Honolulu in Sept.?
May 9th, 2007, 10:04 AM
#21
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Since no one else has said it; let me chime in. This is your first trip to HI and since you are only staying 1 week; don't try to do 2 islands. You waste a lot of time checking out of 1st hotel, going to airport and through security, then getting to next hotel, unpacking. Then you will have to fly back to HNL [I think] to fly home to Philly. That will waste an entire day.
Do yourselves a BIG favor, 1 island for this trip and save the next island for the next trip.
{We were in HI in October 06 and did 3 islands in 15 days and it was too much}
Of course, this is IMHO.
Hope this helps...
Debi
Do yourselves a BIG favor, 1 island for this trip and save the next island for the next trip.
{We were in HI in October 06 and did 3 islands in 15 days and it was too much}
Of course, this is IMHO.
Hope this helps...
Debi
May 9th, 2007, 02:06 PM
#23
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Waikiki IS a big city with a beach. Waikiki is part of Honolulu, which s not exactly a small town. Waikiki is several hundred highrise hotels and condos jammed up against a little strip of sand called Waikiki Beach that is not a very good beach. In fact, Waikiki is mostly an artificial man made beach. On some parts of the beach at busy times it is even too crowded in the water! Check this web site for a photo.
http://www.whereto.us/waikiki.jpg
http://www.whereto.us/waikiki.jpg
May 9th, 2007, 02:08 PM
#24
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I've got to agree with the others - one island is plenty for your first trip to Hawaii and Oahu is great for your first visit. There is so much to do and see - it has everything you said you are looking for. Don't let nay-sayers scare you off - Oahu is a beautiful island and Waikiki/Honolulu is only one part of it. Be sure to rent a car and drive around the island and you will be amazed at all there is and how beautiful it is.
May 9th, 2007, 02:44 PM
#26
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Not trying to scare anybody. Just trying to present the facts, unlike those who declare that Waikiki is a paradise, while brushing off a legitimate criticism that Waikiki is a beach in a big city.
I think the photo shows both the beautiful and the ugly side of Waikiki, and would help somebody decide for themself.
I think the photo shows both the beautiful and the ugly side of Waikiki, and would help somebody decide for themself.
May 9th, 2007, 03:43 PM
#27
Waikiki *is* a beach in a big city no one said it isn't (but it is not New York City by any stretch, compare the population of the two and you will see what I mean).
Secondly, for me that is not a "criticism". A place can have a lot of people and still be a "paradise" imo.
As example, I love Venice beach in California, Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Waikiki on Oahu.
The fact that some people think a beach being crowded is a problem, reflects only a personal preference, not a statement of fact.
Secondly, for me that is not a "criticism". A place can have a lot of people and still be a "paradise" imo.
As example, I love Venice beach in California, Puerto Vallarta in Mexico, Waikiki on Oahu.
The fact that some people think a beach being crowded is a problem, reflects only a personal preference, not a statement of fact.
May 9th, 2007, 04:38 PM
#29
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Congratulations on your 25th anniversary! My DH & I celebrated our 25th last June by going to Honolulu, We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian. We informed them before we arrived that it was our 25th anniversary. To our surprise when we arrived they had upgraded our room to an oceanfront room at no extra charge and also we rec'd one day complimentary breakfast in our room. We also rec'd a complimentary bottle of wine. Have a great time!
May 10th, 2007, 05:41 PM
#31
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SORRY GUYS!!! I din't want to start any disagreements. What I said about Honolulu and New York City was just what a couple of friends - who have been there - told me. Since everyone agrees that 8 days is not enought time for 2 islands, than please help me decide whether to go to Oahu or Kauau.
May 14th, 2007, 01:36 PM
#40
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You will love it in Honolulu... Oahu is a great island to start with when visiting Hawaii for the first time. And to reply to the comment of Honolulu being a "New York City with a beach" is way off. My guess would be the person has never been to Honolulu or never been to New York City. Not to be harsh... perhaps they have been to both, but the comparison is without merit (perhaps its because Honolulu has a lot of high-rise buildings, like NYC, but that would be the only comparison).
There's really no bad time to come to Hawaii, but September is definitely a "good time". As its already been said, the Aloha Festival is during September.
www.alohafestivals.com
I would lump the activities that will be a drive for you (going to the North Shore, Dillingham Airfield - www.DillinghamHawaii.com, driving around at your leisure to see different spots on the island, etc) to be done on the same day (or days). Like someone else said, many things can be done within walking distance (even scuba diving... the Hawaii Scuba Diving Center has two locations in Waikiki www.HawaiiScubaDivingCenter.com).
Other things such as Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, Paradise Cove Luau, etc has a tour bus that will take you.
Hilton Hawaiian Village is a beautiful place to stay, and they have a ton of things to do right there on the property... you will love staying there.
Something that I don't believe was mentioned yet is preparing yourself for jet lag and trying to not be tired for a few days when you get here. Each time we visited (before we moved here) we would come on a flight that arrived during the day... stayed up until it was bedtime here in Hawaii, then went to sleep and woke up with everyone else here. I know it sounds overly simple, but many people who come here (especially for one week) have some time adjusting to the difference in hours. I've met many people who when they got here took a nap (or perhaps slept some on the plane), and so their hours were more like the mainland as opposed to Hawaii. Normally by the second full day our bodies were "on Hawaii time" and we were good to go.
DavidinHawaii
www.HowToDoHawaii.com
There's really no bad time to come to Hawaii, but September is definitely a "good time". As its already been said, the Aloha Festival is during September.
www.alohafestivals.com
I would lump the activities that will be a drive for you (going to the North Shore, Dillingham Airfield - www.DillinghamHawaii.com, driving around at your leisure to see different spots on the island, etc) to be done on the same day (or days). Like someone else said, many things can be done within walking distance (even scuba diving... the Hawaii Scuba Diving Center has two locations in Waikiki www.HawaiiScubaDivingCenter.com).
Other things such as Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, Paradise Cove Luau, etc has a tour bus that will take you.
Hilton Hawaiian Village is a beautiful place to stay, and they have a ton of things to do right there on the property... you will love staying there.
Something that I don't believe was mentioned yet is preparing yourself for jet lag and trying to not be tired for a few days when you get here. Each time we visited (before we moved here) we would come on a flight that arrived during the day... stayed up until it was bedtime here in Hawaii, then went to sleep and woke up with everyone else here. I know it sounds overly simple, but many people who come here (especially for one week) have some time adjusting to the difference in hours. I've met many people who when they got here took a nap (or perhaps slept some on the plane), and so their hours were more like the mainland as opposed to Hawaii. Normally by the second full day our bodies were "on Hawaii time" and we were good to go.
DavidinHawaii
www.HowToDoHawaii.com
