Cats_Do_Dance

It seems incredible to believe, but my family's trip to Oahu is now in the countdown phase. We leave July 14th and are scheduled to arrive in Honolulu around 3:00 pm. This trip is certainly a turning lemons into lemonade vacation experience and frankly, I'm glad for it. Because of our bump in the road, I was more focus on arrival/departure times than before, which - at least to me - worked at better for us as a family. Now that I think about it, since we have no non-stop flights from my city, I much prefer using AA all the way rather than skipping for one airline to another. We also ended up not having a huge down factor between connecting flights either, which is a good thing, IMHO. I'm also glad we stuck with the Hilton Hawaiian Village. That's where we really wanted to stay all along. Things worked out well for us. I'm keeping my fingers crossed the rest of the trip does too.

We have decided to do the following things for sure in Oahu: Diamond Head, the North Shore, Chinatown, Hanauma Bay, Waikiki Aquarium, Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace and Pearl Harbor. We plan to rent snorkeling gear from Snorkel Bob's. We have no set days on when we will do all of this plus there are other beaches & attractions we are interested in. We pretty much know which restaurants we're interested in as a family. Our schedule will be one that is relaxing to us. I refuse to run around like a crazy woman in Hawaii LOL. BTW - here's a little tidbit: If you belong to any cultural institutions in your home town, check to see if they have a reciprocal agreement with cultural institutions in Hawaii. We qualify for free admission to the Bishop Museum and the Waikiki Aquarium because of hometown memberships.

I want to thank everyone on this board for their help! I will be sure to post a trip report when we return. I know we will have a blast.

Cats Do Dance

kamahinaohoku

Cats_Do_Dance - FYI - if you are short on time and can't make it out to the Bishop Museum, there's an annex of it at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in the Kalia Tower. I particularly enjoyed the genealogical chart of the Hawaiian Royalty...finally got the Kamehamehas and the Kalakauas straight. That and the photos of old Hollywood visiting Hawaii in the early part of the 1900s.

circa

Sounds like you did a good job on your homework....

Your choices sound great....funny how things just seem to work out.

One more suggestion that sometimes gets overlooked...."Punchbowl"....Cemetery of the Pacific....Very beautiful and moving experience. Also one of the best views of Honolulu and Diamond head can be seen from there.

Hawaii...it's all good!!!

Cats_Do_Dance

Thanks, Kamahinaohoku. I did know the HHV has a branch of the Bishop Museum located on the premises. I'm actually hoping we have enough time to do both since we have free membership. If we do run out of time, though, I'll take your suggestion and just hit the Bishop at HHV.

Thanks for the reminder about the Punchball, circa. I think that's on my list of things swirling in my brain (along with the Nuuanu Pali Lookout and a couple of other places).

BTW - We're not doing a luau but instead plan to hit Ono's Hawaiian Food for a meal.

And yes, with Hawaii, it's ALL good.

Cats Do Dance In Oahu

JohnD

do dance in Oahu!?!
But can Hula?

mlarson

I'm so envious as I'm still trying to come down from our trip being over.

Anyway, just a couple tidbits for you. I LOVED HHV and if I go back, will only want to stay there! Where are you staying in HHV? We stayed in the Kalia Tower in one-bedroom condo and loved it!

ALso, Hanahama Bay is closed on Tuesdays! Get there early if you plan to drive as the parking lot gets full fast!

Be sure to do Diamond head early morning or later in afternoon. IT't HOT! We started at 9am and it was already hot!

Hope you have a wonderful time!

mlarson

Cats-Do-Dance - I forgot, if you can work it out, use a limo service from airport to HHV, my kids LOVED it and it wasn't anymore expensive than a taxi service!

If you're renting a car, never mind!

Cats_Do_Dance

Hi There Mlarson! Still suffering from Hawaii withdraw I see <smile>. I made a notation about Diamond Head getting HOT after reading your trip report. I knew Hanauma Bay was closed on Tuesday, but thanks for the remainder. I also know we have to do HB and Pearl Harbor EARLY. We're renting a car, my husband insists upon it.

I have no idea which tower we're staying at at HHV, we're booked for a "garden view" room and though, I hope for an upgrade (don't we all), I'm cool with not getting one. I have made the decision if the HHV says our only choices are Diamond Head or Tapa Tower, I'm going with Tapa.

The Countdown Continues . . .

Cats Do Dance on Oahu AND Hula Too. BUT Only if They Want To <smile>. Thanks for the laugh JohnD!

JohnD

do indeed Hula:
http://www.chadbrandos.com/etc/hulacat/

mlarson

Cats-DO-Dance - Hey have you gone to Snorkel Bob's website? They have specials and certain deals if you reserve your rental equipment ahead of time online. Check it out!

Also, be sure to pay the small amount extra for DRY SNORKELS! I will NEVER snorkel without a dry snorkel. The waves come up fast and if you DON'T have a dry snorkel, you get a mouthful of sea water, it's nasty! ALso, what I found when you're snorkeling you're just above the coral and if you need to come up for any reason, you have to try and find a spot without coral in order to become somewhat vertical to adjust whatever you need to.

Yes, I'm still underneath Hawaii trip withdrawls!

My sister is too funny. She's ALWAYS said: "If you take kids, it's a trip. If you DON't take kids, it's a vacation!" Wise words! Don't get me wrong, I'm SO GLAD we took our kids, but it helps with prior trip expectations if you know what I mean!

Have a great time, and don't forget to give us a trip report upon your return!

Cats_Do_Dance

I most certainly do have Snorkel Bob's website address but we're waiting until we arrive in Oahu before booking a package. Who knows which day we'll make it to pick up equipment LOL? Had planned on getting dry snorkels after reading various trip reports on Fodors.

There certainly is a difference between traveling with kids and without them. The reason we're staying at the HHV is due to our daughter; my husband and I would have been fine with a smaller property. But we've been traveling together as a family for years, so it really "is" a vacation. This may be because I'm a firm believer that when traveling with kids, let them have input too. It's when your kid doesn't want to go someplace (but you drag them along anyway) that most problems arise. Of course, that's JMHO.

Still counting down . . .

bonniebroad

Cats, a wonderful part of the Waikiki Beach strip to swim is down at Sans Souci Beach in front of the New Otani Kaimana hotel. It's like a big warm sloshy bathtub, calmer and safer for swimming than any other part of the beach. The hotel doesn't have a pool, but doesn't need one with this right in front of it. When you're finished swimming, you can go have a drink at the wonderful Hau Tree Lanai, right there on the sand in the New Otani.

Worth a stroll down from HHV just to swim there (a long stroll, admittedly.) I'm excited for you..........

Cats_Do_Dance

Good grief, I DO need a Hawaii vacation! I thought bonniebroad had posted the beach at San Souci was a good place to "strip down and swim"!!!!!

Cats Must Be Drinking Invisible Lava Flows!

bonniebroad

Cats, some of the guys almost on that beach are close to "stripped." There's a secion of the beach right next to it that's popular with a gay clientele (Queen's Beach), I think......... Some of them cut quite a figure!

curiousgeo

Cats, Ono Hawaiian Food is a good choice, not too far from the HHV on the other side of Waikiki. I like the lau lau, chicken long rice, salt meat with watercress, fresh ahi poke and fried aku bones (if available), of course with rice rather than poi which is my personal preference. No liquor served there but you can bring in your own beer or wine. I'm getting hungry thinking about this. Don't forget to have some shave ice too, a perfect summer treat! Have a great trip.

bashfulLV

Cats - When you go to Ioalni Palace would be a good time to go to Chinatown - it's not that far away and that way you can consolidate some of your days & activities. I'm sure you'll enjoy both places.

I'm jealous too, I can't believe it's already been almost a whole year since I was over there!

mlarson

CATS-DO_DANCE - I totally agree with the input. What I was referring to was when there's MORE than one kid going on the trip. The sibling LOVE flows! I love my kids, but the back and forth he did, she did gets on my nerves from time to time! I know it's totally normal brother/sisterly love, it's just annoying at times.

MelissaHI

Someone reminded me today that the Contemporary Museum is a great place to go to check out the art, not to mention have a nice lunch. Something to do if you have time....and are headed up to Tantalus for the view.

Cats_Do_Dance

The Countdown is Almost Over. Wednesday is the day. I have my crushable hat, a new waterproof purse, sunscreen/Solarcaine. I have my membership cars for admittance to the Bishop Museum. I have a first aid kit, my travel books, my rosary (never get on a plane without it!) and am packing my clothes. The time is almost here and I'm ready!

OAHU HERE I COME!!!!!

Get the shave ice ready because . . .

Cats Do Want to Vacation in Hawaii!

bonniebroad

Isn't the anticipation something??? A fun part of the trip! I'm so jealous of you. Have a really, really wonderful time!!!