Hi
We live in the UK, and are thinking of Hawaii for our honeymoon in October/November 2002.

What will the weather be like?

We are looking at a 'Page & Moy' brochure and considering an itinerary that consists of 5 nights in Oahu (Ohana Waikiki Village), 3 Nights on Big Island (Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort) and 5 nights on Maui (Royal Lahaina hotel).

What is eating out like in these places? Are the restaurants as good (and as cheap) as California?

We have holidayed in California several times and love it, and think hawaii could be even better!!

Any tips, advise etc would be very welcome.

Thanks
Chris

Meals are actually quite expensive over on the islands. Since all of the food has to be shipped over, the meal prices show the extra costs.

But even with expensive meals, Hawaii is a beautiful place and would make for a romantic honeymoon location.

There are plenty of restaurants in Hawaii that cost no more than what you would pay in California - and of course, plenty of expensive places. We always ate one "super nice place" meal per week and then ate at smaller, local places the rest of the time. Oriental food, especially Korean, was especially good, and very inexpensive.

I would spend less time on Oahu and more time on the big island. There's much more to see there than on Oahu.
Staying in Honolulu will be kinda like staying in San Diego. When you're on Oahu, be sure to rent a car for the day and drive around the island to see the countryside.

In Maui, the Royal Lahaina is on Kaanapali beach which is crowded with lots of mega resorts. I'd recommend staying either to the south in Kihei area or to the north near Kahana.

Chris, please check to be sure you're getting a good deal on your travel package. I've read a couple summaries of the deals posted by other UK travellers who have purchased packages through travel agencies, and I believe they were not competitive.
Your agency may be great, but verify for yourself by cross-checking airfares and hotel rates on your own. Sometimes you can put the trip together more cheaply on your own, and increase your flexibility (range of accommodations, etc).
Hawaii is the best overall vacation destination in the world in my opinion. I think you'll find it's worth the effort to get there. But make sure you arrange the trip to meet your tastes, goals and expectations. If you have specific questions, please ask them.
The more specific your questions, the better the information people here will provide.

Greetings Chris,
I suggest getting a place with at least minimal kitchen facilities then you don't have to eat out all the time. I love Maui with Kauai as second place. Kauai more peaceful, good for honeymooners. Weather will be paradise for a Brit! Cheers Paul (expat Brit)

Not to "rain on your parade" so to speak, however, October and November tend to be rainier in HI than other months, but I wouldn't let that dissuade you. I, too, would spend less time on Oahu (not our favorite of the islands), but others will disagree with me. Start on Oahu and spend maybe 3 days at most and move on to the Big Island and Maui. I'm sorry you're missing Kauai. It is definitely the most beautiful of the Hawaiian isles, in my opinion. There is also much less commercialism than on Maui or Oahu, so choose accordingly. On Maui, I would stay away from the Lahaina area (much too touristy or commerical for me) and stay either in the Kapalua or Wailea areas. However, I do not know what you are specifically looking for. I would avoid Lahaina and Kaanapali on Maui. On the Big Island, I would recommend staying on the Kohala coast - good location to travel upcountry or to Kona. Again, these are my choices and not necessarily what you may be looking for, but I would wish for you to experience Hawaii at its best since you are traveling so far and are honeymooners. Feel free to e'mail me directly if you have specific questions.

for 13 days I would pick one island and stay there. A big part of Hawaii is relaxation hopping around works against the benefit of being there. All of the landscape will blow you away so why try to top it all the time. If I only had two weeks I would pick one island and stay there for this reason I would skip Oahu. Great for food, History, culture and nightlife just would not want to skip the enormity of the wide open spaces on other islands. You can still see tremendous natural beauty on Oahu just not as much of it.

Only worry about winter on Kauai's North Shore is that time, but I honestly think coming from England (I lived there for a few years you will not be put off by one or two overcast or rainy days). I welcome these days for hiking as I am fair and don’t have to race against that mid day sun. It is mostly like summer rain and I have never been chilly in October/November on any of the islands (have always gone swimming in Winter during the day and in the evening)(a far cry from Atlantic temp) lived in HI for 3 years make regular trips back.

Oahu is a great island I just think hopping around is disorienting if you are not familiar with the islands and each has enough to absorb two weeks stay. Had it been in Summer I would be sending you to Kauai one week; North Shore One week South Shore. This still could work but why risk it on a Honey Moon.

Food is not so expensive certainly not on the British pound. Look at some menus online. Alan Wong's would be great on Oahu for a special meal. There are more inexpensive options.

Prices are very subjective when you ask on a board here. I also do not find the grocery stores expensive at all but many here disagree. They seem to be up in price just a tad from the east coast not at all from NYC. Maybe I noticed 50 cent hike on Ben& Jerry's maybe nothing more than that. You can do searches for food on this board “cheap eats Oahu is one” best food overall is on Oahu. Many of the worlds leading chefs flock here and set up shop. Everyone goes out to dinner on Holiday so there is a hearty living to made in the restaurant industry.

About Expensive groceries, I was in a store with my brother in-law he made a b-line for all the mainland fruits and vegetables I had to yell HELLO WE ARE IN HAWAII NOW lets stew up some taro leaves, chop up a mango, papaya both varieties, DO YOU EVEN WANT TO TRY APPLE BANANAS !!!...don’t forget the poi and malsadas. He gave me an apprehensive look but knew he had to follwo my lead.

Just wonder if people who think Hawaii is expensive are looking for local produce/products from home. My sister who has 3 children and does need to budget did not see a difference that was considerably more than home (Southern New Jersey rural) we are east coast I know it is very cheap in Mid Western US so some on here might feel differently but I think it is a regional thing. Actually Oahu could still be a choice for you but I would stay there the entire time and use the island for what it offers not just Waikiki.

November the international film festival is on. Check out some of the ethnic festivals, see if Kabuki is on at University of Hawaii. Go to the Hawaii tourist bureau website for event details on each island. Good luck just remember less is more in Hawaii when you are considering travel.