The Finishing Touches on our Hawaii Trip
Jul 29th, 2006, 11:16 AM
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The Finishing Touches on our Hawaii Trip
OK we have planned and planned and have our Itinerary - 6 days in Oaho at HHV, Alai'i Tower beginning Sept 1st with a one day flyover to BI and Volcano National Park, then 5 days in Maui at the Westin, topped off with 2 full days in San Fran where we will do Muir Woods, Club Fugasi, Sausilito and Alcatraz before heading back to Boston. In Oahu, we are doing Pearl Harbor, North Shore, Punchbowl Cemetery, Haunama Bay, Diamond Head, PCC (the evening show - not the luau). In Maui the Feast at LELE, an all day sail with Trilogy, a trip to the Haleakala Crater, Road to Hana... WHEW! I'm tired and we haven't even left yet! Here are my questions;
1. We booked Alan Wongs for one special dinner in Oahu..Can you recommend another in Oahu?
2. Mamas Fish House seems too far from the Westin in Maui; can you suggest another quality restaurant near the Westin?
3. Trilogy sail - have you done it...is it worth the $600 plus bucks for four adults. We are doing Sunset Lanai.
4. If we were to dine at HHV, which restaurant do you recommend?
5. Road to Hana - all the way around or to Hana and Back the way we came? We plan to get a very early start!
6. When should we go to Hanauma Bay Morning, afternoon...
7. Same question for Haleakala Crater, when is the best time to go...we have a pretty packed agenda.
8. Does any private vendor rent chairs and umbrellas for the week at either place or do you have to pay hotel price...
Think that is it for now....35 days and counting!
Thanks for all your help, Fodorites.
NannyJan
Jul 29th, 2006, 11:45 AM
#2
1. 3660 on the Rise, Bali by the Sea, Chiao mien, Hokus
2. I'd drive to Mama's, as I love this place. We once flew to Maui (from Honolulu) just to eat here!
3. never done it
4 bali by the Sea
5
6. As early as possible. When parking lot fills, they close the entrance up on the road to cars. You have to go drive in loooong circles to keep checking for reopening. Also the water often gets stirred up by late morning.
7.
8. I'm not sure if the beachboy stands rent other than daily, although you might try and negoitiate a lower rate with them. Probably its cheaper to stop at Walmart and buy a set when you first arrive. The closest to Waikiki is just mountainside of Ala Moana Center on Keeaumoku Street. If you don't want to haul them to the airport, you might sell or donate them to someone on the beach when you're done!
2. I'd drive to Mama's, as I love this place. We once flew to Maui (from Honolulu) just to eat here!
3. never done it
4 bali by the Sea
5
6. As early as possible. When parking lot fills, they close the entrance up on the road to cars. You have to go drive in loooong circles to keep checking for reopening. Also the water often gets stirred up by late morning.
7.
8. I'm not sure if the beachboy stands rent other than daily, although you might try and negoitiate a lower rate with them. Probably its cheaper to stop at Walmart and buy a set when you first arrive. The closest to Waikiki is just mountainside of Ala Moana Center on Keeaumoku Street. If you don't want to haul them to the airport, you might sell or donate them to someone on the beach when you're done!
Jul 29th, 2006, 02:01 PM
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Hi lcuy!!
Nannymer, I just have a couple of answers:
1. Depends what you are looking for as far as "special"--food or view? Both? lcuy's suggestions are great. I also love Mavro's but there's no view. Michel's is also nice with a beachside view. Never had a bad meal there. Chai's Island Bistro, with live local entertainers daily, is also quite nice but make sure you don't get a table near the stage--it will be too loud.
4. Bali by the Sea.
6 & 7. as early as possible. For Haleakala, most people go to watch the sunrise, so you need to get up there by 430 or 5 a.m. also it gets kind of hot up there really quickly! Haleakala means "House of the Sun" ya know.
Nannymer, I just have a couple of answers:
1. Depends what you are looking for as far as "special"--food or view? Both? lcuy's suggestions are great. I also love Mavro's but there's no view. Michel's is also nice with a beachside view. Never had a bad meal there. Chai's Island Bistro, with live local entertainers daily, is also quite nice but make sure you don't get a table near the stage--it will be too loud.
4. Bali by the Sea.
6 & 7. as early as possible. For Haleakala, most people go to watch the sunrise, so you need to get up there by 430 or 5 a.m. also it gets kind of hot up there really quickly! Haleakala means "House of the Sun" ya know.
Jul 29th, 2006, 03:36 PM
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3. Trilogy sail
We did the daytrip to Lana'i when we were in Maui in May. The catamaran was clean and big, and our trip comprised only 12 people, so we had plenty of room. The food was also good--continental breakfast with tasty scones, fruit, and coffee, picnic lunches with sandwiches and salads, and an afternoon snack of brownies. The trip back to Maui was under sail--fun!
Enjoy.
We did the daytrip to Lana'i when we were in Maui in May. The catamaran was clean and big, and our trip comprised only 12 people, so we had plenty of room. The food was also good--continental breakfast with tasty scones, fruit, and coffee, picnic lunches with sandwiches and salads, and an afternoon snack of brownies. The trip back to Maui was under sail--fun!
Enjoy.
Jul 30th, 2006, 04:52 AM
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Thanks everyone...we are going to trying Bali by the Sea!
We don't have an early morn left in Maui to do the Crater so we will have to go in the afternoon...I am sure it will still be lovely...probably not as cold I would think.
So looking forward to this trip. We are trying to get in all the MUST DOs but leave enough time for relaxation. Very hard to do... I have come to the conclusion that one could spend two weeks on any island, and to think we
were going to try and do three of them!
Thanks again....PAPAOOHMOWMOW!
We don't have an early morn left in Maui to do the Crater so we will have to go in the afternoon...I am sure it will still be lovely...probably not as cold I would think.
So looking forward to this trip. We are trying to get in all the MUST DOs but leave enough time for relaxation. Very hard to do... I have come to the conclusion that one could spend two weeks on any island, and to think we
were going to try and do three of them!
Thanks again....PAPAOOHMOWMOW!
Jul 30th, 2006, 07:23 AM
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Mama's--overhyped, way overpriced, IMO not worth it.
Hana--go all the way around, you will never regret it. Plus, avoid everyone else going back the same way after drive.
Haleakal--go up late afternoon (in daylight, unlike sunrise), enjoy lovely climate zone changes, see crater (wonderful colors), park at a west-facing pullout for sunset. Maybe bring picnic, stay for incredible star show!
Hana--go all the way around, you will never regret it. Plus, avoid everyone else going back the same way after drive.
Haleakal--go up late afternoon (in daylight, unlike sunrise), enjoy lovely climate zone changes, see crater (wonderful colors), park at a west-facing pullout for sunset. Maybe bring picnic, stay for incredible star show!
Jul 30th, 2006, 07:25 AM
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5. Go all the way around on the road to Hana. The scenery on the backside is spectacular!
7. We drove to the top of Haleakala twice - mid morning and late afternoon. Both times of day it was wonderful. Even in the middle of the day you will probably want to have a jacket handy. It's pretty cold at the top. Driving "through" the cloud tops and then emerging above them is amazing. The crater looks like something out of a scifi movie. Definitely worth the trip anytime of day.
Have a great time!!!
7. We drove to the top of Haleakala twice - mid morning and late afternoon. Both times of day it was wonderful. Even in the middle of the day you will probably want to have a jacket handy. It's pretty cold at the top. Driving "through" the cloud tops and then emerging above them is amazing. The crater looks like something out of a scifi movie. Definitely worth the trip anytime of day.
Have a great time!!!
