Hawaii trip highlights
 

Our second trip to Hawaii was quite a bit different an experience from our first. Having gone in summer the first time, I was looking forward to seeing what changes I'd find in winter. The most significant was the difference in the north shore waves, which were all but nonexistant on our first trip. This time, we were one of many tourists watching in awe, from the shoreline, the huge, powerful waves on the north shore beaches of Oahu. They were mesmerizing.

My favorite places were often from tips from this site, so I thank all who offered advice and recommendations! Among those, I will mention a few, which stood out the most.

Kuaui -- first of all, we took the advice to go up to Waimea Canyon by the more scenic route, and I was fine with it. It wasn't too adventurous for me. For those who recommended the Shrimp Shack, it was the best shrimp we've ever had. I highly recommend it as a great place to stop to or from the canyon area. Our favorite beach on kuaui, and maybe anywhere on the islands, was Palihale Beach [I may have the spelling wrong]. It was the furthest point you can drive to coming north on the west side of the island. The biggest drawback to this beach is the approx. 5 miles of dirt road you have to drive to get there! However, once there, the beach is pristene, with beatiful views of the beginning of the Na Pali coastline. Hopefully, for those who travel there, the rest rooms will re restored soon. Apparently they are still under repair from a hurricane........ On the way back, we stopped at JoJo's for shave ice. They have delicious macadamia nut ice cream for the bottom. All four of us loved that. Also impressive, and easier to get to, is the northern most beach, coming from the east side, which borders the other end of the Na Pali coast. On the way back from this, we stopped at the Hanelei Dolphin Restaurant, which had an excellent chowder. I suggest ordering a cup, as it is a huge mug, and very filling [and SO good]!

Big Island -- favorite spot by far for me, was Pu' uhonua o Honaunau [sp?], place of refuge, on the southwestern shore. It is a Nat'l Park area and has beautiful views, interesting history, and many sea turtles. Our girls returned to this area to snorkel, and ended up in the middle of a school of dolphin, which was an exciting experience.

Also on the big island, we loved a state park on the northeastern shore, though I didn't make note of the name. It is the site of a tsunami, where I believe 22 lives were lost [students and teachers] We saw some kids campin

cont., we saw some kids camping there, and I can't think of a better camping experience. The place was breathtaking. I wish we had more time to spend there. What a great place to have an afternoon picnic!

Akaka falls was an easy hike, through a tropical jungle, and the falls were impressive. They were just 'down the road' from the previously mentioned park.

Volcano Nat'l Park provided us with an awesome display of shooting steamy mist where the lava met the ocean. It was interesting to learn how significantly the lava impacts the ocean, bringing water temps to close to 200 degrees for a couple hundred feet!

Our Christmas dinner on the Big Island was at Huggos [recommended from this site -- many thanks!] It was wonderful. It is a perfect place to watch the sun set, and is very laid back and relaxed, with excellent food. All four of us love it.

We had a wonderfully relaxing trip. Too bad our flight from Dallas to Raleigh was cancelled, and we needed to drive the approx. 1500 miles home! Now we need another vacation!

Well, I'm SO glad to see a Trip Report. I had thought some of us had forgotten how to write them or something!

Thank you for the tips. I plan to go to BI and Kauai in May. Will keep your restaurant suggestions in mind! I pretty much already had the sights you saw on the list.

How long were you on each island?
How long at VNP?
Where did you fly from and did you get a good rate?

I can't believe they wouldn't put you on another flight!? So you had to rent a vehicle to drive home? That's awful!

Lois,

Thanks so much for the great trip report. Where did you stay on each island?

We will have to try Shrimp Shack next time we go (in September) to Kauai, last few trips we stopped at Wrangler's in Waimea.

Been quite some time since we have been to BI but agree with you about how beautiful Place of Refuge is.

We were on the big island for four days, and wish we had at least a couple more. If we had the extra days, I would have been interested in staying at Volcanoes Nat'l Park for one night, to be able to see the lava flows at night. According to the park ranger, that is the only way, now, to see the red intensity from the lava. The steam spouts sure were impressive though.

We stayed at the Marriott time share on Kuaui, on Poipou beach, at the Marriott Waikoloa on the big island, and the Sheraton Moana Surfrider on Oahu.

Our connecting flight home, from Dallas to Raleigh Durham was cancelled, due to tornedoes in the area. We would not have been able to continue on a booked flight for two days, and we had 96 people ahead of us on the stand by list! [with all flights fully booked] After that crazy long non stop drive home, we needed another vacation!! Hard to believe we left Hawaii rested and relaxed. It took us a full week to actually feel somewhat normal after that road trip. Fortunately, one daughter, who lives in London, had left the day before, for a California stop, and was able to book a one way car rental online for us, saving us time and money. There were many others doing the same thing, without our advantage. Oned woman we later met at RDU airport, when checking on luggage [which ended up being delivered around 5 a.m. New Year's morning], said she waited for 45 min. at the car rental counter, with many people looking for the same one way option.

Jamie99, if you go to the Shrimp Shack, I strongly recommend the coconut shrimp [the best I've ever had] or the garlic shrimp [downside to this one is that you have to peel them]. My husband had the beer batter shrimp, and they weren't so good. I'd love to have the recipe for the coconut shrimp!

Great report. I especially appreciate your ability to still count your blessings compared to your fellow travellers. Polihale is truly a magnificant place!

So, when you were not able to wait for the standby, do you just lose the $$ you paid for that leg of the journey, or was some compensation made??

It was the first time we've been in that position, having a flight cancelled. I will most certainly have even more sympathy for those who are in that position, when I see future stories on the news!

Our flight was booked with miles, so I assume there is no recourse, especially since the cancellation was weather related.