1hughes

Due to various circumstances, I find myself traveling to Maui and Oahu for a week. This is not a trip that I would have considered myself. My idea of a vacation is London, Paris, Rome, etc. I'm not a lie-on-the-beach type nor am I interested in snorkling, kayaking etc activities. I'm also not fond of driving along narrow winding roads (goodby Hana) or up narrow winding roads (goodby Haleakala). I'm sure there is some nice scenery, but that out to be good for a few hours at most. Aside from drinking I really don't know what I'm going to do there. I wish I were joking, but I'm not.

I'd appreciate any suggestions for activities, if there are any, that would be more suited to someone with my interests.

PS I'm you love Hawaii can't understand why some would be unenthused by it, save the hate mail.

DebitNM

What ARE your interests, as you only list what doesn't interest you? Maybe you should just not go, cut your losses kind of thing?

martym

Some things to do in Honolulu that might interest you

Tour Doris Duke's Shangri-la--you do need to make reservations and I would suggest going on the first tour since the house is not air conditioned and it would be cooler then
http://www.shangrilahawaii.org/

Hawaii State Art Musuem http://www.state.hi.us/sfca/HiSAM.html you could combine that with a tour of the Iolani Palace (they are close together)

Iolani Palace http://www.iolanipalace.org/

Honolulu Academy of Art (where you would go to get the transportation for the tour of Shangrila) They have a nice collection of art from around the world
http://www.honoluluacademy.org/?gcli...FQRYhwod7BnDXw

The Bishop Museum--a great overview of Hawaiian culture and history (though you seem to be rather euro-centric--you might find it interesting)

http://www.bishopmuseum.org/


Some restaurants you night consider

La Mer http://www.halekulani.com/living/dining/la_mer/ upscale French

Alan Wong's - reservations are a necessity - http://www.alanwongs.com/honolulu-welcome/index.html

Morimoto's http://morimotowaikiki.com/

Nobu http://www.noburestaurants.com/waiki.../introduction/

Can't help you with Maui--have been there only once many years ago.

diann24

Ihuges, sorry to laugh at you, but I needed a good chuckle early this a.m. and you have given me one. I appreciate your honesty, and that is why they make chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream!! I must admit 3 couples including my husband and myself went on cruise and did the hawaii islands several years ago. I can't say I felt the same way as yourself totally but not a place I am longing to return to. We also did the med cruise with 3 days in Rome and that is a city I would return to tomorrow if I could. I loved Rome and it might be my favorite city ever!! That being said I wish I could offer you some needed help and others will surely chime in. With your likes being geared perhaps towards history maybe there is some history in the islands that you might find interesting.I did. We did a helicopter tour that was DIVINE in terms of scenery and seeing active volcanos. On the bright side be thankful it is only for one week. Explore the culture and volcano stories. Take care.

montereybob

Martym's suggestions are excellent. Also Hawaii is a great place to do a lot of reading. You might want to add to your reading list a book on the history of Hawaii. It has a fascinating history.

sylvia3

On Maui, the old port town of Lahaina is very interesting to stroll through; the giant banyan tree, the historic buildings, museums, etc.
Take a boat ride to snorkel Molokini or a sunset dinner cruise, visit the Maui Ocean center (www.mauioceancenter.com/).
Iao Needle is a gorgeous park; and nearby Wailuku has some old missionary era buildings of interest.
For archaeology there's also a heiau very close (between Wailuku and Kahului; http://www.mauimuseum.org/heiau.html).
Tons of stuff to see and do without touching the sand!

Dukey1

I suppose it might just seem like too-touristy-and-I'm-not-a tourist but if you are there on a Sunday morning the brunch at the Moana-Surfrider in Waikiki might be something you would enjoy and perhaps even remember. No steep or curvy roads involved, either <G>.

logandog

My wife and I bought a condo on Maui ten years ago and we visit often.
I find it more difficult to get excited about the 5 hour plane trip.
Here are the things I still enjoy when I visit.

Iao Needle,as mentioned above, a gorgeous tropical setting.
Lahaina,touristy but interesting with a touch of history.
Boat trips,any chance I have to get out on the water.Cocktail cruises are fun.
Local cuisine,a chance to eat good tropical produce.
I dislike windy mountain roads as well,but the road up the volcano is tame and the payoff can be great if the summit is clear.

1JAR

On Oahu:
Visitng;
the Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor, Dole Pineapple Plantation, Polynesian Cultural Center, Paradise Cove Luau,
visit Hilo Hatties a fun "all things Hawaiian store", take the Waikiki Trolley Tours which are affordable and go many places above mentioned and all over Oahu.

http://www.waikikitrolley.com/all-lines/

http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/09...sites-on-oahu/

suze

The first post hit all the highlights I was going to suggest. Oahu is the best island for non-beachy people. The Doris Duke Shangri La estate tour run thru Honolulu Academy of the Arts (also wonderful) is fantastic. Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, and Chinatown... all interesting. Nothing wrong with drinking on Waikiki beach at sunset.

For Maui, I like Lahaina. It's an old whaling town that is now a bit honkey-tonk with tourists. But it's a beautiful setting, there's a self-guided walking tour you can do around town. Shows like U'lalena (kind of a Cirque de Soile meets luau) or even the Old Lahaina Luau. I wouldn't cross off going up Haleakala, I'm not big on narrow winding road and won't do Hana, but the view from the top of Haleakala is world-class amazing. You can go on a tour bus if you don't want to drive.

I didn't go to Hawaii for the longest time because I thought it was "Disneyland" and dumb and that I'd hate it. It's one of the most wrong misconceptions I've ever had in my life.

travelerfromtx

I haven't been to Oahu, but here a few suggestions for Maui. They are kind of all over the board since, as someone else stated, you've only mentioned your dislikes and not your likes.

I'll third the recommendation for Iao Valley State Park. It's such a beautiful and peaceful place. Be sure to read up on the history of the site before going. http://www.gohawaii.com/maui/regions...ley-state-park

Near the Iao Valley there is a small, but lovely, botanical garden and nursery called the Tropical Gardens of Maui. http://www.tropicalgardensofmaui.com/index.aspx

Also near Iao Valley is the small Bailey House museum for an overview of Hawaiian history. http://www.mauimuseum.org/

There is the Maui Ocean Center, an excellent aquarium. http://www.mauioceancenter.com/

As so many others have mentioned, Lahaina is a great town for walking around and shopping for souvenirs. There is also the Banyan Tree, the Wo Hing Museum, the Jodo Mission, and the Old Prison.
http://www.lahainarestoration.org/wohing.html
http://lahainajodomission.org/
http://www.kaanapali-beach-maui.com/...aina-maui.html
While in Lahaina, don't miss Ululani's Shave Ice. Sooooo delicious! http://ululanisshaveice.com/

For nightly entertainment, there are several luaus to choose from. There's the popular and traditional Old Lahania Luau. Feast of Lele is known for its inventive cuisine. And the Drums of the Pacific is known for the fire dancer. There is also the Warren and Annabelle Magic Show which I have only heard about. Or there's the Hawaiian Slack Key Concert every Wednesday at the Sunset House Restaurant in Maui.

The Cliff Dive Bar is a fun place to watch the Cliff Diving Ceremony and the sunset while listening to live music. http://www.sheraton-maui.com/dining/cliffbar

Indulge in some macadamia nut pancakes for breakfast at the Gazebo, Castaway Cafe or the SeaHouse Restaurant.

There are enough things to do that you'll find something you enjoy if you do your research. Have a great trip!

travelerfromtx

One thing I was going to mention was the Road to Hana can be done on a tour in a small van with Valley Isle Excursions. We enjoyed it very much and didn't have to worry about doing the driving, which has some curves of course but not bad at all I thought.
http://www.tourmaui.com/

travelerfromtx

Oh, and I forgot to put the link for the Slack Key Show: http://slackkey.com/

aloha

You might enjoy walking through the public areas of two grand old hotels, the Royal Hawaiian and the Moana Surfrider. The Moana has a history room that is interesting.

If you enjoy live music, there are many venues for that.

There is high-end shopping In Waikiki and at Ala Moana center.

aloha

Honolulu weekly has a calendar of events http://honoluluweekly.com/calendar/
Lots of things that are not touristy.

There is a symphony in Honolulu http://hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org/

lcuy

I live in Honolulu, and despite rarely going to a beach, I still find plenty of interesting things to do on Oahu.

Marty M gave you some great suggestions. I might add Foster Botanical Gardens, a drive around the island with a stop at Laniakea beach to see the big turtles. Also the various art galleries in Downtown Honolulu and a AIA walking tour of Chinatown & Downtown architecture. (Free on April 14th!)
If you really just want to drink, Rumfire at the Sheraton Waikiki has a very nice view of the beach & sunset during their happy hour.

Tea at the Moana hotel or Kahala resort are also nice.

islandaze

I'm curious as to what it is that you enjoy about London, Paris, and Rome vacations. Because I bet you can find attributes of Hawaii that you might just as much enjoy. And you say you have no interest in snorkeling and kayaking (surfing, paddle-boarding...). But how do you know you wouldn't enjoy those things? When in Rome......

If in the end, you find you really don't enjoy Hawaii, go on a quest for the perfect mai-tai.

Shar

some great suggestions here. 2nd or is 3rd like for Shangri -la. - great examples of Islamic art and architecture and the view from the house is amazing with beautiful gardens and ocean. there is so hiking up Diamond Head and thru the valley which at the moment escapes me. Google hiking Oahu will bring it up I'm sure. I too love Florence, Paris, London for all the history, art and architecture and parks to just people watch but love Hawaii for the ocean, palm trees, warmth and a time to relax and read either on the lanai of my hotel or the beach. Fabulous fish dinners too. Hope you will not be disappointed. Too bad you are not heading to Kauai where it is so green and beautiful with varied landscape or the Big Island for the same reasons. Aloha

WhereAreWe

April Fools?

DanM

I think WhereAreWe got it right.