Hotel and Activities/Oahu 3 days
 

Hi,
My husband and I will be traveling to Maui for a week (already have accommodations)and then to Oahu for the last 3 days of our trip. This will be the first time there for both of us, and we need guidance for activities on Maui and then hotel recommendations and activities for Oahu. I was thinking about staying in Waikiki to be near the action, because we will be staying in a fairly private location on Maui (3500 ft. on slope of Haleakala). I would like to be near or on the Waikiki beach. Budget is about $300 or below per night. We will be going April 2007.
I really appreciate any help.
I do want to see Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head. We will do a luau on Maui, but is there more than one?
What's the weather like in early to mid April?

For Oahu, I would recommend the Outrigger on the Beach hotel. It is right on Waikiki, and it is a great hotel. It has two great restaurants, Duke's and Hula Grill, and in April, you should be able to get an ocean view room for $300/night. We have been to Oahu twice, and some of the things I would recommend would be: Pearl Harbor, Aloha Swap Meet, snorkeling Hanauma Bay, spending a day at Lanikai Beach, taking a drive to the North Shore, and of course, just hanging around Waikiki :) It's a very fun island with lots to see and do!

How about the Moana Surfrider Sheraton or the Royal Hawaiian? The two oldest hotels in Waikiki.

I think a very fun thing to do on Oahu is ride the outrigger canoes.
I lived in Hawaii and never took the opportunity - thought it was a silly tourist thing to do- but then went back as a tourist with my daughter and thought it was very fun! Closest thing to surfing you can do without actually getting on a board.

My favorite beach is Bellows - on the north shore

Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt has the best fire knife dancer on Maui.

Maui:

Haleakala at sunrise, stroll Lahaina, Road to Hana & Iao Valley were my favorites.

Lots to do on Oahu:

http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34812564

Maui:

www.visitmaui.com free brochure

www.mauihawaii.org

Thank you for all of the links to Hawaii sites. I will check them out and I am sure they will be helpful.
I have another question about the Waikiki Outrigger on the Beach. I read on their website about a vow renewal ceremony they offer. Since we will be celebrating our 25th anniv., I thought it would be nice. Has anyone done that and is it worth it, or is it cheesy?
Also, if we are on Oahu 3 days, do we need a rental car?
Thanks and keep the suggestions coming. I appreciate it.

You would only need a car to drive around the island. Otherwise, the bus system is pretty extensive. It'll take you to Diamond Head, Hanauma Bay and Pearl Harbor -- all of which I highly recommend -- and it's easy to walk around Waikiki.

Rent a car the entire time on Oahu.

By the time you pay for airport shuttles or cabs & buses, you wom't save any $$. Plus you will have spent hours on or waiting for slow public transportation.

I have just been reading about the Outrigger Shore condominiums, and they sound very nice. Has anyone stayed there, and what do you think? I can get a 1 bedroom oceanfront for $365.00, or a 1 bedroom ocean view for $305.00. Is that a decent price for a view? I can't believe I am asking if $300+ is a good price!!

Waikiki Shore is a wonderful location - I've stayed there twice. It doesn't have a pool, restaurant, ect, but you can use everything at the Outrigger right next door.

I would suggest renting a car since you only have 3 days on Oahu, otherwise you'll waste a lot of time waiting for & riding the bus. There are at least 3 car rental locations right in Waikiki, so you could rent for a couple of days only, if you wanted.

As for luau's on Maui, there are several - my favorite is the Old Lahaina Luau - unfortunately, they don't offer any discounts & if you decide on this one, make rexervations ahead of time, as they're always sold out.

I think it's a great idea to renew your wedding vows for your 25th! We were married on Maui, and it was spectacular. Our wedding was at the SeaWatch in Wailea with guests, etc, but you could renew your vows on the beach for free. All you would have to pay for is the minister's fee. I can give you our minister's info if you'd like. He is such a kind man. He also plays the guitar and sings beautifully, so that would be an added bonus for you. I think it would be very romantic for the two of you, not cheesy at all!
As for luau's, we went to the Feast at Lele on Maui. All of our guests loved it. It is a sit down dinner, plus they have fire dancing. I've heard good things about the Old Lahaina Luau, but it has the buffet lines and no fire dancing.
Have a fantastic trip!

My family all enjoyed Old Lahaina Luau. It's true, it's a buffet and there is no fire dancer. But it is an incredibly gorgeous setting (just stunning), excellent music and dance show (very high quality imo), and nice spread of traditional foods for dinner and dessert. Lots of MaiTais during cocktail hour too. Two tips: reserve well in advance because it sells out regularly & I would chose to sit at a table rather than the matts on the grass up front.

As to weather on Oahu..expect it to be between 70-80 degrees or so EVERY DAY without fail.

Do go to see the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, then go next door and get tickets for a guided tour of the battleship U.S.S. Missouri which is now permanently moored across the harbor and within sight of the Arizona Memorial. The Missouri is the battleship that Gen. MacArthur sailed into Tokyo Bay for the Japanese to sign the formal surrender papers ending WW2. The Arizona Memorial and the U.S.S. Missouri together in Pearl Harbor signify the beginning and the end of American involvement in World War 2.
Also, although some people think the Polynesian Culture Center on Oahu is hokey, we (including my 17 year old daughter) found it quite interesting, educational, and entertaining.

Well, the vote seems to be fairly split whether to rent a car or not. I would say we plan to visit Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head, but other than that, probably will hang around Waikiki, and also shop. Do we need a car for that? Since we will be Upcountry on Maui, we will probably stay and play close to the beach.
Thank you for the luau suggestions.
I would also like to hear more opinions on hotels/condos.
One more questions, should we make advance reservations to fly from HNL to Maui and back?
Thank you again to everyone for your insight. I wish I didn't have to wait 6 months.

There are rental agencies handy on Waikiki. Rent a car for a day to get to Pearl Harbor early, and if you like, you can then drive around the island, look at the gorgeous scenery, see Punchbowl Cemetery and the Pali lookout, and have lunch and eat shave ice at Haleiwa. You will have to pay a daily charge for parking at the hotels.

You can take the bus to Diamond Head, or, as happened to us, a limousine came by and offered to take us for the same price as the bus fare.

You don't need (and probably don't want) a car for hanging out, shopping, etc. in central Waikiki. You can get around on foot or using The Bus or trolley very easily.

Hi,
I have been checking on hotels in Waikiki and am hoping for your opinions on the Sheraton Waikiki, The Sheraton Moana, the Outrigger on the Beach or The Hawaii Prince Hotel. I would love to hear from anyone who's stayed at one of these hotels. I have pretty much narrowed it down to these. Thank you again for your help.

teddysmom
<<One more questions, should we make advance reservations to fly from HNL to Maui and back?>>

Yes, I would make reservations so that you don't have to worry about times, availability etc.

Debi