Hawaii with trepidation
 

Due to various circumstances, I find myself traveling to Maui and Oahu for a week. This is not a trip that I would have considered myself. My idea of a vacation is London, Paris, Rome, etc. I'm not a lie-on-the-beach type nor am I interested in snorkling, kayaking etc activities. I'm also not fond of driving along narrow winding roads (goodby Hana) or up narrow winding roads (goodby Haleakala). I'm sure there is some nice scenery, but that out to be good for a few hours at most. Aside from drinking I really don't know what I'm going to do there. I wish I were joking, but I'm not.

I'd appreciate any suggestions for activities, if there are any, that would be more suited to someone with my interests.

PS I'm you love Hawaii can't understand why some would be unenthused by it, save the hate mail.

What ARE your interests, as you only list what doesn't interest you? Maybe you should just not go, cut your losses kind of thing?

Some things to do in Honolulu that might interest you

Tour Doris Duke's Shangri-la--you do need to make reservations and I would suggest going on the first tour since the house is not air conditioned and it would be cooler then
http://www.shangrilahawaii.org/

Hawaii State Art Musuem http://www.state.hi.us/sfca/HiSAM.html you could combine that with a tour of the Iolani Palace (they are close together)

Iolani Palace http://www.iolanipalace.org/

Honolulu Academy of Art (where you would go to get the transportation for the tour of Shangrila) They have a nice collection of art from around the world
http://www.honoluluacademy.org/?gcli...FQRYhwod7BnDXw

The Bishop Museum--a great overview of Hawaiian culture and history (though you seem to be rather euro-centric--you might find it interesting)

http://www.bishopmuseum.org/


Some restaurants you night consider

La Mer http://www.halekulani.com/living/dining/la_mer/ upscale French

Alan Wong's - reservations are a necessity - http://www.alanwongs.com/honolulu-welcome/index.html

Morimoto's http://morimotowaikiki.com/

Nobu http://www.noburestaurants.com/waiki.../introduction/

Can't help you with Maui--have been there only once many years ago.

Ihuges, sorry to laugh at you, but I needed a good chuckle early this a.m. and you have given me one. I appreciate your honesty, and that is why they make chocolate, strawberry and vanilla ice cream!! I must admit 3 couples including my husband and myself went on cruise and did the hawaii islands several years ago. I can't say I felt the same way as yourself totally but not a place I am longing to return to. We also did the med cruise with 3 days in Rome and that is a city I would return to tomorrow if I could. I loved Rome and it might be my favorite city ever!! That being said I wish I could offer you some needed help and others will surely chime in. With your likes being geared perhaps towards history maybe there is some history in the islands that you might find interesting.I did. We did a helicopter tour that was DIVINE in terms of scenery and seeing active volcanos. On the bright side be thankful it is only for one week. Explore the culture and volcano stories. Take care.

Martym's suggestions are excellent. Also Hawaii is a great place to do a lot of reading. You might want to add to your reading list a book on the history of Hawaii. It has a fascinating history.

On Maui, the old port town of Lahaina is very interesting to stroll through; the giant banyan tree, the historic buildings, museums, etc.
Take a boat ride to snorkel Molokini or a sunset dinner cruise, visit the Maui Ocean center (www.mauioceancenter.com/).
Iao Needle is a gorgeous park; and nearby Wailuku has some old missionary era buildings of interest.
For archaeology there's also a heiau very close (between Wailuku and Kahului; http://www.mauimuseum.org/heiau.html).
Tons of stuff to see and do without touching the sand!

I suppose it might just seem like too-touristy-and-I'm-not-a tourist but if you are there on a Sunday morning the brunch at the Moana-Surfrider in Waikiki might be something you would enjoy and perhaps even remember. No steep or curvy roads involved, either <G>.

My wife and I bought a condo on Maui ten years ago and we visit often.
I find it more difficult to get excited about the 5 hour plane trip.
Here are the things I still enjoy when I visit.

Iao Needle,as mentioned above, a gorgeous tropical setting.
Lahaina,touristy but interesting with a touch of history.
Boat trips,any chance I have to get out on the water.Cocktail cruises are fun.
Local cuisine,a chance to eat good tropical produce.
I dislike windy mountain roads as well,but the road up the volcano is tame and the payoff can be great if the summit is clear.

On Oahu:
Visitng;
the Arizona Memorial Pearl Harbor, Dole Pineapple Plantation, Polynesian Cultural Center, Paradise Cove Luau,
visit Hilo Hatties a fun "all things Hawaiian store", take the Waikiki Trolley Tours which are affordable and go many places above mentioned and all over Oahu.

http://www.waikikitrolley.com/all-lines/

http://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/09...sites-on-oahu/

The first post hit all the highlights I was going to suggest. Oahu is the best island for non-beachy people. The Doris Duke Shangri La estate tour run thru Honolulu Academy of the Arts (also wonderful) is fantastic. Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace, and Chinatown... all interesting. Nothing wrong with drinking on Waikiki beach at sunset.

For Maui, I like Lahaina. It's an old whaling town that is now a bit honkey-tonk with tourists. But it's a beautiful setting, there's a self-guided walking tour you can do around town. Shows like U'lalena (kind of a Cirque de Soile meets luau) or even the Old Lahaina Luau. I wouldn't cross off going up Haleakala, I'm not big on narrow winding road and won't do Hana, but the view from the top of Haleakala is world-class amazing. You can go on a tour bus if you don't want to drive.

I didn't go to Hawaii for the longest time because I thought it was "Disneyland" and dumb and that I'd hate it. It's one of the most wrong misconceptions I've ever had in my life.

I haven't been to Oahu, but here a few suggestions for Maui. They are kind of all over the board since, as someone else stated, you've only mentioned your dislikes and not your likes.

I'll third the recommendation for Iao Valley State Park. It's such a beautiful and peaceful place. Be sure to read up on the history of the site before going. http://www.gohawaii.com/maui/regions...ley-state-park

Near the Iao Valley there is a small, but lovely, botanical garden and nursery called the Tropical Gardens of Maui. http://www.tropicalgardensofmaui.com/index.aspx

Also near Iao Valley is the small Bailey House museum for an overview of Hawaiian history. http://www.mauimuseum.org/

There is the Maui Ocean Center, an excellent aquarium. http://www.mauioceancenter.com/

As so many others have mentioned, Lahaina is a great town for walking around and shopping for souvenirs. There is also the Banyan Tree, the Wo Hing Museum, the Jodo Mission, and the Old Prison.
http://www.lahainarestoration.org/wohing.html
http://lahainajodomission.org/
http://www.kaanapali-beach-maui.com/...aina-maui.html
While in Lahaina, don't miss Ululani's Shave Ice. Sooooo delicious! http://ululanisshaveice.com/

For nightly entertainment, there are several luaus to choose from. There's the popular and traditional Old Lahania Luau. Feast of Lele is known for its inventive cuisine. And the Drums of the Pacific is known for the fire dancer. There is also the Warren and Annabelle Magic Show which I have only heard about. Or there's the Hawaiian Slack Key Concert every Wednesday at the Sunset House Restaurant in Maui.

The Cliff Dive Bar is a fun place to watch the Cliff Diving Ceremony and the sunset while listening to live music. http://www.sheraton-maui.com/dining/cliffbar

Indulge in some macadamia nut pancakes for breakfast at the Gazebo, Castaway Cafe or the SeaHouse Restaurant.

There are enough things to do that you'll find something you enjoy if you do your research. Have a great trip!

One thing I was going to mention was the Road to Hana can be done on a tour in a small van with Valley Isle Excursions. We enjoyed it very much and didn't have to worry about doing the driving, which has some curves of course but not bad at all I thought.
http://www.tourmaui.com/

Oh, and I forgot to put the link for the Slack Key Show: http://slackkey.com/

You might enjoy walking through the public areas of two grand old hotels, the Royal Hawaiian and the Moana Surfrider. The Moana has a history room that is interesting.

If you enjoy live music, there are many venues for that.

There is high-end shopping In Waikiki and at Ala Moana center.

Honolulu weekly has a calendar of events http://honoluluweekly.com/calendar/
Lots of things that are not touristy.

There is a symphony in Honolulu http://hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org/

I live in Honolulu, and despite rarely going to a beach, I still find plenty of interesting things to do on Oahu.

Marty M gave you some great suggestions. I might add Foster Botanical Gardens, a drive around the island with a stop at Laniakea beach to see the big turtles. Also the various art galleries in Downtown Honolulu and a AIA walking tour of Chinatown & Downtown architecture. (Free on April 14th!)
If you really just want to drink, Rumfire at the Sheraton Waikiki has a very nice view of the beach & sunset during their happy hour.

Tea at the Moana hotel or Kahala resort are also nice.

I'm curious as to what it is that you enjoy about London, Paris, and Rome vacations. Because I bet you can find attributes of Hawaii that you might just as much enjoy. And you say you have no interest in snorkeling and kayaking (surfing, paddle-boarding...). But how do you know you wouldn't enjoy those things? When in Rome......

If in the end, you find you really don't enjoy Hawaii, go on a quest for the perfect mai-tai.

some great suggestions here. 2nd or is 3rd like for Shangri -la. - great examples of Islamic art and architecture and the view from the house is amazing with beautiful gardens and ocean. there is so hiking up Diamond Head and thru the valley which at the moment escapes me. Google hiking Oahu will bring it up I'm sure. I too love Florence, Paris, London for all the history, art and architecture and parks to just people watch but love Hawaii for the ocean, palm trees, warmth and a time to relax and read either on the lanai of my hotel or the beach. Fabulous fish dinners too. Hope you will not be disappointed. Too bad you are not heading to Kauai where it is so green and beautiful with varied landscape or the Big Island for the same reasons. Aloha

April Fools?

I think WhereAreWe got it right.

If this was a joke, sorry, doesn't look like good humor to me.

LOL

just to let you know - back in the 80's we made a trip to Oahu and did _not_ have a good time. Three months ago made a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii and absolutely loved it. However, all in all, I'll take a trip to Europe ANYTIME over Hawaii.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Read the novel Hawaii by Michener. At least have some appreciation of the great melding of the cultures there.

BTW - I love Europe as well as going to Hawaii. Hawaii is the warm/laid back type of place to just chill and go with it. What's not to like about incredible tropical beauty and swimming in a warm ocean, with plenty of fresh seafood and fruit to enjoy?

We rotate Paris/France and Hawaii every year. Love them both for many of the same reasons. Great food, culture, beauty, people, nature, and uniqueness.

Well if it is an April Fool's, it's a strange one. Because I think plenty of people truly love the major cities of Europe but aren't big on tropical island destinations.

"For nightly entertainment, there are several luaus to choose from. "

I have to respond to this. I can't imagine anything I'd less want to do than go to a luau. It is exactly the type of predigested, canned goop that plays on tourist desperation to have a local experience, even if it is artificial and phony and consists of a show that they wouldn't walk across the street to see at home. Yet an amazing number of people feel compelled to go to when traveling. I've never understood

Of course, there probably a large sampling bias due to self selection. The people who like such things are the people who go to Hawaii. The people who don't generally avoid Hawaii. This results in very misleading advice.

It's like advice about driving. You read all these posts from people say its no problem with some winding narrow road. Most people likely to find the the ride scary never take it, so they don't respond. So you only get responses from more adventurous types who are up for this sort of thing. That one reason why the usefulness of sites like this and tripadvisor is very limited.

I bet your just a barrel of fun to travel with.

I am sure that most people who visit who Hawaii mutliple times don't return to a luau. I am also sure that most people who are visiting for the first time do go to a luau. It is somewhat like going to Disney and riding Dumbo is "a must". Stand in line for an hour to ride a 2 minute stupid ride. Somewhat like going to Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Most of the time, on a first visit to a place, I like to see and I do enjoy the touristy things.

As for the narrow roads, I love them so this sight is very useful for me. I didn't know that only adventurous people tell or write about their travels. I guess I shouldn't read about nice beaches/swimming because only adventurous people get in the water?

You asked for suggestions, btw.

I have been to Hawaii at least 10 times, and have never been to a luau -- I have absolutely no interest in attending one. I LOVE Hawaii (I also love Paris, London, Egypt, New York, etc., etc., etc.).

(spiro, I had to laugh at your Dumbo reference -- we did exactly what you said the first time we took my DS to Disneyland, and swore we'd never again stand in line for ANY ride that starts and stops every 30 seconds :-) ).

BTW, to the OP, if you're not interested in the outdoors (i.e. beach, kayaking, snorkeling, I'm assuming also hiking), I would suggest you do one of two things - stay home (seriously), or, if staying home is out of the question, at least on Maui, take a good book with you and stay indoors. On Oahu, you might find some things to keep your interest for a few days that do not involve the kinds of things you disdain. Personally, I've never been to Shangri-La, or the Bishop Museum, Iolani Palace or the Dole Pineapple Plantation --- I go to Hawaii for the outdoors, beaches, kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, beautiful scenery.

<<The people who like such things are the people who go to Hawaii. The people who don't generally avoid Hawaii.>>

I think you're wrong.

I'm not a luau person. I love Hawaii, but I love it for the reasons sf listed above: outdoor activities and exercise and scenery. I also love the fresh fish and sushi.

1hughes, i think you have the idea that Hawai'i is only for people who like "predigested" touristy activities. In fact there is so much more! The actual history of the place is very interesting and there are numerous museums and serious venues for learning about it. But if you just are not intetested in that, there are plenty of other things to do without getting into the touristy stuff.

As with any online forum, you have to weigh the suggestions given, use them as a starting point for your own research. If any of the suggestions given so far did jibe with what you are seeking, you might want to comment to that effect, to give some direction for further suggestions.

Interesting that the OP would return to comment after WhereAreWe outted the thread as an April Fool's prank (which seems obvious in light of the OP's short history on Fodor's). And then only to dis travelers to the place he's asking about.

I too love Paris, London, and Rome. And Hawaii. But for different reasons. And frankly, I'd rather attend a good luau (or more accurately, pa'ina) than any ballet, opera, or symphony performance.

Too bad 1hughes is such a snob. If s/he had mentioned them earlier, i might have been motivated to look up a real luau for them to attend- eg a church or school fundraiser. Nothing canned, predigested or touristy about them. Most locals look forward to them, especially the food and dancing.

But then, Op is probably one of those tourists who feels obligated to sit in a sidewalk cafe in Paris and have a drink, because goodness knows only tourists do that...

My mother always said, "Don't knock it if you haven't tried it".

I always thought Hawaii would be too pedestrian for my tastes and had no desire to visit. I only came to use it as a jumping off point for a trip to Tahiti. That was over 36 years ago, and I still live here!

Great answer lcuy. I have been to about three "commercial" luau's - long ago - including a very good one at the King Kam hotel in Kona, and the Polynesian Culture Center used to have a good one - before the price zoomed up (again - both of these are over 20 years ago and had very good entertainment), and I think the 3rd was on Kauai, somewhere mid-island - which was also a long time ago - but also "old school".

Especially agree - that today - if you can find a Church social/fundraiser - those are where there is real Ohana - and good food and entertainment to boot. Have been to several of these through some of my law school friends - who live over in Paradise.

Or as we did when I caught a 30 lb Mahi Mahi off Oahu - have your own luau. :)

1hughes, I can't believe how absolutely RUDE you are!!!! And that is a nice word for what you are being. Out of my entire reply to you that I thoughtfully sat down and spent a LOT of time writing ONLY TRYING TO HELP YOU, *THAT* is what you pick out!!!!!!!! If you reread my the first part of my reply to you, you will see that it states "here a few suggestions for Maui. They are kind of all over the board since, as someone else stated, you've only mentioned your dislikes and not your likes." I have no idea what interests you or doesn't, BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T GIVE ANYONE ANY IDEA, so I threw a lot of different suggestions out for you to mull over. We don't need the snipy remarks about our suggestions, which again, are only done out of a desire to help a fellow traveler who has sought out advice on a travel forum. If a certain suggestion doesn't seem like something you want to do, DON'T DO IT. No need to be a jerk.

The best travelers are those that keep an open mind. And as lcuy said, don't knock it til you try it.

The next time you post a question on a forum, don't post such an idiotic question. If you want something "that would be more suited to someone with my interests", post what those interests might be. Just because I've loved 2 trips to Hawaii, doesn't mean that I also didn't love the trip I took to Italy and France. You don't have to only like one sort of destination. Again, have an open mind.