Hawaii Planning Help

Old Sep 14th, 2012, 06:16 PM
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Hawaii Planning Help

I am a single mom who has saved for several years to take my son to Hawaii. He really wants to experience warm ocean water and go snorkeling. I think I have enough saved to take him for several days during a school break in the spring of 2013 when the hospital I work in will give me time off.
So, I need help. I never get to travel ever and he has never even been on an airplane and he is twelve. I would love any help in how to find a good airfare and more importantly some recommendations for places to stay where the beach is right there to snorkel in and see fish. I'm not even sure that is possible but that is his dream. I am open to all sorts of accommodations and will keep saving every penny so if we do go, it will be a wonderful time.
Any help is really appreciated. Thank you in advance if you can help me make this come true!!
elle
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Old Sep 14th, 2012, 07:46 PM
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From where are you coming?
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Old Sep 14th, 2012, 07:52 PM
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do u have a budget? .cheapest would be honolulu. Condo or hotel?
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 02:40 AM
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Check out the "package" deals to Honolulu (Waikiki beach area really) - which usually are the least expensive, including both airfare and room. Won't be oceanfront - or at the "Ritz" but certainly you can find something decent.

There are other posts in here - under Hawaii - on what to do in and around Honolulu/Waikiki - and there are a lot of things you can enjoy walking around - such as free hula shows, the fabled "plate lunch", picking up some fresh fruit at the little markets/stands, etc.

Get the tourist mags at the airport when you arrive and pour through them for "deals".

If your son wants to learn how to snorkel - as well as perhaps yourself - check out the Snorkel Bob's type of places http://www.snorkelbob.com/cgi-local/....htm?E+scstore

for renting equipment - and then practice in the hotel pool - how to use the mask (get it on tight - with no hair under the seal to your skin) -how to breath with your face in the water - how to easily kick/swim with the fins, etc.

Hanamua Bay is a fairly short bus ride away from Waikiki - and the ride is a tour in and of itself - and the best snorkeling - IMO - in the islands. Safe - and with a lifeguard. http://www1.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 02:45 AM
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And while Hanauma Bay has the best snorkeling - there are a few places along Waikiki Beach (particularly on the far side -across the park toward Kahala) that have some rocks/reef (by the New Otani for instance) - but ask around to be sure the conditions are safe (usually best early in the morning when there is the least wave action/best visibility anyway - with little possible undertow) - and don't go too far out this trip.

If you do by chance get caught in an undertow/get taken out toward the ocean - (and they normally aren't too bad around Waikiki) - DON'T PANIC. Just swim parallel to the beach - and then when you see some waves breaking - ride them back in.
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 05:47 AM
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"...and more importantly some recommendations for places to stay where the beach is right there to snorkel in and see fish."

My first thought was Kaanapali Beach on Maui. You could stay at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, or the Sheraton Maui and walk right onto the beach and snorkel around Black Rock in a matter of minutes. Both of these hotels are located on the best part of Kaanapali Beach.

Another thought would be some the condos and hotels in the Wailea area of Maui that are located beachfront. Much of where you stay will depend upon how much you want to spend.
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 07:05 AM
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Check out Costco packages. Take a look at Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays packages.

Honolulu (Waikiki beach, specifically) would be the cheapest in terms of accomodation and flights. You also don't need a rental car on Oahu, whereas you do on the other islands.

Spring break is a peak season, so you may encounter higher prices than if you went at a different time.
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 07:07 AM
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I think the best, easiest, and most reasonably priced trip that comes closest to what you describe is to go to Waikiki/Honolulu on the island of Oahu. That's the most major airport (HNL) so usually the best flight prices.

Go to a website like www.expedia.com and you can put in some sample dates, your home airport to HNL, and see which carriers fly that route, and what times and prices are like. I then go to the airline's own website to purchase tickets.

With two people together, I think it would be worth it to also compare package air/hotel (maybe car) deals. You can look at Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays or the airline websites to see if any of those would work.

In Waikiki there are hotels of all price ranges, so you could get a 'budget' room for around $100/night in a decent place a few blocks walk from Waikiki Beach. You can find inexpensive ways to eat there ($3.99 breakfast specials, picnic lunches from the ABC Stores, etc.). You can get around on The Bus and walking if you don't have a rental car.

The snorkeling adventure would be going down to Hanuama Bay, you can get there on The Bus. You can snorkel right off Waikiki but I'm not sure there are many fish to see there. There are two huge parks at either end of the beach, Kapiolani and Fort de Russy.

The beauty of Waikiki and why I am recommending it is because it is significantly cheaper than going to Maui or one of the other islands. It's just the easiest, it's very beautiful, and I think makes the best 1st trip to Hawaii, when budget is a consideration. aloha, suze
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 07:16 AM
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I'm thinking Maui as well, but my first thought was Wailea.

A couple of years ago we snagged an amazing price at the Marriott. I think $115 a night. Not sure if they are still on the Priceline pool but worth looking into. Wailea has a necklace of beaches separated by rocky necks that offer good snorkeling all along the path. And of course, there is La Perouse Bay and the Makena area and the old lava flow. Plus Kihei is so close for affordable dining options and a surfing lesson. From there you could take a day trip to Honolua to snorkel and watch the surfers from the cliff, or head to Paia and watch the wind and kite surfers at Ho'okipa beach park.
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 07:24 AM
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There are also some good finds to be had in southern Kihei. While not all are oceanfront, you can get some great deals it is is a nice local feel location for those looking for affordable accomadations as a home base. Start searching vrbo.com for alternatives to the hotel destination.
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 07:38 AM
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Maui IS amazingly gorgeous and worth considering for sure, if you can find an affordable price. You will definitely need a rental car to get around there though. A half-day trip up to Haleakala (dormant volcano/crater) is a memory to last a lifetime!
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 09:22 AM
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Getting to Maui (unless you find a deal flying straight in from the States - which are usually more expensive than a Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays type week in Waikiki) will cost over $300 RT for the two of you.

Love Maui also - but probably not your least expensive destination in Hawaii.

Check the travel section in your local paper - and google google google.

What is/are you most convenient major airports?
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 09:25 AM
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BTW - there fish to be seen in the rocks/reef off the New Otani and along that secton of the beach - going toward Kohala. Have snorkeled there several times - but many more fish and different types at Honamau Bay - sort of the Super Bowl of Hawaiian snorkeling.

For your first trip to Paradise - there is plenty to do and see on Oahu for a week - rest assured.
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Old Sep 15th, 2012, 03:35 PM
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aknittr4evr: Your son is lucky! What a great trip you will have. I also LOVE staying at a hotel where there is snorkeling right on the beach where my hotel is located. Lots of good advice here on the forum. Keep in mind when you read guidebooks that which beach is good for snorkeling changes totally according to whether it's summer or winter surf!!!

One guidebook which does have a web-site and does mention beach conditions is Hawaii Revealed. They have Kauai revealed, Big Island Revealed, etc. They have books and web-sites. Fodors is good too.

Be wary of travel agents as sometimes they give the wrong advice. I took my kids to Hawaii 20 years ago and my travel agent warned it was super dangerous to swim on the north shore of Kauai...wrong! She didn't explain that was only true in the winter! All the advice she gave me was wrong. We took the kids boogie boards and went to beaches where there was supposed to be good boogie boarding, but this was June, not winter, and she just gave me all the wrong advice regarding beaches. There weren't any waves for boogie boarding. The kids were disappointed as I had all the wrong advice regarding beaches for June. But that was the days before internet forums!

Have fun! In January and February, which is winter, I have snorkeled from the beach at the Mauna Lani hotel on the Big Island, and we saw sea turtles. There were other children in the water. But that's an expensive resort.
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Old Sep 16th, 2012, 07:16 AM
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Just so you know. You are getting a great deal of biased advise here. If I spent YEARS pinching pennies and saving for a dream trip, Oahu wouldn't be it. There are a number of people who preach my way or the highway on these forums.
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Old Sep 16th, 2012, 09:54 AM
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I think Oahu has lots to offer, even for a first "dream trip", but you must know (maybe search pictures on the Internet) that Waikiki may not be what comes to mind when you think "tropical vacation". It's great, and fun, but also very (some would say "over-") developed. The development happens to be an a nice beach in the tropics, but it's still very built up. There are other much less developed parts of Oahu, but they don't have hotels - although you might be able to find a condo or cottage to rent. If you're looking for less developed islands, Maui (although some areas are developed as multi-hotel resorts, but nothing like Waikiki), and then Kauai, in descending order. Unless you spend all your time at the beach and/or hiking, though, I wouldn't choose Kauai with a child simply because there aren't many sights to see - it's all about the outdoors and nature on Kauai.

Google the terms Waikiki, Kailua, Haleiwa (all Oahu), Wailea, Black Rock Maui , Napili Bay ( Maui), Poipu beach, Hanalei (Kauai) and after the search results come up, click on "images". This will give you much more of a feel for each location. Now that I think of it, Napili Bay on Maui (which is just north of black rock) might be a good fit - there are very low-key, and less pricey condos right on or near the beach ona beautiful bay.
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Old Sep 16th, 2012, 10:51 AM
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Since OP hasn't even told us where they are starting out from, it is difficult to suggest alternatives to the obvious cheapest choices, Lookin_Glass.

I think Maui would be ideal, but that may or may not be a more expensive set of flights, and would certainly involve the expense of a rental car.

OP needs to be more specific to get better information. No need to criticize people trying to be helpful with less-than-complete information.
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Old Sep 16th, 2012, 10:53 AM
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For choices on Maui, I would recommend a condo in Kihei, where there is sandy beach nearby and money can be saved by makng meals at the condo and shopping in the grocery stores rather than depending on hotels.
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Old Sep 16th, 2012, 07:23 PM
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I'm sorry, I thought my location would be shown. We are in San Francisco.

What does OP mean?
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Old Sep 16th, 2012, 07:50 PM
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"What does OP mean?"

Original Poster or Original Post depending on specific usage . . . so the OP is you
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