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This forum looks like it has gone on for over a year! These are all interesting opinions paired with helpful resource information. I have to agree with the Maui-side of comments though, as I think this island has more of the laid-back old style Aloha Spirit to offer you. Oahu to me feels like the Mainland! Yes, Waikiki is special if you are enjoying the cultural and historic sites but might bore a teenager to death, even if it would be good for your daughter to see. But she won't see it if her eyes are half rolled back in her head. The shopping is the same as any fashion avenue in a big city, as are some of the restaurants. I think Maui is the way to go with a teenager though I don't recommend that you stay in some big resort area like Kaanapali or Wailea. Instead, like someone mentioned, check out the north shore - this is the scene that your daughter would enjoy most because it's casual but chic, with so many small privately owned clothing stores and 'onolicious restaurants. Paia is great because the beach is right there, just off from Hana Highway. Baldwin, Paia Bay, Buddha Beach, Tavares, Kuau, Mama's Beach, Hookipa, they are all right within reach. You and your daughter could lay out for sure but also watch some pretty exhilarating action in the water - windsurfers, kitesurfers, surfers, oh my! They are there in rotation given the weather, and they are so cool to watch. Maybe your daughter would bteak out and get interested in a watersport? There are plenty of schools for lessons right in the area - one for young women is www.mauisurfergirls.com. Places to stay are somewhat scarce ... but there are a few to choose from. My recommendation is the Paia Inn Hotel, www.paiainn.com. It's new so the word is just getting out, but I stayed here with my mom in August and just loved it! The deluxe room was perfect, with just enough room for us in a quaint, comfy kind of way. I was impressed by the modern technology of the place, and I enjoyed the common area and continental breakfast in the mornings. It was the spot to see the town and the beach from - we didn't even really need our car. As a side note, Maui has a strong junior college - Maui Community College - with some full college programs affiliated with UH. It's a nice secondary option on an island that has a slower, more reasonable pace for a young person just leaving home for the first time....
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Wow that's a lot of info. Many thanks
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Some updates:
In addition to ordering a free hard copy travel planner, you can read the entire planner on line now for these: Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau: http://www.gohawaii.com/about_hawaii/visitor_guide Oahu: http://www.visit-oahu.com/planner.aspx Maui: http://visitmaui.com/ Scroll to the bottom & click on: View & Order Your Free Travel Planner Scroll to the bottom & click on the image for online version. Click on the image again. Big Island (Island of Hawaii): http://www.bigisland.org/ On the right side, click on: View E-Book or Request Hardcopy Kauai: http://www.kauaidiscovery.com/travelplanner/ You can read the entire magazines online for these. Includes ads & coupons: This Week on Oahu (also Maui, Big Island, Kauai): http://www.thisweek.com/allislands/maps.html Click on the cover of the island you want. Oahu Gold (also Maui, Big Island, Kauai): http://www.spotlighthawaii.com/ Scroll down & click on the cover for the island you want. 101 Things to do on Oahu (also Maui, big Island, Kauai) http://www.101thingstodo.com/ Click on the cover for the island you want. |
WOW Dusty, bookmarked again with 09 updates. Thanks!
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Nice site, especially the maps:
http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/ For maps, click on: Hawaii Almanac For detailed maps on a specific island: Click on: Oahu (or other island) and click on: Hawaii Almanac Another good site: http://www.hawaii-guide.com/ |
Thank you for all the great links dusty.
I especially like: http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/ www.mauiinfosource.com |
Blogs: (All islands) Lots of articles about things to do, things to see, restaurants, upcoming events, lodging & more.
http://www.govisithawaii.com/ http://beatofhawaii.com/ http://www.somuchmorehawaii.com/ http://blog.hawaiigaga.com/ http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/blogs http://urbanmixplate.honadvblogs.com/ |
Dusty,
You are awesome!! Thanks for taking the time to post all of this. It will help a LOT of people. Another thread I was reading had a link for this thread. |
bookmarking - thanks Dusty.
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bookmarking?
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bookmarking
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With 3-4 days I would recommend Oahu, but not Waikiki as it's very touristy and crowded and I find less and less enjoyable. Instead, I would recommend staying on the North Shore or in Kailua where you can rent a condo for less than you would spend on a Waikiki hotel. If you can find a good deal, the Turtle Bay Resort is beautiful and is next on my list.
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bookmarking
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Bookmarking, thanks
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Bookmarking, Awesome thread. Thank you!!!
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This site is really good for Hawaii history.
http://www.hawaiihistory.org This link has many Hawaii maps. Included are beach maps, city maps, island maps. You have to click on the individual maps 2-3 times to enlarge the map. Then you can click and drag to move the map around. http://mappery.com/maps-Hawaii |
Bookmarking
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Thank you all for great info.Planning Jan. 2011 trip.What a great help
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bm
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