Conlet

We returned yesterday from our first trip to Hawaii and I wanted to thank all the people in this forum who have been so helpful in sharing advice and information.
We were somewhat hesitant in planning this trip as neither of us are "beach" people, and we like to be on the go all the time despite our graying hair and sore joints!
However, it all worked out wonderfully, and we have some great memories!
Day 1 - arrived in Honolulu at 5:30 pm after traveling all day from the east coast. Located luggage quickly and hopped the shuttle ($8) to the Aston Waikiki Beach (great rate with Ent. Bk). By the time we checked in and somewhat unpacked, we only had energy for dinner at their Tiki restaurant. Off to bed.
Day 2 - awake early (still on east coast time) and were down to breakfast at 6. AWB has "breakfast on the beach" - a buffet set up in the pool area. You can fill your insulated bag with muffins, quiche, cereal, juices, coffee, Asian foods, etc. and eat it on the pool deck, your lanai, or take it across the street to the beach. We took a shuttle to the Arizona, arriving at 8 am and were in the 3rd group, entering at 8:30. That part is pretty well controlled for time - we were back at 9:20 and looked about the museum for a bit. Then on to the Missouri, where we took the Chief's Tour as recommended by several on this forum. Very well worth the time and extra $6. We took the shuttle back about noon and the shuttle driver dropped us off in Chinatown, where we had dim sum at the Legend restaurant - very good. Then we walked around Chinatown and on into the downtown area, visiting the state capitol and the palace. Took The Bus back to Waikiki and got off near the international marketplace and wandered there for a while. My daughter wanted us to bring back dressing from the Hula Grill, so we stopped there but no one could find the key to unlock the cabinet it was kept in! We stopped in at the happy hour at Chuck's, also in the Outrigger, and later decided to stay right there for dinner as we had a waterfront view table and could hear the entertainment from the bar below. Back to Hula Grill, purchased the dressing, and walked back to the hotel
Day 3- decided to rent a car to go to the Pol. Cultural Ctr and north shore. Got a car for 2 days and headed to Hanauma Bay. We do not snorkel, but I did go swimming here - what a beautiful area! then on through Kailua and Kaneohe. We decided to find the Giovanni's shrimp truck before going to the Center, shared a table with another couple and got talking about Hawaii and everything else and wound up staying there 2 hrs. As it was later than we planned by then, we headed to Haleiwa, then back towards Honolulu, stopping at the Dole plantation. Dinner at Sam Choy's on Nimitz Hwy.
Day 3 - down to breakfast much later! Since we had the car for the day, we went to see the Punchbowl, and on up the Pali Hwy to the lookout. Down into Kailua again, and back by the coastal road. Spent some time at the beach, then to Roy's for dinner - one of our best meals!
Day 4 - Turned the car in this morning and picked up the free Hilo Hattie's shuttle. After some time there, the shuttle dropped us off at the Ala Moana center - lunch at their international food court, and some more browsing. Anniversary dinner at Hau tree Lanai restaurant in the New Otani. Beautiful setting.
Day 5- back to Hon. airport where we were "selected" for super inspection before departing for Hilo. Arrived at 11:30, picked up car (unbelievably easy) and checked in at the Hilo Hawaiian - a beautiful ocean-front room. An older hotel, but super clean. Back to the airport for a volcano helicopter tour wirh Blue Hawaiian - one of the highlights of our trip. It was awesome - great trip, super pilot, and a video which I just watched again tonight. Dinner at the hotel, then disaster! My husband's crown came off his front tooth! No dentist around at 9 pm, but the hotel staff made phone calls and found us a dentist we could visit in the morning. Spent the evening sipping wine on our lanai.
Day 6 - Off to a late start because of the dentist visit. Drove north to the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens - a great visit. DH loves plants, so this was ideal. On to Waipio Valley, then around to Parker Ranch and to Kailua-Kona. Had a condo at the Kona Reef; dinner at Huggo's, also a hit.
Day 7 - On to the Place of Refuge, a coffee farm, and the black sand beach south of Volcano Nat Park. Arrived at our B & B, the Country Goose about 3, checked in, and went back to the park. Drove most of the Crater Rim Road until dusk, then to dinner at the Kiluaea Lodge - mmm!
Day 8- Back to VNP, finished the Crater Rim Road (don't miss the Thurston Lava Tube) and drove down the Chain of Craters Rd. (We skipped going down at night because the rangers told us nothing much was happening.) It was interesting to see the park from the ground after seeing it from the air! Stopped at the orchid farm just outside the park and had flowers sent to friends, and at the Mauna Loa Mac Nut Farm. Back to the Hilo Hawaiian for their seafood buffet and to sleep - had same room as Tuesday!
Day 9 - to Maui via Honolulu! Despite lots of reading and planning, I did not realize no one flew direct to Maui from Hilo; would have had to go from Kona. Picked up car and drove to Kaanapali area - Papakea Resort. Had a lovely ocean-fron studio condo. Dinner and sunset at Pacific O.
Day 10 - trip to Hana. Picked up cd, luch and cooler in Paia. Stopped at most of the places indicated on tape, lunched in Hana at the harbor, went on to the Seven Pools (it's quite a hike for creaky knees) and Lindbergh's grave. Too tired for a restaurant - got take-out pizza to eat on our lanai.
Day 11 - Wandered around Lahaina, took a glass-bottom boat ride on the Reef Dancer - a bust - did not see one fish! They offered us a raincheck which we did not use. Went to Warren and Annabel's show - one of our highlight's also. The food was great - a combo appetizer platter and dessert - plenty for dinner- and we laughed until our sides hurt at the show.
Day 12 - Went to Iao Valley and the Maui Tropical Plantation, then drove south throgh Kihei and Wailea. Lunch at Bada Bing. Old Lahaina Luau at night - very well done.
Day 13 - our last day - we decided to take it easy. Went back to Lahaina and to Whalers Village to collect souvenirs for family, lunch at Compadres, and spent the afternoon hanging around the condo. Dinner at Hula Grill.
Day 14 - homeward bound. Turned in car, were again "selected" for super inspection, left Maui at 1:30 pm, Honolulu-NY (a 10 hr flight), and then home at 9:30 am on day 15.

General comments - everyone we met certainly showed the aloha spirit - people couldn't have been nicer. The flowers and vegetation are so intensely beautiful -pictures can't do them justice. Found the food more expensive than on the mainland, but then we ate at many high-priced places. We liked all 3 of the islands we visited; when people ask you to compare - you can't really. Each has its own personality and we would return to each of them.
A great trip!

stever

Thanks alot! Great info. It's good to know that when WE leave the Big Island for Maui, we'd have to fly out of Kona for a direct flight INSTEAD of Hilo, the airport we'd fly into.

Steve

ChristieP

I'm glad to see that you enjoyed the Country Goose B&B in VOlcano. We also stayed there!

bonniebroad

What a fabulous report, Conlet!!! Wonderful details...... thank you for taking me back!!!

GinMin

Thanks so much for the report. I was wondering if you took the Continental flight from Newark. My girls, 6 and 9, and I will be taking that flight in a couple of weeks to join my husband who'll be on Oahu for business. I've made the flight before, but never with both girls and always with a plane change in LA. How was the flight? What food did the airline serve? I'm guessing I'll need to bring lots of snacks for the girls.

Any info is greatly appreciated!

Ginger

Conlet

Ginger - yes, we took the Continental flight out of Newark - 10 1/2 hrs going and 9 1/2 hrs return. They first distributed a pkg of pretzels, then drinks. Abour an hr later, a "lunch"; we have requested seafood meals and usually do well with that, but we had "mystery fish" this time. They come by a few times with drinks and you can always go to the back and they will give you some. I made sure to get up and walk the aisles every hr to hr and a half. We also got a snack before landing in Honolulu.
Coming back they did not have our seafood meals aboard - did not have any special meals actually. We had more pretzels, drinks, a chicken patty sandwich with salad and brownie. I'm sure you could ask for more pretzels. Oh yes, we also got coffee and a muffin (breakfast) about an hour brfore arriving in Newark at 6:30 am. I had brought some food and water because I am diabetic and could not figure out when they would serve food, but both times the main "meal" was served about 2 hours into the flight.
The flights were smooth, but very long. Going out you are excite to be leaving on vacation, and it did not seem so bad until I realized that 5 hrs into the flight we were clearing the CA coast and were only halfway there! Coming back was less time, but you are tired and sorry to be leaving, so it seemed as long. If you can sleep on planes, it helps. Some people told me they had prescription meds for sleeping during the flight, but I take enough pills now so did not want to go that route. Have a great trip!

GinMin

Conlet,

Thank you so much for your reply! That was exactly the info I was looking for.

Ginger