NeoPatrick

I started to jump on a couple of other threads which are similar, but didn't want to hijack. Here's the deal.

Traveling alone. Four weeks plus in Hawaii. Trying to keep housing costs around $100 to $125 TOTAL a night (those cleaning fees and taxes really add a lot, though --$125 base price automatically becomes $160!). Not into helicopter rides and other expensive activities. More driving around, sightseeing, relaxing on an oceanfront lanai, some hiking, exploring, and of course eating! I don't expect ever to go back to Hawaii, so this is it.

Looking to fly to Honolulu for one week -- probably staying at the Ilikai Marina in a marina facing apartment. Thinking I'll go two days after Labor Day (Sept. 9).

Then 6 nights or 7 on Kauai, probably at a condo at Wailua Bay View.

Next will fly to Big Island for about 10 nights. I'm thinking two nights at Volcano, two nights at Hilo or maybe at the north end at Honokaa. Then 6 or 7 nights at Kona -- looking at Hale Kona Kai.

And finally flying to Maui for a week somewhere at Kihea. Here's the big issue. Should I do the Road to Hana and stay there a night or two? I'm not that crazy about driving it but certainly could, yet don't like the sound of the bus trips. And I sure don't think I'd want to drive it roundtrip in one day -- seems like that's something you'd do just to say you've been there.

I'd need to fly from Maui in the morning back to Honolulu for a noontime flight to LA.

Any comments? Any major mistakes? My next goal is to book my FF ticket in the next few weeks and line up the accomodations. Already I'm finding some of my good choices not working as they are booked the specific weeek I'd be there.

jamie99

Hi Patrick,

You might want to cross post this over on Trip Advisor forums, lots of active Kauai posters there including some who live over there. I'll be in Kauai Sep. 19 for a week at the Marriott. Your plan sounds really good. Have a great trip.

hpeabody

Hi Patrick
I am very happy to see you getting right out there. I travel to Hawaii every year solo (I have since 1980) I kind of feel like Hawaii is my second home

I would really check up on the Ilikai in Honolulu. Unless they have truly renovated, last I knew, it had degraded to to a very sad state. My ex-boss booked a package using the Ilikai for a week and left after the first night and then found other accommodations and fought for their money back and won (he took lots of pictures) It was pretty horrific. I wish I had a suggestion for you that is similar, but I don't. I generally stay at the Islander Waikiki for it's location. It is not really what you are looking for. One thing I recommend to people going to Waikiki is not to rent a car for the full time, but pick up a car at one of the Waikiki locations for 1 or 2 days during the stay and do the around the island sightseeing. A lot will depend on your location. Getting back and forth to the hotel I use some kind of shuttle or Roberts Hawaii right outside the baggage claim. If this not for you, of course there are Taxi's

On the BI I find Hilo very blah, even the weather is not usually nice there. I absolutely love the volcano national park, can never get enough of it. I do enjoy Kailua-Kona, it has a very homey feel for me. Rental Car for the entire time on the BI recommended, If you can do it without a drop charge you could fly into Hilo, leave from Kona. There are probably more flight options Kona roundtrip than Hilo.

Now Maui ... I have never stayed in Kihei, I typically stay near Kaanapali in Kahana or Honokawai in a condo. Last couple times at the Mahana. Car Rental the whole time on Maui also recommended. If you haven't done the drive to Hana, DO IT! It is awesome and be sure to go beyond Hana to Oheo Gulch and get to the visitors parking lot and out on the cliffs (A path leads there, it is a walk, but not terribly difficult. (That happens to be my favorite place on this earth, so far ) I love your idea of staying up there in Hana (Hotel Hana Maui?) Although I do make it a one day trip, I know it is not enough time to see as much as there is to see. I would agree with your statement " And I sure don't think I'd want to drive it roundtrip in one day -- seems like that's something you'd do just to say you've been there"

Checking Trip Advisor is a good idea.

You are so helpful to all fodorites, I hope I can be of some help to you. If you want to discuss more about Hawaii, I am here

Have a wonderful trip to Hawaii and Aloha

suze

I highly recommend the tour of Doris Duke's ShangriLa estate, booked thru Honolulu Academy of the Arts. You need to reserve in advance since it's popular and they only take a limited number of people, and on certain days of the week. It was a great thing to do solo. www.shangrilahawaii.org

I have a number of favorite inexpensive and moderate places that I enjoyed eating solo in Waikiki (which I'll post later).

dusty56438

"I would really check up on the Ilikai in Honolulu. Unless they have truly renovated, last I knew, it had degraded to to a very sad state."

Ilikai Marina is fine.

It is the Ilikai Hotel next to Ilikai Marina that is in trouble.

I'm sure you've seen this long thread before. But here it is again. Get the free brochures. Might help you out in deciding where to stay or what to do on the islands. Each also has a good island map with the brochure:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34812564

hpeabody

dusty56438 ... Thank you for clarifying that.

NeoPatrick

hpeabody, are you talking about the Ilikai Hotel -- or the Condo building called the Ilikai Marina? The two as I understand it are totally unrelated. I'm looking at a couple of VRBO privately owned apartments in the condominiums. I think Dusty has this right.

But I agree with the car idea in Honolulu. I'm thinking of just renting one for a day or two to do some driving, otherwise using the buses to and from the airport and for getting around. But I'm thinking I need a car full time on all the other islands. I'm not good at feeling "landlocked".

Suze, anything Doris Duke did or had is worth exploring. And I await your "solo dining" suggestions. That's a whole new world for me.

DebitNM

FWIW - The Road to Hana. As I understand it, the driver has to pay pretty close attention to the road. Will you really get to see the scenery as you are driving??

If you do the drive, be sure to stay overnight at least. Long trip to do in a day, I would worry about that trip back.

Glad you are hitting the road!
Deb

gyppielou

Patrick

First off, I truly felt a wonderful sence from the hospice when I communicated with them before you said your goodbyes to Lee. A remarkable hospice.

I don't ever shout this place out, because it is so special, but both mrlou and I and iamq and marteeen have had the privledge of staying in Hanalei at the Plantation Cottage via Napali Rentals.

It may be a bit off your price mark, but it will offer you a sense or community - you can walk to the little surfer town, shop , have dinner, meet locals, and then meet locals each night at sunset at the pier.....or walk the beach at sunrise with your thoughts.

You can stop by the fish store for a maki roll or a slice of ahi for the grill, or you can get a shaved ice down the road.

And when you are ready to head out, there are so many wonderful places to explore and be peaceful.

There are other rentals iamq and i and other could steer you to, but

and this is the secret and the reason we call it the hellhole...... there is no other place on this earth like it, and you can be alone, without being alone.
best wishes @verizon.net

hpeabody

Patrick, Yes, I was commenting about the Ilikai hotel, but I think dusty56438 corrected me.

Yes, it is advisable to have a car full time on the outer or neighbor islands.

You will have a wonderful trip,
Aloha

gyppielou

Another option on Kauai would be Kal's Islander on the Beach with the famous SandBar. It is my go to place before heading to beach rentals, it is midway between everything with lots of restaurants and it is decorated lovely.

kashflo44

If your looking for things to do on Oahu, you should check out www.oahuvacations.org there are lots of things to do that the average person visiting oahu wouldn't normally know about. As for places to stay, almost everywhere in Waikiki is nice now days. I personally like the Pacific Beach Hotel. The staff is friendly, and you can walk around and explore waikiki without going far.

jojo46

You may want to clarify the Ilikai Hotel/Ilikai Marina rentals following the latest news on the hotel featured today in H. Star-Bulletin and the H. Advertiser.

http://www.starbulletin.com/business...acilities.html

NeoPatrick

Once again, the Ilikai Marina is a condo building which has NOTHING to do with the Ilikai Hotel or even the former Ilikai Yacht Harbor Tower.

Here's the 15th floor condo I'm looking at and the views from it -- $620 per week. Not many apartments in my price range with that kind of view (yes, I like looking at boats, even though this was originally picked for Lee's benefit).

http://www.vrbo.com/109596

luvtravl

Wow - that looks terrific! I don't see how you can go wrong with the view and the price.

gyppielou

Patrick, I love when people post about the Road to Hana and it is not about the destination, but about the journey and the stops made along the way. Bull-frickin-crap!!! But at least it keeps the day trippers lingering to long in Heavenly Hana.

I have only spent 9 nights in Hana in 3 trips, and would like to find a place and settle in for at least a week - that's how I feel about Hana. Last time I was there was the night before Christmas Eve and Hotel Hana was our favourite, most hawaiin Christmas tree display. And I recall my sunrise walk into town a few years back. Every vehicle that passed, waved aloha. Watching a baseball game was a highlight. So let the daytrippers rush in and rush out - they will never understand that it is Hana and not the Road that calls me back.

Aloha
g

NeoPatrick

DebitNM asked the question I've had in the back of my mind. Is the drive to Hana so intense that I really can't enjoy the scenery, or is it fine if I stop and enjoy it a lot -- are there many pull-offs? I'm really going to miss the old days of Lee driving while I navigate and enjoy the scenery --ala Amalfi highway, etc.

To avoid the Ironman deal on BI, I'm now definitely doing BI before Maui, so I can be a little flexible at this point in staying a few extra days in Maui. Hana might be the place to do that. Any ideas for where to stay there? Anything in my price range -- close to $100 a night? Or for a change, would it be worth it to do a couple days at Molokai instead of Hana? I'd like to do something more "remote" than most of the rest of the trip.

NeoPatrick

By the way, these are places I'm pretty much settling on in Kona and on Kauai:

Kona/Kailua: www.halekonakai-hkk.com/units/404/index.htm

Kauai: www.vrbo.com/152385
(unit 205)

gyppielou

There are a thousand places to pull over on the Road to Hana, that is why most people dillydally and then don't understand the gem of Hana itself. I think if you realize how secluded it is you just may fall in love. Nearly all rentals have a 2 or 3 night minimum, which has protected the community a bit. I'll try to do a search for places I'd stay.

I visited Molokai for the soul purpose of visiting Kaluapapa - the leper colony - on mule. It was a most amazing trip. But we were at likely the most remote spot of all hawaii at our glorious cottage.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34933546

Unless you are called to visit Kaluapapa, I think Hana has the seclusion you seek.

gyppielou

the kauai unit looks excellent and you may get to watch some surfing lessons from you lanai - that's were I took kids to learn to surf with one of the big wave riders Titus Kinimakas and his fabulous group of teachers. Oahu looks great too!