Waikiki Area questions and my Aulani Itinerary.

[funhouse8]

Hi, our Aulani trip is coming upon us and I am so excited. I would love to know from the experts what you think of my plans. We arrive in Ohau on Sat (There are six grown-ups) and will hit Costco.

Sunday - Pearl Harbor 9:45 reservations, We want to go somewhere fun for lunch ( thinking of Nico's Pier 38) is this close, do you recommend or somewhere else? and then into Waikiki Beach. Not sure what to do at Waikiki Beach but I feel we must see it at least once. Any ideas of sites to see welcome. Thanks

Monday - Going to the Member Mingle at 8am ans then spending the day at the resort. Maybe going over to Monkey Pods for happy hour and heading back to Aulani for the Starlit Hut Show. Is this still done on Monday nights?

Tuesday. Trip to Waimea Falls then beach park (My kids want to jump off the cliffs.) Dole Platation on way back if we have time. Then going over to Paradise Cove for the Luau.

Wednesday - Diamond Head Hike
1pm reservation for a Double-Hull Canoe Tour at Koko Marina Center
Hanauma Bay for Snokeling

Thursday. take out time traveling the Northshore and hitting up Giavanni's Shrimp Truck and stop for shaved ice,

Friday, which is also July 4th,
We have a reservation for a 2 hour ATV Tour at Kualoa Ranch at 11:45. Then heading back to resort to see if they are doing anything special for the 4th of july. I heard there might be fireworks. This is our last night.

Sat leaving on a 4:30 flight.
My kids want to go to Helena's because of a show on the food network which day do you think I should squeeze that it.

I know we have a lot planned but usually on vacations we don't rest much.
Tell me what you think. Thanks g

 

[jerseygal]

HAVE A GREAT TIME!

We also can't wait for Aulani!

We also are doing Pearl Harbor and ATV at Kuloa Ranch! I think we will do the Full Day Adventure Package there though...Besides the ATV tour, 1 hour I believe, we will do the Ocean Voyage Tour and Secret Island and the barbeque...Only problem is that I have been told that you should arrive no later than 8:00 AM...We are going on a Saturday, which should alleviate some traffic, but that means we have to leave quite early! I don't mind at all since I am an early riser, but the rest of the family likes to sleep late! Arizona Memorial seems so AWESOME AS DOES KULOA RANCH!

Think after Pearl Harbor we will go to the SwapMeet at Aloha Stadium...Then Waikiki Beach...older sons want to go there for the surf!

We were also going to do Waimea Falls, but I decided not to when I read about signs for bacteria in the water and signs posted about that!
Want to stay HEALTHY for trip and the summer!

Other than that, a lot of walking on the beach, probably some yoga and fitness classes and enjoying the BEAUTIFUL RESORT!!
Lazy River, shaved ice and some Dole Whip at Dole Plantation! YUM!!!

Are you flying nonstop from LI or are you doing layover? We are flying nonstop...Furthest that we have flown one way is 6 hours....this should be interesting. .Hopefully, a lot of movies, resting, and music and ANTICIPATION about Aulani will pass the time! ENJOY!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Your plan looks good.... and full.
We, like you, tend to pack our vacation itineraries full, but we found with Hawaii, by the time you have been there 3-4 days that "island time" tends to take over.

This may not happen to you guys, but after finding this to be true for us on our 2012 trip I wound up frontloading all our touring to the front end of our trip for 2013.

If your heading into Waikiki on your Pearl Harbor day I would recommend getting a reservation at Dukes for right before sunset. Its a great spot to dine and enjoy the sunset.

As far as Waikiki goes there are tons of great shops along the beach and the big Banyan tree to see.... and just hanging out/ people watching on the beach.

Nikos Pier 38 looks amazing. I am adding it to my food list for next time.

 

[funhouse8]

HAVE A GREAT TIME!

We also can't wait for Aulani!

We also are doing Pearl Harbor and ATV at Kuloa Ranch! I think we will do the Full Day Adventure Package there though...Besides the ATV tour, 1 hour I believe, we will do the Ocean Voyage Tour and Secret Island and the barbeque...Only problem is that I have been told that you should arrive no later than 8:00 AM...We are going on a Saturday, which should alleviate some traffic, but that means we have to leave quite early! I don't mind at all since I am an early riser, but the rest of the family likes to sleep late! Arizona Memorial seems so AWESOME AS DOES KULOA RANCH!

Think after Pearl Harbor we will go to the SwapMeet at Aloha Stadium...Then Waikiki Beach...older sons want to go there for the surf!

We were also going to do Waimea Falls, but I decided not to when I read about signs for bacteria in the water and signs posted about that!
Want to stay HEALTHY for trip and the summer!

Other than that, a lot of walking on the beach, probably some yoga and fitness classes and enjoying the BEAUTIFUL RESORT!!
Lazy River, shaved ice and some Dole Whip at Dole Plantation! YUM!!!

Are you flying nonstop from LI or are you doing layover? We are flying nonstop...Furthest that we have flown one way is 6 hours....this should be interesting. .Hopefully, a lot of movies, resting, and music and ANTICIPATION about Aulani will pass the time! ENJOY!

I was thinking of doing the swap met too but not sure since it is our first day there if we want to go shopping. lol As far as Waimea Falls I researched it too because of the Bacteria and read they test the water and if they find Bacteria they won't let you swim. I don't have small children so not worried about them drinking it. We are not flying non-stop I couldn't afford those tickets. Airfare is so high already as we are going the week of the forth of July. Coming home will probably be worse. It always is. Have a great trip.

 

[funhouse8]

Your plan looks good.... and full.
We, like you, tend to pack our vacation itineraries full, but we found with Hawaii, by the time you have been there 3-4 days that "island time" tends to take over.

This may not happen to you guys, but after finding this to be true for us on our 2012 trip I wound up frontloading all our touring to the front end of our trip for 2013.

If your heading into Waikiki on your Pearl Harbor day I would recommend getting a reservation at Dukes for right before sunset. Its a great spot to dine and enjoy the sunset.

As far as Waikiki goes there are tons of great shops along the beach and the big Banyan tree to see.... and just hanging out/ people watching on the beach.

Nikos Pier 38 looks amazing. I am adding it to my food list for next time.

Thanks for your idea of doing everything in the beginning of the trip. Maybe I will switch the resort day from Monday to Thursday. Hummm No reservations either day so we can decide when we get there. I am so excited. If we were just going to go to Dukes for drinks and apps do you think I need a reservation. Thinking after lunch at Nico's we won't be that hungry. Great ideas keep them coming.

 

[Lissete]

We are the type that are on island time from the very beginning. However, our very first trip to Hawaii, I also set up activities at the beginning of our trip. Especially early morning ones. We went up for the sunrise at Haleakala on our very first morning. We were wide awake at 3AM since we were still on East coast time. Actually, we still go up for the sunrise. For the USS Arizona, we were on the very first boat out, and that was before they started doing ressies.

We like Helena's. But since the food network thing, they have been getting busier than normal, so plan on a day that you're not rushing to get somewhere else. In case you have to wait. The place is tiny. Oh, and I usually grab a box of Maunapuas from Royal Kitchen on way to the airport for our flight home. Yum!

If you're interested in visiting the PCC, they usually offer specials on their website or you can use the coupon from the Entertainment book. I love the evening show and kids enjoy the villages. Unless the dinner is free, I wouldn't pay extra for it.

My hubby prefers Hono's Shrimp Truck. They're usually parked next to Giovanni's truck in Haleiwa. If there's a huge line at Giovanni's, give them a try.

Oh, and if you don't make it to the Swap Meet, You can find cheap souvenirs at Walmart too. Even Costco has some cool stuff to bring home.

We will be back in October and we're closing off our 3 wks in Hawaii with 3 days at Aulani. Our 1st time. Can't wait!

 

[jerseygal]

Thanks for the tip about Walmart if we don't get to the Swapmeet for Souveneirs!

ENJOY AULANI!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Thanks for your idea of doing everything in the beginning of the trip. Maybe I will switch the resort day from Monday to Thursday. Hummm No reservations either day so we can decide when we get there. I am so excited. If we were just going to go to Dukes for drinks and apps do you think I need a reservation. Thinking after lunch at Nico's we won't be that hungry. Great ideas keep them coming.

I guess that just depends on your timing... if you do Pearl Harbor really early as recommended (since you will be waking up early already due to time change) then head over to Nicos for lunch, then hang at Waikiki for the afternoon, I would imagine you all will get hungry again by dinner time? So again, it will just depend on your Pearl Harbor Touring length of time and when you actually do lunch and dinner.

Sunset is a really popular time at Dukes (we found that out the hard way by not having a reservation) so probably better to have a reservation in hand, and then just cancel or change it if it doesnt work.

 

[swooshbear]

For the Diamond Head Hike, I would recommend getting there as early as possible. The parking lot is not very big and fills up pretty quickly. Once the parking lot fills up, then you may need to park at the very bottom, near the entrance on Diamond Head Road. Also, it will start to get pretty hot by late morning so getting there early beat the heat.

The same goes for Hanauma Bay, that parking lot fills up and once it's closed, they stop letting people in. Recommend to get there early or try late to see if people have left for the day.

 

[mitymott]

The food at Nicos was awesome, it is some of the freshest seafood you will ever have. It's an amazing off the beaten path find. If you can find time, go to the Liliha bakery and try the koko puffs. I would fly from the east coast just for a koko puff.

 

[jerseygal]

Have read before tat the Bakery was mentioned with great reviews!

 

[funhouse8]

The food at Nicos was awesome, it is some of the freshest seafood you will ever have. It's an amazing off the beaten path find. If you can find time, go to the Liliha bakery and try the koko puffs. I would fly from the east coast just for a koko puff.

Yay, sounds good!

 

[funhouse8]

Thanks Cinderpamela and Swooshbear...great advice!

 

[swooshbear]

We were just there in March and they were working on opening a new Liliha Bakery on Nimitz, near the Hilo Hattie, not sure when it will open (we will be at the Aulani in June so we will definitely do a drive by). The current location isn't too hard to get too though.

Since you will be in the Diamond Head area, I would recommend the blueberry scones at the Diamond Head Market and Grill, the most moist scones you will ever have!

 

[CailinFig]

Nico's and Helena's are both fantastic. We had local family and friends take us to both restaurants on our last two trips. Nico's has fantastic seafood, is a lot larger in size with a lanai, and has ample parking.

Helena's had the best short ribs I've ever had. It has a simple (but delicious) menu and parking can be difficult. After we came back, a friend told me their watercress beef was even better than the short ribs. I don't remember seeing it on the menu. But the short ribs...yum!

Can you fit in Helena's on Wednesday or on the day you leave for the airport? Since it's in the Honolulu area.

I am not a fan of Giovanni's. I had tried it previously on my first ever trip to Oahu and for whatever reason tried it again on our last trip...and just confirmed again I'm not a fan. There are other trucks in that parking lot, but also Macky's shrimp truck that is in a different lot and seemed to be crowded. I should have tried that one, but we parked in the Giovanni's lot to find non-shrimp options for my kids.

I noticed you didn't mention Leonard's Malasadas? They're so good! The truck in Waipahu is on the way anytime you're drive to or from Honolulu!

Starlit Hui was being shown on Mon and Thurs when we were there two weeks ago.

Have a great time!

 

[funhouse8]

Nico's and Helena's are both fantastic. We had local family and friends take us to both restaurants on our last two trips. Nico's has fantastic seafood, is a lot larger in size with a lanai, and has ample parking.

Helena's had the best short ribs I've ever had. It has a simple (but delicious) menu and parking can be difficult. After we came back, a friend told me their watercress beef was even better than the short ribs. I don't remember seeing it on the menu. But the short ribs...yum!

Can you fit in Helena's on Wednesday or on the day you leave for the airport? Since it's in the Honolulu area.

I am not a fan of Giovanni's. I had tried it previously on my first ever trip to Oahu and for whatever reason tried it again on our last trip...and just confirmed again I'm not a fan. There are other trucks in that parking lot, but also Macky's shrimp truck that is in a different lot and seemed to be crowded. I should have tried that one, but we parked in the Giovanni's lot to find non-shrimp options for my kids.

I noticed you didn't mention Leonard's Malasadas? They're so good! The truck in Waipahu is on the way anytime you're drive to or from Honolulu!

Starlit Hui was being shown on Mon and Thurs when we were there two weeks ago.

Have a great time!

Thanks, Wednesday it is. After snorkeling. Great advice!

 

[funhouse8]

We were just there in March and they were working on opening a new Liliha Bakery on Nimitz, near the Hilo Hattie, not sure when it will open (we will be at the Aulani in June so we will definitely do a drive by). The current location isn't too hard to get too though.

Since you will be in the Diamond Head area, I would recommend the blueberry scones at the Diamond Head Market and Grill, the most moist scones you will ever have!

Blueberry Scones, yum. Is it hard to park at this market?

 

[wvulion]

For the Diamond Head Hike, I would recommend getting there as early as possible. The parking lot is not very big and fills up pretty quickly. Once the parking lot fills up, then you may need to park at the very bottom, near the entrance on Diamond Head Road. Also, it will start to get pretty hot by late morning so getting there early beat the heat.

The same goes for Hanauma Bay, that parking lot fills up and once it's closed, they stop letting people in. Recommend to get there early or try late to see if people have left for the day.

Truer words have never been spoken--especially about Hanama Bay. May I offer the suggestion that, perhaps rather than hiking Diamond Head, you look at hiking the Monoa Falls Trail? It is shorter and runs through a lush rainforest-type atmosphere and ends in spectacular falls, in contrast to Diamond Head which ends in a big hole and is rather hot--it's not as crowded but far more scenic....just my thoughts.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Monkey Pod is good... Definitely get desert (maybe 2)... The Pies are awesome!

 

[jerseygal]

Can't wait to try the pies! Yum!