I also have to reply to these 2 parts of your response: "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" and "The people who like such things are the people who go to Hawaii".

I'll admit that the reason I chose to go to a luau was because I was traveling with my elderly mother and teenage daughter and I thought it was something that they would enjoy. I chose the Drums of the Pacific because I thought my teenage daughter would be most interested in that one. Once there, I admired the amount of work and practice that must have went into perfecting the art of the dances they were doing just as much as I admire the contemporary dancers I pay to go see perform here at home. Dancing is an art form to me, and there are all kinds of different genres of dance. And yes, the fire dancer was also amazing to watch. And the fact that my mother and daughter loved it made it all the more worth it to me.

1hughes on Apr 3, 12 at 6:49am
Thanks for the suggestions.

Oh, so it was not an april fool post...

"Aside from drinking I really don't know what I'm going to do there." - well... more drinking? :D

I've avoided going to a luau forever (I don't like to have an evening focused on consuming massive amounts of food, and they are expensive on my budget), but maybe the show would be worth it. Watched tons of very young to pretty old amateurs of both genders on lawns, malls, etc., and they are fun, but a troupe of trained pros, never.
Maybe next visit (if I'm so lucky), I'll look for coupons:)

If you check the travel mags you can pick up at the airport - and also the local paper - and ask around - you can usually find some free exhibitions/demonstrations of Hawaiian dancing, music and the like - without having to pop for the current King's Ransom for a Luau. :)

I'd love to attend the Merrie Monarch festivities!

". 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."

See, this is the problem right here with so many people. You let guidebooks and other people lead you by the nose into doing things that you don't really want to do. The guidebook says go to a luau so you go to a luau. Tourist traps the world over make a fortune on people who don't know their own mind and their own interests. Anyone who dares thinking independently is a snob or not fun to travel with, right?

"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?"

I see that logic is not your strong suit. I'll say it one more time. People who who don't like some activity or place don't do them, so they are not going to write a post about it. So the advice you get is always going to be biased. The entire Hawaii discussion is biased toward people who like Hawaii. Any discussion of scary roads is biased toward people who aren't put off scary roads. This is not an especially deep insight, but I guess the concept of "sampling bias" too complex for you?

"Save the hate mail" 1hughes. Why did you even ask for suggestions? It seems all you really want to do is rant and argue.

"You let guidebooks and other people lead you by the nose into doing things that you don't really want to do. The guidebook says go to a luau so you go to a luau."

There are posters above who have never been to a luau. We went on our first visit to Hawaii. Was it touristy? Yes. Was it a little hokey? Yes. But we still liked it. I'm not going to feel bad for enjoying it.

I'm also curious to know if you do guidebook-recommended activities in the European cities you like to visit? If not, what do you like about those cities and if so, how is that different from the guidebook suggestions for Hawaii?

"The entire Hawaii discussion is biased toward people who like Hawaii."

I'm not sure why this surprises you. The best sources of information are from people who travel there often or from a resident like lcuy. Why would someone repeatedly travel to a place they dislike?

"I'm also not fond of driving along narrow winding roads (goodby Hana) or up narrow winding roads (goodby Haleakala)"

We've been to Maui twice and haven't done either of these activities. We started the drive to Hana, reached the half-way point and turned around. We didn't love it so we didn't do it.

I'm going to disagree with your premise that if you like vacationing in London and Paris that you can't like Hawaii. I like both. In fact, we're getting ready to stop off in Amsterdam for a few days before our 2-week visit to Italy. But I'm also itching to go back to Hawaii and it'll definitely be on our short list of next trips.

I'm not trying to talk you into liking Hawaii. Different strokes and all that. You've convinced yourself you're going to hate it and you're going to be miserable. Honestly, I think you shouldn't go. It's okay not to like Hawaii. Just like it's okay not to like Rome.

"Tourist traps the world over make a fortune on people who don't know their own mind and their own interests."

Sorry buddy, but apparently you don't know your own interests either. You've been asked several times what those interests are, but have failed to give an answer. Saying what you don't like is not furthering the discussion nor is it helpful for anyone who is trying to come up with something you might like.

So again, what are your interests? What do you like to do?

PLEASE, JUST STAY AWAY FROM HAWAII -- WE ALL DON'T CARE ANY MORE, AND WE DON'T WANT YOU TO GO AND THEN POST ON HERE HOW HORRIBLE IT WAS! (CAPS FULLY INTENDED TO RESEMBLE SHOUTING)

what an a**hole.

Wow 1hughes. I have been on Fodors a long time and don't think I've ever seen someone be as rude as you. Especially for a first time poster. If you knew anything about members of Fodors, you wouldn't be making comments about how we follow guidebooks and go to tourists traps. One of the reasons we are on this forum is because we are independent travelers. Does that mean we don't go see some of the touristy sites? Of course we do, that's part of travel. Would I miss Pearl Harbor because all the tourists go there? Absolutely not. I'm still trying to make time to get to Doris Duke's house as I did a tour of her house in Newport, Rhode Island and they talked often about her Hawaii connection. Did you go to Rome and not visit the Vatican or go to Paris and not visit the Louvre?

I go to Hawaii several times a year for work and just started doing that recently. Although I'm there for work, I do save some time to see the sights and soak up the culture. I am definitely past the age where I am going to put on a bathing suit and lay by the pool or at the beach.

People here have given you lists of things to do that don't include the beach. Especially on Oahua there are so many musuems. You say you love Rome. I'm sure part of that is learning about the past. The Hawaiian islands have their own history and culture and it is a very interesting one. I have never yet been to a laua during my visits because in the beginning I did think they were tourist traps. Also I'm often traveling alone so feel a little funny about that. But on my last two trips to Maui, I've stayed at a hotel that does outdoor lauas and they were right outside my balcony. I watched the stories and the dancing and was more than impressed. Lauas tell the story of the Hawaiian islands and their culture. And of course those that put on the shows have worked hard for their skills.

It's really too bad that you have such a closed mind about such a beautiful and interesting place. There is so much to do that doesn't involve beaches or windy roads. And in the evening there is nothing better than sitting on your lanai, listening to the waves, having a cocktail or glass of wine and watching the sunset.

Sorry folks. You have fallen into a Troll trap. Apparently you are not familiar with the initials DNFTT, which means Do Not Feed The Trolls.

This particular troll is the contrarian troll, who posts a view opposite to prevailing opinion in the hope of precipitating a reaction, the more violent the better.

Looks like it worked.

Yeah, probably is a troll.

You might be right dbdurand about our OP being a troll. But all is not lost. There's some fantastic information on this thread of interesting things to do in Hawaii.

<<<I am definitely past the age where I am going to put on a bathing suit and lay by the pool or at the beach.>>>

What age is that? :-) (I am a "woman of a certain age" - 61 to be exact - and I live in my bathing suit and at the pool when I'm in Hawaii!)

SF-Very close to your age. I guess I should have said, I'm past the age where I feel comfortable putting on a bathing suit. LOL

That said, I did put on my suit and lay by the pool a little two trips ago to Maui. I have a medium build so that's not the issue. I guess it must be all the cellulite!! Also I don't go out much in the sun anymore so have to be careful about burning.

sharona-Yes some great ideas and a few I didn't know about.

paula, I almost NEVER go out in the sun -- I pick my spot based on where the shade will protect me best!

Troll or not, I liked paula1470's post about Hawaiian history and hula. The history is very interesting if you take the time to find out about it. And for centuries, hula was one of the main methods of transmitting the history and legends. It was originally danced to drums or other rhythm instruments, without music. It is still done that way, and is called kahiko hula. The dances to music, called auana, came much later. If you check, you will find that most luaus now include some kahiko as well as the touristy stuff because the Hawaiians are proud of their heritage and want others to understand it. And you can find local little celebrations, often associated with an evening farmers' market or such, where local musicians play and people may get up and dance. It's all very sociable and not touristy at all, and is celebrated by real people. Someone used the word ohana in a post here: it means family, or family-like atmosphere of friendly association and is quite rewarding to experience.

"See, this is the problem right here with so many people. You let guidebooks and other people lead you by the nose into doing things that you don't really want to do"
How do you know what I want to do? How else do you suggest I get info?

"Aside from drinking I really don't know what I'm going to do there. I wish I were joking, but I'm not."
And you think I am the one with a problem?



Here is my usual method for planning a trip(most of which in the last 5 years have been to National Parks).
I buy a guidebook
I post some questions on this board
I search the internet on places that might interest me
I watch youtube--heck sometimes my wife even watches youtube to see how people are dressed. For example, most of the time national parks are very casual. We had planned on eating Brunch at The Awahnee in Yosemite. Dinner at the Awahnee requires a jacket-lunch doesn't, so we weren't sure how exactly to dress for brunch-searched youtube and saw how people were dressed.
My wife and daughter had lunch at Eiffel Tower. Touristy I guess, but Pres. Obama/girls were there the same day they ate there. She also looked that one up on youtube to get a feel for the place.


For the record, I haven't been to Hawaii. When I do go, I will go to a beach(probably several) and I will attend a Luau. I will also include snorkeling, some form of boating.
And of course the obligatory Helicopter flight(how touristy is that?)

Most people wouldn't ask about a "scary road" unless they were considering the drive in the first place-biased or not.

Obviously, you came here in search of info, a joke, or just to be obnoxious. Not sure you have accomplished anything really.

Troll or not, This has made me really want to go to Hawaii!!