"Young" retired couple from the frozen north. We would love to spend Jan-Mar. in Hawaii as neither of us has ever been there. But it's pretty expensive for us Canucks so would like to get best value for our $$. Is there a specific area that you would recommend that has good enough transportation that we wouldn't have to rent a car but yet we'd have lots to do? I am leaning towards Oahu-Waikiki..does that make sense? Are we nuts to think we can do this without a car? We like to walk on the beach, wander shops, bike; generally a low key lifestyle. In bed by 10 - up by 7 kind of people. Please - all suggestions welcome! Also anything we may not have thought of?

Waikiki/Honolulu is very easy to do without a car. The Bus offers excellent transportation for getting around. Between that and walking alot it's no problem. Traffic's pretty heavy in Waikiki so I'm not sure how I'd feel about bike riding on the streets in the city anyway.

I assume you'd want to try to some kind of monthly rental, rather than a hotel, since you'd be staying 3 months?

Waikiki would be a good area for that time of year also. I was going to suggest Hanalei on Kauai if you like more relaxed, less touristy, but Hawaii only has two seasons - winter/rainy and summer/sun, and Waikiki will be a lot less rainier than most places in Hawaii in January and February. Also, Waikiki has free movies on the beach on Sundays. Have a great time!

Waikiki would be OK without a car.

There are some car rental agencies in Waikiki if you want to rent one for a day or two every now and then.

Visitors can also get bus passes for four days with unlimited rides. They cost $20. So you could buy the passes occasionally. Or just pay $2 each time.

I too recommend oahu. You can do a circle of the island via public transport, on The Bus (yup, that's what it's called).
You can aslo find reasonably priced accomodation in the Waikiki area--maybe not directly ON the beach, but near it. Tell us your price limitations and I'm sure you'll get suggestions. Aloha!

www.thebus.org

shows all about The Bus on Oahu.

You might want to try www.sublet.com for a furnished short term lease for the time your on the island. That will be the least expensive way to go. Keep in mind the average studio/1 bedroom rents for $1000-1200 a month. The apartments are small and not like your used to on the mainland. We've been here six years and moving to Wa. DC shortly. For things to do check out. www.gohawaii.com or www.oahugold.com

You might also think about Kailua on Oahu.

You may be able to find a vacation rental place there for three months cheaper than Waikiki. It is on bus routes and they do have an Enterprise Car Rental there.

They have some shops to explore, some decent dining places, two of the best beaches in the country (Kailua and Lanikai).

Traffic isn't as bad as Waikiki and Honolulu so biking would probably be better.

ttt (because i wish i could spend 3 months in hawaii this winter!)

Ditto what suze said! Belle.

Canuck,

There is an area on the far end of Waikiki by Diamond Head called the Gold Coast where there are several condos that you can rent on a monthly basis. The Colony Surf is one.

-Bill

Thank you very much for all your replies. It sounds like the Gold Coast might be better for us - a little off the beaten track but close enough to not get bored. Can you walk to downtown Waikiki from the Gold Coast area, even at night? Also condos at the Colony Surf look pretty pricy. Are we out of line looking at the $2000-$2200 per month budget? And finally when you say it's rainy in the winter...how much rain can we expect for the Jan-Mar period? Again, thanks very much..the plan is now shaping up in my mind.

I suggest getting the monthly bus pass as it's the best deal. A rental house/condo/apt. may be your best bet. Do a search on this site for rentals in Hawaii. I know folks have suggested websites for this.