Andrew

Thinking about jumping on a restricted airfare, direct from Portland to HNL on Hawaiian Airlines for four days in early December (about $300 round trip). I've never been to Hawaii and have always thought I'd do my "dream vacation" there with all the islands, etc. but I'm considering just doing a scaled down mini-trip here on Oahu only. Pearl Harbor is at the top of my list anyway.

Is it pretty likely to rain in early December? Is that an OK time for a first trip? I've seen some of the threads like "Why I Love Oahu" and it seems pretty exciting rain or shine (whales - hmm). I'll be going alone, siteseeing (probably have a car) and taking pictures mostly. I don't want to staty at a hostel but want to stick with a cheap hotel, probably will give Priceline or Hotwire a shot for central Waikiki. Already checking out TripAdvisor, etc. Any thoughts?

MelissaHI

There's no guarantees on weather, good or bad. The weather does what it wants! It's already the end of November and it's still as sweltering hot as it was in August.

Early December...do you know when? The marathon is December 10, so most if not all hotels are booked for that weekend. I can say this with authority because I was running around trying to book a hotel for a group of Taiwanese media for that weekend, and got turned away multiple times! They decided to reschedule for the week prior. (Also U2 with Pearl Jam will be in concert on December 9.)

for finding a hotel: Next weekend should be OK, and any time after the 11th should be better than the weekend of the 10th.

Andrew

I already checked hotels and there seems to be good availability the days I would be there. At first I was staying one night that included Dec 7 and strangely all the hotel prices went up, and I was like, "Hmm, I wonder why..." and then, "Duh, December SEVENTH!" I don't really have to be there for the 65 anniversary...

I know you can't predict the weather but here in Portland, if you asked, "Is it likely to be raining in early December?" I'd tell you, "Yes!" and that would be a decent bet though not a guarantee. Then again, it won't be 80 degrees here in the rain, either.

MelissaHI

Hawaii is known for its micro-climates--you can drive 10-15 miles in any direction and find the weather completely different! Plus, as mentioned--the weather has been freakishly hot for this time of year. I wish I could say, "Yes, it's likely to rain," or something, but I can't.

Tell you what, though--my cousin comes to visit every Nov/Dec and she's from Northern California. During one vacation, it rained almost the whole time! But she said it was still nicer weather than what she had at home, so she was satisfied.

Also last week a friend from Colorado came to visit. The weather was not picture-perfect; to us Hawaii residents, it was crappy weather. As we sincerely apologized for not having better weather, the friend said, "Whaddya, nuts?! This is gorgeous!" So I guess it's a matter of perspective.

suze

I think Oahu, centered in Waikiki is a great place for a quick solo trip (I've done it myself from Seattle). You might look at The Royal Grove for a budget hotel if Priceline doesn't work out. If it rains there is still a lot to keep you busy around Honolulu like museum, historic palace, etc.

DebitNM

The New York Times has a "36 hours in ____" feature and recently did Honolulu:

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/09/2...s/29hours.html

We spent 4 days there in October and it was wonderful. Check out my Trip report: type ny name in search box, use the drop down menu and hilite Hawaii and then click search to find.

Hope this helps...
Debi

bashfulLV

Andrew- I just came back a couple of weeks ago from a five day short trip to Oahu. Although it was raining the first two days - it was still wonderful. Muggy, though, but it's HAWAII! I'd encourage you to go for it and do it - you'll have a good time no matter what, just take your umbrella.

Try the Waikiki Wave for a cheaper hotel, or the Hawaiiana - neither have "resort" amenities, but they have lower prices too. Hotwire, Priceline, Orbitz might be good as well. Have fun.

travelinwifey

Awesome! I thought my hotel had a convention going on when I checked again and saw it was sold out the weekend of Dec. 9th. We'll be arriving that Saturday, maybe we can see U2 that night. Thanks for the info

Andrew

Well, I booked it! Five days, four nights, $290 Round trip on Hawaiian, direct flights, excellent times. (Northwest had a slightly better fare that involved a red eye coming home - no thanks!). Surprisingly, the fare was more than a few bucks cheaper on the Hawaiian website (like $40 or $50 cheaper). Usually on a site like Orbitz it's maybe $6 or $7 more at most. I also saved $10 by signing up for Hawaiian's frequent flyer program...

I guess I'll stay on Oahu the whole time. I want to see the USS Arizona Memorial and probably the USS Missouri. I will probably stay in Waikiki, rent a car part of all of the time (seems that I can get around without one using the bus/walking to the beach if need be).

Thanks everyone for your help!!!

Andrew

travelinwifey

Sounds like you'll have a great time, you got a terrific deal on airfare, WTG!

Andrew

I've been looking at hotels, and I'm guessing if I do Priceline for the 2* range I'll get the OHANA Maile Sky Court (which I've already reserved as a backup, $79/night). But the reviews make this place seem huge, sometimes inconvenient, and not close to the beach.

Instead, I'm considering spending a tad more and staying at the the Aqua Waikiki Wave or the Aqua Ocean Tower, both of which are closer to the beach and smaller hotels. I can get either one for just under $100. I see on a map that the Waikiki Wave is close to the International Marketplace and more in the center of things whereas the Ocean Tower is further south, close to Kapiolani Park (but closer to the beach). Anyone have any insight into which one might have the edge over the other? I have read the TripAdvisor reviews but it's still hard to compare them... Thanks!

bashfulLV

Hi Andrew - yes, the Waikiki Wave is right behind the Int'l Market Place - in fact Duke's Lane is right on the side of the hotel. All you have to do is walk out of the hotel, make 2 quick lefts (away from the hotel and at Duke's Lane) and walk through the Market Place, cross Kalakaua and then there is a beach access path between the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center and the Outrigger Waikiki (just past the Cheesecake Factory). The WW is in a great location for sure.

Unless you want to get out and explore the island, I wouldn't rent a car. You don't need one in town and believe me - especially if you stay at the WW - parking in Waikiki is a NIGHTMARE!! The WW charges $15 per day to park there, but they give out way more (paid) parking passes than there are parking places so it gets kind of hairy when everyone shows up - parking pass in hand - and there's no parking spaces available. Then they send you next door to the very strange parking structure where they take your car (one at a time too) up on a elevator-type conveyance and then when you want to get it back it's sometimes quite a wait because that is the same - one car at a time. Also at this facility there are no in/out privileges; there are at the WW - IF you get lucky enough to find a space.

The Bus is $2 each way and runs all over the place, plus there are cabs, trolleys and shuttles to go just about anywhere. I rented a car for one day and that was more than enough - we drove all over the island in that one day and then hassled with the weird parking structure when we went back to the hotel and then had to wait in the morning to get the car back from them. IMHO it's more fun to walk or take The Bus - you meet locals and that's always fun.

Whatever you decide - you will have a FABULOUS time - after all it's HAWAII!

Andrew

I'm quite comfortable with public transit and had first considered not renting a car - but I definitely want to explore the island. I'm a photographer so I'm going to want to check out all those beaches and such, and I'm not keen on carrying all my camera stuff with me everywhere. I figure I'll want a car at least two days but might just bite the bullet and get one for all four days (with Priceline, probably won't cost much more). It's probably not worth the hassle having it just two days.

I'm wondering if the parking situation at the Ocean Tower is slightly better - the Waikiki Wave looks as you said to be right in the center of things.

bashfulLV

I'm not familiar with the Ocean Tower, so can't comment on that. Be REALLY careful with your camera and equipment in a rental car, though, especially on the other parts of the island. Rental cars get broken into on a regular basis - even the trunks - so don't leave anything in it that you don't mind losing - even for a short amount of time.

dusty56438

"At first I was staying one night that included Dec 7 and strangely all the hotel prices went up, and I was like, "Hmm, I wonder why..." and then, "Duh, December SEVENTH!" I don't really have to be there for the 65 anniversary..."

December 7th, (Pearl Harbor Day) doesn't have anything to do with the increase in tourists. Few people come for only that.

It is the U2 concert on Dec 9 & the Honolulu Marathon on Dec 10 that makes the # of tourists sky high.

Rent a car the entire time. You won't save any $$ by not renting a car. Plus you will have the freedom to get out & see the island at your pace.

Lots of Oahu info:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34812564

Andrew

You don't think there are extra tourists coming in for the 65th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor? I beg to differ. There's going to be a bunch of commemoration events on the 7th, including a big ceremony morning of with Tom Brokaw, unofficial spokesperson for the "greatest generation." I assume that the 65th Anninversary is a big reason hotel prices jumped only on Dec 7 (vs. Dec 6) and not the U2 concert two days later.

Anyway, I've already booked and am leaving HNL on December 7. Not sure if it's worth going to the morning ceremony at Pearl Harbor before I leave, but I would be able to do it. It will probably be cheesy, but I'm also a history buff.