Christmas in Hawaii
 

Husband and I are searching for ideas of a trip over Christmas. Is Hawaii a good option? (I work for the school system so not much choise in time of year.)

Mopnmom, some of my relatives are thinking of going for Christmas this year, and I think you'll find, as they have, that airfare, hotels, car rentals......... will all cost considerably more than at any other time of year, as that is high season but if that doesn't bother you, Hawaii is always wonderful. And it will all be more crowded. That time of year, I might spend most of my time on the Big Island and Kauai..... which are never as crowded as Oahu and Maui. But I've never been to Hawaii (I've been spring, summer and fall) that I was sorry.........:-)

whoops.......... actually winter, also!

Not trying to discourage you but the winter months is the rainy season. Often times you can avoid the rain but need to stay on the appropriate side of the island. For instance the Kona side on the Big Island.

That won't help if we get Kona storms like we did this year! But wouldn't you rather be on the rain in HI than at home, wherever you are from?

We spent Christmas in Oahu one year and had a great time. We had been warned about the weather but we had one day of rain and the rest of the time was warm and sunny.

The week before Christmas we stayed at Turtle Bay resort on the north shore. Even with the surfing championships going on, it was uncrowded and so enjoyable. What a beautiful area!

The second week we stayed in Waikiki in a condo next to the Ala Moana center. At first it was fine. Definitely a busier pace but we were amazed at the lack of tourists. That changed Christmas Day when they all started arriving! It just got crazy, especially with the Aloha Bowl crowd who were there to party.

We would spend Christmas in Hawaii again, probably Kauai which is our favorite. But we won't go back to Waikiki...just not to our liking.

My wife, Kids and I spent Christmas in the islands about four years ago, Christmas 2000, I believe, and it was very nice. We spent five days on Maui and five days on the big Island, (Kona). The Kanapauli area was very crowded so I was glad to get to Kona. None the less, leaving our home area in the middle of winter is nice.

We attended a candlelight Christmas eve service at a small Methodist Church in Lahina and my kids talk about that still.

As another post said, the downside is the crowds and lodging and airfare is significantly more expensive at Christmas.

We stay in Condo's when we go and it seemed that everyone knew everyone so there must be a huge contingent that go there every Christmas.

All in all, well worth the extra $$.