Hawaii Logistics..
 

Well, I guess y'all are pretty tired of my endless questions, but just be patient and answer a few more, please!

Who can help me ride the bus to a few locations? Namely....Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, The Swap Meet, Chinatown, Ala Moana, Aloha Tower, Hilo Hatties..and maybe Roy's in Hawaii Kai.

Now we are going to get a car for at least a day (more if we need it) so we can do Tantalus and The North Shore....We only have 4 full days on Oahu(boo hoo, sniff, sniff).

Also, logistically, what do you think may fit into our plan?

1st full day is a Sunday...and I was thinking of just perusing Waikiki and having breakfast or brunch or something at Duke's....and perhaps dinner at Hau Tree Lanai or Chai's. What about Pearl Harbor and/or Diamond Head during the day?

2nd day, of course, is Monday...and that's the day I was thinking of renting a car and touring. Should we have dinner at Nick's that night? Or somewhere that we can go after the sun sets since we probably will be back late...Maybe, even the hotel>>>Guess, I should have told you we are staying at the Waikiki Marriott.

The 3rd day is Tuesday (you are so smart to have figured that out, Bill), and we want to do PakePorkChop's morning tour of Chinatown....then beg he and MelissaHI to allow us to treat them to a dim sum lunch...should we wait and do Chai's on this night....or back to Waikiki?

Wednesday is our last full day, so I guess we need to be sure to get to Ala Moana, Aloha Tower, Hilo Hatties, back to the swap meet or whereever we can buy cheap tee shirts....

So, my fodor friends....here's what I want to be sure our activities include:

Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona
Swap Meet
North Shore and Tantalus
Chinatown
Walk Waikiki Beach
Hike Diamond Head

Ok...now we must eat at these places because I have discounts or coupons....

Chai's Island Bistro
Nick's Fishmarket Waikiki
Hau Tree Lanai
Maybe-Roy's (or we could save for Kauai)
Maybe-Morton's(or we could save for Atlanta!)

Please tell me what I am leaving out...Can't eat everywhere..but, we gotta get Duke's and the Shorebird and maybe, Eggs & Things in there for breakfast....I guess we should Alan Wong's Pineapple Room for lunch.....

Grief, I do not have enough time on Oahu...please help me now!!

It's only 24 more days!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hilo Hattie's has these cute & free open air trolley cars going back and forth from Waikiki. Can't miss 'em.

For Ala Moana shopping center from Waikiki, the bus says "Ala Moana" on the front going one way, and "Waikiki Hotels" on the front returning. It's $2 and you can get a transfer good for a couple hours. There's a website for The Bus, you know (i think it's thebus.org but i'm not for sure).

I was in Waikiki for 8 days in February, but I didn't hardly do a thing, so I'm no help!!

Thanks suze...and I forgot, we have to work Hanamua sic Bay in there for some snorkeling.....but, it can't be on Tuesday..

suze, you are correct. The city bus site is
www.thebus.org

You can purchase a 4-day bus pass for $20 and can get them at any ABC store in Waikiki.
Check out the site for information of what routes the bus(s) take.
If you go to Tantalus, the Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) is at the end. Stop at Pu'u Ualaka'a State Wayside on Tantalus for an awesome view of the city. Also a lookout in Punchbowl for a good view of the city.
The hike to Diamond Head Crater is nice. Do it in the morning before the sun gets too hot.
Do the swap meet and Arizona Memorial on the same day because they are right next to each other.
Swap meet is only open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday.

you can fit Hanauma Bay in by renting a car for the North Shore drive about 11am, keep it overnight and the next morning get up at 6am and drive to Hanauma Bay. Hang out & snorkel for a few hours and return the car so you'll be within the 24hour rental period. Of course if you do this, make sure you don't rent on Mon since as you know, Hanauma is closed on Tues.

You can easily catch the bus to Pearl Harbor, but it's a very slow ride, still not bad for a buck :)

I would skip Hilo Hattie. Everything there is way overpriced. You can get WAY cheaper stuff at the swap meet, especially t-shirts and Hawaiian shirts. Don't buy stuff at the International Market Place either. It's also much cheaper at the swap meet. Basically, do ALL your souvenir shopping at the swap meet.
I agree, definitely do Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay in the EARLY morning. If you're planning to do the hike up to Diamond Head, it's much cooler in the morning.
I also recommend going to Kailua Beach. Beautiful and VERY quiet and remote beach.

Are you going to do a Luau?

No luau this time Big Jim..unless of course, there is one we should not miss. Why do you all say to go to Hanauma Bay early? Is it because of the crowds?

Can we walk from the Marriott Waikiki to the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel where Hau Tree Lanai is located?

Also, should we do Roy's in Hawaii Kai where we will have a view or just wait and do Roy's on Kauai?

And, can we do Diamond Head, USS Arizona and The Swap Meet all in one day?

I understand the Swap Meet is held at Aloha Stadium. The 50th State Fair runs from May 26th thru June 19th. How will this affect the Swap Meet??

Iceeu2 -- Everyone seems to want us to go to Hanauma Bay at 7am. I'm on my 3rd dream at 7. Since I'm on vacation, I don't plan to "get going" until around 10am. ((b))

I would only recommend a luau since it's something unique and different that you'll only get in Hawaii. There are so many things that are must-sees for first-timers.

You have to go early to Hanauma Bay because it gets insanely crowded later on in the day. One time, we got there at about 10:00 AM and it was already so crowded that they stopped letting people in!

If you do Diamond Head early in the morning....around 7:00 or 8:00 (I believe it opens at 6:00), you could definitely also do the USS Arizona and the swap meet that day, but you might be rushed and pretty tired! To hike up and back down Diamond Head will take you about 2 hours. I forget how much time it takes to do the USS Arizona. The swap meet is huge so you could easily spend a few hours there. Just remember the swap meet is only on Wed. and the weekends.

I've never been to Roy's on Kauai, but I have been to the one on Oahu. I'm assuming they're pretty much the same, so if you can't do it on Oahu, you can do it on Kauai.

That's a good question. I'm not sure how the state fair will affect the swap meet. You might want to check on that when you get there.

New Otani is located down across from the large Kapiolani park where the zoo is and the "shell" is, just past the little square of beach called San Souci. I'm not sure your hotel's exact location, but I'd consider anywhere along Waikiki would be walking distance. Or you could take The Bus marked for the park/zoo.

Well.....Chai's is at Aloha Tower, so I'm not sure if you want to go twice. That would be great for ME, but you got other things to do! ;)

As for the Hilo Hattie shuttle trolley....we've been having problems with them because they'll drop you off at a destination, but you have to call them to make an appointment to pick up, and they don't like that!

Go to thebus.org for the bus routes. There is a particular route called the Etransit, which runs to and from Waikiki & Downtown (Aloha Tower, Chinatown) ONLY. There is also a trolley called the Yellow Line Trolley (aka the Shopping & Dining Trolley) that runs from Waikiki, but their route is a little complicated. You can check them out at http://www.enoa.com/ at "Other exciting Activities" then click the "Waikiki Trolley."

What day are you coming in, again?

It is an easy walk from marriott to the Hau Tree Lanai.

The swap meet still runs during the Fair. It is over near the Stadium and is dismantled each afternoon. Some times they close early to allow parking, but the fair is on a different part of the grounds...over a river and thru the cars.

Hanauma Bay only lets in a specific number of visitors each day, but more limiting is the parking. The problem, if you drive, is that they won't let you pull over to the side of the road to wait for more parking. You have to keep circling way down the road and coming back. In addition, the water can get less clear as the winds and humans kick up the water during the day.

MelissaHI, we will do PakePorkChop's tour of Chinatown on Tuesday, May 17th. We arrive late on May 14th and depart for Kauai on May 19th. You work close to there, right? Icuy, will you be anywhere in the area for lunch that day? Do you and MelissaHI and ppc know each other?

Now, at Hanauma Bay, if we should happen to ride the bus, will they let us go down and snorkel since we don't have to park?

I guess I'm just nervous about riding the bus....we don't do public transportation, so I guess I'm just afraid of ending up in bfe, instead of Chinatown or Hawai'i Kai! Will any ABC store sell the 4 day visitor pass?

For Chinatown, take Route Number 2 out of Waikiki and get off at Nuuanu Avenue and Hotel Street. Walk toward the harbor to King Street and turn on King Street away from the rising sun. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce is at 42 NORTH King Street.

My cellular telephone number is 227-6008.

If the schedule does not work out for you on Tuesday, I could possibly work out a personalized, modified tour on Monday or Wednesday; I'll have to take a look at my calendar at that time.

See you then!

Oh, wow, cool, ppc..fodorites are just the best! The real icee wants a nice set of chopsticks with the bowl thingie. I don't use chopsticks, so I don't know what he is talking about with the bowl and all...Be thinking about where is the best place for him to get them.

Our agenda will not be set in stone, but do want to do as much as possible in our 4 short days.

For The Bus visitor's pass: This is from www.thebus.org

You can get visitor passes from these locations:

The Bus Pass Office 811 Middle St. Honolulu, HI 96819

All ABC Stores located in Waikiki and Ala Moana Center

$20 for a four (4) consecutive day pass. Unlimited use.

There are about 40 ABC Stores located in Waikiki.

eeeh? Chopsticks with a bowl? Is it one of those special bowls? You can get inexpensive chopsticks and rice bowls on PPC's tour. We have nice thai chopstick sets at Happa on the 2nd floor of Aloha Tower Marketplace. And yes, I'm right there!

PPC and lcuy not only know each other, their kids know each other! And of course I know them both. Another former regular poster, kalena, also is a friend of the family from a long time back.

Well I know people use The Bus to go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay because by mistake I was on this bus one morning (it was *packed*) by mistake (since I was only going as far as the park). It said Beach Bus or something like that on the front.

The Oahu busses are about as friendly as public transportation gets.

I'm not sure how it works with a pass, but for normal rider, you get on, put your dollar bills in the money dealie (exact change needed), and ask the driver for a transfer if you need one.

Are you looking for the bowl with 2 holes on one side and an indent on the opposite? so you can rest the chopsticks securely? I bought one at a craft fair and 2 in Portland, Oregon! macy's at Ala moana may have them too.

I would love to go to lunch on the 17th. I'll even spring for a tour if PPC will allow me. How about you Melissa? or have you become indespensible at AT? ;-)
Lucy

I don't know what kind of bowl I am speaking of, but I think it may have been to rest your chopsticks on. He's out of town until Sunday, so will ask him then.

Oh, wow, I get to do a GTG on Oahu and Kauai! Excited, I am..and our friend, Kal is going to be so NVS!!

Oooh, lcuy, I've already audited PPC's tour. You guys just come on down for dim sum at Hong Kong Harbour View. I think I get a discount.

Or I can join you at any other dim sum venue!

I forgot to mention that!....if you go to Hanauma Bay bus, you'll more than likely get in. They close it off because of the lack of parking, so if you go by bus, you should be OK. Also, don't forget it's not free anymore either.

Are you also considering things such as the Dole Plantation as well as the Polynesian Cultural Center??

Dole Plantation? ((b))

BigJim, think we are going to skip the Polynesian Cultural Center. Just don't think we will have enough time as it appears that takes an entire day.

As for the Dole Plantation..we may stop for a sec when we do the North Shore drive. Depends on the time constraints and how long we have spent other places.

PPC, Melissa and Lucy...y'all just decide and let us know which day to get together for Chinatown and lunch..we can do Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday..just need to know in advance so we plan the other things.

This must be a good sign....just looked at my calendar..today is the 22nd AND we leave in 22 more days!!

Aloha icee,

Ahhhh 22 days... must be nice! 68 for me. B-)

When you do your north shore drive be sure to stop in Haleiwa for Aoki's shave ice and Kua A'ina for a mahi sandwich or a burger... mmmmmmmmm.

Enjoy the windward drive... go slow... stop at one of the shrimp trucks for a snack. If you start your drive heading up the windward coast toward the north shore, you could certainly hit Hanauma Bay that AM. Also, I would hit the Macadamia Nut Farm and do the tour if you have time... a lovely place w/ great tasters ;;) and the coffee is wonderful. I would certainly do this tour over the Dole tour.

Enjoy the north shore... sink your toes into the sand at at least one of the beaches, if not more. STOP at the turtle beach... can anyone tell the name or where this beach is?? I could tell you from the passenger seat if you want me to come along! :D

Also, on the north shore, if you really want to explore... head out to Kaena Point... if you have a jeep or 4wh you can drive right past the parking lot & treck out as far as you want to go. A fun place to explore. The Albatross nest out at the point and are protected, so watch out for them... if you skip Dole you'll have plenty of time for this exploring.

Don't make dinner ressies for this day... you'll be much more relaxed. Wing it... it'll be wonderful to just throw caution to the wind and fly by the seat of your pants! >:D<

Have a wonderful time on one of my fav isles... wish I could join you all on O'ahu AND Kauai! ((R))

Aaaaalohhhhhaaaa!

Thanks, makai1, now I think we will definitely NOT make dinner reservations for the day of the drive. That way, we won't be feeling unnecessary pressure. And, from what you say, we won't be starving anyway after we partake of all your food suggestions!:)

icee,

That night when you roll in to Waikiki after a full day of fun and exploration, just freshen up (or not), and head out & beach hop for some pu pu's... it's all about the pu pu's! ;;)

The beach with the turtles that Makai1 mentioned - unfortunately I don't know the name of it. It is one of the beaches between Haleiwa and Sunset Beach. The best way I can describe to recognize it is:

It is a strip of beach that is just a short step (about 2 feet) down from the road, there is a strip of parking on the opposite side of the road and there are a few signs next to the beach that say "Do not touch the turtles". It was this sign that made us stop to look. On other drives past before we did stop, we noticed that often there would be a stretch limo or a bus stopped on the shoulder of the road on the water side.

Wish I could give you a better/more exact location, but I don't have a map here (and I've only been there once).

Great description, Bart... almost as good as being along for the ride... almost. B-) On the east side of beach there are homes, and on the west side is a small open bay before more homes start. The beach has some trees very close to the road. Great turtle viewing spot!

Also, icee, when you are in Chinatown, since the "real icee wants a nice set of chopsticks with the bowl thingie", I think you need to find the most beautiful special lovely breathtaking lei you can find. What fun you'll have shopping for your special trinkets. PPC will lead you right where you need to go! ;;) My guess is you will LOVE!! Chinatown.

Have a great time... ((R))

makai1, as if I could get anymore excited, there you go using words like breathtaking!

:-D

To get to Diamond Head on the bus from the Marriot Hotel just walk to Kuhio Avenue, between Oahu and Paokalani there is a bus stop. Catch bus 22 or 58 headed to Hanauma Bay and get off at the Diamond Head stop…18th Avenue and DH Road. You’ll have to hike in a bit to get to the start of the trail. It will be a two hour excursion. Since this bus is the Hanauma Bay bus it could be crowded by the time it gets to your section of Waikiki.

Here's a suggested way of arranging your four days. Just a suggestion!

Sunday: Duke's for Brunch,then walk Waikiki Beach. Later that day catch bus to Diamond Head stop and hike Diamond Head. Wear a hat and take water. This shouldn't be too bad if it's late afternoon. Gives you a chance to work off some of the calories from the brunch. Dinner at Nick's. You can catch the bus on Kuhio to the restaurant and back.

Monday: Rent a car and head out early to Pearl Harbor/USS Arizona then press on to the North shore. Turtle Bay Resort makes a nice rest stop. Return via Waimanalo and you can catch Hanauma Bay for snorkeling in the afternoon. By the time you return to Waikiki it will be a full day. Relax at Hau Tree Lanai.

Tuesday: Morning tour of Chinatown—easy to get to on bus. Chinatown dim sum if you want. You could see the Aloha Tower afterward. Other downtown sights, Iolani Palace, the State Art Museum (free). Visit Ala Moana Center on way back to Waikiki. Unwind at Tiki’s.

Wednesday: Bus to swap meet if you haven’t done it earlier. Or anything else fun that I've forgotten. Dinner at Chai's.

Thanks applehi, aren't you the logical one?

Logical, me? Thanks! BTW, after hiking Diamond Head if you're tired and the wait for the bus seems long, you might consider calling a cab. Bring your cell phone and get the number of a cab from the hotel before you go. I don't think the fare would be more than $10 and if you buddy up with another couple that could be a faster way back to Waikiki.

So are we on for lunch/tour with PakePorkChop on the 17th?

And PPChop- did Ahnya finish her India Blog yet???

The beach with the turtles is Chun's Reef.

It is located about 1/2 way from Haleiwa to Waimea Bay.

If you are coming from Haleiwa, it will be one of the first beaches. Parking for this beach is on the opposite side of the road from the ocean.

Here is a site that shows some of the main beaches on the North Shore:

http://www.firsthawaiianvacation.com...thshoremap.htm

Lucy, you and MelissaHI and PPC decide what to do and email me at [email protected]...

We really want to do a Chinatown tour with PPC and then perhaps head over to AT for a dim sum lunch and some BAD ASS hula pie coffee!..The day doesn't matter to us as long as it is Monday 16th, Tuesday 17th or Wednesday 18th!!! But, if we go ahead and decide then I can make our other tentative arrangements.

I think we may have decided to rent a car for the entire time so y'all will have to tell me where to park, yada yada yada....

Another thing, I am reading not so great reviews about Nick's. What do you all think. I sure do like that big discount in the entertainment book.

If you do go out to Hilo Hattie's, walk almost next door to Sam Choy's for lunch.

I think we'll stick with the plan--Tuesday May 17, you, lcuy and Burta will take PPC's tour in the morning and come on over to Hong Kong Harbor View for dim sum lunch. Please let me know if you would also like a free tour of Aloha Tower (and how many people) so I can schedule it for you! It's quick--just 20 minutes.

chepar if you're reading this....can you come for lunch?