So much to do so little time (Hawai'i)

[wvjules]

We leave Sunday for Hawai'i. YAY!!!! Anywho, there is just so much to see and do and I have limited time. (I'm working.) Hopefully I will be off work around 3pm every day but that still doesn't leave much time to do anything. Next weekend we are taking a side trip to the Big Island to go to Volcano National Park and the Black Sand beach. We arrive at 7am Saturday morning and leave at 7pm Sunday evening. What else should we try to squeeze into that day? (I wanted to go snorkling but can't due to the fact we are flying within 24 hours of the event.)

Most of my time will be spent on Oahu. What can I do after 4/5ish? Oh, I did make reservations at the Twist at the Sheraton for BF's birthday. It looks like a nice place.

At the end of the work portion of the trip I am spending a few extra days on vacation. I thought about hopping over to Maui for them and coming back to Oahu to fly out at 11pm. Does that sound too agressive? Thursday morning to Saturday afternoon/evening for Maui? Or should we just head north to Turtle Bay to finish out the trip?

I want to do a Luau, the beach, diamond head, Pearl Harbor and eat at Duke's. Those are my "to-do's". What should I make sure I do?


Wow, I'm rambling! I'm just so lost!

 

[GoodFairies]

I'm guessing you are flying into the Hilo side if you are going to Volcanoes National Park that day? I'd stop and have breakfast at Ken's House of Pancakes! You will probably spend a big chunk of time at the volcanoes that day, but if you are a zoo person the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo is pretty cool if you can squeeze it in. I'd also try to see Rainbow Falls and the boiling pots. All these are convenient to the Hilo area.

You can still hit the beach on Oahu after work hours - everyone does. There is also tons (TONS!) of great shopping, both in Waikiki and at the nearby Ala Moana Center.

I would probably not squeeze in Maui for one day unless you have something very specific planned.

Honolulu has a zoo and a very nice aquarium as well which would not suck up a lot of time. There will not be much going on at the North Shore of Oahu this time of year because the waves are puny until winter.

Have so much fun! Hawaii is wonderful.

 

[ChristmasElf]

We leave Sunday for Hawai'i. YAY!!!! Anywho, there is just so much to see and do and I have limited time. (I'm working.) Hopefully I will be off work around 3pm every day but that still doesn't leave much time to do anything. Next weekend we are taking a side trip to the Big Island to go to Volcano National Park and the Black Sand beach. We arrive at 7am Saturday morning and leave at 7pm Sunday evening. What else should we try to squeeze into that day? (I wanted to go snorkling but can't due to the fact we are flying within 24 hours of the event.)

Most of my time will be spent on Oahu. What can I do after 4/5ish? Oh, I did make reservations at the Twist at the Sheraton for BF's birthday. It looks like a nice place.

At the end of the work portion of the trip I am spending a few extra days on vacation. I thought about hopping over to Maui for them and coming back to Oahu to fly out at 11pm. Does that sound too agressive? Thursday morning to Saturday afternoon/evening for Maui? Or should we just head north to Turtle Bay to finish out the trip?

I want to do a Luau, the beach, diamond head, Pearl Harbor and eat at Duke's. Those are my "to-do's". What should I make sure I do?


Wow, I'm rambling! I'm just so lost!

Paradise Cove is a great choice for the luau. Cheaper than Polynesian Cultural Center and the food is better as well.
Ask at your hotel at check in for entertainment options.
The Ala Moana Center has changed. Be careful where you park as there is a big theft problem.
Duke's has great food. Save room for desert!
The ferry between Oahu and Maui is no longer in service (since 3rd week in March) Hawaii has sent it to Alabama to be fixed and there is no return date planned. Really stinks as it was a great way to pull your car onto the ferry and ride over to Maui and not have to go through the hassle of renting another car.

Go over to the Aloha Tower. Ride the small elevator to the top and take pictures.

 

[Deb in IA]

Hi jules.

We just got back from a week on Oahu, and are missing it a lot!

If I were you, I would not try to squeeze in Maui. There will be plenty to do on Oahu, and Maui deserves more than a day or two.

I would recommend going to Pearl Harbor. It is a very moving experience. Go early, as the free tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial tour can run out quickly.

If you want to go snorkeling, try Hanauma Bay. It is a horseshoe-shaped shallow lagoon that has some of the best snorkeling in the world. But go early, as the parking lot fills up by late morning. Or take the bus.

We also visited the Dole Pineapple Plantation ( they have Dole Whips!), the Polynesian Cultural Center (definitely worth the trip to the North Shore), Ala Moana shopping center, hiked Diamond Head, walked along Waikiki, catamaran sail and snorkel from Ko Olina, and luau at Paradise Cove. On our last day, we visited the Bishop Museum. Even though the Hawaiian Hall is still under renovation and won’t open until August, there is plenty to do here and learn about the history of Hawaii. We ate dinner in Chinatown, as all of this is close to the airport.

We also ate at Roy’s at Ko Olina – one of the highlights of the trip! There are Roy’s in Honolulu and at Hawaii Kai. We also enjoyed The Pineapple Room at Macy’s in Ala Moana and Kaka’ako Kitchen at Ward Center.

Have a great time! Let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[disykat]

In Hilo, in addition to the waterfalls, we also enjoyed the outdoor market, the Tsunami museum, and the botanical gardens. We did everything in a one day trip from the Kona side.