hawaii on a REAL shoestring
Dec 28th, 2004, 11:09 AM
#21
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I booked tickets last week, leaving from Atlanta on Continntal for $595 (all fee/taxes included) on January 27 returning February 1. Several airlines had similar sales, this one just offered the least total travel time from beginning to end, so I took it. Good luck with your plans. I know of a great website for rentals by owner if you want to look around for very reasonably priced lodging, but not hotels:
http://www.vrbo.com
Then just navigate to US->Hawaii. I use VRBO for all of our travels (US and abroad) and have been very happy with the price and the accomodations.
Good luck and have a great trip.
DD
http://www.vrbo.com
Then just navigate to US->Hawaii. I use VRBO for all of our travels (US and abroad) and have been very happy with the price and the accomodations.
Good luck and have a great trip.
DD
Dec 29th, 2004, 02:08 PM
#22
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Atjaden - since you've decided on Oahu - there's so much to do there that doesn't cost that much - you'll have a great trip. Obviously there's the beach, but there's also a free tour in the Sheraton Moana Surfrider (oldest hotel in Waikiki) which is fun and informative about Hawaii & Waikiki, not just the hotel.
Be sure to visit the International Market Place - that's slated to be torn down sometime next year. Also - for souvineers take The Bus out to the Aloha Stadium to the swapmeet - take your carry-on bag (especially if it has wheels) - it makes carting your new treasures around so much easier. They're open out there Wed/Sat/Sun and have GREAT prices and lots to choose from. You can also take The Bus over to Pearl Harbor and visit the Arizona Memorial - I believe that is free.
Chinatown is a fun adventure too and it only costs for what you decide to buy, if anything. There's a food-court-type-area up there off of Hotel Street too, for plate lunches that don't cost a lot.
If you're renting a car - drive up to Tantalus for the view and to Punchbowl - all of that is free. And don't forget hiking Diamondhead. Drive up to the North Shore to watch the waves. Go to the beach at Kailua, Lanikai, Makapuu, Waimanalo - the're beautiful and amazingly uncrowded.
For some top-notch entertainment that won't cost much - only the cost of a drink (or soda for the kids) - try Friday nights (after 7:30) at the Paradise Lounge in the Hilton Hawaiian Village to hear Olomana - a great local recording group. On Sat night (7:30-10:30) and Sun (4:30-7:30) there's a good trio (Augie Ray) at the Mai Tai Bar in the Royal Hawaiian - right on the beach - no cover & they serve food at reasonable prices too. On Monday nights (6:30 I think) there's a FREE Hawaiian show - hula dancers & all - on the 3rd floor mezzanine of the Waikiki Marriott - they serve food there too and it's a pretty lookout over Waikiki at sunset. There's also hula dancing - FREE - in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
To give your kids something fun and unique to do - in the lobby of the Outrigger Reef is a flower shop. For $5 they will teach them how to string their own lei! Then they can brag when they get home that they made it themselves.
Be sure to pick up several of the "This Week on Oahu" coupon books - they're EVERYWHERE - there are dozens of coupons for everything from ice cream, sandwiches, activities and souvineers in these books. Oh yeah - be sure to ride The Bus around town and meet the locals - it adds a lot to your visit to "talk stories" with the locals.
The best is the aloha spirit which is freely shared and in great abundance all over Hawaii.
Be sure to visit the International Market Place - that's slated to be torn down sometime next year. Also - for souvineers take The Bus out to the Aloha Stadium to the swapmeet - take your carry-on bag (especially if it has wheels) - it makes carting your new treasures around so much easier. They're open out there Wed/Sat/Sun and have GREAT prices and lots to choose from. You can also take The Bus over to Pearl Harbor and visit the Arizona Memorial - I believe that is free.
Chinatown is a fun adventure too and it only costs for what you decide to buy, if anything. There's a food-court-type-area up there off of Hotel Street too, for plate lunches that don't cost a lot.
If you're renting a car - drive up to Tantalus for the view and to Punchbowl - all of that is free. And don't forget hiking Diamondhead. Drive up to the North Shore to watch the waves. Go to the beach at Kailua, Lanikai, Makapuu, Waimanalo - the're beautiful and amazingly uncrowded.
For some top-notch entertainment that won't cost much - only the cost of a drink (or soda for the kids) - try Friday nights (after 7:30) at the Paradise Lounge in the Hilton Hawaiian Village to hear Olomana - a great local recording group. On Sat night (7:30-10:30) and Sun (4:30-7:30) there's a good trio (Augie Ray) at the Mai Tai Bar in the Royal Hawaiian - right on the beach - no cover & they serve food at reasonable prices too. On Monday nights (6:30 I think) there's a FREE Hawaiian show - hula dancers & all - on the 3rd floor mezzanine of the Waikiki Marriott - they serve food there too and it's a pretty lookout over Waikiki at sunset. There's also hula dancing - FREE - in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center.
To give your kids something fun and unique to do - in the lobby of the Outrigger Reef is a flower shop. For $5 they will teach them how to string their own lei! Then they can brag when they get home that they made it themselves.
Be sure to pick up several of the "This Week on Oahu" coupon books - they're EVERYWHERE - there are dozens of coupons for everything from ice cream, sandwiches, activities and souvineers in these books. Oh yeah - be sure to ride The Bus around town and meet the locals - it adds a lot to your visit to "talk stories" with the locals.
The best is the aloha spirit which is freely shared and in great abundance all over Hawaii.
Dec 30th, 2004, 02:46 PM
#23
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Here is a neat article I found entitled "20 Secret Bargains of Oahu for Under $10." : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3081266/
We were there with our kids last summer and found that the entertainment definately paid for itself.
The Activity & Attractions association card also paid for itself. You can look at their website and see if the discounts will be worth it for the activities you are interested in: www.aoagoldcard.com.
In Waikiki, we got a great deal on a room at the Ocean Resort hotel. The hotel was not ocean front but we did have a large ocean view room with balcony. It was an easy walk to the beach and shops. Our room also had a mini-frig, microwave, and hot plate that helped us cut our food costs. www.oceanresort.com.
Does your vet status let you use the travel services at the Hale Koa, even if you don't end up getting a room? Our Air Force friends got some fantastic deals on attractions through that tourism office.
We were there with our kids last summer and found that the entertainment definately paid for itself.
The Activity & Attractions association card also paid for itself. You can look at their website and see if the discounts will be worth it for the activities you are interested in: www.aoagoldcard.com.
In Waikiki, we got a great deal on a room at the Ocean Resort hotel. The hotel was not ocean front but we did have a large ocean view room with balcony. It was an easy walk to the beach and shops. Our room also had a mini-frig, microwave, and hot plate that helped us cut our food costs. www.oceanresort.com.
Does your vet status let you use the travel services at the Hale Koa, even if you don't end up getting a room? Our Air Force friends got some fantastic deals on attractions through that tourism office.
Jan 13th, 2005, 05:34 AM
#24
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WOW EVERYONE THAKS SO MUCH!!!
I think we will have the time of our lives! I really do....And we are traveling from Denver......that is one of the reasons we can't get "great" deals.....Thansk again, I wish I could thank you all in person....
I think we will have the time of our lives! I really do....And we are traveling from Denver......that is one of the reasons we can't get "great" deals.....Thansk again, I wish I could thank you all in person....
Jan 14th, 2005, 10:50 AM
#26
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We have stayed at the Hale Koa on Oahu and at the Kilauea Military Camp in Volcano National Park. I love the KMC. The cottages are very nice and many have been remodeled to include jacuzzis, corion counters, etc. There is plenty to do there even if you never see actually hot flowing lava. We have seen flowing lava only once out of our three trips to VNP. The hikes are wonderful. The rangers provide a variety of experiences or you can take the tour offered by KMC on the bus. Its narrated. In addition the visitor center is full of information. On the Hilo side, a visit to the Pacific Tsunami Museum is well worth it. We spent the morning there 4 years ago and it was certainly memorable. The Hamakua coast line is gorgeous as is Akaka Falls.
Apr 26th, 2005, 06:45 AM
#27
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Hi! Not sure if you already went to Hawaii or not, but we just got back and had a couple of suggestions. We flew Space A (do you have that option?) from Maine and stayed at a couple different places. Hickam AFB was AWESOME and right next to the airport. You can get rooms for right about $50 per night. We also got reservations at the Hale (just keep calling and things will open up). Bellows Campground was great too and they have everything from campsites to 2 bedroom cabins. We stayed in the cabins and found they were very reasonable. All in all, Oahu was great and we took our kids (ages 5 & 7). There was plenty to do on the island for both kids and adults. If you haven't already, ENJOY!
Apr 26th, 2005, 07:05 AM
#28
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If you can get reservations at Bellows, go for it! I think the beach there (right around the corner from Lanikai) is one of the best in the world! If you could split your time between there and the Hale Koa, you would be guaranteed an AWESOME vacation experiencing the wonderful variety that Oahu offers...shoestring or not.
Apr 26th, 2005, 07:18 AM
#29
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I second the recommendation on Bellows-
I agree its a beautiful beach/ great for body surfing/ have spent several nights in the military cabins there-
when we go to Hawaii we frequently go to the grocery store and buy pre marinated steaks/chicken etc/ picnic supplies and cook out at the beach - I am sure there are grills at Bellows
I agree its a beautiful beach/ great for body surfing/ have spent several nights in the military cabins there-
when we go to Hawaii we frequently go to the grocery store and buy pre marinated steaks/chicken etc/ picnic supplies and cook out at the beach - I am sure there are grills at Bellows
