Baoqin

My family (7 people including 3 kids age 6-13 and 81-y old mom) will have a vacation in Honolulu during this Thanksgiving break. I just booked flight to arrive Honolulu on 11/ 25 at 2:30 pm. My mom and sister will stay 4 nights and then fly back to their home (in another country) on 11/29 at 10 am. We (hubby and 3 kids) will stay another night and leave Honolulu on 11/30 at 3 pm.

This is the first time of our visit to Hawaii (and maybe the only time for my mom and sister). We want to have a relaxed trip and fully experience the aloha state capital. Here is a tentative plan with questions. I welcome any advice.

Day 1: arrive at hotel (not booked yet) in the afternoon, relax. Have a Thanksgiving dinner, enjoy the beach and sunset (where?).

Day 2: Drive to north shore beaches, Diamond Head (mom cannot hike too much!?). PCC Luau. (too much for a day?)

Day 3: tour Pearl Harbor. China town afterwards?

Day 4: visit Bishop's Museum (not sure if mom and sister who do not speak English will be interested in this). Tour Lolani Palace.

Day 5: Send mom and sister to airport in the morning. The rest of the day we will do something special for kids, such as surfing lesson

Day 6: do something (?) in the morning and drive for airport after lunch. Fly home.

We plan to rent a car. Book a 2-bedroom condo (which seems to be cheaper than 2 hotel rooms). Need advise to make this trip successful. I am especially interested/concerned about the special events (or closures) during Thanksgiving holiday. Thanks for all your support.

Shar

BOOK your condo NOW! It will be expensive due to the time of year if you can find one. Hate to sound negative but they fill up fast. There is a great Christmas parade the day after Thanksgiving down Kalakaua Avenue. The Moana Surfrider is decorated beautifully for Christmas as are other hotels. The patio area at the Moana Surf rider is a lovely place to have a drink or afternoon tea. As I recall, nothing is closed. We were there on Thanksgiving a few years back and ate at the HUA Tree restaurant which was serving turkey but we opted for a great fish dinner. It is outdoor restaurant right on the beach at the New Otani Hotel which is down through Kapiolani park. several of the major hotels have Thanksgiving Buffet but outrageously expensive. Friday at the Palace they have a lovely band concert with hula, singing, etc. FREE! SUNSET will be early due to the time of year you are there so unless you want to eat before 5PM, you are better off having a drink at the Moana Sur rider or the Royal Hawaiian. Be careful in Chinatown, do not go after dark, not exactly a nice place. Daytime it is very interesting however.

Shar

Traffic will be heavy and normally I don't recommend a car in Honolulu but it sounds like you will be going North and over to Pearl so a car might be better for your family. PEARL HARBOR tour, get tickets in advance on line.

Patty

I would go to Diamond Head early in the morning as it can get very hot. You can continue your drive around the island along the Windward shore. Visit Hanauma Bay if you want to snorkel. Again earlier is better as it can get pretty crowded. Continue your drive to the North shore. Might be too much to try to fit in PCC.

Have drinks or dinner one night at House Without a Key at the Halekulani hotel. They have old style Hawaiian music and hula every evening that's not easily found elsewhere. Go early as they don't take reservations. Music starts at 5:30pm. We never miss a visit here when we're on Oahu.

carolyn

Stop and look down at Hanauma Bay whether you snorkel or not. It's beautiful. Drive around the island one day if you have the time, stop at Hanauma, at the Blow Hole, any place else that takes your breath, get a shave ice in Haliewa, garlic shrimp from a shrimp truck for lunch. It is truly a tropical paradise.

I think Shar is referring to the Hau Tree Restaurant. We have had breakfast there a few times, and it's wonderful. Banana-Mac Nut pancakes at Lulu's aren't bad, either. Try to sit by the rail if you go.

ChiSue

How far will you be flying to get to Hawaii? Day One can be largely trying to adjust to the time change. Visitors fade early and wake before dawn the next day. I would not plan a big dinner this night lest you fall asleep after the soup course. (Have snacks on hand for hungry kids the next morning; few restaurants will be open.)

This isn't enough time for a 'relaxed' visit, so limit yourselves. No need to climb Diamond Head. Just look. LOL

Traffic in Honolulu is *awful*. I would only want a car for the day you drive around the island. Go against the commuters -- east in the morning. You can taxi from HNL or take a shuttle bus.

I like the PCC tour. The luau is an all-out theatrical event. No alcohol, BTW. They can pick you up in the city and take you back after the luau. (Maybe this would substitute for your Thanksgiving dinner?)

Taxi or bus to Pearl Harbor. Limit yourself; this could be an all-day experience.

Iolani Palace is a short stop. I don't think you have time for the Bishop, good as it is.

Don't short the free stuff -- sun, surf, beaches, stars. (This is where the relaxing part comes in.) People visit Hawaii more to get on Island Time and enjoy the Aloha than to race around from 'sight' to 'sight'.

lcuy

You need to book hotel, Thanksgiving dinner and Pearl Harbor ASAP.
Here is my adjusted itinerary for you:

Day 1: arrive at hotel in the afternoon, relax. Have a Thanksgiving dinner, enjoy the beach and sunset. Hau tree is a nice place to enjoy sunset as you are basically on the beach. Tiki's is fun and has good Sunset views, as is the veranda at the Moana Hotel, or the Kahala Resort.

Day 2: You have planned way too much. Skip Diamond head. I would head out toward Hanauma bay and around the east coast in a counter clockwise direction. If you are going to PCC, spend the whole afternoon there and finish with the luau.

Day 3: tour Pearl Harbor using the early morning tickets you purchased online in advance. This would be my day to head North after after you leave PH and go see Haleiwa, Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach. "the North Shore"

Day 4: Tour Iolani Palace in the morning, then walk through Chinatown, stopping for lunch. Go up to Punchbowl National Cemetery and check out the views and tile frescos with the battles of WWII. Relax on the beach until sun goes down.

Day 5: Send mom and sis to airport in the morning. Go to Bishop museum afterwards, (2 or 3 hours) then head to the beach for the rest of the day.

Day 6: Get up early and hike inside Diamond Head. Go back to hotel, shower or swim in pool, eat lunch, and drive to airport. Fly home.

Verify the open days and hours of all these spots for Thanksgiving week.

Baoqin

Thanks all for the great advise. We are flying from Portland, OR. to Hawaii. I just booked the condo. When booking the Pearl Harbor ticket, I saw the following options:

USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour $7.50
USS Bowfin Submarine and Park $12
Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor $25
USS Battleship Missouri Memorial $25

Please advise which option to choose. I saw a lot of reviews on the Arizona Memorial tour. Not sure if it is worth to do the other tours.

Shar

the Missouri is worth the experience. It was where the Japanese surrendered in WW II. We didn't purchase advance tix for Missouri when we toured it but since it is busy weekend, you might want to. Didn't realize it was so expensive. $7.50 tour is all you need for the Arizona.

Shar

BTW what condo did you book? Always looking for new places.....

Shar

another suggestion. DO NOT even bring a small purse with you as you will have to check it at least for the MIssouri, not sure about Arizona tour. It has been a couple of years since we did that one. I suggest you put everything you need in your pockets. Personally I do not like checking my purse. Has too much valuable stuff in it.

ChiSue

AFAIK the US Navy tour to the Arizona Memorial is free. I also believe it is the only one to actually land ON the memorial. (May have changed.)

Baoqin

Many thanks to all the great advise. here are our almost final plan:

Day 1: arrive at hotel in the afternoon, relax. Have a Thanksgiving dinner, enjoy the beach and sunset.

Day 2: Thanksgiving day. Snorkeling or rest at the Hanauma bay and around the east coast in a counter clockwise direction.

Day 3: PCC (already booked the ticket). If arrive early, can tour Laie. Spend the whole afternoon/evening there and finish with the luau.

Day 4: tour Pearl Harbor? Too bad despite all the advise, I missed early booking. Will try to get up and book at 7 am one day before. If cannot book the ticket one day before, we are considering to cancel the trip (seems tiring to wait online), instead to visit Iolani Palacedo and do the North shore tour, see Haleiwa, Waimea Bay, Sunset Beach, etc.

Day 5: Send mom and sis to airport in the morning. Took kids to hike Dimondhead. Beach relax or snorkeling if time permits.

Day 6: Checkout. Go to Bishop museum, have lunch, then head to the airport. Fly home.

We are so excited to flying to Oahu tomorrow. Welcome any last minutes advise! I am very thankful for all of your help!