BuffaloGirl

My very nice sister in law offered us 200,000 FF miles for our 25th anniversary 3 years ago. As we come close to celebrating 28 years, we can finally afford to take the trip! My husband picked Hawaii but wants me to plan the whole thing, so I choose Oahu and Kauai. Two weeks maximum.

I was on Oahu for 11 days back in 1983, but didn't get to any other islands. Husband has never been to Hawaii. I suffered severe jet lag on that trip in 1983. I'd like to avoid that this time so thinking of spending one night somewhere on the way. Maybe on the way back, as well.

I think two islands would be best within 2 weeks (based on what I've read here). I chose Kauai because of it's beauty. I am just amazed by the pictures and description of it. None of the islands grabbed me in the same way. My husband would like to see Pearl Harbor, etc. and it's been over 30 years since I've been, so Oahu is the other choice.

Question #1: What city has a lot of flight options to Honolulu (USAirways) that you would recommend. Vegas? (Although I'm not sure I'd get much rest there).

Question #2: As we will be spending a majority of our time on Kauai (half on the north side and half on the south), do we really need to tour the entire island of Oahu? I did that and I remember it's quite beautiful, but I'm wondering if we'd see anything that we wouldn't on Kauai? We will rent a car in Kauai, of course, but would prefer not to on Oahu. My husband drives a lot for work and likes to avoid it on vacation when it's possible.

Question #3: Should I put aside one full day for Pearl Harbor and Arizona Memorial?

Question #4: Thinking of a schedule like this?

Day 1 - Buffalo to Vegas or other city.
Day 2 - Other city to Honolulu. Check into hotel and chill.
Day 3 - Pearl Harbor
Day 4 - Tour around Honolulu
Day 5 - Flight to Kauai
Days 5,6,7,8 - North shore
Days 9,10,11,12 - South shore
Day 13 - Kauai to Honolulu to (Vegas? or other city - spend night)
Day 14 - Flight to Buffalo (ugh).

I guess we could leave Kauai in the afternoon on day 13 to Honolulu and spend the night in a hotel near the airport? Your thoughts on my itinerary would be appreciated.

Thank you in advance, and I'm sorry for such a long post. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by this trip (but very excited)!

sylvia3

I'd go to San Francisco, then HA. USair has a route map; there are many many options.
http://shopping.usairways.com/en-US/routemap.html

BuffaloGirl

sylvia - I just said to my husband last night "We've never been to San Francisco - we should plan that in the next couple of years." It never occurred to me as I posted about Hawaii to make that my stop! Is it possible to scrape the surface of San Fran in 2 days? I've done the Vegas thing already.

suze

I'd go all the way to Hawaii on one shot, and just allow a couple days at the beginning of your trip to get over the jet lag. Don't over schedule just relax those first few days.

I'm not against the idea of 2 days in San Francisco (and yes that is enough to see a few of the sights and get a feel for the city), but I wouldn't add it just because of jet lag (which I personally get terribly so I know what I'm talking about -lol!)

I think staying right in Honolulu/Waikiki and not getting a rental car works just fine. I've done that exact trip 5 times so far without going out around Oahu. I know it's beautiful but for me was easier and less expensive just to stay put, and use walking and public transportation (which is excellent) to get around.

BuffaloGirl

Thanks, suze. I'll consider that. It's such a loooong flight(s) for us, but my SIL's gift of miles will allow us to fly 1st class (first time for me), so that might help.

The jet lag I had 30+ years ago was very extreme. So much so that I couldn't walk straight. I had a very heavy malaise for almost 5 days and my eyes were like slits. I forced myself to sight see, as I just wanted to lie down and sleep. And I was a healthy 19 year old! I'm afraid of a repeat.

carolyn

Since you are flying first class, you should be able to sleep on the plane, but the problem with flying from the eastern time zone is that you wake up very early in Hawaii (five hours time difference). It will still be dark, of course. You can scope out an all-night breakfast place and get up early, eat, and then walk on the beach for a couple of mornings and go to bed early until you adjust, or you can ask your doctor for a mild sleeping pill and take one when you go to bed. Lunesta works for me without side effects, but if you go that route you might want to try one at home first.

Oahu is my favorite island, and I think a drive around it is well worth renting a car for one day. There are also tour buses that will take you anywhere you want to go; e.g., to a luau, to the Polynesian Cultural Center, etc. Roberts of Hawaii is one we have used. Your hotel will have multiple choices for you.

By bus, you can go downtown into Honolulu and see Iolani Palace, visit Chinatown, go out to Diamond Head and hike up it--actually, you can ride it all round the island for $2.00. Look at a guide book at your public library or a bookstore for ideas on both your islands. It's hard to go wrong in Hawaii. Have a great trip!

clarkgriswold

Your best connection city might depend on what airline your FF miles are with.

clarkgriswold

It looks like your choices are pretty limited from Buffalo. United to Chicago, or Delta to Atlanta. If it's American, then Dallas.

There are stopovers, mostly LAX or SFO....but these require plane changes in Chicago or Atlanta.

So I think your best bet is going to be sucking it up and settling in for a long flight, no stopovers.

ChiSue

I would think about what you really WANT here. *I* want maximum time in Hawaii. Remember that any connection not only has a SNAFU potential, but will be costly in time and money. You'll have to claim luggage on arrival, pay for transport into whatever city, pay for a hotel, dinner and breakfast, travel back to the airport (two hours before your flight), go through security and sit and wait until you board.

We fly Chicago-Maui every winter. We have miles on AA -- newly merged with USAir. We buy coach and use our miles (plus a fee) to upgrade to first class. This earns points on the AAdvantage CC purchase and on the miles flown. I look for widebody aircraft (767 or 330) and a nonstop on the long leg. I avoid connections on the west coast -- and the 757's that usually fly those routes. (First class on a 757 is NOT worth the cost.) I can even sleep on the redeye returns with the lie-flat seats in first class. If you can't do first, pay a little extra for Coach Plus for more legroom.

You can arrange your flights the way we do. We check luggage through to home with HA at Maui. (You will pay for each bag but you also won't have to fuss with your luggage again until you are home. Spend two hours in airport security at HNL, then board your flight to the mainland. We sometimes fly via DFW; AA has a 767 on that route; then we have two hours home to ORD.

We often fly into HNL, then 'hop' on Hawaiian Airlines (an AA partner) to Maui. (You'd be 'hopping' to Kauai.) It's important to have all your flights on a single ticket for easier luggage handling, and because if there are flight changes the airlines will take care of it instead of you having to re-book and pay ticket change fees.

We come in winter -- to escape WINTER at home. (You too?) Kauai's most gorgeous north is not a great destination in winter, but you could stay south, in Poipu. (No need to stay two places on little Kauai.)

Two weeks is enough to sample three islands, but two would be more restful. We've stayed two weeks to a month on each of the four major islands many times. I'd suggest a hotel on Waikiki for a few days and a condo on your Island #2. "Home from Home" is great in casual Hawaii.

Florida1

In December, my husband and I spent a full day at Pearl Harbor - there is a lot to do there - we went out to the Arizona memorial, of course, but we also toured the Bowfin submarine, the Missouri, and saw the aviation museum. It depends on how interested you are in those things - I am a history nut and DH is too and he loves ships of all kinds, so yes, we spent the full day there. If you just want to go to the Arizona memorial, that doesn't take a full day. We both enjoyed our day there very much!

BuffaloGirl

Thanks, all. We will be flying USAirways.

If we book RT Buffalo to Honolulu, it's 3 flights! But if I book Buffalo to (Vegas, just as an example) as one RT, then book another RT Vegas to Honolulu, it can be done in two. I don't have to stay in Vegas, just pass through the airport.

I'm thinking perhaps no stopover is the way to go and just spend an extra day or two in Honolulu before going off to Kauai. I think this will most likely be our only trip there, so may as well make the most of it.

BTW - I'm an idiot....I posted a similar thread in October and totally forgot about it until I did a search of Kauai today and saw my old post! But I still welcome everyone's suggestions. Thank you!

clarkgriswold

I don't see any nonstop Buffalo to Vegas so you're still talking 3 legs. Or maybe I'm not seeing something, who knows what's going on since the merger.

BlueSwimmer

As an east coast gal who also suffers from pretty severe jet lag, I find that it isn't bad on the way to Hawaii. I just accept that I will be up early the first few days and enjoy the sunrise. We get out and do walking/hiking in the early part of the day because I do get tired later in the day the first couple of days and go to bed fairly early.

It is the return home to the east coast where it just kills me. I've learned to just leave a cushion of a couple of days when I return home before I have to be back at work. This gives me a couple of days to adjust somewhat, but it usually takes me about five days to be back to normal. I would rather be tired and zombie like in my own bed so we tough it out on the trip home rather than stopping over somewhere.

I guess this is the downside of being one of those people who get up at the exact same time each morning without an alarm clock!

BuffaloGirl

clarkgriswold - sorry, you're right. I think I was looking into stopping for a night or two so I wouldn't have 3 flights in one day. My brain turned that into two flights.

I need to go to bed and start again in the morning when I can think better!!!

garyt22

We did this trip from Buffalo and flew USAir... The first leg is always to a hub city Philly, pittsburg, Charlotte so its' a short flight... the second flight could either be to LAX or SFO depending on which city you want to see more... we did two days in LA in Santa Monica with an early departure on day 3... San Francisco is also a great 2 day city...

If you leave early on day 3, you can sleep on the plane and arrive early in Oahu. The down side is resort check-in... we chose to get our rental car and take an early drive sight seeing with a stop for lunch before going to the hotel...

Having the rental car on oahu is much better for things like Pearl harbor and exploring beaches because you don't want to be stuck in waikiki for your stay...

Kauai is beautiful so be sure to spend the money on a helicopter tour and again, the rental car is necessary for exploring... if you are hikers or kayakers, you are on the right island...

We prefer Maui because you get the natural beauty of the islands, along with the culture (Lahaina Luau), great beaches, resorts, restaurants, and more stuff to do for non-athletic types...

On the way home, we only did a late flight from oahu to LA, slept in LA with a morning flight back to Buffalo through Charlotte... that overnight allows you a valuable rest...

have fun planning...

suze

Believe me I understand about bad jet lag. I'm just saying I don't thank that stopping for 12-24 hrs. along the way is going to help. Might actually make things worse as far as confusing your body.

Traveling 1st class should be a huge improvement and maybe you can actually get some rest on the plane.

Definitely try for only 2 flights to get you there, not 3. Saving the hassle of an extra unnecessary landing/airport.

wekewoody

Hi BG, I remember your other thread.

I was one of the "Princeville haters". LOL.

Where are staying on Kauai?

Do the jet lag recovery in Hawaii. Vegging out on a lanai with an ocean view sounds pretty damn good to me.

Have a great trip.

ChiSue

Since USAir and AA are now one airline, you can use both schedules, right? We can fly one short leg ORD-DFW, then one long leg on a better aircraft DFW-HNL. If we're going on to Maui, we have one more short leg HNL-OGG.

I don't see why you would need to fly to the west coast and only then on to HNL. There are widebody flights to HNL from all over the mainland. Fly from Buffalo to such a hub, then one long leg into HNL.

One night stands are a waste of time and money, IMO, unless you have some serious medical problem that requires you to stop enroute. Otherwise it's just a hassle.

You may be sorry if you book two round trips as you outlined. You may have to claim and recheck luggage. If schedules change you will have to pay a ticket change fee to re-book. ANY connection is vulnerable to late arrivals, weather, mechanical problems, etc.

WHEN are you visiting Hawaii? While northern Kauai is gorgeous, I wouldn't book there in winter/early spring. Same for San Francisco in winter -- or Vegas in summer.

Shar

"No Jet Lag" is what we use when we fly west coast to Europe which would be like you flying east coast to Hawaii. It is the best. You take it every two hrs unless you are sleeping and a day or two after. Chewable tablets. It helps tremendously with jet lag symptoms. You can buy it at Drug Stores or Travel shops, Luggage shops. It is all natural/herbal with no drugs but it works....Also upon arrival a quick nap (set an alarm for no longer than 1 hr) get up and walk around, eat something...that should help reset the body clock and then to bed at an decent hour. It seems to work for us in Europe...Flying First Class will help a lot.

BuffaloGirl

Thanks, everyone.

I did get a good night's sleep and planned on booking something this morning, but ended up in the ER with my MIL!!!

Well, booking RT Buffalo to Honolulu with FF miles ends up being 3 flights. We would like to go in September/October, but FF flights are limited as I waited too long. Limited in the sense that we are being gifted 200,000 miles and we'd like to go first class a intended. We'd have to leave Buffalo on a Saturday or Sunday and return on a Monday, which means more days off of work. A bit of a deal breaker.

My husband ixnayed the vacation before the vacation thing (2 days in SF) as he knows I'll drag him around trying to fit everything in. Also, returning home it would be 4 flights - Kauai/Honolulu/Phoenix/Charlotte/Buffalo. Flight out of Honolulu at 11:00 p.m.

So.....I may end up stopping on the way there and the way back. Husband said he'd deal with one night in Las Vegas either way. One friend who did this recently said it wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

At this point I may not get back to my flight planning until the weekend. I sit at a desk in a windowless office all day and it' hard to concentrate when I get home in the dark winter night time!

Thanks for all the suggestions (even you, garyt22 - me, you, blue airplane one of these days , right?)