Calling all Hawaiian DUers! Help! Need suggestions and tips

[AgadorSparticus]

for planning a Hawaiian vacation. We are long overdue for a vacation and are planning a trip to Hawaii in a couple of weeks. WE will be there for a week. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where to go and what to do? Especially for snorkeling? I have never been there and am excited.

[SoCalDem]

1. Start a thread like.. Calling All Hawaiian DUers..

We have SEVERAL here, and they could certainly help you plan a really cool visit to Hawaii:)

Aloha, and have a great trip.. We DO expect pictures too :)

[AgadorSparticus]

2. thanks. i will definitely post pictures and tell you guys all about it.

it's been 2 years since we've had a vacation and we are desperately needing this for sanity's sake. Thanks for the tip on the heading. :hi:

[Quetzal]

3. ALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHAAAAAAAAAAA

Aloha Ahiahi ia oukou on this fine Wednesday evening. The time is now 7:58 PM Hawaii Time and the Hawaiian Island Question Session is now open.

[AgadorSparticus]

4. Aloha!! we are planning on renting a car for the entire week so

we have transportation. We are staying at the Hilton in Honolulu. Where do you suggest we go for snorkeling? And good sushi? I'm open to all ideas.

[Quetzal]

6. Wow - I'm sure you will enjoy your stay at the Hilton

If you are going to the island of O'ahu, expect vacationing in an urban environment. You will also encounter heavy traffic on the freeway during rush hour, especially in the morning and the late afternoon.

Ever wanted to go for a morning swim? A'ole Pilikia (No problem). The beach is a minute away from the Hilton (and I mean it - it is right across the street). In the Fall, the temeperatures will reach into the mid-high 80s during the day and into the low 70s at night. Make sure to wear sunscreen.

A popular snorkling spot on O'ahu is Haunama Bay, located on the Southeastern side of the island. However, due to the human impact on the area, its beauty has over the past few decades has declined. Tourists will also frequent this place en masse. Tour busses bring in many visitors. You will also have to pay a small fee to enter.

I do not know of any other hidden snorkel spots on O'ahu. I am from the island of Maui, so I am not an expert on where to go on O'ahu. I will PM this thread to other DUers that live on O'ahu. Hopefully, they will be able to help you.

A beach that most visitors enjoy is Lanikai Beach in Kailua on the Eastern part of the island. Word of Caution: Theft does occur frequently here - do not leave valuables in your car (i.e. Labtops, credit cards, etc.) In fact, I would reccommend that you do not leave any of your valuables in your car. Also, while you are at the beach, even Waikiki beach, do not leave a purse or bag with something valuable in it on the beach. People will walk right onto the beach and steal it while you are in the water and run right off with it. If you do bring your purse to the beach, don't leave it unattended.

There are many eateries in Honolulu. One place I enjoyed was Todai. It's an all you can eat seafood buffet and sushi bar. It is 25 dollars per person, but you sure get your money's worth.

Want something upscale? Here are some fine restraunts Honolulu has to offer.

Bali by the Sea Upscale Asian Cuisine

La Mer Upscale French Cuisine

There is also a Chinatown in Honolulu located on Hotel Street.

[AgadorSparticus]

10. Thanks. I'm printing out your post right now.

Wow, I'm surprised to hear of all the theft. I don't usually bring much of value to the beach anyways. But still, that's crazy. Thanks for the tips. BTW, I love Todai! Very cool. We will most likely hit it a couple times.

[MyUncle]

21. I concur on the theft caution.

Tourists here are such obvious targets - same cars, always clean, people have purchased new cameras and video gear and have cash. It is really a shame that it happens.

[Xithras]

23. Get of the plane on Honolulu and grab a hopper to another island.

Oahu is a great island, but IMO it is far too developed to get any real taste of Hawaii. Visiting the big island, Maui, or Kauai will all give you a much more relaxed Hawaiian vacation with fewer crowds, less urban clutter and traffic, a less tamed version of the islands countrysides, and an all around more intimate vacation. When I spent a week in Honolulu and I can tell you is that it was a nice vacation. At the end of my twelve day Maui vacation, in comparison, I was searching the real estate sections and whining like a schoolboy when my wife made me pack my bags. I really didn't want to come back. Kauai is stunning as well, but is fairly undeveloped and is a good choice for the backpacker/naturalist types. As for the big island, I've only done an aerial tour, but my next Hawaiian vacation will be there.

BTW, if you're really into snorkeling, I don't think any of the islands have Maui beat. I think the only spot on the island that DIDN'T have good snorkeling was outside my hotel at Kahana. Honolua Bay (sp) is a dive that shouldn't be missed, and Molokini Atoll probably has the clearest snorkling waters on the planet (no exaggeration...hundreds of feet). When I was out there we were in awe of the water clarity and the fact that we were swimming with the most beautiful fish in the world AND turtles at the same time. The white tip reef shark that swam in was just icing on the cake (it kept its distance, but was INCREDIBLE to watch a real live shark cruise around when there was nothing between us and it besides 100 feet of open sea.)

[MyUncle]

26. Bruddah, you gotta get to the NORTH SHORE of Oahu, mo bettah.

[RC]

5. There is more to Hawaii than Honolulu

http://rc.smugmug.com/gallery/18317


Overlooking Waimea Bay - North Shore O'ahu


Big Island - Rain Forest - North of Hilo, Hiway 19

[SoCalDem]

8. Ah Ha..another "smugmugger"

:hi:

I love smugmug..

[AgadorSparticus]

12. the rain forset! so GREEN! i know rain forests are supposed to be green

but i'm in the desert and green is largely not an option. wow, that's beautiful. What a drive! Thanks for the pics.

[Xithras]

24. You want a stunning rainforest drive?

Try the Hana Highway in Maui. It's recognized widely as one of the most beautiful drives in the world. It'll take an entire day to make it from Kahului to Hana and back (if you stop to enjoy the scenery anyway) but it is entirely worth it. Plus, if you're an aviation fan like me, you can visit Lucky Lindy's final resting place at the end.





(Not my photos)

[Leilani]

7. Aloha!

Are you sure you want to stay on Oahu for your entire trip?

Each of the islands is wonderful in a unique way.

Kauai is slow-paced, quiet, & has some magnificent scenery & nice beaches.

The Big Island has volcanoes & ranches; you might see snow & cowboys!

Maui is very beautiful, & is my son s favorite place for snorkleing; a place called Molokini is quite popular. Lahaina, the old whaling town is terrific...the art scene is as good as the Mainland.

Oahu is the busiest, most populated. Terrific shopping, lots of nightlife, & the restaurants offer a varied choice of very nice dining.

[AgadorSparticus]

11. We got a fairly good deal with the hotel/air package and that is the only

reason we'd stay in Oahu. Kauai sounds more my pace. We booked a rental car so that we could see Hawaii outside of Honolulu. So far, the pictures I've seen are amazing. Coming from the desert where everything is brown, the lush green just jumps out at me. I would also like to check out the volcanos. Snow? Even with the elevation, I wouldn't have thought that. That's interesting.

[Leilani]

25. Well, that s OK

You will fall in love, & come back many times, for more islands.

The Hilton is wonderful...right on the beach, & like a small city in itself...loads of restaurants, pools, activities, & the most wonderful staff I have ever encountered.

My recommendation: get in your car & drive along the coast towards the North Shore. You will pass beautiful beaches, where you can jump out & snorkle. Get a map with all the state parks listed; the public has an amazing assortment of parks & beaches.

Check out Lanaki Beach in Kailua...it is beautiful. The scenery along the Windward side will take your breath away..keep driving towards the North Shore, & you will come to all the famous surfing beaches: Sunset, Waimea, Bonzai Pipeline, etc.

Stop in Haleiwa Town, for some eats. It will give you a feel of the other part of Hawaii...more like the other islands.

And as a first time visitor, you may want to visit Pearl Harbor & take a boat out to the Arizona Memorial.

I hope you have a wonderful trip. If I can help you in any way, PM me.

[Leilani]

27. Also, I forgot to add:

Your first morning in Hawaii, the Hilton serves coffee, tea, muffins, etc. in the Tapa Lounge. If you are a coffee person, buy a cup & then get unlimited refills.

Then walk straight out to the beach, & you will see Waikiki Beach all the way to Diamond Head...the typical Hawaiian postcard view.

Because the visitors all come from different time zones, things at the hotel start VERY early in the A.M.

My favorite time in Honolulu, where I live is daybreak. Get out & take a long walk before the heat of the day & before the crowds...its beautiful & amazing.

From the Hilton you can also walk to Ala Moana Mall...quicker than driving...it is across from the ocean, an open air mall, & a must see.

[DELUSIONAL]

9. Check dive shops for snorkeling guides

Also go to the other islands -- each has charm and lots of snorkeling. The Big Island -- can keep you busy with so many uncrowded fantastic snorkeling spots.

Big Island -- Hilo beaches and then the Kona side -- lots of places.

Oahu -- Windward side -- and then several places listed in the dive and snorkeling guides -- also do a search online -- I remember finding lots of places for all the populated islands.

wear a t-shirt while snorkeling -- to avoid a massive sunburned back.

But Honolulu only?? You aren't going to meet the locals (a few might be on the staff -- but very few Native Hawaiians).

There are many dive shops -- and well worth going there to buy something and ask for their input about where to go. They also have used equipment.

Coconut Island is on the Windward side -- and dive boats bring lots of Japanese to prime dive spots.

Also where you go depends on your swimming skill and ability to "read" the water conditions.

Seek out the snorkeling guides and the beach guides -- these have lots of inside information.

There are also really neat fish guides (waterproof) that you can bring with you to identify all the fish.

Look for places that are not tourist spots -- these will be listed in the beach/dive/snorkeling guides -- again the dive shops will be the best source of these books.

[AgadorSparticus]

14. Thanks for the great tips. We are bringing our own snorkle gear but I will

definitely check out the various dive shops and ask around. We'll have a car and will be driving around the island to get more of a feel for the real Hawaiian culture.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

13. Favorite spots on Oahu

Lanikai Beach.... was beautiful and not crowded... gorgeous sand and water... view of two off-shore peaks... just amazing!

Hanauma Bay - a bit crowded, but beautiful. It's a crater that has created a barrier of sorts where the fish are plentiful and the water is very calm... Definitely do some snorkeling there...

We also enjoyed going up on the mountains, where the winds gusted and where it was a bit chillier.

We too had a rental car. That's the best money we ever invested. It gave us an opportunity to discover the island on our own (and don't foget a good guide book or to ask the locals for advice)...

[AgadorSparticus]

15. Thanks. I'm going to hit AAA for some maps

and BN for a guide book later this afternoon.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

16. Not an Islander, but my favorite places on Oahu are:

1. Driving up the Windward side to the North Coast (big waves) and back down through the middle of the island and back into the city on the Pali Highway.

2. The Bishop Museum--everything you always wanted to know about the geology, natural features, and native peoples of Hawaii and the Pacific

3. Hiking up Diamond Head (from the inside--it's a crater). Great view at the top, but bring plenty of water.

4. Ala Moana beach (near Ala Moana Center--a big mall) is less touristy than Waikiki.

5. Snorkeling. All the ABC Stores (convenience stores) sell snorkeling kits. Hanauma Bay is crowded, but the fish are indeed wonderful. Just be sure to wear enough sunscreen all over. I forgot to grease up the backs of my legs, and I had to sleep on my stomach with no covers for a couple of days. :-(

6. Check out the sky, if you have any interest in astronomy. The Big Dipper is incredibly low, and some of the Southern Hemisphere constellations are visible.

7. Enjoy food from every Asian country, as well as the fattening but delicious Island plate lunch, served with rice and macaroni. My favorite Island main dish option for the plate lunch is kalua pig, which is smoky barbecued pork.

8. Some of the older neighborhoods around the Iolani Palace have a certain oldstyle tropical charm.

9. If you want to have a total sensory experience while driving around, there's one radio station that plays only Hawaiian music--but I forget exactly which one. There's also a Japanese radio station and a Japanese TV station.

10. On the off chance that you can go to another island, Kauai is so beautiful that it doesn't seem real, and it has an incredible variety of climates for one small island, with a town that gets 25" of rain a year located only a few miles from a mountain that gets over 300" of rain a year. Check out the Na Pali cliffs, which you either have view from the back (by driving up the interior of the island) or by driving to the end of the road and wading out into the sea (it's very shallow way out). Or pay megabucks and hire a helicopter.

Have a great time!

On edit: While short on practical information on hotels and stuff, the Insight Guide to Hawaii is full of historical and cultural background, as well as fantastic photographs that will help you decide what you want to see.

[AgadorSparticus]

17. wow, thanks! and thanks for all the information.

this is really helping me get a legup on my options and plan accordingly.

[SoCalDem]

18. I PMed Opihimoimoi, and hopefully he will weigh in here too

My son and his wife honeymooned in Hawaii last year, and Opihi was at least 50% responsible for the wonderful time they had in Hawaii.. The places they went would have NEVER been found by accident, wandering around on their own in a rental car..

He lives there, and locals can always help you find out about the really cool places that they don't really want all the tourists knowing about :evilgrin:

It looks like you have gotten some great ideas from this thread so far..NOW...can you WAIT???

[KamaAina]

19. Does it count if I'm replying from NYC?

visiting ka makuahine (Mom)?

Definitely go around the island to the North Shore. Real local flavor and possible snorkeling spots (if the waves aren't up, which is usually only in winter). Feel free to go past Hale'iwa (the major town up there, with interesting shops, dining options, etc.) to Waialua and Mokule'ia, which are MUCH less touristed due to not being on the "circle island" tour bus route. Mokule'ia Beach in particular gets high marks from someone who grew up there.

The eastern tip of O'ahu has some of the best scenery on any island: the aforementioned Hanauma Bay (closed Tues.), and nearby Halona Blowhole and Sandy Beach (with VERY powerful surf, so WATCH IT!). Nearby is Sea Life Park (what Sea World must've been like in the '60s).

Honolulu itself has more to offer than you might expect; remember, it was once the capital of a foreign country. Tours are available of 'Iolani Palace and the Mission Houses Museum, right downtown, and the Queen Emma Summer Palace, a couple of miles mauka (inland).
There is also lots of good American stuff: the Arizona Memorial and nearby battleship Missouri, Punchbowl cemetery, and the free, interesting Army Museum right down Kalia Rd. from the Hilton. (We DUers do not hate America so stop saying that!)

With a car, dining is best done outside Waikiki. The McCully Shopping Center just outside Waikiki (McCully and Kapi'olani) is a good place to start, with Thai, Brazilian, Chinese and other options. The neighborhood called Kaimuki, a mile or two from Waikiki (along Waialae Ave. between about 9th Ave. and Koko Head), has many favortite local places such as Big City Diner. Ethnic places (Korean, Vietnamese etc.) abound here. There are interesting small shops as well, and a municipal parking lot.

[MyUncle]

20. I am biased but the North Shore is da kine.

If you want to be in the country, the North Shore is it. Much quieter, lusher, if you get lucky a big swell will come in. That alone would be something you'd never forget.

I'd suggest bagging the Hilton and going to Turtle Bay - http://www.turtlebayresort.com/ 800 acres of beaches, woods, horses, and if inclined golf, tennis, spa, etc.

I just can't put up with being in Waikiki or "town" as we in the county put it. If you can't get out of the entire stay, see if you could get a few nights on the North Shore, it's worth it for your vacation.

You can see what Hawaii used to look like before it goes away.

[rockymountaindem]

22. I'm not from HI either, but I've been to Pearl Harbor twice.

It's an interesting and powerful place, and I'd definately advise visiting it.

If you can, go to Kauai sometime. It's my favorite island in the whole world.

[SoCalDem]

28. kick for Opihi

[Quetzal]

29. kick-o-kick

[Quetzal]

30. Just more info

The Popular Hawaiian Radio Station is 105.1 on the FM Dial.

Driving is not allowed on Hotel Street (Chinatown) - Only City Buses are allowed.

Ala Moana is the major mall there. It is geared more toward tourists than locals.

[Donkeyboy75]

31. Not a Hawaiian,

but I was there for two weeks back in 2001.

You may wake up a bit early the first morning. Don't waste it! You can drive around the whole island in a few hours. I did this my first morning there and it was fantastic. A few macadamia nut farms and the like.

Plus, get your ass to Kauai and take a helicopter tour. Maui is also phenomenal.

[huskerlaw]

32. This is awesome!

Thanks for asking, progressivebebe. ;) I'm going to Hawaii in December and I'm also stuck in Honolulu. I have been to Hawaii before, but spent most of my time near Kona on the Big Island. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and keep them coming!