Fun, not romantic trip to Hawaii
 

I have spent so many hours reading countless threads in preparation for my first trip to Hawaii at the end of August. Me and a buddy of mine (20-somethings) are going to experience the fun-side (not the romantic-side) of Hawaii. We are staying in a small beach house near the Kualoa Ranch on Oahu for five nights, then flying to Maui and staying in a condo in Lahaina for 4 nights. We chose the contrast of locations to experience different aspects of the islands. Just like the reason we chose an SUV to explore on Oahu and a convertible for cruising on Maui. I have gotten so many tips from the message posts. I do have a couple of questions. Will we still experience surfing waves somewhere on either of those islands even though we're not going in the winter? From everything I've read, it seems like the "amazing" waves all occur in the winter season. Will I be let down by not experiencing these - if it's even possible to be let down on a trip to Hawaii? Our main and only plan for the trip is to experience as many of the beaches as possible. We will be flying back to Oahu for one more night before leaving on a late flight return to the mainland. Since we're staying away from Waikiki for the first part of our trip, I'm planning to stay somewhere (maybe the Outrigger Waikiki) right in the heart of Waikiki to cap off the experience. Any suggestions?

Also...I've read a lot about the trip to Haleakala and so many people recommend doing it the first day after arrival since your body is so screwed up due to the time change (we're from Virginia, so it will definitely be an adjustment). But we're spending the first 5 days on Oahu. Are there any similar suggestions for the island of Oahu that would require getting up early? This is a trip I've dreamed of for years and finally got the flyer miles to fly for free. Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post so many messages to this site - definitely helps the rest of us plan our trips.

Any adventure trips that anyone would recommend for either island. Has anyone done any of the activities at Kualoa Ranch?

No, you can surf but what is your competancy in surfing? I just went to Oahu with my sister and her two boys they love boogy boarding but I just did not think they were fit enough for sandy beach or makapu (two beaches with waves in summer).Not for your average east coast vacation boogy boarder in my opinion. Fun! I can remember on another trip on Makapu jumping with the waves and feeling like my feet were soaring 5 feet off the ground. I am sure they were. I was living there though and swimming year round did not feel threatened by conditions. Sandy beach on Oahu is often referred to as break neck beach because of the way the waves slam against the shoreline. Sister that I went with has a relative that was paralysized on Hawaii by just such an accident ODDLY ENOUGH. There will usually be flags up when the waves are out of control. Thing is at sandy beach those flags seem to be up more often than not.

We did not see many waves this summer but again I kept them off those beaches! Good you are asking now if there were a lot of waves. Just remember there would not be a lot of snorkeling if there were a lot of waves. Hawaii has its own charms explore the unique qualities of the island you can't find at home. Where are you coming from?

As far as missing out on the big surf on the North Shore - most of the "experiencing" that people do during the winter is watching it from far up on the beach. Only the very experienced and/or world class surfers (and the occasional person with some screws loose) get into the water during that time. So even if you were here during that time, you wouldn't be able to get into the water.

In the summertime, the bigger surf is on the south shores of the island - though it usually stays well within the 3-6 foot range. It works out pretty well for the people learning how to surf off Waikiki beach - not too big, but not flat, either.

If you move further south to Sandy's be careful. It may sometimes not look like much, but it can be dangerous if you're inexperienced - where the shore break is located is what makes it hazardous.

I can't offhand think of anything on Oahu that necessitates as early a wake up time as driving up to Haleakala - the only thing I can think of is getting up early to get to the North Shore to do some diving/snorkeling. But even that is arriving between 7:30 and 8:00 a.m. (on the weekends), so hardly the crack of dawn.

Sorry...I should have clarified more. By "experiencing" I simply meant a visual experience. I grew up going to the Atlantic coast and spent 5 years through college and grad school living on the Florida coast. So I had hoped to see "real" waves while in Hawaii, but I'm definitely looking forward to snorkeling a lot while on my trip - something neither of us have done before. Thanks for the info!

You won't experience the "real waves" in August. On the other hand, because the surf is lower, snorkeling is much better.

One good snorkeling spot is right where you will be, at Kualoa Regional Park. On low tide you can also wade out to Chinaman's Hat there.

Many north shore beaches are great for snorkeling in the summer. Shark's Cove and Chun's Reef are two of the better north shore beaches for snorkeling. Yesterday, I saw about 10 sea turtles at Chun's Reef. That was from land as I don't snorkel any more.

You can go to Kualoa Ranch website to see what tours/activities are there.

www.kualoaranch.com

Lots of good hiking in the area.

http://www.snorkeling-hawaii-insider...com/index.html

www.snorkelbobs.com click on MapnTips at the bottom of the screen.

http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/snorkel/maps.htm

http://www.maui-vacation.net/snorkelmap.html

Lots of good Maui info:

www.mauihawaii.org

Two good early morning (although not terribly early)trips on Oahu: Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head. The Visitor Center at PH opens at 7:30 and the first film showing is at 8AM, followed by the trip on the launch over to the Arizona. The hike up Diamond Head is best done in the early AM as it gets hot and crowded along the path later in the day.
The one thing we did on Oahu that was the highlight of our trip was a wild dolphin swim/snorkel. It was just awesome to swim amongst the dolphins in the wild. If this sounds like something you'd like here's the website: www.sailhawaii.com
On Maui, check out Hookipa beach for windsurfers. On Oahu, you might want to try kite-surfing at Kailua Beach.

Iolani Palace should be a top priority if you plan to pack in any historical trips.

I prefer other hikes to Diamond head its crowded and under the sun. I would explore several trails before you leave you can even look up vista photos on the internet. I have done that before to decide on a trail. One of my favorite hikes is on Oahu. I would save for an over cast morning in the best scenario, Makapu light house trail. You will be alone and much of the path is paved, so this could be a good first hike of your trip.The visita at the end is just so stunning (windward coast)and you will not be surrounded by a ton of other sweaty hikers LOL. Just a bit nicer I think that than looking out of the view of a city as you do on the diamond head hike.

Great post dusty!!!

Wake up early and hike Diamondhead--you will beat most of the crowds and the heat!

Yes, Diamond Head and Pearl Harbor are good things to do early in the morning, as well as Hanauma Bay. If you like hikes, the hike to Manoa Falls is good too.

You guys are great...so much helpful info! 2 1/2 weeks to go before I leave for paradise! Just afraid that I'll be calling back to the mainland and sending for all my stuff once I'm there for 10 days. Guess that wouldn't be sooo bad...

Is the trip to Hana worth it at this time of year? I've read a lot of posts that seem to say the end of summer is not a good time because the various waterfalls seem to be dried up. Any insight? I was definitely planning on working this into my trip.

When we did the Road to Hana, it was in the winter, and the one waterfall was dried up at that time. It certainly didn't spoil our trip. :) Lots of beautiful scenery, even if you don't go all the way to Hana and beyond.

We've never snorkeled before. Can anyone give us some "how to" tips or guide us to a site. I've tried to find info, but keep finding nothing. I read something about people using some kind of a floater to be able to come to for clearing a mask, etc. Do people do this?

pianograd99:

Here are a couple links:


http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/index.htm

http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/snorkel/maps.htm

http://www.snorkeling-hawaii-insider...ling_maui.html

http://www.snorkeling-hawaii-insider...com/index.html

We sometimes use a noodle to snorkel with...gives you alittle support while adjusting your mask or snorkel.

Hopefully yours will fit well enough you won't be bothered with that, but if you are, it is helpful.

Belle

The other recommendation is to go early, as the winds make the water rougher later in the day....and you avoid masses of other snorkerlers if you're there early!

Belle

Maui Dive Shop publishes a helpful guide about snorkelling spots. If you're a beginner like me there's a recommended place - Kahekeli Beach (airport beach) it's right by the new Westin timeshare place in the north end of Kaanapali. They might expedite a mailing to you if you give them a call, you can google for the website. Have a great trip:)

Another snorkel site is:

www.snorkelbobs.com

Scroll to the bottom and click on MapnTips. Then click on the island(s) you want.

If you're not an experienced snorkeler, then the use of a noodle or vest may be a good idea. Basically, as OldSouthernBelle has noted, it gives a bit of support, so basically all you have to do is float and look.

shorediving.com is an excellent site that gives information and reviews on various dive/snorkel sites. Information on parking, how to get there, facilities, etc. Just make sure you read the reviews for an indication on whether it's an appropriate snorkeling site. Some of the sites listed are really dive sites and don't have great snorkeling.

Before you choose your site, also check the surf forecast. The North Shore on Oahu should be pretty flat, but it's not unheard of for the surf to kick up a bit occasionally near the end of summer. As an example, a couple of weeks ago I was diving out of Haleiwa and there were 2-4 foot waves. Being inexperienced, I wouldn't advise you of trying to snorkel unless the surf is flat to 1 foot.

Shark's Cove is probably the most popular, and it gets very crowded on weekends. Best to either go on a weekday or very early on a weekend. Most of the best stuff to see is at least 10 feet down - but it's still interesting even if you don't dive down for a closer look.

Firehouse and Three Tables are two other nearby sites, but parking is a bit more limited than Shark's Cove. However, if you park at any of these sites, it's an easy walk to any of them - they are all adjacent to each other.

Make sure you have a well fitting mask and use defog - it will cut down on the number of times you'll have to clear your mask.

Oh - and use lots of sunscreen. I see so many snorkelers with really bad sunburns on their backs - they lose track of time when they're checking out all the fishies down below.

And yet another question...you guys are just too good at answering the questions! :) So many people have asked questions about Feast at Lele vs. Old Lahaina Luau...and I will ask another one. I'm planning to do OLL because the menu at Feast at Lele doesn't seem appealing to us at all. I think we would like the menu at OLL much better - picky eaters, I guess, and not adventurous with food. However, is there maybe something we're missing on this decision? Neither of us drink alcohol...is there another good luau that may be cheaper if it doesn't include all the alcoholic beverages?

Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Oahu do a excellent show in a theater, called Horizons. They do a luau separate from that also. No alcohol is served, as they are a Mormon community and the Center is run by the Mormon college. Not sure how the costs compare...I'd have to check receipts.
None were cheap!

Really, I highly reccommend the OLL!.

Belle.

Sorry one vote against polynesian cultural center. It's not really a cultural center more of a theme park. The show is not very professional but similar to a college production, well it is a college production. I have taken people to PCC twice now both times people considered the evening performance a waste of time. One guest grew up on the big island and one guest was from Britain and had no background at all in Hawaiian culture. I enjoyed walking around on the grounds during the day but did not find the hefty entrance fee was warranted for this experience alone. You won't appreciate the food and I have never found the show worth while.

You are doing fine with your selection on Maui. I have only heard good things about OLL.

Old Lahaina Luau does not have a fire knife dancer. For that reason alone, I would skip it.

Polynesian Cultural Center's evening show 'Horizons' is the best show in all of the islands.

Admission to PCC is $50. It includes 'Horizons' a canoe pageant, IMAX, seven villages with shows/demonstrations.

For $30 more, you can get the Ali'i Luau package. It is a good luau, not the best. But with the luau package comes upgraded seats for 'Horizons'.

There is a coupon for $27 in the Entertainment Book for PCC.

So for PCC, you can get two luau package tickets for $133 ($66.50 each).

Thanks for the info on the luaus. It's so hard to decide when one person says something is bad and the next says it was great. I'm considering the Drums of the Pacific show at the Maui Hyatt. Read somewhere on-line that the food is really good...and they have the fire dancing. We don't care if it is authentic Hawaii...we just want good food and the fire dancing. How does the Hyatt luau compare?

My choice on Maui would be Drums of the Pacific.

Sarah: The PCC Luau Show was pretty good, not great, but the Horizons show was outstanding to me! Very proffessionally done!

That said, I disagree with Dusty in that I prefer no fire or knife dances....although amazing in Horizons, the safety girlscout in me gets nervous watching that!
I think guys prefer that more than most of us southernbelles! Ha!

OLL was more my style...relaxing and beautiful beach/water ambience. (Although I still recommend PCC...and I did pay exactly what Dusty said with the coupon!).

Belle.

I'm not trying to burst anyone's bubble here, as I know many visitors enjoy experiencing a luau while in Hawaii. So my point of view is one of a resident as opposed to a visitor.

Someone once asked if I took the Moulin Rouge show tour or something like that when I went to Paris. My reply was why would I do that, it's like traveling to Hawaii, getting on a bus and attending a commercial luau.

As a resident I would much rather go to Chai's Bistro, Kapono's or even the lounge at the Moana Hotel and listen to real Hawaiian music. I think two 20 somethings might enjoy that a lot more. Likewise for dining I would rather go to Ono Hawaiian Food, Helena's or Leong's and eat authentic Hawaiian food. Just my 2 cents for what it's worth.

Other than that it sounds like you have a terrific vacation planned, have a great trip.

curiousgeo - Your suggestion is also good. Duke's is my favorite.

pianograd - You can use the $27 coupon for PCC for any priced admission. So if you want to buy the $50 tickets, you can get them for $36.50 each. That's a great deal for several Polynesian shows including 'Horizons'.

curiousgeo: That is a good idea, but why can't you plan to do both...that's what we did! Since it was our 1st time to HI, I really wanted to do OLL and PCC!

Having experienced both of them AND multi smaller hula dance celebrations (almost all the hotels and some other places seem to offer this experience), I was alittle hula'd out by the end of the vacation. Always with the same or similar menu.

That said, we did enjoy some local cuisine and would probably spend more time doing that next time...but I don't regret anything we did!


Belle

Old Lahaina is an amazing luau in a gorgeous setting with interesting buffet style food. Here's your chance to try poi (just kidding around). Arriving early you can watch them dig up the pig. The show is of outstanding quality. They offer non-alcoholic beverages along with cocktails (I don't imagine this much effects the price of the event overall).

As mentioned the Polynesian Cultural Center is a Mormon church money making venture, that is a problem for some of us. Fire eating or not, I would skip this one because it is too expensive and too Disney-esque IMO.

Suze - I like your posts over the past several months, especially considering both of us always recommend Oahu.

But I do have a question.

Why do you not like the Mormon religion (I am not religious at all)? PCC supports kids trying to get a college education that otherwise may not be able to attend college.

To me, the Mormon church is no different than any other church. (I don't like any of them). But they all have a place and for the most part give value & virtue to our society. (except for a few really crazy so called religions)

PCC is a nice inexpensive place where anyone can experience Polynesian dancing and other aspects of Polynesian countries for 1/2 the cost ($36.50 with the Entertainment coupon) of any other of any other venue. And with PCC's luau package, it is still the same or less than many luaus.

Dusty - I mean no offense here, but your constant touting of PCC over any other luau/Polynesian show in the islands is becoming akin to advertising. I know your wife and daughter work(ed) there, and I also agree with you that the show is excellent, but their food [-X has always been mediocre to terrible at best. So to be fair, perhaps you should also mention that when you push PCC.

About your fixation with the Fire Knife Dancers...were you possibly a pyromaniac in a former life?(just kidding... :-d really...)
((S))((*))

Kamahinahoku
Neither my ex-wife nor my daughter has ever worked at PCC. Nor do I have any affiliation with PCC. Nor do I even know anyone who works at PCC.

My posts about PCC come from my own experience of seeing PCC as a whole entertaining day with several shows including Horizon and their Ali'i Luau.

I don't believe I have ever said much more about the Ali'i Luau other than it is a good show and with the luau package comes better seats for Horizons which is a great show.

I don't think I've recommended PCC any more than anyone else has with OLL.

I've made price comparisons, etc.

The show on Maui that my ex-wife and daughter worked at was the Maui Marriott and I have never recommended that show to anyone. I did mention that there are coupons in brochures and the Entertainment Book for the Marriott.

The show that I've recommended on Maui has been Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt because I know many people that have recommended that luau because of the fire-knife dancing as being the best on Maui.

So, if you are to complain about my posts, at least be accurate about your statements.

pianograd: I think once you start exploring the islands, going to a luau will be far, far down on your to-do list. Especially if you two don't drink alcohol.

Good surf comes and goes year-round in Hawaii. Winter often brings monster waves to the north shores, which are fun to watch but are in no way surfable for mere mortals.

If you're looking for things to do early in the morning when you first arrive on Oahu, that's the best time of day to go up Diamond Head. By mid-morning the throngs arrive, and the experience is a lot less enjoyable. Actually early morning is a great time to see most tourist attractions (Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona memorial etc).

fdecarlo: Thanks for the comments. We agree that our plans will definitely change once we arrive, so that's why we're not so dead-set on planning an itinerary.

dusty: Your information has been so informative. Thanks for taking the time to give educated replies to all my stupid questions.

My friend and I sat down today to look through all the posts to my message on here and a couple of Hawaii books from the bookstore that I had already read. Here's our list of plans for our 10-day trip.

On Oahu:
(staying in a small beach house right on the water)
1. Go to Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona Memorial the day after arriving in Hawaii
2. Snorkel at Hanauma Bay one morning
3. Drive to the North Shore and spend the day at the beaches in that area
4. Possibly do a half-day activity at Kualoa Ranch, which is right near where we're staying
5. Maybe hike Diamond Head - not a must-see for us...we'll play that one by ear

Definitely plan to rent a kayak at some point and just enjoy another part of the water.

On Maui:
(staying in a condo in Lahaina)
1. Spend one day exploring the Road to Hana
2. Hike to Waimoku Falls
3. Go to the Drums of the Pacific luau at the Hyatt
4. Spend lots of time on the beach and in the water
5. Parasailing - definitely a must...neither of us have ever done it...where could it possibly be better than Hawaii!?
6. Maybe drive up to Haleakala, but again...we live in the mountains...we're going to Hawaii for the ocean and beaches...we'll do this if we really want to once we get there.

We return to Oahu for one night before leaving, and we're planning to stay at Outrigger Waikiki and do souvenir shopping around the area before leaving for the mainland late the next night. We wanted to plan a nice place to stay for our last night in Hawaii without totally blowing up our budget. $100 saved is $100 towards activities!

The only lingering question I have is about the rental car. We had reserved an SUV for Oahu and a convertible for Maui. Definitely will do the convertible so we can have the top down for the Hana trip. Are there places we can explore with an SUV that we can't with a regular car? Just not sure about the extra rental cost to step up to the SUV...plus the gas prices! We could spend so much extra just in gas for an SUV! Any suggestions?

Once again...thanks for so much help on this trip. We leave in 10 days with a lot of confidence in our plans, and loads of thanks and appreciation to each of you!

There may be some places on Oahu that you can drive an SUV where you cannot drive a regular car. But, I don't know of any.

Sorry Dusty - I wasn't really complaining about your posts. I rather enjoy them, actually. You're very concise and often offer excellent websites for comparison. I guess when I read your suggestions about luaus, I remember you touting PCC a lot. But if you say that's incorrect...I'll accept your word on that.

And yes, I was wrong about where your wife and daughter worked.

But I will admit to teasing you about your "obsession" with fire knife dancers...
((S))((*))

I totally forgot...I was going to buy the Entertainment Book for Hawaii, and it slipped my mind. Is there any way to purchase it last minute? It's Friday, and we leave on Tuesday for Honolulu. Would I be able to buy it once I get there?

dusty56438: do you know if there's any place that I can get an entertainment book once I get to Hawaii? too late now to order one.