a few days on Maui to relax.

 

[vacationclub]

We were at Aulani for a week right after Labor Day. We decided not to do another island after we did the math. We did three other excursions...
-Pearl Harbor, early morning plus hour drive in on week days, took advantage of jet lag.
-Diamond Head, again early morning, did early in trip due to jet lag.

-Kualoa Ranch. Did 2 hour ATV ride and one hour jungle tour. It's a bit of a drive there, maybe 45 minutes to an hour.

-went to north shore area because I actually had to work a half day up there for a client. So we looked around the area the area after.

After that we felt we needed some true relaxation days, and the other island excursions were very long days...and considering our time zone diff from the east we decided we would do it next time we come back.

Here is my video review that I've posted in a few other Aulani threads...it shows the stuff we did.

http://www.vimeo.com/29434941