I am headed for Oahu for 5 nightsin December. We will be flying in from Maui on Sat. Dec. 8 (no flight yet). The next day, Sunday is the big Marathon (didn't plan dates well). I had hoped to spend the first night in Honolulu to visit Pearl Harbor the next morning. Then we will head up to the North Shore for 4 more nights. (no place yet booked).

Fodorites have said that the airport hotels are not good, but I need somewhere to leave my luggage while at Pearl Harbor - don't I?

If I stay in Waikiki there is the Marathon the morning that I'd be trying to get out. Is there any hotels on the airport side of Waikiki where I can scoot out of Waikiki easily - and back in after visiting PHarbor to pick up my luggage?

I was in Waikiki last August for a week, so I don't care about being in the midst of it or near it at all.

Thanks so much for any ideas.

T.

This airport hotel was recently renovated -- friends who stayed there last year were pleasantly surprised to find it clean, comfortable, and quiet:
http://www.ohanahotels.com/hotels_detail.aspx?hotel=91

There are no hotels on the airport end of Waikiki (or even in downtown Honolulu) that are not on the marathon course. You'd be better off taking Auntie's advice!

Stay in an airport hotel.

You can take your luggage with you when you go to USS Arizona Memorial.

USS Arizona Memorial parking lot is fairly secure. They have cameras & security guards.

If you leave the luggage in the trunk, don't open the trunk in the parking lot.

If you are still concerned about leaving luggage in your car there, they have a baggage check area for about $3 per bag.


Almost all hotels allow you to leave luggage after you check out until the flight leaves, or in your case go to the north shore. So you could do that.

But, with many street closures for the marathon, the streets that are open will be a mess, so you are better off taking the luggage with you and head to the north shore right from Pearl Harbor.

p.s. BOOK EARLY....book now if you can. All hotels sell out for the marathon weekend, even airport ones. Last year I was scrambling to help a group of travel media & promoters from Asia get a hotel that weekend, and no one could help them.

Melissa

You're right about booking early for Marathon weekend.

Last year was especially bad because of the U2 concert the night before the marathon.

Aaaaaaaaah dusty, you are right! I forgot about that.

tmt, the night before the marathon, Aloha Tower Marketplace kicks off the Christmas season with the annual boat parade in Honolulu Harbor.

You are all awesome!

After reading some of the first messages, I was rethinking my inter island flight and hotel situation.

I thought, for a moment, I might just fly in early on Marathon Day, take the luggage over to Pearl Harbor and then head up to the North Shore bypassing the overpriced ($180 w/o discounts) airport hotel altogether.

However, Melissa's post about the annual xmas boat parade has me rethinking that I should see Honolulu/Waikiki at "xmas" time. Can't imagine I'll be back during this time again from the east coast.

Fortunately, I'm not locked into any island airline flights yet.

How is the boat parade?

I will make a reservation that allows cancellation, no matter the cost at the Ohana today...just in case.

Thanks so very much.

K.

The Boat Parade that I could find is on the following Saturday, December 15 - I'll be back in the cold by then.

http://www.hawaiikaimarina.com/index.html



The Search for Co-Sponsorship for our 2007 Festival of Lights Boat Parade on the way ....
Beverly Liddle, our Hawaii Kai Marina manager, has kicked off the Marina's campaign to invite business's to participate as co-sponsors in our 2007 Festival of Lights Boat Parade, being held this year on Saturday, December 15th. Beverly has drafted a letter that will be sent to many of the business's in the East Oahu area, including several prospective major corporate sponsors. The Marina staff and Board of Directors would like this coming years Festival of Lights Boat Parade to surpass last years spectacular show. They are always working to strive to bring the membership the best a community can offer.

Excellent sleuthing, but that is a different parade.The one at Aloha Tower Marketplace is in downtown Honolulu (not to be confused with Waikiki) and is on December 8. I don't remember if we posted it yet on www.alohatower.com....

Anyway, it's always a fun family event with about 25-30 boats decked out in christmas lights.

the only caveat is that all maritime events are at the mercy of the weather and the ocean. Last year, about 1 hour before the event, the coast guard issued a small craft advisory and cancelled it.

thanks for the distinction... we like lighted boat parades and it will help us get into the xmas spirit.

K.

You should also check out the huge Christmas decorations outside of Honolulu Hale (city hall) on King Street and also the Christmas tree & wreath display inside Honolulu Hale