The Hawaii Thread

My first trip to Hawai'i came in 1979 when I was a ten year old kid. I remember being disappointed when I first found out that we were going, because I'd wanted to go back to WDW!

Even as a kid, I fell in love with Hawai'i. We spent that whole trip on O'ahu, doing the entire tourist thing (stayed on Waikiki Beach, did Pearl Harbor, Punchbowl Crater, North Shore, Polynesian Cultural Center, etc.)

Joy grew up on the west coast, and had been to Hawai'i about three times before we met. Interestingly, she'd never been to Honolulu, or O'ahu at all - all of her trips were spent on the Big Island and Kaua'i. She was in love with Hawai'i too.

We decided to honeymoon on Maui, since it was an island that neither of us had been to before. So after a few days at Disneyland, we did ten days on Maui.

We stayed in Kihei, which I think is a great place to stay on Maui because it's centrally located. We had a nice mix of adventurous and relaxing activities. We did the Road to Hana, sunrise on Haleakala, La Perouse Bay, Lahaina and West Maui along with touring some of the best beaches that exist on the planet.

Now, as DVC members, we plan on definitely visiting the new DVC resort on O'ahu that just broke ground. We can also trade points to stay on other islands. Our plan is to definitely get back to Hawai'i within the next 3-5 years, and Kaua'i is definitely on my short list of islands to visit.

Oh goodie, experts! I will no doubt have numerous questions about Hawaii, as I'm seriously considering a trip there for Christmas week this year. Specifically, I'm looking at the Waikiki Beach area of Oahu.

Do you need to rent a car there, or can you get by using public transportation?

What are the tourist luaus like? Cool, cheesy, something in between? Would I feel comfortable doing one as a solo traveler?

Have you done any of the helicopter tours of volcanos and such? What are those like? (Besides expensive, I'm sure!)

Well an expert I'm not, but I think I can help you with a couple of your questions.

If you stay in Waikiki, a rental car would not be absolutely neccasary, because O'ahu has the only decent public transportation of any of the island, but I'd strongly, strongly recommend it. There is so much to see on O'ahu that you'd want the freedom and independence of a car to see it at your own pace.

The only lu'au we went on was the Old Lahaina Lu'au on Maui. We chose this one because it's the most authentic, with no other Polynesian influence and only Hawaiian influence.

I guess you could say it was slightly cheesey - they did cater to toursits a bit - but more than anything it was entertaining and interesting. The food was authentic too, and you probably won't like it all. Your first taste of poi will be a moment you'll never forget.

Thanks, Imagineer!

Hmm....that sounds kind of scary. Goes off to Google "poi".....

Poi to me is like many other odd foods out there. It's not awful but I can't really imagine anyone loving it. I'm pretty sure it's just something they keep around to feed us tourists!

I did this, minus the bicycles. The reason you get up in the middle of the night is to see the sun rise from the top of the mountain. The mountain is Haleakala', actually a volcanic crater. Instead of the bus trip up and the bike ride down, we took the rental car up and back. It was quite an experience, but not one that I'll feel the need to do again on my next trip.

Good info everyone, thanks!

Poi looks really disgusting.

That's why I figured Waikiki would be the place for me--very central to a lot of activities, but then I could rent a car for a day or two if needs be. Or maybe do a day tour with a group, to get some socializing in, too.

Pearl Harbor is a must for me. Also Waikiki Beach and International Marketplace. I'd like to go to a less urban spot for some mild hiking and photography, too.

There are a few things I'll probably never do on vacation, and seeing a sunrise is one of them! So the bicycle thing is out.

Wow--that sounds like something we'd love to do. Is it easy to do yourself--do you need guides or anything or are the roads easy to find/use?

I love Hawaii. So relaxing. Kauai is my favorite island. I was pretty nonplussed with Oahu, but I have to admit I stayed mostly to the touristy areas.

Hi, All! DH and I did Hawaii for our honeymoon in July 2008. We were lucky enough to do 4 islands in 22 nights. We live on the east coast ,so it is a looooonnnnnngggggg trip.

We went to Kaanapali Beach Hotel for a couple nights....Hawaiian hotel on a beautiful beach.Did Old Lahaina Luau and recommend it...then drove to Haleakala to see the crater and the view. Did NOT do sunrise or bikes!!!! Look up Moonlight Garden Inn, a beautiful cottage with stunning views! Then the road to Hana and a couple of days there, black sand beaches, stayed on a flower farm (Hana Tradewinds/Tradewinds Flower Farm).

Next to Oahu...stayed on the east coast in Lanikai....our favorite beach; rented a loft called Lanikai Penthouse, great apt and GREAT view....but keep in mind, "penthouse" means 4th floor no elevator! My FAV activity was snorkeling with wild spinner dolphins out of Wainae harbor. We rode in a zodiac raft and it was AWESOME!!!!! Also did Pearl Harbor, battleship Missouri, Waikiki Beach, Baldwin museum and Diamond Head.

Next was Big Island, stayed at Kona, Sheraton Keauheau (?) Bay...very nice and time for a "resort" again after B&B and apts.....DH's favorite activity was
Summit and Stars tour thru Hawaii Forrest and Trail Company. An 8-hour trip, they drive you to 6000 feet, give you dinner, continue up to 13, 000 feet, give you a parka (even in Aug), watch the sun set, then go back to 9000 feet elevation for hot chocolate and stargazing. Have never seen stars like that! There are NO lights and it is "high and dry", perfect for stargazing. Also toured Kona Joe's coffee farm, mmmmmmm, now i am addicted!!!!
Next drove to Volcano. The lava was not currently flowing in the nat'l park but the rangers gave directions to the flow. It was amazing to see! Don't miss it! We did a helicoptor tour here....I felt very motion sick-did not throw up but had the little white bag open and ready for business. DH got some really good pics (not of me!
Last island was Kaui. We stayed at Kaui Country Inn, great fun! Ask about the Beatles Museum! We took a boat trip to see the NaPali Coast, which also included lunch and snorkeling. DH took a second helicoptor ride but I cancelled. He said that this one was much smoother and it probably would not have made me ill....ah, hindsight! We drove to visit spouting horn and Waimea Canyon, as well as the state park beach that starts with an "L", where you are still allowed to feed the fish.
All in all, it was the trip of a lifetime. I planned it using Hawaii for Dummies book and internet research. We checked accommodations on tripadvisor.com...it saved us from one place which we were really glad we skipped when we saw it in person!But through the planning, I complained to DH "This would be more fun if there was "The DIS" for Hawaii!!!!! trip advisor just was not the same!

22 nights! That sounds great. Do you plan on ever going back or did you go so long so you could get it all out of your system.

MT, what may I ask is the "Sugar Cane Train?"

Dopynme, Can you fly direct from the East coast?

Hi, dsoup! I don't think it will ever be out of my system, we would go again tomorrow if not for this pesky earning-a-living thing!

cdub, not sure if you can fly direct. We stopped for a relatively brief layover in Salt Lake City. I think next time I would spend a couple days in the layover city to catch up on the time zones!

To address a comment by another poster (sorry, I forget who)....

One of the guide books recommends a week per island. We cut it a bit with 4 islands in 22 nights. But her point was that even tho' the flights are short, you still need to go thru security & all, so you do spend a bit of time in the airport. If you try to visit too many islands in a short time, you'll feel like you spent your whole vacation in airports.

One amusing thing....Hawaiian Air does beverage service even on the shortest flight. The poor flight attendants have to hurry, distribute the drinks (no choice, you get juice or nothing!) and collect the trash before it's time to land again!

I don't know if this was your experience, but when I went one nice thing was all the flights left so frequently you didn't have to do a ton of planning to get a flight to wherever you wanted to go. It was almost like getting a cab. This was long ago though, before security changes so it may be more of a hassle now.

I went to Hawaii with a choir years ago...and loved it!

We were just on Oahu and stayed at Turtle Bay on the North Shore the first half (it is gorgeous I highly highly HIGHLY recommend it).

One other quick thing that I haven't seen in the thread. The Polynesian Cultural Center is REALLY interesting. It was probably my favorite part of the entire trip. You get to see all kinds of cultures (with people from those countries) and it is very enjoyable! Samoa was the best

I've heard other people say the same thing about the Cultural Center. I'm glad you reminded me! Thanks!

Ahhh, Hawaii... I 'might' be going Why the 'poo poo' face? Well I AM TERRIFIED TO FLY and considering I am in PA - well, that will be a LOOOONG trip.

CJ works for T-Mobile and every year they award a high achievement award, the PEAK award to 4 people and then those people go to Hawaii for the awards ceremony. CJ was nominated this year and we shall know very soon, if he's won.
The winners get all kinds of cash and prizes and an all expense paid trip to Hawaii. I think it's to Maui - he's not sure of the details and I didn't find much info online about it - I did find this short video though!

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So - within a week I believe we will know of he won...and if he did, I suppose I am off to Hawaii

I know NOTHING abut Hawaii and islands, etc... I am guessing if we're staying in Maui that's pretty much the only place we'll be. Last year T-Mobile had all kinds of events planned - including concerts, meals, etc... so I am not sure how much free time we'd have, although I'm sure we'd have some.

I am having a tough time dealing with leaving my kids - who are only 2, 3 and 6 - and going clear across the country

Hawaii has never been a place I ever wanted to go - but I know so many people who are dying to vacation there. I am not sure why it doesn't appeal to me? (besides the flight, LOL)

I wasn't interested initially, either. DH had enough miles to fly us there and that is what brought up the idea for our honeymoon. But once I started reading and learned that there is SOOOOOOOOOO much more than beaches......I started to get excited. We did enjoy our beach time and will never forget the beach in Lanikai (Oahu).......but if all you are interested in is beach and resort time, I think I would go to the Caribbean (from the East coast, anyway). They have beautiful beaches without 11 hours in the air and it can be pretty affordable.....

I am so not a beach person. The closest I ever came to wanting to be in Hawaii was staying at the Polynesian resort

The flight is long, but I find that Hawaii is much more "chill" than the Caribbean. Maybe that's because it's so much harder to get there?

What's not to like about the beach!?!