Need help planning our first trip to Hawaii Dec. '06
Mar 17th, 2006, 02:09 PM
#21
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Coden, you need to copy and paste the whole link, not just click on the highlighted part.
I am sure that you will have a great time. Spending time on the beach or sightseeing is much more fun than spending it in airports and checking in/out of hotels.
8-)
I am sure that you will have a great time. Spending time on the beach or sightseeing is much more fun than spending it in airports and checking in/out of hotels.
8-)
Mar 17th, 2006, 06:19 PM
#22
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Jamaltay - Thnx for the help on the link. I appreciate it. And, I agree, it will be a much more relaxing vacation doing it this way.
bobludlow - Thnx for the link, it is a great site and does show a sense of humor. Can't wait to get there!!
Okay - I am finding flights for $945 to $1300. This is for Dec 16th - 30th. Surely they'll go down, right? We knew the air would be the most expensive part of our trip and we'll pay it, but we don't want to. I've been to every airfare site out there and I've put myself on a couple of fare watches. I'm using Atlanta, Cincinnati, Nashville & Chicago as the airports that we could fly from. Hopefully the price will fall, Keeping my fingers crossed!
bobludlow - Thnx for the link, it is a great site and does show a sense of humor. Can't wait to get there!!
Okay - I am finding flights for $945 to $1300. This is for Dec 16th - 30th. Surely they'll go down, right? We knew the air would be the most expensive part of our trip and we'll pay it, but we don't want to. I've been to every airfare site out there and I've put myself on a couple of fare watches. I'm using Atlanta, Cincinnati, Nashville & Chicago as the airports that we could fly from. Hopefully the price will fall, Keeping my fingers crossed!
Mar 17th, 2006, 07:04 PM
#23
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Just returned from Waikiki. Do the walk from the beach hotels to the top of Diamond Head every year - takes 3-3.5 hours - do it in the morning.
GREAT RESTAURANT not listed in Fodor's:
Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant a 20-30 minute walk from the Waikiki beach hotels. He has a Fixed Price menu from 5:30 to 6:30 which for $30 had appetizers, small salad and rolls, choice of fish with starch, and large dessert. We were full! I rated our meal and service as 5.0! If in the area be sure to check it out. Menu changes every month.
GREAT RESTAURANT not listed in Fodor's:
Sam Choy's Diamond Head Restaurant a 20-30 minute walk from the Waikiki beach hotels. He has a Fixed Price menu from 5:30 to 6:30 which for $30 had appetizers, small salad and rolls, choice of fish with starch, and large dessert. We were full! I rated our meal and service as 5.0! If in the area be sure to check it out. Menu changes every month.
Mar 18th, 2006, 01:46 PM
#27
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Coden ... sorry, I do not think the airfare will go down!!! That season is too popular, and if enough will pay it, they'll charge it! 
I would love to spend a Christmas there but never will because of that. Glad you're getting your plans well in-hand!
I would love to spend a Christmas there but never will because of that. Glad you're getting your plans well in-hand!
Mar 18th, 2006, 02:01 PM
#28
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Thnx bonniebroad. Tomorrow I will check with the agency that books all of the flights for the travelers at the company that I work for. Maybe they will be able to shave a few pennies off. This is our first time ever traveling at Christmas time. And hey, since I'm going to have to buy the airfare now, at least it will be paid off in 30 days, as soon as the bill comes in, so we'll be done with it and can then save for our time in Kauai.
Yippee...Kauai here we come!!!
Yippee...Kauai here we come!!!
Mar 18th, 2006, 03:21 PM
#29
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If you can fly out of Washington, check out the fares to Kauai on the American web site. You'll like what you see.
I hate to say this after you've already arranged a rental, but Kekaha is a questionable choice, particularly for your first time on Kauai. The beach there is very nice; it goes on forever, and its sunsets are superb. And you are close to the road to Polihale (though not to Polihale itself), Waimea Canyon, Salt Pond Beach, Jo Jo's Shave Ice, the lovely Japanese garden at the golf course in Kalaheo, Shrimp Express, and Brick Oven. But the area is not particularly lush, the views are nice but not "knock-your-socks off" dramatic, and the towns are a bit run-down. And you have a solid 30 minute drive to the Poipu area and its nice beaches and excellent restaurants, even longer to the best beach in the south, Maha'elupu. Getting to the North Shore will take you at least 90 minutes, probably more--and it'd be a shame to go to Kauai and not visit the North. Perhaps most problematical of all is that you are 45 minutes from Hamura Saimin!
I hate to say this after you've already arranged a rental, but Kekaha is a questionable choice, particularly for your first time on Kauai. The beach there is very nice; it goes on forever, and its sunsets are superb. And you are close to the road to Polihale (though not to Polihale itself), Waimea Canyon, Salt Pond Beach, Jo Jo's Shave Ice, the lovely Japanese garden at the golf course in Kalaheo, Shrimp Express, and Brick Oven. But the area is not particularly lush, the views are nice but not "knock-your-socks off" dramatic, and the towns are a bit run-down. And you have a solid 30 minute drive to the Poipu area and its nice beaches and excellent restaurants, even longer to the best beach in the south, Maha'elupu. Getting to the North Shore will take you at least 90 minutes, probably more--and it'd be a shame to go to Kauai and not visit the North. Perhaps most problematical of all is that you are 45 minutes from Hamura Saimin!
Mar 18th, 2006, 04:31 PM
#30
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Cidbob - Fantastic!! By your description it sounds like we are 'off' the beaten track, which is where we wanted to be. We'll be there for two weeks and will use 1 week to travel around the island and the other to just relax. At this point we are talking about an every other day thing as far as traveling for sightseeing goes. We won't mind the drive to the North, sounds wonderful.
Thnx for the heads-up on Washington. Not knowing if you meant DC or Seattle I tried both. For my time frame DC is showing $1,000 and Seattle $860. I would still have to fly to either. I'll keep looking, but thanks anyway!
Thnx for the heads-up on Washington. Not knowing if you meant DC or Seattle I tried both. For my time frame DC is showing $1,000 and Seattle $860. I would still have to fly to either. I'll keep looking, but thanks anyway!
Mar 19th, 2006, 10:45 AM
#31
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Hey back atcha, Coden!
I just checked the American Airlines web site. I punched in 12/18 - 12/30 for flights from IAD to LIH and came up with a 2-stop for 477 bucks, plus taxes. Leaving the day before or the day after and returning just about anytime during that period brings up 415 bucks, plus taxes.
You're right that Kekaha is off the beaten track (the beaten red dirt track, I should say). If your house is where I think it must be, you'll have great access to several wonderful beaches, Waimea Canyon, Port Allen for a heli ride and other adventures, Infinities for surfer dude watching, and all sorts of other fun. And if you get a Kona low and lots of rain, you'll be in the one part of the island where you might see some sun.
Have a great time--and good luck with those airline tickets. Again, be sure to go directly to AA.com.
Mar 19th, 2006, 12:53 PM
#32
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Cidbob - I think there was something wrong w/ AA's site. All of the flights were showing for 4 & 5 hour flight times. I saw what you saw and then plugged in my airport. The same thing happened except it was showing $250 dollar flights. Yippee!! But Unfortuanetly for me, I logged out and went back in and now both airports are showing over $1000.
I'll keep trying!
I'll keep trying!
Mar 19th, 2006, 02:43 PM
#33
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Cidbob - I did get back to a $420 R/T from IAD to LIH for 12-18 thru 12-30. That shaves off two days of our vacation plus IAD is 10 hours from here. We are thinking about booking it, but, it just opens up a whole can of worms. Fly to IAD or drive to IAD.
Oh well...I'm giving it a rest for tonight!
Oh well...I'm giving it a rest for tonight!
Mar 19th, 2006, 03:17 PM
#34
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Hey again, Coden --
On the first screen at the AA site--the one where you put in your airports and dates--make sure that you also check the "fares" button under "search by." It's when I've done this that the super-discounted fares have come up. I've been able to find fares from Dulles to Lihue for $415.00 from December 17 through January 1. In fact, I just bought two flights at that price for my wife and me, leaving 12/20 and returning January 1.
I spoke to an AA agent on the phone about a related matter, and when I mentioned my flight and its cost, she couldn't even find it at first on her screen, and when she finally did, she said, "Buy it quick!"
What is your ideal location for departure?
Keep at it and good luck. Kauai at ANY COST is wonderful, but to fly there from the East Coast for 415 bucks is . . . well, it defies belief.
But I have two confirmed reservations at that price in hand, so it must be true.
On the first screen at the AA site--the one where you put in your airports and dates--make sure that you also check the "fares" button under "search by." It's when I've done this that the super-discounted fares have come up. I've been able to find fares from Dulles to Lihue for $415.00 from December 17 through January 1. In fact, I just bought two flights at that price for my wife and me, leaving 12/20 and returning January 1.
I spoke to an AA agent on the phone about a related matter, and when I mentioned my flight and its cost, she couldn't even find it at first on her screen, and when she finally did, she said, "Buy it quick!"
What is your ideal location for departure?
Keep at it and good luck. Kauai at ANY COST is wonderful, but to fly there from the East Coast for 415 bucks is . . . well, it defies belief.
But I have two confirmed reservations at that price in hand, so it must be true.
