spirobulldog

See if I have any major flaws with my Iten.
We have never been to Hawaii and this is a trip for our daughter(our only child) graduating from high school. We are pretty active and don’t really take vacations to relax.

My main concerns are how to do day 2 and where to eat at while on north shore. We will be in bathing suits pretty much the entire day. I think I should arrive early to get a parking spot @ Kee Beach. We will spend 2.5 days on Big Islands. I know that isn’t much time, but we really want to see the volcano and do the doors off helicopter tour there. Then we want to spend 2 days in Ohau just to see Pearl Harbor. Can I see Pearl Harbor on a Sunday and still get to the airport by 4:00pm? I’m a little confused on what to see and how to do PH????? Do I want to go with a Tour Company, do it on my own or what????

Basically we have 5 days in Kauai to play, 2.5 days on Big Island to see Volcano, and 2 days in Honolulu to see Pearl Harbor. We would have to connect in Honolulu anyway, so it isn’t costing us much time by doing it this way(as far as flying goes).

I have pretty much made up my mind on Grand Hyatt while in Kauai. I would prefer to stay at Volcano House while on Big Island(hope the renovations are completed by then). Not sure where I want to stay at on Oahu.

How to see lava flow at night?????

Day 1— Friday May 18, 2012
Arrive Lihue @1:15—will get car rental and checked into Grand Hyatt
probably stop at grocery store and stock up on drinks and snacks
5:30 Dinner at Yum Cha or Tidepools in hotel
Might have time to swim in the pool before or after dinner

Day 2 Sat
North Shore Beach Day
5:30AM up early(we are central standard time, so we’ll be screwed up on our time anyway)
Breakfast and lunch ????
Drive to North Shore
Kee Beach and hike Napali Coast
Queens Bath
Tunnel Beach
Dinner @???

Day 3 Sun
7:15-1:00 Zipline Nua Loi (includes lunch) Outfitters Kauai
2:00-5:00 Poi Pu Beach
6:30 Dinner @ The Beach House

Day 4 Mon
9:00 Wife will try Spa @ Anara Spa in Hotel
8:00 Big Sky Kauai(powered hang glider) ----If weather is bad swap for Tues
wife won't be along for this ride could also go with Birds In Paradise Company
11:00 Hamura Saimin Stand for lunch
Afternoon-nap or pool
5:00 Smith’s Tropical Luau (it appears they are open on Mondays)

Day 5 Tues
7:30 Breakfast @ Kalaheo Coffee Co & Cafe
Waimea Canyon/Kokee State Park---
Be sure and see the lookouts and viewpoints along the drive
The Canyon Trail to Waipo’o Falls
1:00 Lunch @ The Shrimp Station, Island Taco, or Savage Shrimp
Shaved Ice close by @ Jo Jo’s Clubhouse
2:00-5:00 Swim by Pool or see Waterfalls or Poipu Beach
6:30 Dinner @ Dondero’s in hotel

Day 6 Weds
Early flight to Hilo
10:00 Punaluu Black Sand Beach
12:00 Lunch @ Café Ono in town of Volcano
1:00 Drive Crater Rim Volcano National Park-Drive Counter Clockwise
hike a trail
6:00 Dinner @ Volcano House
overnight in Volcano House (2 nights) see lava flow at night Maybe being renovated
Stay @ Volcano Village Lodge as 2nd choice

Day 7 Thurs
Breakfast @ Volcano House
Kilauea Iki Trail, Kahaualea Trail, Devestation Trail other good trails as well
Picnic lunch
Chain of Craters Road
Dinner @ Kiawe Kitchen in town of Volcano(pizza)
Try to see lava flow at night

Day 8 Fri
Breakfast in Hilo @ Café 100 or Hilo Bay Cafe
Rainbow Falls and/or Akaka Falls State Park(if we have time)
Morning--Doors Off Helicopter Tour(www.paradisecopters.com) from ITO
Lunch @ Hilo Bay Cafe in Hilo or Café 100
Afternoon or evening--Depart Big Island Arrive HNL
Dinner @

Day 9 Saturday
7:30 Farmers market in Waikiki at Kapiolani Community College
Dole Plantation
Lunch @ Dukes or Dole Plantation
Wakiki Beach
7:00 Roy’s for dinner

Day 10 Sunday
Breakfast @ Leonards Bakery(opens @ 6:00am)
Pearl Harbor USS Arizona, Missouri, Oklahoma, Batfin Submarine, Aviation Museum
Dole Plantation, Farmer’s Market
Lunch @ Ono Hawaiin Foods
Depart HNL 6:45pm Headed Home

Day 11 Mon
9:45 arrive back home

chepar

So if I'm reading your Day 9 itinerary correctly, you're going to drive out to the North Shore from KCC just to see Dole Plantation?

Though I haven't been there in years, I'm not sure if that alone is worth the drive. Since you're out that way, I would suggest also going into Haleiwa and perhaps further to some of beaches on that side and perhaps having lunch at one of the shrimp trucks or in Haleiwa town.

If you do decide to turn around after Dole Plantation and head back into town (for lunch timing purposes), keep in mind that there will be traffic the closer you get to town and it will take longer to get to Waikiki than it did to get to the North Shore.

garyt22

Dole Plantation is a tourist trap... not worth a special drive

North Shore has casual food places... hang loose and pick one

garyt22

Also add some surfing lessons for the daughter on Waikiki Beach... there's a surf hut on the beach right outside of Duke's and its about $50 for an hour... also there's a photo company (ask at the surf hut) that goes into the water and takes digital pics of your kid surfing... its the best memory pictures ever! Your kid hangin ten with Diamond Head in the backround....

spirobulldog

Ok, thanks for the info. Don't know what caught my eye about he Dole Plantation. I don't think I even looked at a map to see where it was. What about the Polynesian Culture Center. Is that a "must do" type thing.

Not sure daughter will want to surf. None of us really care for snow skiing. She had major major back surgery this past summer and she is afraid of falling and doing some damage. She is very athletic, so we'll see and that is a year from now, so she may change a little. But, I'll run it by her.

jamie99

OK, can only comment on Kauai as I have never been to Oahu and BI trip was a very long time ago.

1. Day 1 - See the torchlighting ceremony and hula show at the Hyatt (two days a week they also have a keiki, or kids hula show, not sure if Friday is one of them), have drinks on the Ilima Terrace while watching this, it is free except for the drinks and very worth seeing. THEN go to dinner at Tidepools, maybe about 7pm and last, stop into Stevenson Library for an after dinner drink.

2. Day 2 - Omit Queen's Bath, it is very dangerous even on good days and people have been drowned or badly injured there. Do a search for this subject on Trip Advisor Kauai forums. Yes get to Ke'e early. Check out the condition of the Hanakapiia trail before attempting it, very steep, take lots of water and walking sticks which are usually at the trailhead. If your daughter is not up to the trail (my sis had back surgery six months ago and is STILL walking with a cane) let her hang at Ke'e while you try it.

3. Not sure if I would try the powered hang glider myself - check out Wings over Kauai, fixed wing plane about half the cost of a copter and very well reviewed, plan on doing this myself in the fall. Not sure of the fate of Big Sky Kauai, the owner and a student were just killed in a crash last month.

spirobulldog

Hmm, didn't know that about Big Sky. I was debating between them and birdsinparadise. Might just stick with a helicopter tour. Still probably will do Queens bath though.

suze

Personally I do not consider either Dole Plantation of PCC a "must" with such a short stay on Oahu.

Ono Hawaiian restaurant isn't exactly a convenient location in relationship to what you are doing in the morning as they are on opposite sides of Waikiki.

Besides that I think your 2 days Oahu look OK. What price range are you seeking for your hotel? Assuming you want to stay right in Waikiki?

spirobulldog

Found a couple of websites that list multiple accidents with Big Sky Kauai and Birds in Paradise. Probably will pass on that. Amazing what you can learn on this forum.

I was looking at Best Western Plus in Wakiki and Royal Hawaiin. I know big difference in price range, just looking at both of those.

Wakiki gets a lot of bad reviews on tripadvisor. Is it really that dirty and filled with a lot of homeless people?

suze

I personally LOVE Waikiki. You should read the *forum* discussion boards at Trip Advisor (not the hotel reviews section). There are destination forums similar format to here at Fodor's. That will give you a MUCH more accurate picture from people who know and love it there.

No it is not dirty. Actually it's kept incredibly clean imo. There are some remodeled areas that are very high-end and sparkly.

Yes you will likely see some homeless people. Mostly around the parks. But it certainly is not "filled with" them, but yes they are there. I have never been bothered. Not once.

Royal Hawaiian is one of the very nicest hotels in Waikiki. I've never heard of Best Western Plus.

NatalieM

You will LOVE whatever you do in Hawaii...I just got back from 2 weeks on Maui so am reading about other people's trips instead of doing my work! Anyway, just a few thoughts....

Last time we visited Big Island we wanted to stay in the jungle...Found amazing places on vrbo (vacation rentals by owner)in all price ranges. We stayed at Fern Tree house (www.vrbo.com/138804) and it was magical. Volcano House gets very mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. We didn't stay there but visited, and it didn't look very appealing. The volcano options on vrbo are in the middle of the rain forest, so very pretty...one of the best places I've ever stayed in Hawaii even without a beach!

That being said, I wouldn't opt for almost 3 full days at the volcano on such a short trip...you might consider 2 nights, then drive up to the Kona Coast area. Snorkel at Kealakekua (Capt. Cook's Cove) visit Ho Nau Nau (place of refuge), then fly out of Kona instead of Hilo. Or head back through Hilo to Honoka'a and hike down to the black sand beach in Waipio Valley...spectacular hike and you may be tired of hiking lava by then. Either Kona (driving south then west) or Waipio (driving north) are about a 2 hour drive.

Re. Oahu...If your plans aren't set yet I would consider going to Oahu first...It's the most populated island with the least island ambience, so is a good "intro" to Hawaii rather than finale. (Of course again, however you do it will be wonderful, so don't stress about this aspect...) Anyway, alot of brochures & sales desks will lead you to believe that you have to take some sort of package tour to Pear Harbor...not so! It is operated by the national park service & is easily done on your own. When you arrive, you get in line & get your tickets for the boat ride out to the USS Arizona...there's a movie & presentation first. The line gets longer as the day goes on, so the best plan is to be there as soon as they open (7 or 8 a.m. I think) and you'll have seen & done everything in several hours. The museums you mention are adjacent, so easy to visit if you end up with a wait. This is the NPS site that has all the info you'll need:
http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

Re. the Dole Plantation...It is basically a huge shop with a pineapple farm growing next to it. Not worth a special trip, but stop for a Dole Whip (ice cream) if you drive by. I would consider spending your 1st day on Oahu at the PCC. I've been there several times and still love it. Some people find it "hokey" but it is so well done that I find it hard to complain. It's operated by the LDS Church which has a BYU campus nearby, and it's staffed by students from various Polynesian islands. They have an excellent night show as well as performances throughout the day at each recreated "village" representing different parts of polynesia...again, a great intro to Hawaii. If you go, I would definitely recommend the evening show, so you wouldn't really need to get there early to have a full day. (Don't get on the bus for the campus tour unless you're interested in BYU or the Mormon Church...no other church influence is in evidence, however). Very thorough website is: http://www.polynesia.com/ You could also check out the north shore beaches while you're in the area. You could do a loop and drive north on H-2, end up at the PCC, then return to Honolulu south on 83. I would pick this over hanging out in Waikiki...nothing wrong with it (we didn't find it to be dirty or filled with homeless people, by the way), but it's basically a bunch of high rise hotels on a beach. (If you love hiking, there is a cool hike to the top of Diamond Head...spectacular view and WWII munitions bunkers).

Hope this is helpful!

NatalieM

You will LOVE whatever you do in Hawaii...I just got back from 2 weeks on Maui so am reading about other people's trips instead of doing my work! Anyway, just a few thoughts....

Last time we visited Big Island we wanted to stay in the jungle...Found amazing places on vrbo (vacation rentals by owner)in all price ranges. We stayed at Fern Tree house (www.vrbo.com/138804) and it was magical. Volcano House gets very mixed reviews on Trip Advisor. We didn't stay there but visited, and it didn't look very appealing. The volcano options on vrbo are in the middle of the rain forest, so very pretty...one of the best places I've ever stayed in Hawaii even without a beach!

That being said, I wouldn't opt for almost 3 full days at the volcano on such a short trip...you might consider 2 nights, then drive up to the Kona Coast area. Snorkel at Kealakekua (Capt. Cook's Cove) visit Ho Nau Nau (place of refuge), then fly out of Kona instead of Hilo. Or head back through Hilo to Honoka'a and hike down to the black sand beach in Waipio Valley...spectacular hike and you may be tired of hiking lava by then. Either Kona (driving south then west) or Waipio (driving north) are about a 2 hour drive.

Re. Oahu...If your plans aren't set yet I would consider going to Oahu first...It's the most populated island with the least island ambience, so is a good "intro" to Hawaii rather than finale. (Of course again, however you do it will be wonderful, so don't stress about this aspect...) Anyway, alot of brochures & sales desks will lead you to believe that you have to take some sort of package tour to Pear Harbor...not so! It is operated by the national park service & is easily done on your own. When you arrive, you get in line & get your tickets for the boat ride out to the USS Arizona...there's a movie & presentation first. The line gets longer as the day goes on, so the best plan is to be there as soon as they open (7 or 8 a.m. I think) and you'll have seen & done everything in several hours. The museums you mention are adjacent, so easy to visit if you end up with a wait. This is the NPS site that has all the info you'll need:
http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

Re. the Dole Plantation...It is basically a huge shop with a pineapple farm growing next to it. Not worth a special trip, but stop for a Dole Whip (ice cream) if you drive by. I would consider spending your 1st day on Oahu at the PCC. I've been there several times and still love it. Some people find it "hokey" but it is so well done that I find it hard to complain. It's operated by the LDS Church which has a BYU campus nearby, and it's staffed by students from various Polynesian islands. They have an excellent night show as well as performances throughout the day at each recreated "village" representing different parts of polynesia...again, a great intro to Hawaii. If you go, I would definitely recommend the evening show, so you wouldn't really need to get there early to have a full day. (Don't get on the bus for the campus tour unless you're interested in BYU or the Mormon Church...no other church influence is in evidence, however). Very thorough website is: http://www.polynesia.com/ You could also check out the north shore beaches while you're in the area. You could do a loop and drive north on H-2, end up at the PCC, then return to Honolulu south on 83. I would pick this over hanging out in Waikiki...nothing wrong with it (we didn't find it to be dirty or filled with homeless people, by the way), but it's basically a bunch of high rise hotels on a beach. (If you love hiking, there is a cool hike to the top of Diamond Head...spectacular view and WWII munitions bunkers).

Hope this is helpful!

suze

<no other church influence is in evidence, however>
except no mai tais at the luau!

This is a perfect example of how people have different tastes and interests. I love Waikiki. I do agree it is a beach with high rise hotels, also older apartment buildings, condos, etc. Local people do live in Waikiki too, it's not only for tourists.

The PCC is fabricated like Disneyland. I'm not saying that is a bad thing; I have never been myself. But for me with only 2 days on Oahu, it's not where I'd choose to spend 1 of the 2 precious days. I'd rather be out and around seeing the real thing. Whether in Waikiki/Honolulu or somewhere else on the rest of Oahu.

spirobulldog

Do you think I would be better off just spending my two days in either Kauai or BI? I could just do an inter-island excursion tour. Has anyone done one of those to Oahu(basically a Pearl Harbor Tour from one of the other islands)??

spirobulldog

I haven't made any reservations for anything at this point, just weighing all my options.

NatalieM

Hmmm...points about PCC well taken. I agree that it's fabricated, but it's just fabricated so well that it's hard to resist. I stand by my endorsement of the night performance, however! I do like Waikiki toward the Diamond Head area and would stay toward that end. Re. splitting time between islands, I would opt for doing only 2 islands and skip Oahu...Part of the problem is that you lose a good part of the day every time you travel, between re-packing, driving to airport, waiting, etc. I would spend the 2 extra days on the BI Kona side.

suze

Well I don't think you'd be better off, but that's because I love Oahu. But everyone has a different perspective on the answer to the question of which island is their favorite.

Kealalani

That's a tough call spirohound

With over a dozen trips to the islands, last year we spent our first 8 nights on BI and barely scratched the surface and never even came close to doing the 'important stuff'. Lava comes and lava goes. Remember those glorious videos of flowing lava into the sea are a crapshoot. I would never be so bold as to tell someone not to go.

But as a longtime Kauai visitor, I would just spend the time there, getting to know the island. I've done a few trike trips with Birds in Paradise and Armin on Maui. It is very cool.

Your plan for Kauai is scattered and using the other days there will make it a more relaxing and adventurous journey. There are many little places to explore and time will go quickly.

The big island is big. And if you do go, staying in VV was a great choice for us. Not sure when the house will reopen but we adored our stay at maille tree house and for $50 your daughter could have the garden suite.

Good luck deciding.

nobigdeal

Couldn't tell from your earlier post, are you considering doing a helicopter tour on Kauai? I *highly* recommend it, it is one of my favorite travel memories. The Kauai scenery from the air is truly spectacular. It would also give you a chance to see the Na Pali coast, since it doesn't look like you're doing any sort of boat excursion. I've never done a helicopter tour on the BI, so if you're only doing one, I'm not sure what to recommend -- but I can say you won't regret doing a Kauai tour.

On Day 7, I suggest Thai Thai for dinner, unless you're set on your dinner plans. It's right outside the park entrance and tucked behind a hardware store, if I'm remembering correctly, and really good food. I seem to remember the other dining options around there were pretty bleak.

beanweb24

I went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation about 1.5 weeks ago on my way to the north shore. It is totally a tourist trap, but it was a good stop. Had some Dole Whip, and bought some chocolate covered pineapple to bring back to the folks at work. Would I make that my destination? HECK NO.

Instead, continue to the North Shore. Have garlic buttered shrimp at Romy's (YUM). Get a piece of dream cake from Ted's Bakery (on your way to Romy's, as it can sell out) and eat it on Sunset Beach. Stop off in Haleiwa and check out Clark Little's gallery and wander some of the shops. Maybe go to Cholo's for some nachos or something if you've been swimming or wandering around.