7 days in Hawaii-what island
Mar 22nd, 2006, 04:59 PM
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7 days in Hawaii-what island
We are planning our 15th anniversary in May 2008. Have no clue what island to go to. We like to lay out on the beach, enjoy dining out, r&r, quiet, some shopping, like to see natural beauty (no adventure rock climbing, etc). Any thoughts on where to go? Since we only have 7 days- we figured we'd better find a spot & park it & not try to go to several islands...
Mar 22nd, 2006, 06:29 PM
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Since you put "laying on the beach" first, I would suggest Maui. IMO, it has the best swimmable, sunbathable, easily accesible beaches. The island offers great variety, with a bit of shopping and nightlife if that's your pleasure...or scenic drives to interesting and beautiful places.
Mar 22nd, 2006, 08:26 PM
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arubatraveler,
IMHO, if this is your first trip to Hawaii you should do Oahu. Every island has it's own personality, but Oahu has the most diversity. How can some one go home after their first trip to the islands and face family and friends that are asking "what was Waikiki Beach like, did you shop at the International Marketplace, was Diamond head cool, did you go to Punchbowl(National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific), what did you think of the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri, did you see the Bonsai Pipeline, are Moana Falls pretty, if they hadn't seen any of them? If this is your first trip then Oahu is the way to go. If it not your first trip, and you have been to Oahu before, then forget that I said anything.
8-)
IMHO, if this is your first trip to Hawaii you should do Oahu. Every island has it's own personality, but Oahu has the most diversity. How can some one go home after their first trip to the islands and face family and friends that are asking "what was Waikiki Beach like, did you shop at the International Marketplace, was Diamond head cool, did you go to Punchbowl(National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific), what did you think of the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri, did you see the Bonsai Pipeline, are Moana Falls pretty, if they hadn't seen any of them? If this is your first trip then Oahu is the way to go. If it not your first trip, and you have been to Oahu before, then forget that I said anything.
8-)
Mar 22nd, 2006, 08:44 PM
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Oahu is the best.
List of things to do on Oahu
These are some hints/suggestions for things to do and see on Oahu. Many of the websites listed are good for all islands.
Arizona Memorial: (free) get there early, preferably by 8am. Opens at 7:30am. If you get there after 10am the lines can get long and you may spend 1-2 hours in line. Battleship USS Missouri and Submarine USS Bowfin are in the same area. These are about $15 each so you can go or skip them. Look for coupons in brochures for two for one. You can take pictures of them from Arizona Visitors Center and the Arizona tour ferry. Go on the lawn behind the Visitor's Center (Circle of Remembrance) for great pictures. You can also walk around the Bowfin Memorial area for free without taking the tour. Its worth the time. The Swap Meet is only a couple blocks from here at Aloha Stadium.
Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC): www.polynesia.com General Admission about $50 or the luau buffet package ($80). The evening 'Horizons' show is the best Polynesian show in all of Hawaii. It comes with all ticket price options. The higher priced ticket packages get the better seating for 'Horizons'. Also the earlier you get there, the better the seating is for 'Horizons'. The Ali'i Luau Show that is part of the luau package is also a good Polynesian show. IMAX, Canoe Pageant, Samoa and Tonga villages and Canoe ride are the best other attractions (these are included with any type ticket). Plan on this as an all day event. Get there by 1pm (earlier if possible), leave around 9:30pm. When I take visitors, I try to keep on this schedule: IMAX 1:30, Canoe Pageant 2:30, Samoa 3:00, Tonga 4:00, Canoe Ride around 4:30, regular buffet or Ali'i luau buffet 5pm and 'Horizons' at 7:30. The other villages are nice also, but there is not enough time for all of them. You will have time to do some shopping or looking around between the buffet or luau and 'Horizons'. Closed on Sundays. You can go back for free for two days. Check with PCC employees for instructions before leaving the Center if you want the extra days.
Coupon in Entertainment Book to save $36.
Diamond Head Summit: Drive right into the crater and hike to the top. ($5 per carload or $1 each if you walk into the crater). I prefer to drive in. Awesome 360 degree view from the summit. Best time is around 8am or around 4pm. In between it can get hot walking to the top. Takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours roundtrip.
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. If you have time, 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.
Hanauma Bay: Snorkel. Its for any age. You can rent snorkeling equipment there or some places in Waikiki or bring your own. Closed on Tuesdays. Try to get there as early as possible. If you drive, the parking lot gets filled up by 9:00 or 10:00. ($1 for parking, $5 for each person). You can reserve snorkel tours with several companies. They provide equipment, transportation, etc. They seem to have better equipment than the park does. You can also take the city bus. But the first city bus doesn't leave Waikiki until 8:30 am. Website:
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/f...ay/welcome.htm
Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples): $2 each. Just past Kaneohe. Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe is close by.
Chinaman's Hat: (free) Kualoa Regional Park is just past Byodo-In-Temple. Nice for pictures, picnic, swimming. Also nearby is Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet just before Kualoa Regional Park. Kualoa Ranch is across the street.
Swap Meet: You can buy almost any souvenirs here much cheaper than anywhere else. All items are new. Vendors wrap around the stadium twice. Located at Aloha Stadium near Arizona Memorial. Open Wed, Sat, Sun.
Hilo Hattie's: Nice place to shop. Higher prices than swap meet, but not too much more on many items. Has good selection of clothing, candies and souvenirs. Check brochures for coupons. Can take free Hilo Hattie's shuttle from Waikiki.
Ala Moana Beach Park: (free) Nice beach. Great sunset location in the winter. Walk all the way out to the end of Magic Island. Great view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, Ala Wai Boat Harbor (shown in opening scene of Gilligan's Island).
Hike to Manoa Falls: $5 for parking at Treetops. One mile one way. Short hike through a rain forest. Also small bamboo forest there. Treetops restaurant there (at the previous Paradise Park site) has a good Chinese buffet. Lyon Arboretum is nearby. It is a nice botanical garden. You can park there and walk a short distance to Manoa Falls trail.
Hike to Makapuu Point Lighthouse: (free) Great view from here. Easy one mile hike. In winter months (mid-November to mid-April) it's great for whale watching.
Other Hiking on Oahu:
http://www.hawaiitrails.org/ (good for all islands)
http://www.backyardoahu.com/
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/oahuhikingtrails/home.html
http://oahuhiking.com/
North Shore Beaches: Haleiwa, Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach), Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach, Shark's Cove (Pupukea) &Laniakea Beach. Laniakea Beach has sea turtles. Other nice stops for pictures in the area. Can be huge waves in winter. Good snorkeling at Shark's Cove in the summer. Laniakea Beach is located about 1/2 way between Waimea Bay and Haleiwa.
Other beaches: There are close to 100 beaches on Oahu. Besides North Shore and Waikiki beaches these are some of the better ones: Makaha Beach (west shore), Waimanalo Beach, Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area, Lanikai Beach, Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach (east/Windward side), Ala Moana Beach Park (south shore). All public beaches are free except Haunama Bay.
Dole Pineapple Plantation: On H-2 just past Wahiawa. Can visit on the way to or back from the North Shore. Nice gift shop to browse, but expensive. Go behind the center for pineapple exhibits, gardens and carp feeding pond.
Kualoa Ranch: Several movies have been set here: (Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young and others), ATV rides, horseback riding, tours. Located across from Kualoa Regional Park.
Waikiki: Beaches, shopping, dining, nightclubs, shows, some museums. Wide range in dining prices. $3-4 breakfasts, $6-10 lunch buffets, $20-$25 fine dining and anywhere in between. Best Waikiki shows: Creation: A Polynesian Journey, John Hirokawa's Magic of Polynesia, Society of Seven, Blue Hawaii (Elvis impersonator), many more to chose from. Many Waikiki shows offer cocktail show along with the dinner show. They seat you after everyone else has eaten. Regular price of shows around $40-$60. Cocktail show about $25-$35. There are several other short free hula shows and other demonstrations in Waikiki daily. Check the brochures for location, days and times. Check brochures &Entertainment Book for coupons for shows/dining/shopping, etc.
Downtown Area: Aloha Tower (take elevator to the top, nice view), Chinatown, Hawaii Maritime Center, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, other museums.
Botanical Gardens: Oahu has many botanical gardens. Most are free, the others charge a few bucks. Haiku Garden in Kaneohe is nice and is a nice stop if you are taking an island driving tour. Located near Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples).
Here is a nice site for gardens in the state:
http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/botgarden.html (all islands)
Check brochures or get info on-line for others. Search: oahu botanical gardens
Other: Sea Life Park, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Children's Discovery Center dinner cruises, whale watching cruise, submarine tours, parasailing, helicopter tours, horseback riding, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, scuba, surfing lessons, other luau shows (Germaine's, Paradise Cove). Many other attractions, things to do. Check the brochures.
Brochures: (free) Can be found in the airport baggage claim area or at hundreds of news stands throughout Waikiki, in hotels, in stores, and at some attractions. These are excellent "things to do and see" guide books (maps, attractions, beaches, dining, night clubs, etc.). There are a lot of coupons in these for dining, shopping, etc. The best brochures are: 'This Week on Oahu', 'Oahu Gold', '101 Things Oahu', 'The BEST of Oahu'. Some of these brochures can also be found for other islands (Maui, Kauai, Big Island) unique to that island. Most of these brochures also have on-line versions.
Websites:
www.thisweek.com 'This Week On Oahu' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also This Week Maui, Kauai, Big Island.
www.spotlighthawaii.com 'Oahu Gold' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also Maui Gold, Big Island Gold, Kauai Gold.
www.gohawaii.com This is the official site for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. They will send a free brochure.
www.101thingstodo.com
www.visit-oahu.com Oahu Visitors Bureau, for free brochure 1-877-525-6248 (toll free)
www.hawaii.com Good site for comparing hotel locations, prices, etc.
www.hawaiiweb.com
www.alternative-hawaii.com
www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii
www.alohatower.com
www.chinatownhi.com
www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/tours (driving and walking tours)
www.driveguidemagazines.com Good island maps including many detailed maps. Also good restaurant guide. Good for all islands
www.discoveringhawaii.com Free (pdf) circle island tour map. Also free (pdf) download Oahu movie location map.
www.hawaii-hotels.com Compare hotels
www.bookit.com Compare hotels
www.alohafriends.com
www.alohafriendshawaii.com
www.honoluluadvertiser.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, has dining & entertainment guides, TGIF calendar
www.starbulletin.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, also has dining &entertainment guides
Automobiles: Oahu is the only island that you can get around by bus. Oahu has a good bus system, but a rental vehicle gets around a lot better. Parking in Waikiki can be a problem at times. If you plan on renting a car, make sure your hotel allows parking at the hotel or in a nearby lot or garage. Get the parking pass at the hotel registration area. Probably $8-$14/day to park at the hotel. You can get city bus passes at any ABC store in Waikiki for $20 for 4 days ($40/month). Or you can pay $2.00 per trip. There are also many shuttles, tour buses and vans and trolleys that go to many places (some are free). Also 1 or 4 day Waikiki Trolley passes available.
www.thebus.org
www.waikikitrolley.com
Internet Search Engines: Use Yahoo, Google, Dogpile or any other search engine to find information on any thing else on Oahu (or other island) that may interest you. Type in: hiking hawaii, hiking oahu, bed and breakfast oahu, condominiums oahu, botanical gardens oahu, oahu hotels or any other terms that will get you information.
Hotels: Most hotels (or hotel chains) have their own 800 numbers and/or websites:
www.outrigger.com
www.sheraton.com
www.ohanahotels.com
, etc. Or you can use a search engine to find the website or use the search engine's yellow pages for the phone number.
also try www.vrbo.com for more options
Entertainment Book
Entertainment books for Hawaii and many other locations can be purchased online at:
www.entertainment.com.
They cost around $35-$40 plus shipping or if you wait until mid-March, the price is reduced to about $25 (or less) with free shipping, $15 after mid-May. Expires November 1.
Coupons include half price tickets for John Hirokawa's Magic Show. Hundreds of other coupons for reduce price luaus, shopping, dining, movies, attractions, etc. The Hawaii book also has many mainland coupons for hotels, car rentals, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc.
Others:
www.mauihawaii.org Great site of Maui Jon
www.visitmaui.com Free brochure
www.bigisland.org Free brochure
www.kauaidiscovery.com Free brochure
www.kauai-hawaii.com
List of things to do on Oahu
These are some hints/suggestions for things to do and see on Oahu. Many of the websites listed are good for all islands.
Arizona Memorial: (free) get there early, preferably by 8am. Opens at 7:30am. If you get there after 10am the lines can get long and you may spend 1-2 hours in line. Battleship USS Missouri and Submarine USS Bowfin are in the same area. These are about $15 each so you can go or skip them. Look for coupons in brochures for two for one. You can take pictures of them from Arizona Visitors Center and the Arizona tour ferry. Go on the lawn behind the Visitor's Center (Circle of Remembrance) for great pictures. You can also walk around the Bowfin Memorial area for free without taking the tour. Its worth the time. The Swap Meet is only a couple blocks from here at Aloha Stadium.
Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC): www.polynesia.com General Admission about $50 or the luau buffet package ($80). The evening 'Horizons' show is the best Polynesian show in all of Hawaii. It comes with all ticket price options. The higher priced ticket packages get the better seating for 'Horizons'. Also the earlier you get there, the better the seating is for 'Horizons'. The Ali'i Luau Show that is part of the luau package is also a good Polynesian show. IMAX, Canoe Pageant, Samoa and Tonga villages and Canoe ride are the best other attractions (these are included with any type ticket). Plan on this as an all day event. Get there by 1pm (earlier if possible), leave around 9:30pm. When I take visitors, I try to keep on this schedule: IMAX 1:30, Canoe Pageant 2:30, Samoa 3:00, Tonga 4:00, Canoe Ride around 4:30, regular buffet or Ali'i luau buffet 5pm and 'Horizons' at 7:30. The other villages are nice also, but there is not enough time for all of them. You will have time to do some shopping or looking around between the buffet or luau and 'Horizons'. Closed on Sundays. You can go back for free for two days. Check with PCC employees for instructions before leaving the Center if you want the extra days.
Coupon in Entertainment Book to save $36.
Diamond Head Summit: Drive right into the crater and hike to the top. ($5 per carload or $1 each if you walk into the crater). I prefer to drive in. Awesome 360 degree view from the summit. Best time is around 8am or around 4pm. In between it can get hot walking to the top. Takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours roundtrip.
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. If you have time, 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.
Hanauma Bay: Snorkel. Its for any age. You can rent snorkeling equipment there or some places in Waikiki or bring your own. Closed on Tuesdays. Try to get there as early as possible. If you drive, the parking lot gets filled up by 9:00 or 10:00. ($1 for parking, $5 for each person). You can reserve snorkel tours with several companies. They provide equipment, transportation, etc. They seem to have better equipment than the park does. You can also take the city bus. But the first city bus doesn't leave Waikiki until 8:30 am. Website:
http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/f...ay/welcome.htm
Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples): $2 each. Just past Kaneohe. Haiku Gardens in Kaneohe is close by.
Chinaman's Hat: (free) Kualoa Regional Park is just past Byodo-In-Temple. Nice for pictures, picnic, swimming. Also nearby is Macadamia Nut Farm Outlet just before Kualoa Regional Park. Kualoa Ranch is across the street.
Swap Meet: You can buy almost any souvenirs here much cheaper than anywhere else. All items are new. Vendors wrap around the stadium twice. Located at Aloha Stadium near Arizona Memorial. Open Wed, Sat, Sun.
Hilo Hattie's: Nice place to shop. Higher prices than swap meet, but not too much more on many items. Has good selection of clothing, candies and souvenirs. Check brochures for coupons. Can take free Hilo Hattie's shuttle from Waikiki.
Ala Moana Beach Park: (free) Nice beach. Great sunset location in the winter. Walk all the way out to the end of Magic Island. Great view of Waikiki, Diamond Head, Ala Wai Boat Harbor (shown in opening scene of Gilligan's Island).
Hike to Manoa Falls: $5 for parking at Treetops. One mile one way. Short hike through a rain forest. Also small bamboo forest there. Treetops restaurant there (at the previous Paradise Park site) has a good Chinese buffet. Lyon Arboretum is nearby. It is a nice botanical garden. You can park there and walk a short distance to Manoa Falls trail.
Hike to Makapuu Point Lighthouse: (free) Great view from here. Easy one mile hike. In winter months (mid-November to mid-April) it's great for whale watching.
Other Hiking on Oahu:
http://www.hawaiitrails.org/ (good for all islands)
http://www.backyardoahu.com/
http://home.hawaii.rr.com/oahuhikingtrails/home.html
http://oahuhiking.com/
North Shore Beaches: Haleiwa, Banzai Pipeline (Ehukai Beach), Waimea Beach, Sunset Beach, Shark's Cove (Pupukea) &Laniakea Beach. Laniakea Beach has sea turtles. Other nice stops for pictures in the area. Can be huge waves in winter. Good snorkeling at Shark's Cove in the summer. Laniakea Beach is located about 1/2 way between Waimea Bay and Haleiwa.
Other beaches: There are close to 100 beaches on Oahu. Besides North Shore and Waikiki beaches these are some of the better ones: Makaha Beach (west shore), Waimanalo Beach, Waimanalo Bay Recreation Area, Lanikai Beach, Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach (east/Windward side), Ala Moana Beach Park (south shore). All public beaches are free except Haunama Bay.
Dole Pineapple Plantation: On H-2 just past Wahiawa. Can visit on the way to or back from the North Shore. Nice gift shop to browse, but expensive. Go behind the center for pineapple exhibits, gardens and carp feeding pond.
Kualoa Ranch: Several movies have been set here: (Jurassic Park, Mighty Joe Young and others), ATV rides, horseback riding, tours. Located across from Kualoa Regional Park.
Waikiki: Beaches, shopping, dining, nightclubs, shows, some museums. Wide range in dining prices. $3-4 breakfasts, $6-10 lunch buffets, $20-$25 fine dining and anywhere in between. Best Waikiki shows: Creation: A Polynesian Journey, John Hirokawa's Magic of Polynesia, Society of Seven, Blue Hawaii (Elvis impersonator), many more to chose from. Many Waikiki shows offer cocktail show along with the dinner show. They seat you after everyone else has eaten. Regular price of shows around $40-$60. Cocktail show about $25-$35. There are several other short free hula shows and other demonstrations in Waikiki daily. Check the brochures for location, days and times. Check brochures &Entertainment Book for coupons for shows/dining/shopping, etc.
Downtown Area: Aloha Tower (take elevator to the top, nice view), Chinatown, Hawaii Maritime Center, Iolani Palace, Bishop Museum, other museums.
Botanical Gardens: Oahu has many botanical gardens. Most are free, the others charge a few bucks. Haiku Garden in Kaneohe is nice and is a nice stop if you are taking an island driving tour. Located near Byodo-In-Temple (Valley of the Temples).
Here is a nice site for gardens in the state:
http://www.hawaii.edu/sciref/botgarden.html (all islands)
Check brochures or get info on-line for others. Search: oahu botanical gardens
Other: Sea Life Park, Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Aquarium, Children's Discovery Center dinner cruises, whale watching cruise, submarine tours, parasailing, helicopter tours, horseback riding, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park, scuba, surfing lessons, other luau shows (Germaine's, Paradise Cove). Many other attractions, things to do. Check the brochures.
Brochures: (free) Can be found in the airport baggage claim area or at hundreds of news stands throughout Waikiki, in hotels, in stores, and at some attractions. These are excellent "things to do and see" guide books (maps, attractions, beaches, dining, night clubs, etc.). There are a lot of coupons in these for dining, shopping, etc. The best brochures are: 'This Week on Oahu', 'Oahu Gold', '101 Things Oahu', 'The BEST of Oahu'. Some of these brochures can also be found for other islands (Maui, Kauai, Big Island) unique to that island. Most of these brochures also have on-line versions.
Websites:
www.thisweek.com 'This Week On Oahu' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also This Week Maui, Kauai, Big Island.
www.spotlighthawaii.com 'Oahu Gold' They will send up-to-date brochures for a few bucks. Also Maui Gold, Big Island Gold, Kauai Gold.
www.gohawaii.com This is the official site for Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau. They will send a free brochure.
www.101thingstodo.com
www.visit-oahu.com Oahu Visitors Bureau, for free brochure 1-877-525-6248 (toll free)
www.hawaii.com Good site for comparing hotel locations, prices, etc.
www.hawaiiweb.com
www.alternative-hawaii.com
www.portaloha.com/SecretsOfHawaii
www.alohatower.com
www.chinatownhi.com
www.honolulu.hawaii.edu/tours (driving and walking tours)
www.driveguidemagazines.com Good island maps including many detailed maps. Also good restaurant guide. Good for all islands
www.discoveringhawaii.com Free (pdf) circle island tour map. Also free (pdf) download Oahu movie location map.
www.hawaii-hotels.com Compare hotels
www.bookit.com Compare hotels
www.alohafriends.com
www.alohafriendshawaii.com
www.honoluluadvertiser.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, has dining & entertainment guides, TGIF calendar
www.starbulletin.com one of two main Honolulu newspapers, also has dining &entertainment guides
Automobiles: Oahu is the only island that you can get around by bus. Oahu has a good bus system, but a rental vehicle gets around a lot better. Parking in Waikiki can be a problem at times. If you plan on renting a car, make sure your hotel allows parking at the hotel or in a nearby lot or garage. Get the parking pass at the hotel registration area. Probably $8-$14/day to park at the hotel. You can get city bus passes at any ABC store in Waikiki for $20 for 4 days ($40/month). Or you can pay $2.00 per trip. There are also many shuttles, tour buses and vans and trolleys that go to many places (some are free). Also 1 or 4 day Waikiki Trolley passes available.
www.thebus.org
www.waikikitrolley.com
Internet Search Engines: Use Yahoo, Google, Dogpile or any other search engine to find information on any thing else on Oahu (or other island) that may interest you. Type in: hiking hawaii, hiking oahu, bed and breakfast oahu, condominiums oahu, botanical gardens oahu, oahu hotels or any other terms that will get you information.
Hotels: Most hotels (or hotel chains) have their own 800 numbers and/or websites:
www.outrigger.com
www.sheraton.com
www.ohanahotels.com
, etc. Or you can use a search engine to find the website or use the search engine's yellow pages for the phone number.
also try www.vrbo.com for more options
Entertainment Book
Entertainment books for Hawaii and many other locations can be purchased online at:
www.entertainment.com.
They cost around $35-$40 plus shipping or if you wait until mid-March, the price is reduced to about $25 (or less) with free shipping, $15 after mid-May. Expires November 1.
Coupons include half price tickets for John Hirokawa's Magic Show. Hundreds of other coupons for reduce price luaus, shopping, dining, movies, attractions, etc. The Hawaii book also has many mainland coupons for hotels, car rentals, Universal Studios, Sea World, etc.
Others:
www.mauihawaii.org Great site of Maui Jon
www.visitmaui.com Free brochure
www.bigisland.org Free brochure
www.kauaidiscovery.com Free brochure
www.kauai-hawaii.com
Mar 23rd, 2006, 12:37 PM
#7
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we have been to Maui and Oahu. If i were going for r&r, beaches and quiet, i would suggest maui. Oahu was noisy, busy and congested. Even a little dated feeling. We did enjoy seeing puchbowl crater and Pearl Harbor...but not much else moved us there. Glad we only spent one day...
Mar 23rd, 2006, 01:55 PM
#8
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Another vote for Oahu, it has EVERYTHING: excitement, relaxation, nature, shopping, beaches, recreation, entertainment, food, history, mystery, theatre, culture, and more.
I work in downtown Honolulu (the actual financial district area, not Waikiki) facing big time business execs, entrepreneurs, salespeople and more.....yet, if I feel like it, I can go downstairs and relax by feeding the colorful reef fish in the harbor. Attorneys surf at dawn before reporting to work. Oahu is proof that zen & zestiness can coexist. If you can only find noise & congestion on Oahu, you haven't ventured very far from Waikiki--and believe me, it's only 10 minutes to tranquility.
For more on what will move you on Oahu, go here:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34515901
I work in downtown Honolulu (the actual financial district area, not Waikiki) facing big time business execs, entrepreneurs, salespeople and more.....yet, if I feel like it, I can go downstairs and relax by feeding the colorful reef fish in the harbor. Attorneys surf at dawn before reporting to work. Oahu is proof that zen & zestiness can coexist. If you can only find noise & congestion on Oahu, you haven't ventured very far from Waikiki--and believe me, it's only 10 minutes to tranquility.
For more on what will move you on Oahu, go here:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34515901
Mar 23rd, 2006, 03:04 PM
#9
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Dusty and Melissa live on Oahu (lucky dogs!) so they are definitely experts, but I know from experience that you're not really a tourist in the place you live. As a tourist who LOVES Hawaii and has been to all of the major islands (except Molokai) multiple times, I must respectfully agree with Suze - MAUI! It is a wonderful blend of relaxation and natural beauty and shops/dining. There are plenty of natural, easily-accessible wonders like Haleakala, Iao Valley... and perfect beaches. It's the one we keep going back to! JMHO.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 04:09 PM
#10
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First timers should see Oahu. Your next trip should be Maui. Like some of the above listings, you don't have to go far to get away from the touristy Waikiki area. You have to see it, though. My first visit to Hawaii was Lanai (honeymoon), 8 years ago, but that's another story (memorable one).
Mar 23rd, 2006, 04:11 PM
#11
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It amazes me how someone who has spent ONE DAY on an island can tag it, "noisy, busy and congested. Even a little dated feeling". I'm sorry... I don't mean to be rude, posts like that are VERY misleading to people looking for honest experience travel advise.
Ask people who have traveled (more than one day) to Maui, O'ahu, Kauai and BI and I've seen 9 out of 10 say O'ahu. I also love R&R, privacy, quiet and exploring and I'd pick O'ahu hands down over Maui.
Here's a link to a fun thread that explains why so many people love to travel to O'ahu:
http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....1&tid=34515901
To each his own I guess... I'd suggest picking up some guidebooks from your local library and checking out what each island has to offer. One will stand out after your research... or you'll be like me and need to travel back year after year enjoying them all.
Ask people who have traveled (more than one day) to Maui, O'ahu, Kauai and BI and I've seen 9 out of 10 say O'ahu. I also love R&R, privacy, quiet and exploring and I'd pick O'ahu hands down over Maui.
Here's a link to a fun thread that explains why so many people love to travel to O'ahu:
http://fodors.com/forums/pgMessages....1&tid=34515901
To each his own I guess... I'd suggest picking up some guidebooks from your local library and checking out what each island has to offer. One will stand out after your research... or you'll be like me and need to travel back year after year enjoying them all.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 05:25 PM
#12
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Jeez! Why aren't the Kauai and Big Island people chiming in? Actually, I happen to know the Kauai people are in on a plot to discourage visitors and keep the place to themselves...Heh, heh, heh. Seriously, this is not even a fair question. All of the islands are so unique and so wonderful. It's like asking whether dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate is best. They're ALL chocolate, and I want them ALL...
Mar 23rd, 2006, 05:31 PM
#13
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Upon reading your post my first thought for you was Maui. However with this being your first trip I believe researching both Oahu using Dusty's extremely well done post and also buy Maui Revealed. This will allow for an educated pick. There are NO bad days in the islands!
Mar 23rd, 2006, 06:47 PM
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Okay maybe I am a glutton for punishment. Kauai is by far the best island if you are looking for relaxation. If all you are going to do is relax, do a little swimming, perhaps enjoy a waterfall, go to Kauai. If you want the hustle and bustle of a big city go to Oahu. If you want a little of both go to Maui. If this is your first time and you are only going for 7 days. Spend your first night on Oahu. You can knock out Pearl Harbor in a day and still have time to visit some of the other attractions. Then that night fly to Maui for a little relaxation. The stuff that you miss is over rated and over crowded. I've been to Oahu many times. Even made the mistake of staying there for a week. I have to admit that if you do end up going there for more than a day, spend some time on the north side of island. Get out of Honolulu.
Kauai is by far the best of the islands, but it is only good for those that want to relax. If you want more entertainment, spend some time in Maui. Be sure to drive and even spend a few nights in Hana.
Kauai is by far the best of the islands, but it is only good for those that want to relax. If you want more entertainment, spend some time in Maui. Be sure to drive and even spend a few nights in Hana.
Mar 23rd, 2006, 08:52 PM
#17
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makai1
"It amazes me how someone who has spent ONE DAY on an island can tag it, "noisy, busy and congested. Even a little dated feeling". I'm sorry... I don't mean to be rude, posts like that are VERY misleading to people looking for honest experience travel advise."
My thoughts exactly. It seems the only ones that ever bash Oahu are ones that spent only a day or two and never left the city. Or they took city buses to tour the island.
"It amazes me how someone who has spent ONE DAY on an island can tag it, "noisy, busy and congested. Even a little dated feeling". I'm sorry... I don't mean to be rude, posts like that are VERY misleading to people looking for honest experience travel advise."
My thoughts exactly. It seems the only ones that ever bash Oahu are ones that spent only a day or two and never left the city. Or they took city buses to tour the island.
Mar 24th, 2006, 05:42 AM
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I have been to Oahu many, many times-both for business and for pleasure. The part of the island that is geared to TOURISTS is, indeed, "busy, noisy, congested, and a bit dated". Yes, you can drive to other areas, but the vast majority of lodging options are in an area with too much traffic, too many hookers on the streets, and very crowded conditions on Waikiki beach which seems to shrink in size every time I visit. I have stayed on the Windward side a couple of times. Better beaches there, but you have to be willing to stay in someone's studio apartment attached to their garage, a bedroom in someone's house, or..if enough people and $$...rent a house or cottage. The one hotel on the north shore and the one hotel on the west shore are expensive, and their locales don't offer much in the way of dining alternatives. Oahu would probably be my first choice if I was a RESIDENT of Hawaii, but as a VISITOR, I prefer Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island...in that order.
Mar 24th, 2006, 06:16 AM
#20
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I have to side with Barbara. I would say pick Maui or Kauai first. There are great websites on both. Yes, laying on the beach makes me favor Maui for you. And then natural beauty part. Road to Hana, Oheo Gulch/ Seven Pools, Haleakala, Upcountry, Iao Needle and the rest of the West side.
I liked the big island too, although it seemed like a lot of driving for the one week I was there.
www.visitmaui.com
