justus3

My husband and I (mid 60's) are planning our trip of a lifetime. So far our plans are as follows: Fly in to Oahu, stay 4 nights, board the NCL Pride of America ship for 7 days, de-board and fly to Maui for 4 days (3 nights).
All of those items are pretty much already set in stone. My current question is what kind of time does one have to allow to get around to Pearl Harbor from a hotel that is say close to Diamond Head and also to the Polynesian Culture Center? Is the traffic terrible? Can we get along with buses and taxi's? Really would like to be able to ride and not drive if possible.
2. It sounds like we will need to rent a car in Maui as we would like to do the road to Hanna and beyond. Can we rent for just the 2 days of that trip? or will we need a car for the other 2 days? We didn't think we would rent on the day of our arrival as we probably won't get to start our drive until Sunday due to the travel time between the islands and probably not being able to do much on that first day......
We also are looking hotels ($200.00 ish) as close to the beach as we can get for both of the islands. I'm a little picky - hate smelly or run down places......I may have to go up a bit to eliminate those issues. To us $200 is a lot, but expect I have to pay that in Hawaii. Looking for suggestions. I read with interest the suggestions to get a condo due to price, but I imagine renting apartments/rooms in this way would probably also mean they are further "out" and may require a car rental......could offset the price difference...........?
That's waaay enough info and questions for my first post. Sorry if I ran on.

martym

Renting a condo does not mean they are further out. For example, the one time we went to Oahu (in 2012) we rented this condo in the Ilikai Marina. http://www.vrbo.com/148073 The condo was very nice--the pictures are accurate.

The Ilikai Marina is located just to the west of Waikiki. From our little balcony, we could see Duke's Lagoon, which is in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village and which was less than a 10 minute walk from the condo. The Ilikai Marina overlooks (surprise) the marina and we enjoyed sitting on the balcony having coffee in the morning and watching the marina wake up. There are many other condos for rent in the Ilikai Marina and if you want to go condo--you might check them out.
http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals.../ilikai-marina

I think you can buy a package for the Polynesian Cultural Center that includes transportation from Waikiki--check out their website. http://polynesianculturalcenter.com/

We drove to Pearl Harbor in the morning during rush hour and, yes, the traffic was terrible. We went just before they began selling tickets and wanted to get there early since at that time it was first come-first served and we wanted to drive to the North Shore after.

If you have not already, suggest you get advance tickets to Pearl Harbor. http://www.nps.gov/valr/planyourvisit/index.htm
As to transportation to Pearl Harbor, I'll leave those suggestions to the Oahu experts.

I would rent a car for the four days on Maui and I would do that now. You always can cancel if you change your mind or if you find a cheaper price. If you are members, Costco usually has good prices through their website. I also have had good luck through http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/

Can't offer any advice on lodging on Maui--though I'm sure the Maui experts can. We stayed upcountry and in Hana when we were there--not on a beach.

jilllovestravel

Husband and I did one week on Oahu, and one on Maui this past April and were VERY pleased with our choices. If you haven't already, search internet (maybe I found it on Pearl Harbor website)for transportation from your hotel to Pearl Harbor. We stayed near Diamond Head. It was inexpensive, convenient and easy. We only rented car in Oahu for half of our week there to go to North Shore and some other distant locations.

I HIGHLY recommend the Feast at LeLe on Maui (in Lahaina). Well worth the cost imo. I believe you would need a car for the full time on Maui. We loved our rental on Maui which was
perfect, and priced right. Use VRBO.com if haven't already.

I did not have a strong desire to go to Hawaii as I thought "eh! been there done that with other tropical destinations" but I was so wrong. It is magical and we loved it!!!

P.S. Go to the library and pick up book on each Island, or use Fodors free downloads

HappyTrvlr

The Polynesian Cultural Center is not near Waikiki. We had a rental car and drove there ourselves. Look at their webpage to see various transportation packages they offer to their location from Waikiki.

suze

You can get buy without a car on Oahu if you stay right in Waikiki. You can get to Pearl Harbor and PCC using various shuttles or tours. For Pearl Harbor you can take The Bus (regular public transportation) if you allow enough time, it goes right there.

You are wrong about condos. There are no further out than the hotels. Why I wouldn't bother in your situation is you'll only be there for 4 nights. Condos are more work to make the arrangements, and often have a one week minimum.

Hotels I would suggest are The Breakers, White Sands Hotel, and Waikiki Sand Villa. They are easily in your price range. Modest but certainly not smelly or "run down". Breakers is the closest to the beach (2 blocks).

Songdoc

This isn't quite what you asked, but I want to mention that Kauai is my favorite island, but where the ship docks is (IMO) the least attractive part of the entire island. A lot of people get off the ship, browse the tacky tourist shops, see the nearby beach, and think they've seen Kauai.

I'd highly recommend either renting a car (which is the only way you can get to Ke'e Beach at the end of the road on the North Shore--which is a spectacular drive) or by booking a bus tour to the North Shore (which doesn't go all the way). Don't know how much time you'll have, but a visit to Waimea Canyon would also be great.

Have a great time!

justus3

I am soooo glad I remembered this site was available. I used it a few years ago and was most thankful for the information and help I received. This time is no exception.

So I have ordered the book "Maui Revealed" and have decided that I can get along on Oahu without a car and to rent a car for all 4 days on Maui. The Hotel recommendations were very helpful and a more reasonable price than I had been finding.

Songdoc, you can be sure I will not spend OUR PRECIOUS TIME in stores or sandwiched on a busy beach when our ship docks in Kauai. I plan to SEE the islands on the 2 days we are at each of the islands. I do thank you for your thoughts on that. I can't remember right now what I had for plans on Kauai right now, but it is getting out and about.....

I have been on the internet LOTS since we made our decision, but there is nothing like having a conversation.

Thank you ALL for your help. I am sure I will have more questions, but for now I can continue with my plans.

ChiSue

It sounds as though you couldn't change some of this...and maybe you are coming from far enough away that you need to stay Oahu at the beginning of your trip.

I would prefer to arrive and board the ship Saturday afternoon, then stay on Oahu after the cruise. Three nights on Maui isn't worth the airfare, IMO, and you will have already been there on the ship.

When will you be in Hawaii? (Thinking you could split your Oahu time between Waikiki and the rural north shore -- less appealing if you are visiting in winter.)

To tell the truth, I'd skip the cruise and stay in condos on two islands, renting a car full time, but that's just me! LOL

Shar

Waikiki Banyan(Oahu) is just 2 blocks from Waikiki beach and they might rent for less than a week. I much prefer condos even if you are not planning on grilling or eating in. there is just so much more room for about the same price. Check VRBO for condo deals. Some rent for less than 7 days but most require a week. I would take a tour to PC Center. renting a car is not necessary on Oahu unless you plan on driving to the North Shore and with only a few days...there are shuttle busses that go to Pearl Harbor but be sure to get advance tickets for the tours there...Waikiki Sunset is another condo with great views of the ocean and Diamond Head also on VRBO...Try Costco for deals on hotels in Honolulu and also Kayak......Aloha

suze

I know those hotels I've mentioned for Waikiki. They are smaller properties, well managed, nice place to stay. Not fancy but fairly priced and with all the ammenities you really need (nice pool area, etc.).

andrews98682

You might consider bidding on priceline. Granted, it's a different island, but I got a good deal on the Marriott on the Big Island. And I've had good luck in other cities.

As for your other questions, you need a car on Maui, period. You don't in Waikiki. However, if you want to see the north shore and the rest of the island, you'll need to rent one for a day. You can take the bus to Pearl Harbor from Waikiki. It's not a short ride, but it's manageable.

brendonb28

I have been to Hawaii 19 times and have been to every island excpet for Nihau (natives only) and Kihualavay(navy bombs this island). To get to Pearl Harbor you can easily take public transit, they stop right in front. At Pearl Harbor, you begin by watching a documentary about the bombing and then they take you on boat to a landing above the USS Arizona. You can walk inside a little bulilding with all the names of the men who died during the bombing. Also do not foreget to visit the punch bowl,a huge cementary. On Maui, my favorite island, you have to go to Hana. Stop at Oheio gulch and the seven sacred pools.

ElendilPickle

We just reserved a room for March 2014 at the Waikiki Sand Villa (thanks, suze!. $100 per night for a standard room - not bad at all!

Lee Ann