mrrockydog

I have booked our room at the Hilton and our flight through expedia. I'm getting ready to book tours. Oh and I went ahead and booked the Polynesion show and luau - I didn't pay close attention though and they have us going the day after we get there. Do you think I should change it?? I just don't know how bad we will have jet lag since Cancun and Jamaice is the furthest we've ever been and we live on the east coast so I don't know how we'll feel. Should I change it to another day? I think you can leave either at 10:00 or at noon. Now to book the rest of those tours....

Samsaf

I think the first morning you are there, you will be up really early -- so no problems with planning things for that day.

We live outside of Atlanta, so it's a long flight for us, too. We try to stay up as late as possible the first night we're in Hawaii, so we can try to sleep later in the morning, but we're still usually up by 5 or 5:30 a.m. because of the time difference.

Have a great trip. It's good that you've got days for just relaxing -- that is one of my favorite things to do in Hawaii!

karameli

My husband and I went to Hawaii from NJ last year. The day of arrival, we were exhausted -- fell asleep after dinner. Jet lag had us awake at 2:00am! But we stayed half-alseep until 5:00, got breakfast, and then hiked 16 miles. So, even if you're up a little early, you'll probably have plenty of energy that second day! You should be fine.

Also, I agree that you should add Hanauma Bay to your itinerary. It's an amazing place, and if you go early in the morning, you can be back at your hotel relaxing by lunchtime.

MelissaHI

I found one of the "cheap eats" threads but I couldn't find the REALLY big one:
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...1&tid=34506042

Here is another link to a food blog:
http://onokinegrindz.com/

Postal

suze, does the Barefoot Bat at the Hale Koa allow non-military people to buy drinks there now? I've been there many times and they always asked to see my military ID card.

suze

Postal- Yes Barefoot Bar is open to the public is my understanding. We were there in January this year and had drinks at sunset there on three occasions. No one questioned us. I know you can't go into the other restaurants or shops, only the beach-side patio bar and walking thru the hotel grounds.

If this is not true I'd sure be interested in knowing. We would never have gone if we weren't supposed to! People recommended we go there for the fantastic $5.95 maitais, so we did. And it was lovely.

Budman

Yes, they don't ask for ID's at the outside bar, or Happy's Snack Bar, so if you have kids, you can get some great "junk food" at a reasonable price (pizza, dogs/burgers, fries, and the like).

suze

well, there is no signage or anything to the effect that the Barefoot Bar is not open to the public. It's not like we snuck in or anything

mrrockydog

Everything is booked and we are ready to go to Oahu in five weeks!! Our itinerary is pretty much what I first drafted up with the exception of doing the Pearl Harbor tour on a wednesday instead of a weekend. We ended up doing the Polynesion Cultural Center luau on a saturday. We're booked to climb Diamond Head one morning and on our last day there since we don't leave until 11:00 pm I book a North Shore tour that runs from 1:00 to 6:00 pm - I figure that gives up plenty of time to freshen up and get ready to head for the airport back home. We're also going to the flea market on the Pearl Harbor tour. Which brings me to my new questions:

At the flea market what are some must-have things to pick up??

Do we need to buy watershoes for the beach since I have read about coral?

Any must eat foods to try besides the shaved ice??

I've been trying to go through all the food posts and making a list. The best things I've come up with to remember are to get food at the ABC store that is in the resort and that the military resort next door is cheap and good to eat at. Any suggestions??

How much is a cheap beach umbrella?? My mom would love to have an umbrella to sit under - she isn't a fan of the sun, but I don't want to rent one for $35 a day or whatever.

Finally someone told me that you aren't even allowed to take shampoo on your carryon on the plane. Is this true? I'm wondering what in the world we can put in our carry-ons. I'm always afraid of my luggage getting lost and I always pack swimwear, a couple outfits for my and my son, makeup and shampoo, and other toiletries. Is there a list or something that I can go to?

I think that's about it. Oh and we are still going to Sea Life Park to swim with those cute little sea lions - they remind me of dogs and I'm such a dog lover - I wonder why they call them sea lions - they should be called sea dogs!!

Seriously I do appreciate all your input - and I promise to write a trip report and I'll be honest - I can hardly wait!!!!!!!!

MelissaHI

did ya look at my links for the must eat foods? Malasadas...plate lunch...

mrrockydog

I did look through the new "cheap eats" thread and took more notes last night and this morning. Thanks! I think I'm so excited and stressed at the same time that I'm probably asking questions that have been answered!

I did find out about the carry-on stuff - so I guess that means I can't even bring my own special bottle of hair spray in my purse?????? Unless it's in a 3 oz tube - and I guess I can live with that - I'm just so afraid that something will go wrong and that my luggage will be lost!

I would like to know about the beach being rocky - is it bad enough for water shoes??

And I remember reading about buying your own lounge chair but I can't remember seeing anything about how much an umbrelly would cost?? To buy I mean.

And what foods are must-trys???

chepar

You don't really need water shoes for the beach as you can easily avoid stepping on rocks/dead coral at most of them.

Please do not use the water shoes to step or walk on the reef, though. I see it very often at Hanauma Bay (even though people are warned not to do it). People are basically killing the coral when they step on it.

olesouthernbelle

Yes, do buy the water shoes at Walmart or Long's Drugstore if you don't bring them. You won't always need them, but best to avoid a surprise 'OUCH!'

Leonard's Masalada's are a must. A plate lunch is a must - but unless you like to be stuffed, plan to share this meal.
Catch of the day is always good.
I've not had a bad fish taco either - and usually this had also been so much that two can share.

Pulled pork, Taro chips, Lava Flow - Manapua are sold at some of the gas stations - I recommend trying them as well (also filling).

If you didn't mention the ET coupon discount at booking, call PCC back and mention it (they say they require it to be mentioned at booking - then, bring the actual coupon with you).

Also, many booklets at the airport and all shopping centers have coupons, usually 10% off price for many tours. Therefore, I'd also call back and ask if they have knowledge of any coupons and where to find them (for their particular activity). That way, you save yourself alot of looking through multiple booklets.
Sometimes your hotel or resort will also have special arrangements with certain tours or restaurants and give you coupons upon check in - so you might want to ask in advance which those might be or just keep this in mind when you arrive.

For example, I bought a purse from a shop at Coconut Marketplace our last day & just prior to check out time, I finally glanced at the booklet they gave me at check-in. There was a 30% off coupon I could have used on the purse...argh!

sansuzy

TSA travel tips can be found at www.tsa.gov for all the lastest security policies. Basically, you are only permitted to carry on a 1 quart size, clear zip-top plastic bag holding 3 ounces or less containers of liquids, gels or aerosols. Limited to 1 bag per traveler. Everything else must be in your checked baggage.

Also, the beaches along Waikiki and Hilton Hawaiian Village are white sandy beaches, so no aqua shoes are needed unless you have sensitive feet.

Hilton Hawaiian has a good teppan yaki Japanese restaurant called Benihana where chefs cook your food right in front of you. Kinda fun and the food is good.

Lots of tourists also go to Ala Moana shopping center which is located across Ala Moana Beach - less than a mile from HHV. Your hotel might also provide a shuttle to the shopping ctr.

HulaLola

Hope you are still checking this for replies! Just wanted to mention that at the Swap Meet, it can get VERY hot. The entire thing is on black asphalt. Make sure you drink plenty of water and don't try to do to much. I am just thinking, with your mom and your 7 year old, you want to take it easy. I would also suggest a hat of some kind for everyone! The heat can really sneak up on you! Have a great time!

karameli

One comment about Benihana at the HHV -- this is a HUGE chain restaurant and not exactly authentic (or even great) Japanese food. Hibachi-style cooking is fun to watch, but chances are, there's a Benihana at your mall at home. I'm usually not an "eat-local" purist, but Hawaii's proximity to Japan means there's a ton of tasty, cheap, authetic Japanese food and sushi all over Honolulu. It would be a shame to overpay for Beni's.

sansuzy

It is true what karameli posted. But, I know when my boys were younger, they really enjoyed the entertainment experience. The chef really catered to our sons and did all sorts of tricks. During his cooking theatrics, he even made this flaming "volcano" out of the onions. But then again, I suppose it all depends on the chef at your table.

We dined at Benihana at Whister Village in British Columbia, but for some reason enjoyed the food better at the one at HHV. Our personal experiences were always enjoyable.

Anyway, more food for thought.

mrrockydog

Hello! I am counting down the days! We leave Monday the 16th at 12:30 pm from Roanoke, VA. We are all so excited! My mom is especially excited - I am so happy that I can take her there. I'll be paying off the trip for a couple of years though! LOL!

Anyway I have one question. When I booked with expedia, one of the things that came up was a free breakfast orientation. I was wondering if this is worth our time???? I mean is it a timeshare sales pitch or does anyone know?? It's set for tuesday the day after we arrive and I thought I'd ask and see if this free orientation breakfast was worth it. I'm unsure whether it's something to do with Hilton or what. Can someone fill me in???

zorrosf

For a less expensive alternative for breakfast, try the Wailani Coffee shop just outside HHV at the corner of kalia and Ala Moana Blvd. It's not the world's best breakfast, but it's good and less than 1/2 the price of those at HHV. Since you have a family there, you may appreciate this alternative. As you walk out the front of HHV, turn to your left and walk 1/2 block. You and your family will LOVE HHV and Oahu in general.

lcuy

the "free breakfast oreintation" is a sales pitch for guided tours. I've had many friends go to it, and always be totally irritated afterwards at having had their vacation time wasted like that.

Even a McDonald's breakfast will be a better use of your time!