right on suze, if one can't be happy in 'paradise' forget it.

i'm just sayin' i love the cities of europe. doesn't mean i can't have fun in hawaii too. i drink plenty in both places. more likely wine in a sidewalk cafe in europe, probably a maitai on the beach or my favorite fresh pineapple juice, Skye vodka & soda water on the lanai of my own hotel room.

for whatever reason the OP needs to spend a week in Hawaii divided between Oahu & Maui... there is no reason on earth he can't find a good time suitable to his tastes.

A)check out the hot Hawaiian chickas doing the hula dances.

B)ever heard of astral projection? lock yourself in the bathroom, cover the walls with posters of London, Paris, Rome, and imagine yourself walking the streets. Boy, have I saved tons of money over actually flying there+hotel bills by using this method taught to me by the zen grandmaster babbabooyee.

C) if tired of living, just throw yourself down an active volcano. Just make sure to leave a suicide note.

I went to the trouble to list (7!) specific non-beach activities. I'm miffed if it's just a troll, irked that there's no thank you for people thinking about this and offering time and effort.

Yo Sylvia et al: Don't take it too personal. :) Some posters nicely thank you and it's worth it for the ones who don't.

Just don't like wasting time and effort on trolls. Hmph!:)

Everybody: your advices in the beginning of this thread did not go to waste! The Agains are searching for future Waikiki trip - we are so grateful to everybody who posted here!

We will ask about currency and visas later :D We love all sorts on non-strenuous sightseeing, and don't get bored easily. I'm sure others will be reading this too, taking notes.

Dayenu do you mean currency and visas to travel from the state of California to another US State (Hawaii)? :))

Bleeping Visas. And while not necessary if you are a US citizen for Hawaii - I just found out that even though I bought a year long fishing license for Mexican waters (cost close to $100) - if you enter Mexican waters on a boat - you have to pay a $35 entry visa each time, even if you are just going on a 3/4 day trip from here in San Diego and not a multi-day trip.

Bleep Bleep. Some new "Sheriff" down Baja way is raking in some serious Gringo denaro.

Maybe just consider going with it. Get yourself a mai tai and try some kalua pork at a luau. Why not? That part of the world is beautiful. Black sand beaches, sea turtles...flora and fauna you won't experience anywhere else. And how often do you get to talk about flora and fauna? You can discuss it over a microbrew at Kona Brewing Company. Good stuff.

-SlackTraveler

Thanks everyone for the tips! SO many people are going to benefit from this thread. I've been copying much of it. I agree with one of the previous posters... I've been to too many amazing places and Hawaii has never been on my to-do list. However, it's a place a friend wants to visit so I may be giving in soon and you all just made me much more optimistic about it.

Does anyone have any flight secrets to share? cheaper from LA or SF? I'm close to Lexington, Cincy & Louisville. What about packages or places to stay?

Thanks

Here's a flight "secret." Costco is selling $300 American Airlines gift cards for $269. They can be combined and have no expiration. That shaves more than $100 off my airfare to Hawaii. Check regularly on sites such as kayak.com to compare airfares.

now, if I were only a Costco member instead of Sam's. Actually, where I am located there is no Costco. But that is a good tip!! Basically saves you 10% on wherever you are going.

Songdoc, that's a GREAT secret. :) Thanks.

geanster, I think packages depends on a lot of things. Where you are starting out, what kind of hotel you want to stay at, how many people are traveling together, if you want to include a rental car, etc.

for me as a solo traveler who doesn't rent a car there are no packages that fit. i just book the cheapest dates/times i can find on Hawaiian Air (LOVE that airline) from Seattle, then book a budget hotel directly. i take The Bus to get around.

this is a FUN thread! i'm sorry to see it sinking...

Nanabee, no, not from CA to HI! From my State of Confusion to the State of Bliss :D

Geanster: add OAK to your search, or maybe San Jose (CA) if you can drive there.

This thread does seem to have 9 lives. :)

I've had to go to Hawaii twice. I liked the gardens on the Big Island.