In exactly one week from today I will be on a sunny beach on Oahu.

Some people may think "Who cares?" Well I do. Many coworkers have asked why I keep going back to Hawaii year after year. They say " you should just go down the shore" referring the the Jersey Shore points nearby.

Well I'm not going down the shore. I'm getting on a plane, flying 12 hours, and for one week I will be truly happy.

For my trip this year it will be kona, kona's mom, brother of kona, and friend of brother of kona. I will rent a car again, I will stay in Ko Olina again. I will eat a lot of shaved ice, shrimp,fresh fruit, and I will consume large amounts of Leonards Malasadas if I can find them.
Most of all I will feel proud to tell people I am going back to Hawaii for the fifth time.
I love it there. it brings me peace. And I think that is the most important thing.

So Aloha everyone. Thanks for all of the travel tips that you have given me. i really appreciate the help.

kona

Good for you, Kona! I get the same reaction from some of my friends and family when I travel to Hawaii. ("You're going AGAIN?!") There is a sense of well-being that I don't find anywhere else. We need to tap into those good feelings as often as our schedules and budgets allow. Have a great time, and have malasada (plain...not cream-filled) for me!

Kona, have a wonderful trip, and know there are many in the same club you are! I've been to Hawaii about half a dozen times, and people tell me I should go somewhere else next time ... but I won't. I'm already planning another trip for next Spring!

Kona, the Leonard's truck has been at the shopping center (Waiele?) near Ko Olina, but the Leonard's website is not uptodate so not sure if it's still there. (But it's worth driving into Honolulu for!)

Yay! Welcome back to Oahu. Will you be attending the Asia board GTG?

I am right there with you Kona. Nothing can match Hawaii. I have been going to Hawaii, one island or another or 2 with a variety of different arrangements since I fell in love with Hawaii on my first trip in 1980, I have gone once every year since then (except one year, the year I bought my condo) Right now I have 2 trips on deck actually, Waikiki in December this year and Maui April 2010. There are people that just don't get it (why we would keep going back) huh

Have a great trip! As sf7307 mentioned, the closest Leonard's is in Waikele Shopping Center. You will see the Leonard's truck from the freeway on your way to Ko Olina.

My favorite shaved ice place is in Aiea called Ice Garden. If you like mochi balls, taro, and red beans, then this is the place of for you.

Thank you for loving our State, we need you desperately!

Where are you staying in Ko Olina? We stayed at the Marriott timeshare in May -- it's a little "out of the way" but we liked the place a lot. Not too many restaurants nearby, so we picked local places (with the help of yelp.com) -- just wanted to mention a very good neighborhood Japanese restaurant. It's called Kunio and it's in a shopping center (near Barnes & Noble I think). Anyway, I'm no "connossieur" of Japanese food, but it was good. If you find any other great places outside the Ko Olina resort, please post back.

Good for you! We get the same reaction too, especially since we always go to Oahu. We don't care, we love it!!! 9 weeks to go for us. Have a great time!! And Jersey Shore versus North Shore - puhleese!!!

We have been going every year(well, almost every year) for 28 years. We too still get the 'you are going again' looks.

Thanks for all of you replies. I am staying at the Marriott Beach Villas since there are 4 of us. It is almost 1300 square feet and that should be plenty of room. Generally I don't like to do dishes or cook while on vacation but this should be fun since 2 out of 4 people have never been to Hawaii before. "Just wait..." I keep saying, " You will love it". The anticipation of showing people this beautiful island is overwhelming.
6 more days till departure...
kona

Yay - good for you! Have a fantastic time! We'll be in your shoes in a month. This will also be our fifth trip to Hawaii, but the first time with our 3-yr. old son. We just love going back; feels like coming home...

We live in NJ and Hawaii has become our paradise. My son says Mom why don't you try other places. We try different places in Hawaii. In May we went to Ohau, Kauai and the Big Island. It was our first time in Oahu and we really liked it. The North Shore was absolutely beautiful. We are planning to go back to Hawaii again in May 2010. I can't think of another place I would rather go.

Why go anywhere else when you can go to Paradise. That is what Hawaii is. It's not just the physical beauty but the island Ahola, the culture and the people.

nanabee I agree... unfortunately I have not been since 2005 but am counting down the days till I get on that plane in a few weeks now to stay right where Kona is going.

Sf what was the price point on the japanese place?

Kona, I hear you! DH and I are Oahu lovers and I have lost count of our trips there. DH travels on business and tried to stay at Marriotts so we usually stay at the Marriott in Waikiki and have talked about staying at the Ko lina but have had the same concerns about being away from restaurants etc. I am interersted in hearing about local places like you mentioned.
How is the weather there in that area? Does it get really windy? We went one day to check out the beach and it was so windy we left. We wondered if it was normally that way or we just hit a bad day.
Dawn, have a great trip, I know you have some reservations about the sun but I know there are so many other joys there that you will have a relaxing vacation! Looking forward to your trip report too!

Thank you Mary! I cannot wait..yes, I am very nervous about the sun, but have some great sunscreen clothing and good sun block and an umbrella.

I am happy to report that the weather near Ko Olina has always been great during my stays there. I usually go in September and it is always sunny. The one exception was a few years ago we were there during the "Pineapple Express" in December. It rained for a few days but on the upside it created AWESOME waves on the North Shore. Many places lost power and the H1 was closed near the resort, but everything was business as usual at the JW Marriott. Typically we eat in Kapolei at either one of the chain restaurants or Zippys. When we are out and about or near the north shore we go to one of the shrimp trucks and of course have shaved ice. It is not expensive to eat out if you are careful. The only time we eat at the resort is the first night because we are so exhausted. I don't think our meals are any more expensive in Hawaii then they are eating out here in suburban Philadelphia.
One of my favorites is a fruit stand near Turtle Bay. The sweet lady sells fried bananas in wonton wrappers. I plan to go there everyday!!!! 4 more days....till paradise.

Kona,
How long does it take you to drive from Ko Olina to Turtle Bay? It looks pretty far to go every day. What route do you find is best?

From Ko Olina to Turtle bay WITHOUT traffic is about 40 minutes. Now I know you are probably thinking that's a long trip, but we are not on a schedule and love to go to Ted's Bakery for pie. I'm not sure of the roads I take but when we exit the resort we get on the HI and a few miles down there is an exit that says "NORTH SHORE". I take that all the way up passing the Dole Plantation and some beautiful scenery!!! I am telling you when you see the ocean driving up and the waves breaking it will take your breath away. It's funny I drive 40 minutes to work every day and it seems like a lifetime. Driving 40 minutes in Hawaii is a piece of cake, or pie.