We will be at Aulani in approximately 49 days. We have all the usual stops planned; luau, Pearl Harbor tour, surfing lessons, etc, but I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for something that we absolutely 'must' do while in Hawaii. We will be renting a car so we'll have access to check out other areas of the island.
Thanks in advance 
Are you staying on the same island the whole time? If you're open to a quick island hopper flight to the Big Island (Hawaii), the volcano is a definite must! Its amazing to see the Earth growing new land right before your eyes.
No advice but just wanted to say have a great trip! Some friends of mine stayed at Aulani earlier this year and all their pictures were gorgeous!
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Kris, I think this trip we are planning on staying on Oahu. We are trying to minimize the activities and just hit the high notes this time. Since Aulani is our home resort we can expand our activities in the future and will definitely keep the volcano trip in mind. Thanks for the tip. =)
Thanks, Allie =)
How exciting! No advice here, I haven't been to Hawaii in 34 years so I'm sure most of what I remember has changed. However, I just finished reading an Aulani Trip report on one of my favorite blogs.
Here's a link if you're interested!
http://disneytravelbabble.com/blog/2013/02/21/new-trip-report-aulani-to-walt-disney-world-anniversary-vow-renewal-trip/
Dole Plantation. I'm not sure but I think they have Dole Whip.
Hilo Hattie. A fun store to visit.
http://www.hilohattie.com/Default.aspx#
http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/hilo-hattie/
How exciting! No advice here, I haven't been to Hawaii in 34 years so I'm sure most of what I remember has changed. However, I just finished reading an Aulani Trip report on one of my favorite blogs.Here's a link if you're interested!
http://disneytravelbabble.com/blog/2013/02/21/new-trip-report-aulani-to-walt-disney-world-anniversary-vow-renewal-trip/
This blog is fabulous! I spent a good deal of time looking at the pics and reading her story. Exactly what I was looking for, thanks Kristen!! 
Dole Plantation. I'm not sure but I think they have Dole Whip.Hilo Hattie. A fun store to visit.
Thanks, JoAnn, I will check these links out =)
JoAnn C wrote:Dole Plantation. I'm not sure but I think they have Dole Whip.Hilo Hattie. A fun store to visit.
Thanks, JoAnn, I will check these links out =)
Although I have not been to Aulani, I have been to Maui, and can vouch for pineapple plantations. It has been a few years, but when I was there you could ride horseback through the pineapple fields. It was SO cool. 
We took a couple of bus tours, Enoa tours, one around the whole island and one to Pearl Harbor. Both were fun and informative and a good way to get the lay of the land. Another thing we did we drove ourselves around the island stopping anywhere and everywhere we wanted to spend more time. This also included stopping at a shrimp truck for fresh shrimp. Stopping at the North Shore just to watch the waves. There was also a outdoor mall in Honolulu that was neat. One last thing there is a flea market every Sunday at Aloha Stadium parking lot. A lot of it is souvenirs. It's just a neat place to walk around.
loco moco
Here's a link if you're interested!
http://disneytravelbabble.com/blog/2013/02/21/new-trip-report-aulani-to-walt-disney-world-anniversary-vow-renewal-trip/
This blog is fabulous! I spent a good deal of time looking at the pics and reading her story. Exactly what I was looking for, thanks Kristen!!
No problem! So glad that I was able to help.
She's one of my favorite Disney bloggers and the reigning expert on all things Disney Weddings!
I made my husband look through the blog listed by Kristen, tonight, he was not as enthralled with it as I was lol. We've decided that we'll do the Pearl Harbor tour and Pacific Aviation Museum. My husband's squadron was involved with the defense of Pearl Harbor after the attack and so we definitely want to see the history involved, along with a visit to the North shore, and the flea market. We have surfing lessons on tap, and then we really just want to enjoy Aulani and the beaches. Plus, we'll have lots to do on our next visit.
I appreciate all the suggestions!
he was not as enthralled with it as I was
I have to agree with him. I was reading that report considering Aulani as a vow renewal option and she completely talked me out of the idea. I have wonderful memories of Hawaii when I was last there, I think I might just keep my memories. LOL!
We stayed at Aulani in March and loved it. We preferred it over a much more expensive resort on Maui. I highly recommend Pearl Harbor, including the battleship Missouri and the submarine tour. We went into Honolulu a second day and went to Iolani Palace and the Bishop Museum. I was not sure how much I would enjoy them but they were great and I learned a lot about the history and culture of the Islands. Definitely worth doing.