10 nights on Oahu
Feb 19th, 2006 | 01:11 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
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10 nights on Oahu
My husband and I came back this week from 10 nights on Oahu. It's amazing what a 5 hr difference can do to you, we're still not back to eastern states time!
I know some of you like Oahu and some just use it as a stopping point before you get to another island. We have friends who just moved to Kaneohe, prior to that they'd been in Honolulu and prior to that Kauai. I'd visited them myself when they were on Kauai, and I loved that island; this was my husband's first trip and we decided for ease of travel to just stay on Oahu.
I've been a daily board reader for months prior to this trip, so thought I should post my own 2cents now that we're back.
We are American AAdvantage frequent flyers, and since it's such a long haul we bought regular tickets and traded in miles to upgrade to first class. If at all possible for people I'd recommend this. You still have to pay for a ticket, but get the luxury of first class for a regular seat price. We flew via Dallas on the way out and Chicago on the way back. My husband was concerned about the length of the flight since he used to not enjoy flying, but with the benefit of first class he tells me now he didn't mind it at all. We're both about 6' tall so the leg room was a definite plus.
We rented through Budget, an Escape SUV, think it was $25/day + taxes. Our first 5 nights we spent on the North Shore at a wonderful B/B near Waimea called Santa's by the Sea. I highly recommend this place, it's right on the water, walking distance to where they were holding Pipeline competition for Monster Energy. Wonderful people run it. The room doesn't have much of a view, it's the bottom of a duplex, but you walk around the house and you're right on the beach, with a pavilion for eating, and an outdoor solar heated shower (should you choose to use it) which was really nice.
The day we arrived the surf was roaring at Waimea Bay, huge huge waves, and we wondered if this was typical, but apparently we arrived in time for a "cold front" and actually the first week was chillier than we expected. We did see someone who just got their car window smashed out as we drove by, 2 police cars were there. Otherwise, our hosts said our car choice was good, and didn't look "touristy", and we didn't see or hear of any other problems.
While on the North Shore we drove around a lot, Dole Plantation-yummy whips, Romy's Shrimp Hut -twice for their shimp plates, down the east side to Lanikai and Kailua-really pretty blue water, similar to the Caribbean we'd seen. We never saw turtles at Turtle Beach on the North Shore, but did see one at Kailua beach when we spent the afternoon there. Ate at Haleiwa Joe's, Cholo's, the Island Shack, Matsumoto's for shave ice and Ted's Bakery for desserts. Matsumoto's was certainly inexpensive, but doesn't offer some choices that I've heard other places do which was a little disappointing, though the size of the "cone" was huge for the price and yummy to boot.
We had bought the Entertainment book, and did use it, though not as much as we probably could have. We'd eat somewhere and then realize that there was a coupon. But since we left the book with our friends, it was definitely money well spent.
The 2nd 5 nights we stayed at the Pacific Beach Hotel on Waikiki. I booked this back in July; we were there during Pro Bowl weekend and even when I was checking places in July many were booked already. We wanted an oceanfront lanai, and I'm a researcher to the nth degree for travelling, so I checked prices everywhere it seemed. The Pacific Beach sits on Kalakaua right next to, but not on the beach so its prices seemed a lot more reasonable. We were extremely pleased with this place for the price. We had a 15th floor room, beautiful view, able to watch people, traffic, and the beach, and yet when the sliding door closed, couldn't hear any noise. We wandered through many hotels, HHV, Outrigger on the Beach, Hyatt, Halekulani and others, and for the price I think we got a great deal.
We were exceptionally surprised and pleased with how pleasant everyone we ran into was. We'd read other negative posts about service at our hotel and can only say positive things about all the people we dealt with. This extends to practically everyone we talked to in any venue on the island. The aloha spirit was alive and well it seemed.
While in Honolulu we did the Tantalus/Round Top tour, which we'd recommend, though we did get lost somehow at the end, but managed to figure out where to go. It's very surreal up there compared to the traffic/noise of Honolulu. We also went to Pearl Harbor for the Arizona Memorial-I'd gone before, but I knew my husband would want to see it, and I was as moved as the first time I'd been. We went on Sunday early, got there about 8am, and were on the tour by 8:30 I think. We also explored the Bowfin sub and enjoyed that as well.
Food wise, we ate several times at the Oceanarium restaurant at our hotel, both breakfast buffet and lunch. There are coupons for 25% off the buffet or dinner entree's that were in several magazines, and the Entertainment Book has one I think for their Neptune's Garden restaurant. This was a fun place to eat and watch the fish for entertainment. Also, by comparison, we had Duke's breakfast buffet and were not impressed with the selection there as compared to the Pacific Beach Hotel. Though the PBH was a few dollars more, I think with the discount they worked out evenly. Duke's had the ocean front, the PBH had the aquarium so it's a personal choice of view.
Enjoyed an Italian dinner at Matteo's, Marine Surf Hotel, courtesy of the Entertainment book, and thought they were very good. Nice ambiance, very dark and quiet, great drinks from the bar-by comparison couldn't find anybody who made better pineapple drinks anywhere else.
We also ate at La Cucaracha for Mexican, and our friends took us to an Indian restaurant on King I think, which was yummy (there was a coupon for them in the Entertainment book too).
One of the best things we did was take the Chinese Chamber of Commerce food tour led by Anthony Chang, aka PakePorkChop, Monday morning. We met up with our friends Jan and Jeff, and Hikerboy and his wife (believe it's Kevin and Peggy) along with others. Tony did a wonderful job showing us different places to eat or shop throughout Chinatown, including a very informative historical perspective of Chinese immigration to the islands. My friend Jan was taking notes of all the places he suggested to eat! We then had a great Dim Sum lunch where we met up with Lucy or Lcuy, depending on how you know her
I even tried Chicken Feet/Paws, though to be honest, if I have to eat a chicken appendage, I much prefer our local Buffalo wings. Anyone who stays or even lives on Oahu should take this tour! I really enjoy meeting others and getting their viewpoints on food/travel and local stuff.
Made it to the Pro Bowl, had complimentary tickets, and thought it was a lot of fun, though the weather was drizzly, and I didn't realize that the Backstreet Boys were still singing together! For the quality of play I wouldn't recommend the game, the players don't seem to take it as seriously as they could since it's a "meaningless" game.
We walked all up and down Waikiki, from the Hilton HV to around Kapiolani Park. We're from a small town, so it's really fun for us to get out and sightsee and window shop. I love seeing the Japanese wedding couples; we saw 3 or 4 while we where there.
The choices of hotels are outstanding; it's all up to your personal preference. We wandered around the Hilton Hawaiian Village before their fireworks/hula show, and thought it lovely-especially the church, but couldn't handle that many people around me. Everyone likes something different, that's why there's so many choices.
Think that sums it up. Post if you have any questions!
I know some of you like Oahu and some just use it as a stopping point before you get to another island. We have friends who just moved to Kaneohe, prior to that they'd been in Honolulu and prior to that Kauai. I'd visited them myself when they were on Kauai, and I loved that island; this was my husband's first trip and we decided for ease of travel to just stay on Oahu.
I've been a daily board reader for months prior to this trip, so thought I should post my own 2cents now that we're back.
We are American AAdvantage frequent flyers, and since it's such a long haul we bought regular tickets and traded in miles to upgrade to first class. If at all possible for people I'd recommend this. You still have to pay for a ticket, but get the luxury of first class for a regular seat price. We flew via Dallas on the way out and Chicago on the way back. My husband was concerned about the length of the flight since he used to not enjoy flying, but with the benefit of first class he tells me now he didn't mind it at all. We're both about 6' tall so the leg room was a definite plus.
We rented through Budget, an Escape SUV, think it was $25/day + taxes. Our first 5 nights we spent on the North Shore at a wonderful B/B near Waimea called Santa's by the Sea. I highly recommend this place, it's right on the water, walking distance to where they were holding Pipeline competition for Monster Energy. Wonderful people run it. The room doesn't have much of a view, it's the bottom of a duplex, but you walk around the house and you're right on the beach, with a pavilion for eating, and an outdoor solar heated shower (should you choose to use it) which was really nice.
The day we arrived the surf was roaring at Waimea Bay, huge huge waves, and we wondered if this was typical, but apparently we arrived in time for a "cold front" and actually the first week was chillier than we expected. We did see someone who just got their car window smashed out as we drove by, 2 police cars were there. Otherwise, our hosts said our car choice was good, and didn't look "touristy", and we didn't see or hear of any other problems.
While on the North Shore we drove around a lot, Dole Plantation-yummy whips, Romy's Shrimp Hut -twice for their shimp plates, down the east side to Lanikai and Kailua-really pretty blue water, similar to the Caribbean we'd seen. We never saw turtles at Turtle Beach on the North Shore, but did see one at Kailua beach when we spent the afternoon there. Ate at Haleiwa Joe's, Cholo's, the Island Shack, Matsumoto's for shave ice and Ted's Bakery for desserts. Matsumoto's was certainly inexpensive, but doesn't offer some choices that I've heard other places do which was a little disappointing, though the size of the "cone" was huge for the price and yummy to boot.
We had bought the Entertainment book, and did use it, though not as much as we probably could have. We'd eat somewhere and then realize that there was a coupon. But since we left the book with our friends, it was definitely money well spent.
The 2nd 5 nights we stayed at the Pacific Beach Hotel on Waikiki. I booked this back in July; we were there during Pro Bowl weekend and even when I was checking places in July many were booked already. We wanted an oceanfront lanai, and I'm a researcher to the nth degree for travelling, so I checked prices everywhere it seemed. The Pacific Beach sits on Kalakaua right next to, but not on the beach so its prices seemed a lot more reasonable. We were extremely pleased with this place for the price. We had a 15th floor room, beautiful view, able to watch people, traffic, and the beach, and yet when the sliding door closed, couldn't hear any noise. We wandered through many hotels, HHV, Outrigger on the Beach, Hyatt, Halekulani and others, and for the price I think we got a great deal.
We were exceptionally surprised and pleased with how pleasant everyone we ran into was. We'd read other negative posts about service at our hotel and can only say positive things about all the people we dealt with. This extends to practically everyone we talked to in any venue on the island. The aloha spirit was alive and well it seemed.
While in Honolulu we did the Tantalus/Round Top tour, which we'd recommend, though we did get lost somehow at the end, but managed to figure out where to go. It's very surreal up there compared to the traffic/noise of Honolulu. We also went to Pearl Harbor for the Arizona Memorial-I'd gone before, but I knew my husband would want to see it, and I was as moved as the first time I'd been. We went on Sunday early, got there about 8am, and were on the tour by 8:30 I think. We also explored the Bowfin sub and enjoyed that as well.
Food wise, we ate several times at the Oceanarium restaurant at our hotel, both breakfast buffet and lunch. There are coupons for 25% off the buffet or dinner entree's that were in several magazines, and the Entertainment Book has one I think for their Neptune's Garden restaurant. This was a fun place to eat and watch the fish for entertainment. Also, by comparison, we had Duke's breakfast buffet and were not impressed with the selection there as compared to the Pacific Beach Hotel. Though the PBH was a few dollars more, I think with the discount they worked out evenly. Duke's had the ocean front, the PBH had the aquarium so it's a personal choice of view.
Enjoyed an Italian dinner at Matteo's, Marine Surf Hotel, courtesy of the Entertainment book, and thought they were very good. Nice ambiance, very dark and quiet, great drinks from the bar-by comparison couldn't find anybody who made better pineapple drinks anywhere else.
We also ate at La Cucaracha for Mexican, and our friends took us to an Indian restaurant on King I think, which was yummy (there was a coupon for them in the Entertainment book too).
One of the best things we did was take the Chinese Chamber of Commerce food tour led by Anthony Chang, aka PakePorkChop, Monday morning. We met up with our friends Jan and Jeff, and Hikerboy and his wife (believe it's Kevin and Peggy) along with others. Tony did a wonderful job showing us different places to eat or shop throughout Chinatown, including a very informative historical perspective of Chinese immigration to the islands. My friend Jan was taking notes of all the places he suggested to eat! We then had a great Dim Sum lunch where we met up with Lucy or Lcuy, depending on how you know her
I even tried Chicken Feet/Paws, though to be honest, if I have to eat a chicken appendage, I much prefer our local Buffalo wings. Anyone who stays or even lives on Oahu should take this tour! I really enjoy meeting others and getting their viewpoints on food/travel and local stuff.Made it to the Pro Bowl, had complimentary tickets, and thought it was a lot of fun, though the weather was drizzly, and I didn't realize that the Backstreet Boys were still singing together! For the quality of play I wouldn't recommend the game, the players don't seem to take it as seriously as they could since it's a "meaningless" game.
We walked all up and down Waikiki, from the Hilton HV to around Kapiolani Park. We're from a small town, so it's really fun for us to get out and sightsee and window shop. I love seeing the Japanese wedding couples; we saw 3 or 4 while we where there.
The choices of hotels are outstanding; it's all up to your personal preference. We wandered around the Hilton Hawaiian Village before their fireworks/hula show, and thought it lovely-especially the church, but couldn't handle that many people around me. Everyone likes something different, that's why there's so many choices.
Think that sums it up. Post if you have any questions!
Feb 19th, 2006 | 01:46 PM
#2
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Antoinette, what a nice trip report! I'd forgotten about all the weddings we saw during our visit, but your comment brought that memory back. Next visit I want to do the PakePorkChop tour. We always go to Chinatown and wander around, so the tour would add a new dimension to our wanderings. I loved the drive up Tantalus/Round Top. The view from the lookout at the state park is awesome.
Thanks again for your trip report.
Thanks again for your trip report.
Feb 19th, 2006 | 02:08 PM
#4
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,254
Likes: 0
Aloha antionette, and welcome home! I always find that the flights going east are more difficult to get back on track, as far as the time difference. Plus it's kind of a downer being home after spending 10 nights on Oahu!
From your lovely writing, it sounds like you had a terrific trip. I could feel your excitement!
Interesting note about not seeing turtles. Do you think it was the time of day you went? I'm heading to Oahu in May and sure hope to see them since I'm reading so much about how many and how big. Maybe all the people are scaring them away??
We hope to also take the PPC tour of Chinatown. Sounds like a treat.
Thanks for taking the time to write a report.
From your lovely writing, it sounds like you had a terrific trip. I could feel your excitement!
Interesting note about not seeing turtles. Do you think it was the time of day you went? I'm heading to Oahu in May and sure hope to see them since I'm reading so much about how many and how big. Maybe all the people are scaring them away??
We hope to also take the PPC tour of Chinatown. Sounds like a treat.
Thanks for taking the time to write a report.
Feb 21st, 2006 | 01:28 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Antoinette,
Thanks, for the great trip report!!! I will be staying at Turtle bay on the north shore this summer and am especially interested in how you liked some of the restaurants you mentioned up there: Haleiwa Joe's, Island Shack Cholo's etc. Which ones would you recommend for the food and/or atmosphere? Thanks for your help!!
Thanks, for the great trip report!!! I will be staying at Turtle bay on the north shore this summer and am especially interested in how you liked some of the restaurants you mentioned up there: Haleiwa Joe's, Island Shack Cholo's etc. Which ones would you recommend for the food and/or atmosphere? Thanks for your help!!
Feb 21st, 2006 | 09:52 PM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,943
Likes: 0
Glad you had a great trip! I certainly enjoyed our GTG lunch, and was impressed that you joined the chickenpaw club. It took me years of debate before I did it!!
I've gone to a lot of weddings and seminars at the Pacific Beach Hotel and always thought it is a nice hotel. Glad staying there was good too!!
Hope you're back to normal. Give my best to Jan & Jeff, since they don't come here!
Aloha,
Lucy
I've gone to a lot of weddings and seminars at the Pacific Beach Hotel and always thought it is a nice hotel. Glad staying there was good too!!
Hope you're back to normal. Give my best to Jan & Jeff, since they don't come here!
Aloha,
Lucy
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Feb 22nd, 2006 | 12:20 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 0
Oh, antoinette, welcome to the Chicken Paw Club!! I'm so glad you loved Oahu and I'm sorry I could not meet up with you.
Hey, if you go out to the North Shore again, go to Aoki's or Miura's for shave ice, not Matsumoto's; while in town near Waikiki, I like Waiola Store.
Hey, if you go out to the North Shore again, go to Aoki's or Miura's for shave ice, not Matsumoto's; while in town near Waikiki, I like Waiola Store.
Feb 22nd, 2006 | 02:09 PM
#9
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 26
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mvs- We drove by Turtle Bay, but didn't drive in to check it out. It's a very "groomed" placed, so I'm guessing that the restaurants at the resort are very nice and differ probably from the places I mentioned in my report. The Island Shack (could be wrong about the name) is in a quonset hut a couple miles from Waimea heading towards Turtle Bay. Has a big island totem pole in front of it. Very very laid back atmosphere, inexpensive, big portions, ok food. Haleiwa Joe's, nice atmosphere, casual food, by the water. Cholo's in Haleiwa at the Marketplace, yummy Mexican food, reasonable price. Ted's Bakery, good desserts, that's all we had there, but they seemed to do a big business for lunch and take out. Liked Romy's a lot, decent amount for the price-it's just eating out by the shrimp ponds for atmosphere. Think the entertainment book has coupons for Jameson's in Haleiwa, though I heard they were iffy some days, great others.
Again, we were impressed with everyone we met having aloha spirit. Thanks again to Lucy and Anthony!
Again, we were impressed with everyone we met having aloha spirit. Thanks again to Lucy and Anthony!
Feb 27th, 2006 | 05:55 PM
#10
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Hi Toni. I liked your report. I'm still adjusting to being back in the cold, and working on my report. Meanwhile I posted my pictures at the site below, and there's one of you enjoying the infamous chicken paw!
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...aMWLkg¬ag=1
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...aMWLkg¬ag=1
Feb 27th, 2006 | 06:49 PM
#11
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 13,842
Likes: 4
Thanks for the great report! We will be there in less than 5 weeks!! Very excited!! We are in coach from the east coast....It is going to be a long flight!!! But I can't complain. We are flying on frequent flyer tickets.
I am writing down some of your places. I always wondered what PakePorkChops real name was! I thought how can I go to Chinatown tours and ask for a Pakeporkchop
Anyway, thanks for the report.
I am writing down some of your places. I always wondered what PakePorkChops real name was! I thought how can I go to Chinatown tours and ask for a Pakeporkchop
Anyway, thanks for the report.
Feb 28th, 2006 | 02:57 PM
#13
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
Great trip report - and wonderful pictures - together they make me wish I could go get on a flight right this minute! Thanks to both of you for posting - at least I can visit Hawaii vicariously with great posts like this until I can come up with the cash to get back over there myself.
Feb 28th, 2006 | 05:03 PM
#14
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
Thanks for a great report and especially for showing that Oahu is much more than just a "layover place" as so many people seem to think. In three years of living on Oahu, we didn't do all the wonderful things there are to do and have returned several times since. Yes, the other islands are wonderful, too, but my heart belongs to Oahu!
Mar 2nd, 2006 | 06:09 AM
#15
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Could you please write about the Tantalus Round Top Tour. My husband and I are going the 1st week of April for 5 days on Oahu, 5 on Maui. We've reserved the ResortQuest Waikiki Beach Hotel - did you happen to see it? We've never been and not sure how to plan our itinerary. Your info is very helpful.
Mar 2nd, 2006 | 10:50 AM
#16
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 26
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In regards to the Tantalus drive: we did this to kill time before we could check into our hotel. We had the Oahu Revealed blue book and the directions were pretty good on how to find the roads. It's a big big circle drive, which if I'm correct is Round Top and Tantalus roads combined. The views are great; we were there probably 1 in the afternoon, but I think they'd be prettier in the sunrise/sunset hours for lighting/pictures. You feel very removed from the city. The roads are overhung with tree branches/moss and very very twisting. Many switchbacks on driving! But it was fun, and a different way to view Honolulu. We did get off the track somehow at the end, but managed to figure out how to get back to Waikiki. My friend who lives there says he runs/bikes that road-we saw several doing this-more power to them, I felt like offering them a ride!
We highly recommend having a good map of the island. The Blue book worked pretty well for us in using its maps.
Your hotel appears on the maps to be just down from where ours was closer to the Queen's Beach area. I know we must have walked by it-there was a Cold Stone Creamery in that direction which I LOVE so we went that way often, but I don't remember any specific hotel details. Your hotel sits like ours did, so I'm sure the views are nice from it.
Have a great time!
We highly recommend having a good map of the island. The Blue book worked pretty well for us in using its maps.
Your hotel appears on the maps to be just down from where ours was closer to the Queen's Beach area. I know we must have walked by it-there was a Cold Stone Creamery in that direction which I LOVE so we went that way often, but I don't remember any specific hotel details. Your hotel sits like ours did, so I'm sure the views are nice from it.
Have a great time!
Mar 2nd, 2006 | 02:08 PM
#17
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,025
Likes: 0
For greenrealtor
Take the Mt. Tantalus/Round Top drive through a rain forest. Stop at the Puu Ualakaa State Wayside about 2/3 of the way to the top of the mountain. It has an awesome view of the city from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. Punchbowl is near the bottom of Mt. Tantalus.
Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific): (free) While you are there, drive to the overlook area. Short walk to the summit that overlooks the entire city.
http://www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii/RoundTop.htm
Lots of other info:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34696831
Take the Mt. Tantalus/Round Top drive through a rain forest. Stop at the Puu Ualakaa State Wayside about 2/3 of the way to the top of the mountain. It has an awesome view of the city from Waikiki to Pearl Harbor. Punchbowl is near the bottom of Mt. Tantalus.
Punchbowl (National Cemetery of the Pacific): (free) While you are there, drive to the overlook area. Short walk to the summit that overlooks the entire city.
http://www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii/RoundTop.htm
Lots of other info:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34696831
